Newsletter February 4, 2025

Important!

• We will continue to be a parish until the Diocesan Decree is issued by the Bishop

• The Decree is expected in the late April early May 2025 timeframe.

• The Parish Core Group (PCG) is working with the Save Our Buffalo Churches and St Joseph Foundation to create an effective appeal to the Decree (See links).  Both organizations are providing their services free of charge. 

  • https://saveourbuffalochurches.com/

  • https://stjosephcanonlaw.com/

• We are being mentored by members of the PCG from St Brigid's Parish in Bergen, NY

Our appeal will include the following components

1. Procurator Mandates (Petitions)

   1. Currently we have over 50 signed by parishioners (and more than 50 non-parishioners).  Our goal is to get more than 50% of our parishioners to sign.  Several PCG members are working on this action.  Thanks to all who already signed.  You must be 14 years old or older to sign.  

   2. Anyone can sign but we especially need parishioners.

2. Financial Review package

   1. 5-year look back and forecast for St John's - we must show we have been and will be financially viable

      1. Dan Hinz to work with our Finance Council for this.

3. Sacramental Vibrancy

   1. Vocations/Faith Formation/Southern Tier Catholic School

      1. Mark Quinn is working on telling our story for this item.

4. Infrastructure Assessment

   1. We must show that our buildings and grounds are sound and that we have a plan to maintain them going forward

      1. Dan Hinz is working to form a team for this.

5. Trust Fund Creation

   1. The intent is that collections/donations will be for the sole use of our parish. This means the Trust established will maintain control of our finances, not the Diocese.

      1. Dan Hinz is working on this with input from St Brigid's, as they have already done this.

   2. Please continue to support our parish until this is established.

• We intend to have our appeal packet completed by mid March so we are ready when the Diocesan Decree is received.

• Save Our Buffalo Churches has initiated an appeal on behalf of the 30 or so churches who are appealing.  We will move forward with our specific appeal in case the Save Our Buffalo Churches appeal is not successful.

• Please consider respectfully writing to the Bishop, showing your support for keeping St John's status as a parish.

  • Most Rev. Michael W. Fisher, Bishop of Buffalo, Catholic Diocese of Buffalo 

  • 795 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203.

  • Renewal@BuffaloDiocese.org

  • Please copy Dan Hinz with any e-mails or letters sent.

Parish Core Group members include, among others:

Dan Hinz - Procurator, Dawn Pezzimenti, Carol Capito, John and Cathy Baglione, Carm and Rick Mikolajczyk, Paul Abdo, Paul Bzdak, John Whelpley, Mark Quinn, Pat O'Malley, Paul and Diane Ksionzyk, Mary Fofanah, Larry Pavlock

Dan Hinz contact information is dhinz52@gmail.com  716-307-1440

It is the intention of the Parish Core Group to provide regular updates regarding the appeal status and process related to the expected Diocesan Decree for St John's Secondary Worship Site or Closure.

Thank you for your attention and support in this regard.

For more information about the appeal process in general, please visit savestjohnsolean.com.

Please pray for this process and for the souls of St John's, living and deceased.

Thank You