Past Events
The J2A group worked with Wreaths Across America to lay wreaths on the graves of Veterans Dec. 18 at Youngstown Cemetery. We honored Veterans from the Civil War through current times. The organizers were thrilled that we had so many wreaths donated and that so many youth came to help! Thank you St. Martin’s family! #HomeSweetChurch
Joseph and Mary Christmas Musical
JOSEPH AND MARY, a new Christmas Musical was launched in the 2019 holiday season. It told the very human love story of Joseph and Mary, two young people who get caught up in a situation beyond anything they could have ever imagined, that will change history forever. The format was similar to JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, with an original rock score by St. Martin's own Jerry Cahill and his friend Jim Ineson. It is a story of enduring love, hope and redemption played against the forbidding Roman occupation of Judea in the 1st century and the unbending laws and traditions of their own nation. It was an exciting family event telling an unforgettable story in a new and powerful way. Bravo to all involved!
J2A/Rite 13 at The Garden of Love
Our J2A and Rite 13 groups brought donations to The Garden of Love, an outreach program at St. Paul’s Cathedral one Sunday in November. They collected donations for Care Kits, clothing and snack items. For more information about The Garden of Love, visit spcbuffalo.org/gardenoflove. Praise God!
J2A/Rite 13 Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
Thank you to our J2A/Rite 13 groups for a great night! The youth were very attentive, serving delicious spaghetti dinners to patrons. Veterans ate at a discounted price and were honored with a patriotic sing-a-long towards the end of the night. Thank you to all who volunteered their time or attended the dinner-you are helping to raise money for our youth's upcoming Holy Pilgrimage!
Family Bonfire Party
Our second annual Family Bonfire Party this summer was a huge success! Together, we enjoyed a relaxing evening full of fellowship and fun. "Minute-to-Win-It" games, tacos in a bag and a live concert by The '66 Reunion Band were crowd favorite activities across all generations. A huge thank you to everyone on the planning committee and all who came to enjoy the event with our #HomeSweetChurch!
J2A's Urban Adventure
Our J2A kids recently went on their Urban Adventure around Buffalo this weekend! This was a 2 day trip where the youth, youth leaders, and other chaperones engaged in a physical and spiritual scavenger hunt. It is the intention that the participants will learn about their different gifts and skills during this adventure, and that the group will begin to know one another in different ways before going on their Holy Pilgrimage.
Meat Raffle
Our first meat raffle was a great success! Tickets were sold out before the event and lots of volunteers stepped up to help. In addition to the meat raffles, we raffled off a freezer filled with meat, a wagon filled with liquor, and had a fifty-fifty split. The night was filled with lots of activity, food, fun, and fellowship. A huge thank you goes to all who sold tickets to friends and family, who volunteered their time, made donations, including the generous parishioner who donated the freezer.
We are happy to report that after all expenses were paid our profit was $5,010.00 which will be added to our rectory rehab / Capital Fund. This all came together in less than 2 months which reflects St. Martins' ability to work together toward the good of the church.
Thanks be to God! 
Event Organizers
Beth Boron
Julie DeAngelo
Jeanne Percival
Chicken BBQ and Basket Raffle
With great joy, St. Martin's has hosted an annual Chicken Barbecue and Basket Raffle on the parish grounds for well over a decade now. It has become the place to be on Grand Island on the second Saturday of July. We serve between 800 and 1,000 chicken dinners each year. We have sit-down dining under our tents, with music and activities for children, plus a drive-thru food service. We serve dinners to Veterans for free in gratitude for their service to our nation. While the barbecue is going on, we simultaneously operate a bustling basket raffle, full of surprises and valuable items. Plan to stop in next year for all of this and more!