This past Sunday, April 26th, St. Ann’s Church and Shrine at Broadway and Emslie Streets welcomed about 600 people (including high school students, German immigrants and their descendants) for their third annual German Mass. This year, the celebrant was Fr. Mateusz Wydmanski OSPPE, and as usual to our delight, the Buffalo Schwaben Chor was with us. A very beautiful Mass was followed by refreshments and tours. This year however, visitors noted several differences from 2008.
In September of last year, the hand carved altar rails were restored to the sanctuary. Because the German Mass is in April, many who attended this year had not yet seen them. The Pieta statue was moved back to its custom-made devotional altar on the Emslie Street side of the church. This was done early last month. The Easter antependium was used for the first time in many years. Most notably the Risen Christ and the tomb, not displayed since the early 1950’s was again in the sanctuary.
On a special German note, bunting which was red, black and gold (familiar?) was hung above the church’s main entrance for Sunday. A sign, taken down since World War I, reading “Unsere Patronin bitte fur uns,” or “Our Patroness, pray for us” was recently discovered in storage and hung from the choir loft.
The Stations of the Cross’ captions (e.g. Jesus falls for the first time) which were English plaques since the World War era, were removed to see if the original German titles were still there. They were! The intact, exquisite calligraphic writing will be displayed through May.
Tuesday evening, April 28th, a tour group from Bavaria visited St. Ann’s. They had seen pictures and read information, and were eager to see it. They commented that St. Ann’s rivaled many churches in Europe!
All these projects have been possible only because of a dedicated core of parishioners who volunteer many hours each week to ensure the beauty and upkeep of St. Ann’s. If you’ve never been inside, or not for many years, or even if it was just a few weeks ago come back and visit! Sunday Mass is celebrated every weekend at 10 AM. Tours can always be arranged.
For more information, see www.friendsofsaintanns.org and www.saintannschurchandshrine.blogspot.com.
The history of St. Ann’s will never be forgotten as long as people such as you, Brendan, lead the preservation. Speaking for only one German immigrant family, your efforts, and those of the dedicated parishioners before you, are most appreciated. I look forward to continuing to attend the inspirational services — hoping that the Church will go on as a parish for years to come.