The following was published on St. John Kanty’s website on September 4, 2023. The changes also affect the other churches in the East Buffalo Family of Churches starting the weekend of September 23 and 24, 2023.
Greetings and Blessings East Buffalo Family of Parishes,
One of the most difficult parts of our coming together as a family of parishes has been accomplished! Thanks be to God! After two meetings the Liturgy Pillar has recommended a new Mass schedule which I have approved after conferring with Fr. Mariusz Dymek, the pastor of Corpus Christi, and Fr. Bryan Zielenieski, the Vicar for Renewal.
I truly feel this is a schedule that everyone will be able to accept. Change is never easy especially when it pertains to the most important relationship that we have, our relationship with God, so I cannot thank you enough for trying. Lastly, I felt that you should know a number of factors that were considered when our new schedule was being put together.
• Music Ministry – Heather and Thomas who play at St. John Kanty and St. Katharine Drexel will be returning solely to St. Katharine Drexel so they can have adequate time to rehearse with the parish choir before Mass. Michael Zachowicz who plays at St. John Gualbert is willing to play at St. John Kanty. The ability for Michael to travel from Gualbert to Kanty had to be taken into consideration. • Priest Availability – With our size family, the schedule needed to be done so that two priests can cover the whole family when needed. • St. John Kanty – With the parish having only one Mass, 8:30am was too early. This time resulted from the linkage with St. Katharine Drexel under the previous pastor. It was important for them to receive a later time. • One Mass Parishes – St. Katharine Drexel and Corpus Christi are the other two parishes that have only one Mass. Sensitive to this fact, I am happy to share that their time changes have been minimal. • Polish Masses – It was very important to St. John Gualbert and St. Stanislaus that a Polish language Mass be retained. The timing must be such that one Polish speaking priest should be able to say both should the other be ill or away. • Daily Masses – With three priests four daily Masses are not sustainable or needed. With adjusting Mass schedules regularly scheduled communion services are also no longer permissible per diocesan requirements. Additionally, we took note that there are no daily Masses in the downtown family of parishes on Wednesdays, hence an afternoon option has been scheduled for that day. • Sunday Night Mass – With Fr. Bryan Zielenieski in residence at the Pitass Center, he received approval from the Liturgy Pillar to begin a Sunday 5:00pm evening Mass at St. Stanislaus which will be preceded by Adoration and Confession and followed by the Alpha program at 6:00pm. The addition of this Mass did not count toward the recommended number of Masses our family was directed to have.
The new schedule will go into effect the weekend of September 23/24. Moving forward, let’s do so with a family mindset. We are accustomed to looking at the Mass offerings in our particular parishes, let us instead consider the variety of times that are offered throughout the family. Thank you everyone for your input, understanding, and flexibility. May Jesus Christ be Praised!
In Christ’s Peace, Rev. Cole Webster
NEW EAST BUFFALO FAMILY OF PARISHES MASS SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 23/24, 2023
WEEKEND MASSES Saturday Vigil 4:00pm St. Stanislaus 4:00pm St. John Gualbert
SUNDAY 9:00am St. John Gualbert (Polish) 9:15am Corpus Christi 10:15am St. John Kanty 10:30am St. Katharine Drexel 11:45am St. John Gualbert 12:00pm St. Stanislaus (Polish)
WEEKDAY MASSES
8:00am Mon, Wed, Fri St. Stanislaus 8:00am Tues, Thurs St. John Gualbert 8:30am Mon, Wed, Fri St. Katharine Drexel 8:30am Tues, Thurs St. John Kanty 8:45am Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri Corpus Christi 12:15pm Wednesday Corpus Christi 8:45am First Saturday Corpus Christi
