Diocesan Rightsizing and Reshaping Decision A Message from the Parish Administrator of Catholic Community of Buffalo, North Desiree Lee / Monday, September 9, 2024 0 1432 Article rating: 3.8 September 9, 2024 Dear Catholic Community of Buffalo, North, Bishop Michael Fisher called on the evening of Monday, September 9, 2024, extraordinary vicariate meetings across the diocese. He announced the final decisions for the Family of Parishes adjustments and parish mergers/closures, which are a part of the Rightsizing and Reshaping initiative of the Road to Renewal process in our diocese. Bishop Fisher will announce these final decisions to the public at a 10:00 a.m. press conference on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. All the decisions for every Family of Parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo were shared at in-person meetings in each vicariate.... [Click title for full article] Read more
Status Update: Rightsizing and Reshaping Statement from Fr. Joe Tokasz Desiree Lee / Tuesday, July 16, 2024 0 2147 Article rating: No rating July 15, 2024 The Family of Parishes Leadership Team (trustees and clergy) of Family of Parishes #20 (The Catholic Community of Buffalo, North) has evaluated the recommendations presented and received on June 6, 2024 at Vicariate Meeting for the Buffalo (City) Vicariate. They have made the decision to not accept the recommendations received and plan to present counter proposals as per the guidelines/ processes which we have been asked to follow by the Road to Renewal Team of the Diocese of Buffalo. We will be submitting the written counter proposals before August 5th to the review committee and meet with them to present these counter proposals before August 23rd and await the decisions to be released by September 1st..... [Click title for full article] Read more
Rightsize and Reshape Recommendations Desiree Lee / Friday, June 7, 2024 0 5335 Article rating: 4.2 June 7, 2024 Dear Catholic Community of Buffalo, North, As you already know, the Diocese of Buffalo announced on Tuesday, May 28th a plan to merge approximately 34 percent of the diocese’s 160 parishes. On Thursday, June 4th, the priests, deacons and trustees from all the families of parishes in the Buffalo Vicariate (region), met with the Diocese of Buffalo Renewal Team to discuss recommendations for the “Rightsize and Reshaping” plan for the Buffalo region including our Catholic Community of Buffalo, North (CCBN) Family. We understand that these are major changes that we will all be going through together in a very short period of time and these recommendations may be very upsetting to process for many of us, if not all. Our Family of Parishes Leadership Team (Trustees and Clergy), in collaboration with ... [Click title for full article] Read more
Diocese of Buffalo Announces Plan to Reshape the Number of Parishes through Merger Plan presented to priests responds to critical factors impacting diocesan operations Desiree Lee / Monday, June 3, 2024 0 2368 Article rating: 5.0 Diocese of Buffalo Office of Communications Diocese of Buffalo Announces Plan to Reshape the Number of Parishes through Merger Plan presented to priests responds to critical factors impacting diocesan operations Buffalo, N.Y., May 28, 2024 – The Diocese of Buffalo today has announced that following a comprehensive and collaborative planning process directed by its Road to Renewal division, a plan was presented to Family of Parishes priests to merge approximately 34 percent of the diocese’s 160 parishes. “The Diocese of Buffalo is facing multiple challenges including a significant priest shortage, declining Mass attendance, aging congregations and ongoing financial pressures brought about by our Chapter 11 filing,” explained Bishop Michael W. Fisher. “This plan resulted from the lessons learned as we brought parishes together in the parish family model and determined rather quickly that scaling back the number of parishes would best allow us to use our limited resources to help reenergize a spiritual renewal in the diocese.” “These difficult changes associated with our renewal allow limited resources to be directed to the greatest needs in our community,” Bishop Fisher added, “The work of the Holy Spirit within... [Click title for full article] Read more
Catholic Community of Buffalo North, meet Buffalo State Newman Center, part of Family #36! Desiree Lee / Monday, May 6, 2024 0 2493 Article rating: No rating Catholic Community of Buffalo North, meet Buffalo State Newman Center, part of Family #36! Over the past several months the Buffalo State Newman Center has been discerning their future as the Buffalo State Newman building was identified to be sold with the majority of funding going to help towards the Chapter 11 settlement for the Diocese. Bishop Mike throughout this entire process has shared that the ministry of the Newman center must and will continue, although it will look different. With the Bishop’s guidance in mind, the leadership team of Buffalo State Newman has been discerning their future and what it would look like. After numerous meetings and exploring the options of moving Buffalo State Newman ministry onto the campus of Buffalo... [Click title for full article] Read more
Letter to the Faithful Diocese of Buffalo Office of the Bishop Desiree Lee / Saturday, March 2, 2024 0 3073 Article rating: 4.0 Letter to the Faithful - Bishop Fisher (March 1, 2024) Read more
Letter from Lionheart 2024 Co-Chairs "Wake the Lion" Desiree Lee / Tuesday, February 27, 2024 0 3950 Article rating: 3.0 Dear Families and Friends of St. Mark School, Get ready to roar with excitement! This year’s Lionheart Auction, "Wake the Lion” will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, and we are thrilled to announce that Lionheart 2024 will honor… Our Amazing Teachers! Our teachers at St. Mark School pour their hearts into shaping the futures of our children. Their love, dedication, and unwavering commitment set the stage for our students’ bright and rewarding futures. It is time to shower them with the appreciation they truly deserve at Lionheart 2024. The Lionheart Auction isn’t just a fundraiser; it is a tradition that connects our community, and it is vital to St. Mark School. Past success has always... [Click title for full article] Read more
A Letter from Fr. Joe Tokasz to our Family of Parishes Information about All Saints Parish Desiree Lee / Monday, February 19, 2024 0 3863 Article rating: 4.3 February 19, 2024 Dear Catholic Community of Buffalo, North, I received news this past week, that after a meeting of the College of Consultors and the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Buffalo, both advisory councils to Bishop Michael Fisher, a decision regarding the future of All Saints parish has been made. All Saints Parish has been dealing with challenges concerning its parish property and buildings as well as its finances for over two years. Particularly the condition of its school building and parish’s financial stability and longevity. They have made great efforts over the past year in striving to increase contributions and raise fundraising efforts.... [Click title for full article] Read more
Lionheart Letter from Fr Dave Desiree Lee / Tuesday, February 6, 2024 0 2420 Article rating: 5.0 Dear Families and Friends of St. Mark School and the entire Catholic Community of Buffalo, North, Please mark your calendars and plan to join Co-Chairs: Vera & Keith Carlino, Susan & Angelo Gambino, Erin & John Gerken and Kate & Matt Maleski and me for… Lionheart 2024, “Wake the Lion” Saturday, June 8, 2024 As always, the evening will feature delicious food, an open bar, music, a silent auction, an exciting live auction, awards, and honoring our teachers. Join us for fun, fellowship, and lion pride. [Click title for full article] Read more
Monthly Strategic Planning Meetings Desiree Lee / Tuesday, January 30, 2024 0 3114 Article rating: 4.5 POSTPONED: The monthly strategic planning meetings are postponed. The kick-off meeting on January 31st at St Margaret, is Canceled. Read more
A Brief Announcement Relative to the Diocese's Bankruptcy Desiree Lee / Monday, October 23, 2023 0 1794 Article rating: 5.0 Read more
Pastoral Letter on Catholic Education Desiree Lee / Wednesday, September 27, 2023 0 1598 Article rating: No rating Read more