When the Buffalo Diocese was flush with clergy in the 1970’s and 1980’s, it usually took years for a priest to earn an appointment as pastor of his own parish. But that wait time decreased dramatically as a growing priest shortage forced bishops to rush newly ordained clergy into pastorates. Bishop Michael W. Fisher soon will be taking a different approach with pastor appointments.
Instead of a pastor for each of the diocese’s 160 parishes, Bishop Fisher will name just 36 pastors — one for each of the “Families” of parishes designated earlier this year as part of the diocese’s “Road to Renewal” effort. St. Mary’s is “family #33” in this renewal effort. Our “family” includes:
- St. Mary’s, Arcade/East Arcade
- St. Jude, Sardinia
- St. Aloysius, Springville
- St. John the Baptist, West Valley
St. Aloysius also includes the Regional School for our “Family.”
Diocese leaders on Tuesday invited 132 active priests to apply for the 36 open pastor slots. The latest phase of the “Family of Parishes” model has priests worried about their future roles and parishioners concerned about losing a favorite spiritual guide in the reshuffling.
Priests have until May 23 to request to be one of the 36 pastors.
God’s Blessings Always,
Fr. Joe Gullo
The above is based on Fr. Joe’s letter from the bulletin of May 22, 2022.
