From Father Michael's Desk

Click here to read a message from Bishop Mike on the Parish Merger and Closures

Click here to hear the message audio from the Bishop

Diocese announces final parish configurations

Bishop Michael Fisher has made a final decision regarding the configuration of our parish family. This information was presented on Monday, Sept. 9, to the priests, deacons, and parish leadership, and made public on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
 
Final Decisions

Projected number of active priests for our parish family by 2030: 1
 
1. St. Andrew, Kenmore – merge with St. Timothy, Tonawanda, and sell all property. (in process)
2. Blessed Sacrament, Tonawanda will merge with St. John the Baptist, Kenmore – sale of all buildings
3. With the closure of St. Andrew Parish/School, much time and energy of the family was diverted to this transition. The family now needs to recommit to the renewal pillar work and progress in becoming a vibrant family.
4. St. Paul/Kenmore will be placed on a one-year watch list for viability.
5. St. Timothy/Tonawanda will be placed on a one-year watch list for ministerial viability.
 
Parishes open in our family

St. John the Baptist, Kenmore
St. Stephen, Grand Island
St. Paul, Kenmore
St. Timothy, Tonawanda

Secondary worship sites

None

Parishes merging/closing

St. Andrew, Kenmore
Blessed Sacrament, Tonawanda

I know this is difficult for members of Blessed Sacrament Parish to accept as it was for St. Andrew's parishioners. Our parish family is holding them close in prayer. When their church closes, Blessed Sacrament parishioners will be welcome to join any of our parishes. The Road to Renewal has been a challenge for everyone. It is my hope that we will emerge from it a stronger people of faith. We continue to ask God to bless our journey as we proclaim his Good News, celebrate his saving presence among us, serve others with charity and justice, and steward the world He has entrusted to us.

Yours in Christ,

Father Michael Parker

Introducing the new principal of St. John the Baptist School

From Fr. Michael Parker:
 
I am pleased to announce the appointment of veteran Catholic educator Melissa Lindner as principal of St. John the Baptist School, effective June 24, 2024. The former Saints Peter & Paul School Principal (Williamsville) is known for focusing on Catholic identity while promoting Christian values, collaborating with faculty and staff, and advancing the STREAM curriculum (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, The Arts, and Math). She also served as principal of Notre Dame High School (Batavia), technology coordinator, STREAM coordinator, librarian, and technology integration specialist at Saints Peter & Paul, technology teacher at Immaculata Academy in Hamburg, and assistant women’s basketball coach at D’Youville College (now university).

With extensive experience as a Catholic elementary school principal and a deep commitment to Catholic education, Mrs. Lindner is well-suited to lead the St. John’s School community. I believe she will move our school forward, building on the spiritual, academic, arts, and service excellence for which St. John’s is well known.

A graduate of Hilbert College, Mrs. Lindner received a Master of Science in Education from D’Youville, a Master of Public Administration from Hilbert College, a Certificate of Education Leadership from Canisius College (now university), and a professional certificate in School District Leadership from New York State.

“I have a deep and passionate commitment to Catholic education,” Mrs. Lindner said. “I am dedicated to fostering academic excellence while preserving Catholic identity and promoting Christian values. I look forward to working with faculty, staff, parents, and guardians to make sure St. John’s remains true to its philosophy of emphasizing the special mission of the Church, especially through education in the Catholic faith.”

Join me in welcoming Mrs. Lindner to our school family. She and her husband, Tim, have two daughters.

I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mrs. Michelle Norris who stepped up as interim principal these past few months and has done an excellent job leading the school through the end of the academic year. Mrs. Norris will remain at St. John’s as the school’s Catholic Charities counselor. She has a master’s in School Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and said that this is an opportunity that she has always wanted and suits her skillset. Mrs. Norris wants you to know that she is looking forward to providing social and emotional support to your children when the need arises.

Thank you for your continued investment in a St. John’s education for your children. Have an enjoyable, relaxing summer!

In Christ,

Fr. Michael


 



Welcome to St. John the Baptist Parish!

Our Mission

St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic parish founded by St. John Neumann where God is loved and present in the liturgy, the sacraments and the community, faith is enriched through our teaching and experiencing the gospel, all are welcome in the spirit openness, and generosity and charity is extended through our ministry to all.

Parish Bulletin


  • Sun, Oct 6th

  • Sun, Sep 29th

St. John Neumann Museum

The St. John Neumann Shrine Museum is open to the public. Anyone wishing to see our recently renovated Chapel or the St. John Neumann Archives Room can call the Rectory at 716-873-1122 to schedule a tour.

 

Our Parish Staff

Contact Us

St. John the Baptist R.C. Church
1085 Englewood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14223

Phone:  716-873-1122
Fax:  716-873-3305

E-mail:  saintjohnsrec@gmail.com

Make Your Donation to St. John's Online

You can manage your giving to St. John the Baptist Parish ONLINE using a credit/debit card. It is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions. This will help your weekly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis when travel, illness, or other circumstances prevent you from attending Mass.

PLEASE NOTE: 

If you sign up for a recurring donation, your weekly envelope mailing will be canceled (saving us the cost of these mailings is one of the many benefits of joining this program.) However, this change process submitted to our Envelope Supplier may take up to two to four months to take place. Therefore, you may still receive envelopes sent to your home for several months until the mailing cancellation has been processed.

If you are planning to use this program periodically to select Non-Recurring, Special Collections, or Specific Donations, you will still receive parish envelope packets mailed to your home. If you no longer wish to receive the Envelope Packet Mailing to your home, please call the Rectory Office at 716-873-1122 to cancel your envelopes.

To get started, click here, then select Create Profile to the right.

Simply follow the on-screen instructions to create a profile and to schedule your contributions. Any questions, please contact the parish at stjohnsfinance2017@gmail.com

Thank you for your generous support!

Streamed Mass

Click HERE for St John the Baptist's YouTube Channel


Weekly Mass will "Go Live" Saturday at 4:00 PM on our YouTube Channel


Mass Times

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
12noon

Thursday
8:00am

Saturday Vigil:
4:00 p.m.

Sunday:
8:00 a.m., 11:00am

Confessions:
Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.

Adoration in the Chapel:
Monday - Friday, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday Holy Hour in the Chapel:
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Rectory Office Hours

Monday-Friday:
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(Rectory is closed for lunch between 12:00-1:00 p.m.)

Saturday:
Closed

Sunday:
Closed

We Are Called to Share of Ourselves

If you're looking to get involved in the parish, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer within our wonderful community. Perhaps you'd like to join one of our many ministries and parish organizations? Or would you prefer to participate in the Mass? Helping hands are always needed.

Please click here for information regarding altar serving, Eucharistic ministry, choir, and ushering.

You may also navigate the above tab labeled Ministries/Volunteer for Parish Ministry Information.

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