Rightsizing and Reshaping

The following recommendations distributed the past two weeks to all vicariates of the Diocese of Buffalo were created utilizing the following process.

Renewal Team

  • Fr. Bryan Zielenieski, Vicar for Renewal and Development
  • Deacon Greg Moran, Strategic Planning for Renewal
  • Sara Osmanski, Project Coordinator for Renewal
  • Tara Potzler, Renewal Learning and Development Coordinator
  • Sr. Louise Alff, Evangelization and Outreach/Inreach Coordinator for Renewal

Renewal/Chapter 11 Task Force Group

  • Fr. Peter Karalus, Vicar General
  • Fr. Bryan Zielenieski, Vicar for Renewal
  • Jim Beardi, chair of Chapter 11 Task Force Group
  • Msgr. Robert Zapfel, Vicar Forane, Northern Erie Vicariate, Diocesan Finance Council
  • Karen Howard, Diocesan Finance Council
  • Fr. Mark Noonan, Pastor, ONE Catholic, Family #11
  • Rick Suchan, COO Diocese of Buffalo
  • Melissa Potzler, Chancellor, Diocese of Buffalo
  • Albert Gress, CFO Diocese of Buffalo

 

Process:

  1. Data from parish yearly financial reports for the last ten years was reviewed and presented to the Renewal Team by the finance and audit departments of the Diocese.
  2. Data from parish yearly sacramental reports was shared from the research and planning department of the Diocese with the Renewal Team.
  3. Census data, demographic data, geography, historical parish relationship data was all compiled by the Renewal Team
  4. Use of Catholic Leadership Institute data collected from each parish in the Diocese analyzing age, contribution levels, activity levels and spiritual life of people and parishes.
  5. All data and trending was analyzed by Renewal Team and recommendations took a rough draft form
  6. Father Bryan engaged in conversations with each Vicar Forane to discuss rough drafts, and ask for further insight and recommendations from their expertise in the vicariates.
  7. Father Bryan modified recommendations putting them into a more final version with justifications for the recommendations.
  8. Share the process and recommendations with other Diocese who have gone through this for their input and guidance.
  9. The recommendations were shared with the Renewal/Chapter 11 Task Force Group for review and modifications.
  10. Father Bryan made modifications to recommendations and justifications for final draft version to be presented to Vicariate meetings with Priests, Deacons and Trustees.
Listing of Diocesan Recommendations
Northern Erie Vicariate

Family #15

  • Our Lady of Peace, Clarence – merge with Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • St. Teresa of Avila, Akron
  • Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Williamsville
  • St. Mary, Swormville

Family #16

  • St. Leo the Great, Amherst
  • St. Benedict, Eggertsville – merge with St. Leo the Great. School to remain open
  • Christ the King, Snyder
  • St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Cheektowaga – merge with Christ the King
  • Infant of Prague, Cheektowaga – merge with SS. Peter & Paul
  • Peter & Paul, Williamsville

Family #17

  • St. Andrew, Kenmore – merge with St. Timothy
  • Blessed Sacrament, Tonawanda – merge with St. Paul
  • St. John the Baptist, Kenmore
  • St. Paul, Kenmore
  • St. Timothy, Tonawanda
  • St. Stephen, Grand Island

Family #18

  • St. Amelia, Tonawanda
  • St. Christopher, Tonawanda
  • St. Francis of Assisi, Tonawanda – merge with Our Lady of Czestochowa
  • St. Andrew Kim RC Mission, Tonawanda – merge with St. Leo (Family #16)
  • St. Jude the Apostle, North Tonawanda – merge with Our Lady of Czestochowa
  • Our Lady of Czestochowa, North Tonawanda

Family #19

  • St. Pius X, Getzville – merge with St. Gregory the Great
  • Good Shepherd, Pendleton – St. Augustine site to close
  • St. Gregory the Great, Williamsville
Southern Tier East Vicariate

Family #1

  • Brendan and Jude, – merge with Immaculate Conception, Almond site to close, Alfred site to remain open
  • Blessed Sacrament, Andover – merge with Immaculate Conception, and close
  • St. Mary, Bolivar – merge with Immaculate Conception and close
  • Immaculate Conception, Wellsville
  • Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, Wellsville – merge with Immaculate Conception – remain as a secondary worship site.
  • St. Mary, Canaseraga – merge with Immaculate Conception – remain as a secondary worship site

Family #2

  • St. Patrick, Belfast
  • Our Lady of the Angels, Cuba – merge with St. Patrick, Belfast
  • St. Patrick, Fillmore – merge with St. Patrick, Belfast

All sites remain open, Merge with Family #1 in 2026

Family #24

  • St. Bonaventure, Allegany
  • St. John, Olean – merge with St. Mary of the Angels. School to remain open for 2025-2026 academic year.
  • Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, Olean

Family #25

  • Holy Name of Mary, Ellicottville
  • St. Philomena, Franklinville
  • Our Lady of Peace, Salamanca
  • St. Philomena and Our Lady of Peace merge with Holy Name of Mary – still use all churches.

Family #33

  • St. Jude, Sardinia already merging with St. Aloysius and close
  • St. Aloysius, Springville
  • St. Mary, Arcade – East Arcade worship site to close 
  • St. John the Baptist, West Valley – merge with St. Aloysius and close
Southern Tier West Vicariate

Family #3

  • St. Anthony, Fredonia – merge with Holy Trinity and close
  • St. Joseph, Fredonia – merge with Holy Trinity and close
  • Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Silver Creek – close St. Rose of Lima site, Forestville, of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
  • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Dunkirk – merge with Holy Trinity and close. Northern Chautauqua Regional School would remain open and continue at this location with ministry provided by Holy Trinity.
  • Holy Trinity, Dunkirk
  • Blessed Mary Angela, Dunkirk – merge with Holy Trinity – sale of St. Hedwig, Dunkirk, and St. Hyacinth, Dunkirk campuses

Family #4

  • St. Patrick, Randolph
  • Our Lady of Loreto, Falconer – merge with St. James and close
  • St. James, Jamestown – close Our Lady of Victory site
  • Sacred Heart, Lakewood – close Panama site
  • Holy Apostles, Jamestown – close St. John site

Family #5 

  • St. Mary of Lourdes, Mayville
  • Christ Our Hope, Clymer – close Sherman site
  • St. Dominic, Westfield – close Brocton site

Family #27 

  • Immaculate Conception, Eden
  • St. Joseph, Gowanda
  • St. Mary, Cattaraugus – merge with St. Joseph and close
  • Holy Spirit, North Collins – merge with Immaculate Conception and close
  • Epiphany of Our Lord, North Collins
Niagara/Orleans Vicariate

Family #10

  • St. John the Baptist, Lockport
  • All Saints, Lockport – merge with St. John – and close St. Joseph campus
  • Immaculate Conception, Ransomville – move to Family #34
  • St. Patrick, Barker – move to Family #10
  • St. Brendan on the Lake, Newfane
  • Our Lady of the Rosary worship site, Wilson

 

Family #11

  • St. Stephen, Middleport – merge with Holy Trinity, Medina
  • St. Mark, Kendall – merge with St. Mary’s, Holley 
  • St. Mary, Holley
  • Holy Family, Albion
  • Holy Trinity, Medina

 

Family #34

  • St. Raphael, Niagara Falls – merge with St. Peter, Lewiston
  • St. Peter, Lewiston
  • Accept Immaculate Conception, Ransomville, into Family #34

 

Family #35

  • Divine Mercy, Niagara Falls – merge with St. Mary of the Cataract
  • St. John de LaSalle, Niagara Falls – merge with St. Vincent de Paul
  • St. Vincent de Paul, Niagara Falls
  • St. Mary of the Cataract, Niagara Falls 
  • Holy Family of Jesus Mary and Joseph, Niagara Falls – Our Lady of Mount Carmel site to close
Buffalo Vicariate

Family #20

  • Assumption, Buffalo
  • Holy Spirit, Buffalo – Merge with St. Margaret
  • St. Margaret, Buffalo
  • St. Mark, Buffalo – Merge with St. Margaret, School to Remain
  • St. Rose of Lima, Buffalo – Merge with St. Margaret
  • All Saints, Buffalo – Merge with Assumption

Family #21

  • St. Lawrence, Buffalo – Merge with Blessed Trinity
  • Blessed Trinity, Buffalo
  • St. Martin de Porres, Buffalo
  • SS. Columba Brigid, Buffalo – Merge with St. Stanislaus

Family #22

  • St. Louis, Buffalo
  • St. Joseph Cathedral, Buffalo
  • Blessed Sacrament, Buffalo
  • St. Anthony of Padua, Buffalo – Becomes an Oratory of St. Louis
  • St. Michael, Buffalo – Merge with St. Louis
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Buffalo – Merge with St. Louis

Family #23

  • Our Lady of Hope, Buffalo
  • Holy Cross, Buffalo
  • Coronation of the BVM, Buffalo – Merge with Assumption

Family #30

  • Corpus Christi, Buffalo 
  • St. Stanislaus, Buffalo
  • St. John Kanty, Buffalo  – Merge with St. Stanislaus (Rome to be petitioned to close St. Adalbert)
  • St. John Gualbert, Cheektowaga – Merge with St. Stanislaus
  • St. Katherine Drexel, Buffalo
Family #31
  • St. Martin of Tours, Buffalo – Merge with Our Lady of Charity (School Remains OPEN)
  • St. Teresa, Buffalo
  • St. Thomas Aquinas, Buffalo – Merge with St. Teresa
  • Our Lady of Charity, Buffalo 

Family #32

  • St. Casimir, Buffalo
  • St. Bernard, Buffalo – Merge with Our Lady of Czestochowa and close
  • Our Lady of Czestochowa, Cheektowaga
  • St. Andrew, Cheektowaga
Southern Erie Vicariate

Family #7

  • Fourteen Holy Helpers, West Seneca – merge with St. Gabriel and FHH remains as a secondary worship site.
  • Queen of Heaven, West Seneca
  • St. John XXIII, West Seneca – merge with Queen of Heaven and close
  • St. Gabriel, Elma
  • St. John Vianney, Orchard Park – merge with Queen of Heaven and close. St. John Vianney school remaining open on the St. John Vianney campus, recognizing that a comprehensive Catholic Education strategic plan is coming for the 2025-26 academic year.  

Family #8

  • St. Josaphat, Cheektowaga – merge with Queen of Martyrs and close.
  • Queen of Martyrs, Cheektowaga
  • Resurrection, Cheektowaga – merge with Our Lady Help of Christians and close.
  • Our Lady Help of Christians, Cheektowaga 

Family #9

  • Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bowmansville – merge with Nativity of the BVM as a secondary worship site
  • St. Mary of the Assumption, Lancaster
  • Our Lady of Pompeii, Lancaster – merge with St. Mary of the Assumption, use OLP as a secondary worship site
  • St. Philip the Apostle, Cheektowaga
  • Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Depew – merge with St Mary of the Assumption and close
  • St. Martha, Depew – merge with St. Philip the Apostle. School at St. Martha to continue, recognizing that a comprehensive Catholic Education strategic plan is coming for the 2025-26 academic year.  
  • St. John the Baptist, Alden moves to Family #9

 

Family #26

  • Queen of Angels, Lackawanna – merge with Our Lady of Victory and close
  • Our Mother of Good Counsel, Blasdell – merge with Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and close
  • St. Anthony, Lackawanna – merge with Our Lady of Victory, who will need to provide a Spanish Mass, and close.
  • Our Lady of Bistrica, Lackawanna – merge with Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and close
  • Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica, Lackawanna
  • Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Orchard Park

Family #28

  • St. John the Baptist, Boston – merge with SS. Peter and Paul and remain open as secondary worship site
  • Nativity of Our Lord, Orchard Park
  • Peter and Paul, Hamburg
  • St. Bernadette, Orchard Park – merge with SS. Peter and Paul and close

Family #29

  • Most Precious Blood, Angola
  • St. Anthony, Farnham – merge with Most Precious Blood and close
  • St. Francis of Assisi, Athol Springs
  • St. Mary of the Lake, Hamburg – merge with St. Francis of Assisi and close
  • St. John Paul II, Lake View
Genesee/Wyoming Vicariate

Family #6 

  • Immaculate Conception, East Aurora
  • Annunciation, Elma
  • St. George, West Falls – merge with Immaculate Conception and close
  • St. Vincent de Paul, Springbrook
  • St. Joseph, Holland – merge with Immaculate Conception and close

 

Family #12 

  • St. Brigid, Bergen – merge with Our Lady of Mercy and close
  • Resurrection, Batavia – close St. Mary’s worship site
  • Ascension, Batavia – merge with Resurrection, both sites remain open
  • Our Lady of Mercy, LeRoy
  • St. Padre Pio, Oakfield – merge with Resurrection, close Our Lady of Fatima worship site

 

Family #13 

  • St. John the Baptist, Alden – join Family #9
  • St. Maximilian Kolbe, Corfu & East Pembroke – merge with St. John the Baptist and close both locations
  • Joachim and Anne, Attica – merge with St John Neumann
  • St. John Neumann, Strykersville – close and sell the Queen of Rosary site, Strykerville – merge with Family #14.
  • Immaculate Heart of Mary, Darien and Bennington – merge with St. John Neumann and close both locations.

Family #14

  • St. Michael, Warsaw
  • Mary Immaculate, East Bethany – merge with St. Isadore and close both locations of Mary Immaculate
  • St. Isidore, Perry – merge with St. Michael, close and sell entire St. Mary site in Silver Springs.
  • New formation of the St. John Neumann Parish including Attica, Sheldon and Varysburg joins Family #14