Peace and Blessing to all in our Fields of Grace family of parishes. We are facing a very difficult moment for our family. While my own time with you has been so short compared to the history you have in our churches, the roots you have planted and the labor you have invested – my own heart breaks.
The Diocese of Buffalo has been faced with two challenges at the same time: applying the family model to our area, and their own bankruptcy. The family model requires us to evangelize, to reach out to our communities. At the same time, it recognizes that our churches are aging. St Max, they tell us, will be half its size in just fifteen years.
The bankruptcy has forced speed to what would already be a difficult process. We are trying to repair an airplane in flight.
The diocese has determined that we must close five of our nine sites, and they have recommended that those five be: East Pembroke, Corfu, Darien, Bennington, and Strykersville. This means that two parishes would close outright. Our parish trustees have until mid-July to propose an alternate slate of five churches, should the diocese have missed something. On September 1st, the plans across the diocese go into effect and property begins to go on the market. It is my current understanding that we can continue to use churches until they are sold. The bishop would like all of this to conclude by Pentecost of next year.
In addition, our parish family, Fields of Grace, is coming to a close. The diocese plans to move remaining parishes into neighboring families. St John’s in Alden would be connected to St Max and join family #9, centered in Lancaster. The other parishes would join with family #14 in Warsaw. My understanding at the moment is that I will remain in Alden, residing at St. John the Baptist and Frs George and John will begin rotating with family #14 when this change takes place. I do not have a date yet for that change.
I will have town halls for churches facing closure to answer questions to the best of my ability.
Pray for one another. Be kind to one another. Welcome ‘refugees’ from other churches. Give up your pew, your turn as a musician, lector or eucharistic minister. We cannot control the storm, but we can control how we face it, trusting that our Lord is with us in the boat. Dwell on the goodness of God’s love and mercy and choose to live in the light and not the darkness.
Peace ~ Fr. Dan
St. John Neumann, Strykersville site – please stay after Mass this Saturday, June 15th. Fr. Dan will speak to the parishioners.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bennington and Darien – please attend a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, June 22nd after the 4pm Mass in Bennington.
St. Maximilian Kolbe, Corfu and East Pembroke – please attend a Town Hall Meeting on Monday, June 24th at 6pm at the East Pembroke Social Hall.