The St. Mary's parish is now looking at its last four months of existance. On June 21, 2008 the parish officially merges with St. John the Baptist in Lockport. That Catholic church's website is here (which allows show signage indicating the merger): http://www.stjohnslockport.org/
It is unknown what will happen to the St. Mary's facility and grounds.
I've said it before and I'll say it again...this is a bad move. Gasport and Middleport are losing their sister parishes to the merger and consolidation plan. That means you have two sizable rural communities without a Catholic venue. Who knows how many seniors will become shut-ins or how many families won't participate when we no longer have a Catholic church in town?
The Buffalo Diocese has made a descision not based in faith, but rather based on the almighty dollar. You see so many non-catholic churches in the area that have low turnouts (actually much less than St. Mary's) but stay open knowing they have a job to do. Too bad the Catholics couldn't dump their corporate mindset and follow the lead of those properly-intentioned souls.
It is unknown what will happen to the St. Mary's facility and grounds.
I've said it before and I'll say it again...this is a bad move. Gasport and Middleport are losing their sister parishes to the merger and consolidation plan. That means you have two sizable rural communities without a Catholic venue. Who knows how many seniors will become shut-ins or how many families won't participate when we no longer have a Catholic church in town?
The Buffalo Diocese has made a descision not based in faith, but rather based on the almighty dollar. You see so many non-catholic churches in the area that have low turnouts (actually much less than St. Mary's) but stay open knowing they have a job to do. Too bad the Catholics couldn't dump their corporate mindset and follow the lead of those properly-intentioned souls.
