Two parishes hold final Masses in Buffalo

The first two parish mergers brought about by the Road to Renewal restructuring plan took place Nov. 9 as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bernard Parishes, both in Buffalo, closed their doors for the final time.

Thomas Sullivan and Barbara Fitzgerald, parish trustees, welcomed a standing room only congregation to St. Thomas Aquinas in South Buffalo in the late morning by reminding everyone of the many births, baptisms, first Communions, confirmations, weddings and funerals held at the parish. 

“In all those moments and memories you felt the presence of God in your life and I’m sure it provided you with much comfort and joy,” said Sullivan. “In spite of today’s farewell, Barbara and I want you to dwell not on the finality of this moment but on how wonderful and enriching your lives have been because you were part of this wonderful parish family.”

He encouraged everyone to share their stories over and over again. 

“When you tell those stories, St. Tommy’s lives on,” he said.

From the bell tower one can see along Abbott Road many “used to be places,” as Father Bill Quinlivan, pastor of the Catholic Family of South Buffalo, called them in his homily.

“We can see the Buffalo Irish Center, but some of us would say it used to be the Y. If we look to the left across Abbott Road, we’d say that used to be Sullivan’s Ice Cream Parlor where my mother said the best hot fudge sundaes in the universe were served and remembered fondly.”

The first reading, from Isaiah, includes the command “Comfort my people.” Father Quinlivan said parishioners should continue to be a comfort to others. 

“Buildings are built and sometimes buildings close, but the faith that you have been given, that I have been taught, doesn’t leave when we process out of this building today one final time. We honor the history and carry the mystery of this place and our people from here. Yes, we grieve, but we receive the comfort food of our souls.

“You are the parish of St. Thomas Aquinas, some of you from the past – Welcome back – Some of you from this moment – thanks for being here. When you process out at the end of this celebration today, you carry St. Thomas Aquinas with you. Yes the door will have to be locked, but what will be locked in your heart? Be grateful. Ponder those great stories of your history. …

“Please don’t let disappointment and sadness make you a ‘used to be’ from Abbott Road. Think about who you want to be as you carry St. Thomas Aquinas in your hearts. Keep eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ, brothers and sisters.”

Sacristans and parish volunteers stripped the altar as they do on Holy Thursday. While the choir sang, Father Quinlivan exposed the Blessed Sacrament and parishioners were allowed to make one final reverence to the altar.

Father Quinlvan was the last out of the church. Some of the congregation met at St. Teresa’s, the successor parish, for benediction with the same Blessed Sacrament.

Brigid McDonald was one of the many fighting back tears as the parish closed its doors for the final time. 

“We made our first Communion at St. Thomas Aquinas. I went to kindergarten. I made my confirmation. I’m one of seven kids. We played chase in and out of the church, in the pews. It’s very sad. It’s a beautiful place with beautiful memories. Now they locked the doors. When we grew up, they were never locked.”

St. Teresa’s is no stranger to mergers. The Seneca Street church has the records of eight other parishes in its archives.

“We’re going to encourage (St. Thomas Aquinas parishioners) to continue at a level they feel comfortable with,” said Joe Kipler, one of the trustees at St. Teresa’s. “We don’t feel it’s proper to push people too hard, because everybody still has to get through this process. Of course, we want to welcome them to join in at St. Teresa’s. We’re going to encourage them to continue their ministries here, continue their organizations so we can make the parish family stronger here at St. Teresa’s and the general South Buffalo Catholic Family.”

St. Bernard’s, a member of the Roman Catholic Community of Cheektowaga Kaisertown Sloan, merged into Our Lady of Czestochowa in Cheektowaga.  

“Brothers and sisters we gather as church. We gather to celebrate change,” said Father Bryan Zielenieski, vicar for Renewal and Development for the Diocese of Buffalo, in his welcoming. “Although that may sound ironic it is a call in our life each and every day. Each new day leads us closer to the kingdom of heaven. Each day provides us an opportunity to grow or be left behind. As we come together today as church, we are invited to grow in love and trust in God and confidence in His plan for us. As difficult as that may be, we are always gathered by His love around the sacred altar.”

As the gifts were brought up, three books were included – the birth register, the marriage register and the death register. Father Michael Brown, pastor, read off some of the memories.

“Although it is a farewell Mass, it’s a Mass to celebrate all we have accomplished over the years of being a parish,” he said.

Founded in 1906, the parish saw 5,929 baptisms, the last in 2022; 3,590 funerals, the last a week earlier; 6,039 First Communions; 2,023 weddings; and 4,629 confirmations. The first confirmation class held 39 students in 1909. The last class came in 2017.

“What a great joy it is to think of what we accomplished here in this parish. This is what you accomplished. Fond memories,” Father Brown said.

He then offered a litany of thanks to everyone who made the parish and that day’s Mass a success.

A declining number of priests and a decreasing number of regular churchgoers has led the Diocese of Buffalo to closing 89 worship sites.

Father Zielenieski said the Renewal process was a way to move forward. 

“I encourage you as you gather here on this day do not stop visiting the church in which you will celebrate the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Find that home in which you will continue to participate in the divine liturgy, because our eternal dwelling place is in heaven. This life will continue to change whether we like it or not, but it prepares us for eternity.”