LOCKPORT — Parishioners packed St. Mary’s Church for the final Sunday Mass, but the mood was subdued.

The Rev. Gary Kibler was able to lighten the 90-minute ceremony for a few moments, but Catholics still could not understand why the vibrant church will be reduced to an oratory and has to be merged into All Saints.

Kibler, 66, who has been pastor for 11 years at the Roman Catholic church on the Big Bridge, will become the “old guy,” parochial vicar, at St. Mary’s of Swormville. Several parishioners said they would follow him.

“We’ll follow Father Gary to the ends of the earth,” said Gloria Evereth of Appleton. “We cried every Mass. It’s devastating. If there was just an explanation. If somebody could just give us something. Why is this parish shutting down?”

Michael and Gloria Evereth were members of St. Charles in Olcott until it was closed three years ago. “We were sort of nomad wanderers, and we came to this church,” Gloria said. “All you had to do is come to one Mass with Father Gary and that’s all it takes. This is our church.”

Their daughter, Emma Rose, 8, received her First Communion two weeks ago. She wore her white dress and brought up the bread in the procession before Mass. “I’m happy there’s another St. Mary’s in Swormville and that it’s only 12 minutes,” she said.

The Evereths won’t be alone at the bigger church that has a younger congregation.

“Definitely, I’m following him (Kibler),” said Patti Nodine, who was baptized, received her First Communion, confirmed and married at St. Mary’s. “I told him wherever he went I would go at once. We are all going to swarm into Swormville.”

Nodine added, “It’s really sad, because we have so much to offer here and Father Gary has been a gift to all of us. I just can’t tell you how wonderful he was.”

Kibler said he was composing his final Sunday sermon at 3 a.m. and didn’t know if anyone would understand it. He spoke of Pope John XXIII and President John F. Kennedy. The old pope, who was expected to be temporary caretaker, threw open the doors of the church. The young president challenged and dared us to be great.

“We are challenged to a whole new vision,” Kibler said.

The priest likened St. Mary’s to Camelot, a story of King Arthur with a sad ending. He recalled: “... once there was this fleeting wisp of glory, called Camelot.”

 There was spontaneous applause after the Kibler’s sermon.

“It’s the end of a wonderful parish,” said Fran Kidney, a native of Ireland. “We’ve been members three years and I never felt so at home. I’ve really found a home here. I’ve been at churches all over the world practically and this is like a special church here. It’s filled with spirit, a spiritual feeling among our community.”

Kidney was holding back tears as she said, “Father Gary is a special priest.”

Kibler made special mention of Doris Stump, 95, who began her job as St. Mary’s sacristan “years and years ago.” The parishioners applauded.

“She’s done everything with the church. They call her the Queen mother,” said her daughter Carol Nemec.

“I feel terrible that it’s closing,” Stump said. “I don’t know where we’re going.” They plan to go so St. Mary’s in Swormville for a while.

Mike Ulrich, who heads the strategic committee and is leading the appeal to re-open St. Mary’s, said, “I always had hope the bishop would change his mind, but that didn’t come true. Here we are, at our last Mass and we’re going to be scattering. Some of us in Lockport, some of outside. Wherever everybody goes, it will be the right move for that particular person.”

Ulrich, who will go to All Saints, acknowledged that some people will follow Father Gary. “He’s a wonderful priest and has done a awful lot for St. Mary’s,” Ulrich said.

St. Mary’s still has two appeals to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura at the Vatican and probably won’t know until late October if the church will reopen, according to Ulrich.

“St. John’s and All Saints are good churches,” Ulrich added. “I’m sure a lot of people will join those two churches. Lord knows where everybody goes.”

Kibler is aware that many parishioners will follow him down Transit Road, but does not know how many will stay at the church eight miles away. “It will be good for them to go someplace were it feels a little familiar in the interim,” he said. “Everyone has to find their place.”

St. Mary’s final services are Wednesday.