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(click on images for full view – photos by Martin Ederer)
As previously reported on BFA, Saint Ann’s Church and Shrine located at 651 Broadway on the corner of Emslie Street, hosted a special Requiem High Mass on Saturday, September 13th for all the deceased who belonged to or served and helped the parish and school since the beginning 150 years ago. This liturgy was celebrated according to the Tridentine Missal, and the service was entirely in Latin and celebrated on the high altar. It was considered the most appropriate way to honor those who have gone to their reward, since it would be the form of the Mass they would most recognize.
I’d like to thank St. Ann’s parishioners Dave Hirschbine and Adam Hudymiak, I couldn’t have “made this happen” without their help. Many hours of hard work went into preparing the church, especially the sanctuary for this event. The free standing altar had to be moved, the (very heavy!) altar rails restored to the sanctuary, and the hand carved altars and pulpit decorated. The altar rail coverings were in excellent condition though very old, and the decorated red hanging was embroidered with a German verse from the Gospels: “Kommet her zu mir alle, die ihr mühselig und beladen seid, so will ich euch erquicken,” or “Come to me all who are burdened and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
Those attending were amazed that these and the other items like the Communion patens and traditional vestments were not thrown out but especially preserved! The parish was very happy to welcome Fr. Secondo Casarotto, CS, of Saint Anthony’s Church, who celebrates the Latin Mass weekly for his congregation behind City Hall. Joining him were Fr. Roy Herberger, pastor of Saint Ann’s who preached, and former pastor Fr. Bill Frankhauser, SJ.
It was a wonderful occasion not only to see the church again in its former look but to remember the German (and Polish) immigrants and their descendants who built and maintained Saint Ann’s and the surrounding Broadway Fillmore neighborhood for future generations. It was an inspiration to continue revitalization in the area, especially the preservation and use of the historical spiritual landmarks in the East Side.
May they rest in peace!
Brendan…great write up and awesome pics!
Well thanks! The pics though, were taken by Martin Ederer who also did a lot to make this special Mass happen.
Marty is everywhere…I will credit the pics…
We’ll also have some footage on Youtube later this week.
This is a wonderful article and fantastic photos. Thank you for sharing them with us. Originally from Buffalo, I traveled from North Carolina to be at St. Ann’s Anniversary Mass on August 24. That was another joyous celebration and I took dozens of pictures both inside and out of my former childhood Church and school. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Unfortunatelly, I did have to miss this Mass for the deceased parishioners who would have included both my brother, my parents and my grandparents. Ironically, when we were thinking of moving to NC, it was the presence of St. Ann’s parish in Smithfield, NC that seemed to tell me that we were making the right decision in moving South. We have a very active parish here but in no way does the modern Church compare with my beloved St. Ann’s in Buffalo. This Buffalo parish will always be closed to my heart and a part of me. I hope it can continue to remain active, or that at least in the future I can visit it as a museum. The treasures of St. Ann’s are certainly worth preserving.
Dear Madeline,
Thank you so much for joining us at out 150th Mass. We truly appreciated the presence of each and every one of our old friends and parishioners and we hope to see you again soon! God bless!
I wish I’d know about the mass. My mom ans my aunt, who were born in the 1920s died within weeks of each other were born in St Ann’s and attended the grammer school. The mass would’ve been a fitting tribute for them.