As part of our Journey in Faith and Grace process, there will be one, combined mass on the second Sunday of each month beginning in December 2006.   There are several purposes behind the Journey Mass proposal, including:

1. It will give the St. Mary and St. Mark communities the opportunity to join in a single mass.

2. It will create a larger population of worshippers at one place, instead of the three separate masses.

3. It gives Fr. Joe an opportunity to work with the parents at the Family Program.

4. It will help prepare all of us for the inevitable next step when the clergy shortage continues.

To accommodate people from both St. Mary's and St. Mark's, the place for the Journey Mass will alternate.  There will be a gathering after each Journey Mass for fellowship and to continue discussion of our Journey in Faith and Grace process.

For a complete list of the dates for upcoming Journey Masses, look under "Schedules".

Diocese of Buffalo - Strategic Planning

Overview of the Planning Process

JOURNEY IN FAITH & GRACE

We live at a time in history when change is our constant companion. Within the church, too, change is an ever-present reality. In order to be effective witnesses to the love and ministry of Jesus Christ, our diocesan Church must be willing to renew itself in light of new conditions, new challenges, and new opportunities. Thus, the Diocese of Buffalo will undertake a diocesan strategic planning effort which will define our mission and provide direction for our future ministry.

A Diocesan Planning Commission has been appointed to direct this planning effort. The Commission’s tasks include:

Prior to the appointment of the diocesan planning commission, preliminary work had already begun in the area of parish and school restructuring, one of the greatest challenges currently facing the Diocese of Buffalo. Restructuring will serve a two-fold purpose:

1.       To ensure that parishes will have the membership, leadership,and resources to be vibrant centers of parish life.

2.       To foster academically excellent and financially sound Catholic schools that will give witness to Gospel values through their environment, teaching, and activities.

The restructuring of parishes and schools will be the aspect of the strategic planning process that will touch local Catholics most directly. The parish is where Catholics express their faith and give proof of their communion with God and with one another. Through prayer, public worship, sacramental life and ministries, the parish gives witness to God’s presence. The parish is sacramental and God acts through it.

Catholic schools have been a vital ministry of most parishes throughout our diocesan history. These schools have been characterized by Catholic identity and cultural diversity. They have shown concern for spiritual formation and moral values, for academic excellence and global awareness, and for service to the Church and to the nation.

What changes have necessitated the restructuring of parishes and schools?

Western New York has experienced tremendous changes over the past several years. Population decline and a poor economy have affected every sector of life: financial institutions, health care, schools, private business, and local government. We have seen downsizing, outsourcing, merging, and restructuring in both the private and public sectors.

In addition to a net loss of population, Western New York has seen a significant shift of population from the cities to the suburbs. For example, the city of Buffalo has half the population it had in 1950 and has lost 11% of its population since 1990. Yet, there are still 56 Catholic churches in the city that, on average, are only 22% filled during weekend Masses.

Although our diocese has made some modest adjustments in the past 15 years, a more intensive process of restructuring is necessary in order to ensure that parishes and schools will be able to carry on effective ministry in the 21^st century. In a spirit of good stewardship, we need to restructure in order to have the number of parishes and schools that are truly needed and that our resources can support.

How serious is the Catholic Church’s need to restructure?

Parish membership and average weekend Mass attendance have been declining for many years. In just the past ten years, parish membership is down 12% and Mass attendance has declined 13%. Catholic baptisms during the same period declined 33%. Some parishes have neither the membership nor finances to support the ministries necessary for full parish life. A disproportionate amount of a parish budget is often needed to maintain old and underutilized buildings. Where a parish has a school, an average of 50% of the parish income supports the school, leaving few financial resources for the parish’s other ministries.

Catholic elementary school enrollment has declined 25% in the past ten years. Schools are operating at 64% of capacity and tuition covers only 50% of per pupil cost. Parishes with schools strain to subsidize their educational ministry often at the expense of other parish needs. Financial constraints do not allow parishes to pay administrators or teachers a salary commensurate with their credentials. The average starting salary for an elementary teacher with a BA is $17,600 (2004-05).

The Diocese of Buffalo is also experiencing the same decline in priestly vocations that has been experienced throughout the western world. The number of active diocesan priests serving in the diocese has declined 30% since 1995 and that decline is projected to continue. There are also fewer religious order priests serving in the diocese than there were ten years ago.

Will the planning process result in the closure of any parishes or schools?

If we are to be responsible stewards of our resources as we work to create vibrant pastoral and educational situations, it will be necessary to close some parishes and schools. This is not a situation unique to Western New York. Dioceses across the country, but especially in the northeast, have been engaged in similar planning efforts for many years.

How will the restructuring process proceed?

The planning process that the diocese is undertaking will begin by asking Catholics at the parish and vicariate level for restructuring suggestions that will meet pastoral criteria for full parish life and educational criteria for school excellence. Collaboration and dialogue will characterize the process. The vicariate councils will review the proposals for parishes and schools within their vicariate and then forward their suggestions to the Diocesan Commission. Proposals that meet the diocesan criteria for restructuring will be forwarded to Bishop Kmiec who will make the final decision.

What can parishioners do who are not actively involved in the process?

The diocese is interested in any restructuring ideas that parishioners may have, and these could be offered to the Vicariate Council through the pastor, principal, or parish representatives. Most importantly, we can all pray that we will find the best solutions possible to meet the challenges we face so that we will have full and vibrant parish life and excellent Catholic schools for years to come. Pray, too, that we will not be afraid of or resistant to change, but rather open to God’s spirit working among us.

And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified. – Acts 20:32

Latest Planning News

Diocese begins strategic planning effort

Re-Imagining a Vibrant Church May Require Restructuring

 Why Restructure?

     It should come as no surprise to all of us parishioners of St. Mary, St. Mark, and St. Rocco, that our new Bishop has begun the process of restructuring the parishes and schools in our diocese.  We have heard the statistics about the decreasing number of priests, the dropping attendance at Mass and the diminished number of parishioners

       At a convocation, held at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, Father Joe gathered with other priests to listen to Bishop Kmiec’s proposal.  Those gathered were told that it is time to re-imagine our diocese and the way it functions as the body of Christ.  Bishop Kmiec did NOT present a list of school and church closings.  Nor did he reassign priests and change the configuration of priests and parishes.  Instead, he chose to use a “grass-roots” approach and set into course a means for gathering information, and requesting input from all of us in the church.  Everyone is invited to have a hand in this re-imagining.  Many parishioners remember completing surveys years ago, and watching as nothing happened.  Bishop Kmiec promises to implement the action plans which develop.

     The hope of  this restructuring is “to ensure membership, leadership, and resources to support vibrant parishes and foster Catholic schools that are academically excellent, financially sound, and reflect Gospel values…” says Bishop Kmiec.

 Step One 

      Planning the restructuring is expected to take from 18 to 30 months.  The first part of the process requires the Bishop to appoint a 24-member planning commission.  This commission will include clergy, religious brothers and sisters, and parishioners.  Their task will be to guide the planning.  The process has been called,  “Journey in Faith & Grace.”  Guiding this process will include writing a diocesan mission statement and vision statement.  These statements will outline basic values for future decision-making, including providing criteria for vicariates to work with in determining what parishes and schools should close and which ones should remain open.  This commission will also be responsible for creating strategies for action plans to address major concerns and be involved in on-going committee work to complete the strategies and action plans.  They will meet for the first time in late August at Christ the King Seminary.  By October 2006 they are expected to begin reviewing recommendations from parishes and subcommittees throughout the diocese.  The commission will make recommendations to Bishop Kmiec, who will have the final say about which parishes close and which stay open.  Parish closings could happen in late 2006 or early 2007.  Some school closings could come sooner.  We also should prepare for fewer Masses.

What does this mean to us?

      This news means a lot, and a little, to those of us who actively participate and support our parish.  It means a lot, in that the changes we have talked about for the past several years are closer to happening.  It means little, because there is not much we can do until the commission develops and provides us with the criteria for restructuring.  

     Once we have the criteria, we will be able to have “town meetings” within our parishes.  This will give everyone an opportunity to have a say in the process.  Perhaps the best we can do right now is to spread the word.  The Buffalo News, and Buffalo television and radio stations will be carrying information and updates regarding the process.  That means many of us in Orleans County who do not receive Buffalo media may be left in the dark.  To prevent this from happening, it is important that all of us spread the word, talk to our neighbors, read the parish bulletin and newsletter, and perhaps even visit the diocese’s website at www.buffalodiocese.org where they will provide up-to-date information. 

     The information, thoughts, and ideas gathered at the town meetings, provided by YOU the parishioners, will be used on the vicariate level to help determine restructuring in Orleans County.  There are seven churches, and one Oratory in our vicariate,  St. Mary and St. Joseph in Albion; St. Mary and Sacred Heart in Medina; St. Joseph in Lyndonville, and our parish, St. Mary, St. Mark, and St. Rocco Oratory.  Currently there are four priests in the vicariate, but soon there will be only three.  Some of the Buffalo suburban parishes have larger memberships than all of Orleans County together.  Geography will most likely play a role in which churches remain open, but we don’t know how much of a role.  Will all three (St. Mary, St. Mark, St. Rocco) of our churches remain open, or will some, or all of them close?  It is too early to guess.   For many, it is difficult to imagine the church structure of their childhoods no longer being present, or in use.  However, that is precisely what we are all being asked to do.  Most of us have heard over and over, “a church is not the building, but the people.”  If we have not internalized that yet, it is time, difficult though it may be.  Our church may not be growing in number, but perhaps it is growing in spirit.  Living our faith according to Gospel values is not about struggling to maintain and save buildings.  It is about forming community to take care of one another and the world around us.  Although it is not easy, it is time to re-imagine our churches.  The cry, “Don’t close my church,” will do little to help the cause.  If you want to help, to have an impact, to keep our church intact, stop thinking of us, the church, as a building, and realize we can do more for each other than a building could ever do.

Strategic Planning Commission Named

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec has announced the appointment of a strategic planning commission that will define the mission of the diocese and will provide direction for future ministry in the eight county Diocese of Buffalo. 

"The end result," said Bishop Kmiec, "will be a strategic plan that will lead to a revitalized Church, more vibrant parish life and schools that are known for their spiritual and academic excellence." 

The 25-member panel will be led by the bishop, and consists of clergy, women religious and laity. 

"We are extremely fortunate that every person who was invited to join the commission has accepted the appointment," the bishop said.  "The work of the commission is vital and will help to chart a course for the diocese as we embark on a journey of faith and grace.  As we begin this journey, collaboration is extremely important and I ask everyone in the diocese to become engaged in this process."

The commission members are:  

Most Rev. Edward U. Kmiec      Bishop of Buffalo

Most Rev. Edward M. Grosz:Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Diocese of Buffalo, pastor, St.

Stanislaus Parish, Buffalo

Mr. Robert Bennett:Chancellor of the NYS Board of Regents, parishioner, St.Christopher Parish, Tonawanda

Msgr. Leonard Biniszkiewicz:Episcopal Vicar of Western Niagara Vicariate, pastor, St. Teresa

of Infant Jesus Parish, Niagara Falls 

Mrs. Deborah Brown:Director of Sacramental Life, St. John the Baptist Parish,                   Lockport, parishioner, St. Mary Parish, Gasport; former Regional Director for Religious Education in Eastern Niagara, Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming Counties

Rev. Gregory Dobson:Episcopal Vicar, Southern Cattaraugus Vicariate, pastor, St. Mary of the Angels Parish, Olean

Rev. Patrick Elis:Episcopal Vicar of Northern Chautauqua, pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Cassadaga, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Sinclairville

Mr. Robert Greene:Lay Chair, Bishop's Council of the Laity, Attorney with Phillips Lytle, LLP, former  president, Board of Catholic Education, Diocese of Buffalo, parishioner, St. Louis Parish, Buffalo

Mrs. Kathleen Heffern: Director, Office of Church Ministry, Diocese of Buffalo parishioner, St. Joseph-University Parish, Buffalo

Sister Nancy Hoff, RSM:President of the Sisters of Mercy, Co-chair, Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Mr. Kevin Keenan:Director of Communications, Diocese of Buffalo, parishioner, St. John the Baptist Parish, Kenmore

Mr. Todd Kniazuk: Member of Diocesan Pastoral Council, Senior Staff Assistant, University at Buffalo Institute for Local Governance and Regional Growth, Administrator, Erie-Niagara Regional Partnership, parishioner, St. Adalbert Basilica Parish, Buffalo

Ms. Denise McKenzie:Secretary of Catholic Education, Diocese of Buffalo, parishioner, Our Lady of Victory Basilica Parish, Lackawanna

Rev. Robert Mock:President, Council of Priests, Diocese of Buffalo, pastor, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Buffalo

Sister Regina Murphy, SSMN:Director of Research & Planning, Diocese of Buffalo

Mrs. Milagros Ramos:Director of Hispanic Youth Ministry, Diocese of Buffalo, parishioner, St. Anthony Parish, Lackawanna

Sister Denise Roche, GNSH:President, D'Youville College

Rev. Joseph Sicari:Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities

Deacon Paul Snyder:Member, Board of Trustees, Christ the King Seminary, permanent deacon, St. Mary Parish, Swormville

Msgr. Jerome Sullivan:Director of Priests' Personnel, Diocese of Buffalo, pastor, St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Hamburg

Mrs. Ann Swan:Member, Board of Catholic Education, Diocese parishioner, St. Gregory the Great, Williamsville

Mr. Steven Timmel:Executive Director of Financial Administration, Diocese of Buffalo, parishioner, Christ the King Parish, Snyder

Sister Lorianne Tylczynski, CSSF: At Large member, Leadership Conference of Women Religious,

member, Felician Provincial Council

Rev. Michael Uebler:Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Tonawanda, former Vicar of Tri-County Vicariate

Mr. Dan Workman:Parishioner, St. Martin de Porres, Buffalo

The diocese strategic planning commission will hold its first meeting August 25 and 26 at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora.  Between now and October 31, the preparation of case and process materials will be completed.  Between November 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006, there will be parish reflection and discussion, cluster group planning and a review of cluster recommendations by the vicariate council.  The Strategic Planning Commission will review the recommendations between October 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007, making recommendations to Bishop Kmiec who will then notify parishes that will be affected by restructuring.  Some school restructuring may be announced in February 2006.

 Additional information on the strategic planning process is available at www.buffalodiocese.org/plan.

Strategic Planning Commission developing guidelines for restructuring of parishes - Update

        "Guidelines for the Restructuring of Parishes" and "Criteria for a Vibrant Parish" were reviewed by the Diocesan Strategic Planning commission during its meeting at the Catholic Center on September 21.  The 25-member panel also continued its work on new diocesan mission and vision statements and core values.

        When the strategic planning process moves into its second phase on November 1, parishes will begin to receive the planning documents.  From prayer and worship to catechesis, lay leadership and involvement and more, the criteria will help to guide parishes in phase two of the process.  Thebulk of the planning in phase two will take place at the parish level. Bishop Edward U. Kmiec said, "This is extremely important work that will help us to address all aspects of parish life in the Diocese of Buffalo.  We want to make sure our parishes are more than a place where Sunday liturgy is celebrated.  Parishes should also have formation programs for the sacraments, religious formation for both children and adults, lay involvement, outreach to those in need, good pastoral leadership, and financial stability."

        Work will continue in the next month on restructuring and vibrant parish guidelines.  The commission will be considering a number of issues, including how many parishes a priest can serve, the number of Masses needed on a weekend, and how quasi-parishes, better known as missions, are functioning.

        In the new diocesan mission statement, it says, "We are called to see the Eucharist as a source and summit of our lives and to invite others to sharing this vision by our witnessing to the power of the Gospel.  With special concern for those who are poor, and a strong sense of social justice, our Church has a significant and unique presence in our community through the service of all generations within a cultural and economically diverse population."

            During phase two (Nov. 1, 2005 through Dec. 31, 2006), planning materials will be distributed to parishes and vicariates (divisions of the diocese) for reflection and discussion.  Clusters of parishes will develop recommendations for the reconfiguration of parishes and schools within the cluster.  Cluster recommendations will be forwarded to the vicariate council and vicariate recommendations will be sent to the Strategic Planning Commission between by Jan. 1, 2007.  However, some restructuring of schools may be announced as early as February 2006, depending on circumstances.

        The commission will review cluster recommendations for reconfiguration between January and December 2007.  Those recommendations will then be forwarded to Bishop Kmiec for his input and approval.  The implementation schedule will be determined as the process unfolds.

For more information on the strategic planning process, go to the diocesan Web site:  www.buffalodiocese.org/plan

Phase Two Begins...

            Parishioners from the eight counties of the Diocese of Buffalo are beginning reflection and discussion as the diocesan strategic pastoral planning process moves into its second phase. 

            Priests and parish life coordinators met on Thursday, Oct. 27, at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora to hear from speakers from other dioceses who have already experienced the planning process.  Parish representatives were at the seminary on Saturday, Oct. 29.  They were briefed on the planning process and materials, and also discussed diocesan core values and the meaning of a vibrant parish.  Deacons will meet at the seminary on Nov. 19 for similar discussions.

            Planning materials are now being distributed to allow clusters of parishes to begin to develop recommendations for the future configuration of parishes and schools within the cluster.  That information includes a checklist of some of the objective indicators of a vibrant parish and vibrant school.

            Parish cluster recommendations will be forwarded to the vicariate council and vicariate recommendations will be sent to the Strategic Planning Commission by January 1, 2007.  However, some restructuring of schools may be announced at an earlier date, depending on circumstances.

            "There's seems to be agreement among many of our faithful that decisions need to be made," said Bishop Edward U. Kmiec.  "As we move to reenergize the diocese, we will need to do some things differently.  It is extremely important for parishioners to become involved in this process, allowing them to have a say in future decisions. It is vital that we all work together as we continue on our journey of faith and grace."

            The new diocesan vision statement approved by the planning commission, states, "The Buffalo Diocese will be a vibrant, welcoming, Eucharistic-centered faith community reflective of God's love for us all and our love for our neighbor mirrored in justice, compassion, understanding, holiness, solidarity, and peace."  It also calls for increased lay involvement, working "collaboratively with the clergy to minister to the People of God. 

            "Restructured parishes and schools will give evidence to the good stewardship of our resources while creating vibrant parish communities and academically excellent, fiscally sound schools.  The diocese will continue to read the signs of the times and make every effort to respond to emerging needs."

            The strategic planning commission will review cluster recommendations for reconfiguration between January 2007 and December 2007. Those recommendations will then be forwarded to Bishop Kmiec for his input and approval.  The implementation schedule will be determined as the process unfolds.

            The next meeting of the Strategic Planning Commission will be Jan. 25, 2006.

For more information, including the new diocesan mission and vision statements and other strategic planning materials, go to the diocesan Web site:  www.buffalodiocese.org/plan.

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