From the Desk of
Bishop Edward U. Kmiec

September 1, 2007

My dear friends in Christ,

With our "Journey in Faith and Grace" well into its third year, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thoughts, hopes and prayers as we continue to take steps that are leading us to a new, reenergized Church here in Western New York. To date, we have made four announcements involving 80 parishes, missions and oratories, and 14 schools. More parish announcements will be made in the coming weeks and months following careful consultation, collaboration and extensive reflection.

This is a difficult time for all of us. Through phone calls, letters, e-mails, and personal conversations, I have learned a great deal about the pain many are experiencing as their parish lives change. I am deeply aware of the incredible sense of loss and grief experienced when a parish merges or a church is no longer used. We celebrate the past and remember these buildings - and all they represent - with great fondness and the utmost respect. They are and will forever remain part of the foundation of our Church in the Diocese of Buffalo.

Touched by sadness, I am also heartened by some of the events that I have witnessed, and the stories and insights from those who have embraced the journey, looking beyond traditional parish boundaries to see a new, more vibrant Church and a vision for the future.

Many people who have gone through parish mergers have told me they have come away with a greater sense of what the Church is; that it's not important where you worship, but how you worship.

On a glorious Easter weekend in April, a series of "absolutely beautiful and spiritually moving" celebrations marked the coming together of three parishes in the Southern Tier. In the words of one of those who participated, "What a warm feeling came over me! Tears of appreciation and feeling like I truly belonged replaced the previous tears of loss, pain and fear of the future. At that moment, I knew in my heart that this parish could and would be 'home' to me and things would work out just fine."

"We are Catholics first" a member of another merged parish wrote. "The Church is universal. The Church is not a particular building. It is God's people called by Him to be a universal community."

A Dunkirk woman, commenting on the closing of the elementary school she attended and taught at, said, "It is up to all of us to work together, share one language and spread our 'One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic' faith."

Still another wrote , "Through my heartache and pain came the blessings I experienced and the promise of a future full of hope. I feel confident the Holy Spirit led us to this point and He will continue to guide us past any bumps and curves we find along our journey."

Father Peter Karalus, pastor of the new Epiphany Parish in Langford, located in southern Erie County, engaged in extensive self study with his parishioners before the merger. "We have become a much stronger community of faith, stronger in worship, and a stronger community celebrating who we are as Catholics by uniting St. Frances Cabrini, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception and St. Martin parishes," he said. Epiphany Parish is among the early successes of the "Journey in Faith and Grace." It clearly demonstrates that when there is unity, leadership and parishioners working together to build for the future, the promise of a new, stronger, more vibrant Catholic Church can and will be a reality.

There are countless other stories like these from the faithful who, in the words of our journey's prayer, have the vision and courage to grow in faith, hope and love.

One of the Eucharistic prayers used in our Masses sums up our journey quite beautifully. "Keep your Church alert to the signs of the times and eager to accept the challenge of the Gospel. Open our hearts to the needs of all humanity, so that sharing their grief and anguish, their joy and hope, we may faithfully bring them the good news of salvation and advance together on the way to your kingdom."

In his book Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI writes, "A prophet's task is not to report on the events of tomorrow or the next day in order to satisfy human curiosity or the human need for security. He shows us the face of God, and in so doing he shows us the path that we have to take." Let us all be prophets as we make our way on this journey. I pray every day for acceptance and understanding, and I pray for you.

Thank you and may God continue to be providential in his blessing of you, our diocese and our Journey in Faith and Grace.

+Most Rev. Edward U. Kmiec
Bishop of Buffalo