Let me begin with a quote from a letter from Bishop Kmiec: "The Diocesan Faith & Grace Commission has studied the parish restructuring proposals sent in by Eastern Niagara Vicariate, and in some cases they have recommended changes in light of larger diocesan needs.  I expect that the future of our diocese will be marked by continual dialogue between local parishes and the diocesan church as we work together to provide for the spiritual needs of the People of God.  I have given serious thought and prayer to the recommendations for your vicariate and my final decisions accompany this letter."

There is a process for merging parishes which will be implemented shortly.  The timeline for the progress of these mergers, as well as various benchmarks towards the final merger, will be worked out among the parishes involved through the use of a transition team.  More information will be forthcoming as the parishes begin to meet with each other.

For our Vicariate, Bishop Kmiec's final decisions are as follows:

FOR LOCKPORT:

St. Mary Parish in Gasport will merge into St. John the Baptist Parish in Lockport to form a single parish at the St. John’s site.  The buildings and property in Gasport will no longer be used and their disposition will be left to the discretion of the merged parish. St. Anthony, St. Joseph, St. Mary and St. Patrick parishes will merge to form a new parish with a new name and using St. Patrick church as the primary worship site.  St. Joseph's site will be retained as an oratory and city-wide religious education center.  St. Anthony’s and St. Mary’s churches will no longer be used.  The disposition of the buildings and property will be left to the discretion of the merged parish.

IN THE REST OF THE REGION:

St. Patrick Parish in Barker and St. Joseph's Parish in Lyndonville (Orleans Vicariate) will link for a year and then merge to form a single parish with a new name using both sites.

St. Stephen Parish in Middleport will merge with St. Mary Parish in Medina (Orleans Vicariate) to form a single parish, possibly with a new name, using both sites.  The disposition of any unneeded buildings will be left to the discretion of the merged parish.

St. Bridget Parish in Newfane, St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Olcott, and Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Wilson, will merge to form a single parish with a new name having two regular worship sites: St. Bridget and Our Lady of the Rosary.  The rectory and office for the merged parish will be located at St. Bridget in Newfane.  The rectories in Olcott and Wilson will be sold.  St. Bridget and Our Lady of the Rosary will each have two masses on the weekend.  St. Charles Borromeo church will become an oratory where one Saturday Vigil Mass will be celebrated each weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  During the summer, the pastor from Newfane will say one mass in Olcott and the pastor of Ransomville will say one mass in Wilson.

Immaculate Conception Parish in Ransomville will continue to operate as a single parish but will develop a shared services relationship with the merged parish of Newfane, Wilson and Olcott.

Good Shepherd Parish in Pendleton participated in the planning process of the Northern Erie Vicariate, and the recommendation for Good Shepherd will be included with that vicariate at a later date.

Parishioners from St. Mary’s in Gasport and St. John’s have already met a few times, and all involved are encouraged by the opportunities this merger will present for the sharing of our gifts and talents.  We pray for the continued success of this process throughout our diocese.