Father Joe’s last 10 a.m. Mass at a packed St. Anthony’s Church on Sunday featured an emotional sermon, songs, applause and tears.
After more than seven years at St. Anthony’s-St. Joseph’s, the Rev. Joseph S. Rogliano has been reassigned to Fourteen Holy Helpers in West Seneca. His final Masses in Lockport’s twin parishes will be next weekend. Father Joe’s farewell Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday at St. Joe’s. A reception will follow.
There were tears from the An-Jo Angels, who made a surprise singing performance at the service, tears from the 49-year-old priest from Springville and tears during the dismissal from brightly refurbished church on Bristol Avenue.
“I ask you to remain strong, much stronger than I am, in supporting our parishes, especially in this interim,” Rogliano said. “In all my wildest imagination, I could never have imagined what this seven and a half years would have been like. You have taught me so much. You have shown me so much. You have shown the city of Lockport and the Diocese of Buffalo how to twin.
“Other parishes don’t know what it is like, how wonderful it can be.”
Other diocese parishes will likely learn what merging is like in the next 24 months, but Rogliano cautioned area catholics not to jump to conclusions.
Rogliano encouraged parishioners to attend a meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at DeSales. The Rev. Joseph Gatto of St. John the Baptist and Sister Regina Murphy will present information concerning the diocesan plan. Murphy is spearheading the mission for the Diocese of Buffalo.
“It’s really an important meeting,” Rogliano said. “All that I can tell you is that nothing has been decided yet. This is the first step.”
The churches have to make recommendations by Feb. 28.
Reconfiguring will take two years because all the parishes and schools in the diocese are involved, Rogliano explained. The meeting will give parishioners a better understanding of the process.
“What’s undecided is what will close and what will remain open,” Rogliano said. “Unfortunately people are spouting off names of churches, and it’s so premature. What we do know is that in the eight counties, there are so many churches open that can’t be staffed and that are sitting there empty. The bills can’t be paid, etc.
“There will be several churches closed within the next two years. It’s anyone’s guess at what the final number will be.”
There are five Lockport churches in approximately two geographic miles. Rogliano noted that Newfane, Wilson, Olcott, Gasport, Middleport all relatively close.
The pastor is submitting a profile of his twinned parish. That is, baptisms, confirmations, first Communions, organizations, savings, debt, size other information will be posted for every priest in the diocese to have an opportunity to study.
“That’s great news,” Rogliano said. “They are wanting to send a priest to you, which I think is absolutely wonderful. When the priests read this profile, I will build you up; Don’t you worry, they will want to come here. Pray that it happens in Lord’s time, but rather quickly in our time.
Rogliano does not know who the new pastor of St. Anthony’s-St. Joe’s will be, but the process is beginning soon. Priests will be interviewed for the job. In the interim, the twin parishes will be relying on retired priests and the Oblate Fathers. There may be a change in Mass times.
“This twinning was the first step,” Rogliano said. “In 1998, the city went five pastors to four. I’m just so proud of what they’ve done. They really were pioneers.”
Rogliano came to Lockport in 1998 and took over both churches in 2000. “The church has grown since then as a community,” said parishioner Gamre Varralo. “Father Joe has brought out the best in all of us and helped to revitalize the spirit.” There are 675 families at St. Joe’s and 325 families at St. Anthony’s.
Contact Bill Wolcott at 439-9222, Ext.6246.
Lifestyle
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Father Joe's farewell
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