In 2003, Corpus Christi Church nearly closed.
From Corpus Christi’s website:
In June 2003, it was announced that the Franciscan Friars were leaving Corpus Christi and that the church would most likely close at the end of the year. The last chapter in the story of Corpus Christi seemed to be near an end. However; through the hard work and enormous efforts of many loyal and dedicated parishioners and especially Monsignor Matthew Kopacz of St. Casimers parish, the prayers of the people of Corpus Christi were answered and the church’s future was no longer in question. Msgr. Kopacz contacted the Pauline Fathers and Brothers, and after visiting Corpus Christi they decided to assume control of the parish. The Pauline Fathers and Brothers took over control of the parish in January 2004 and have since given it a new life with many hopes and dreams for the future.
It’s hard to imagine the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood without Corpus Christi Church open. With the large number of Catholic Church closings within the last 25 years in the city, Corpus Christi bucked the trend. Without the Pauline Fathers taking over the church, who knows what the church building and campus would be like today. The church has undergone extensive restoration to the exterior of the building since the 2000s.
On Sunday, June 9th, the church and the Pauline Fathers will be celebrating the order’s 15 years in Buffalo.
From Corpus Christi’s website:
On Sunday June 9th at 11 AM a Special Mass will be offered in English and in Polish by Father General Arnold Chrapkowski. He is coming from The Shrine at Czestochowa, Poland. Father General is the leader of all the Pauline churches and Missions around the world
Please also consider coming to 2 PM Reception at St. Stanislaus Social Center to celebrate this anniversary. Tickets are $25 and reservations can be made by calling Chris Cooley in the church rectory at at 896-1050. Or contact Jim Serafin at phone-541-5391.
The Pauline Fathers arrived in Buffalo in 2004 staff and operate Corpus Christi Church. Since then, the Fathers now staff St. Stanislaus Church.
Sunday will a great time to come celebrate and show some Buffalove to the Pauline Fathers and their commitment to Buffalo’s east side.
Corpus Christi’s website, http://corpuschristibuffalo.org.
