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Included in [this weeks] bulletin is an update on the status and the progress of the Road to Renewal and more information on the Family of Parishes model adapted to the conditions in the Diocese of Buffalo.
Below is the latest information on our future in the Olean-Allegany Family of Parishes which presently is scheduled to be activated in October 2023.
Concerning clergy staffing and leadership: In the [Fall] of 2021, Bishop Mike sent a letter to all the provincials of Religious Orders who staff parishes in the Diocese asking if they would be willing to be part of or accept leadership of a “Family of Parishes."
Fr. Kevin Mullen, the provincial of Holy Name Province, replied to the Bishop's letter by saying that the Franciscans would be willing to accept the responsibility of leadership & staffing of the Olean-Allegany Family (Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, St. Bonaventure, and St. John the Evangelist).
A timing complication comes into this proposal acceptance. The October 2023 [time period) also happens to be the same [time period] for the unification of the present 6 provinces of the Franciscans in the United States to be joined into one new Franciscan province. Thus, what is now needed to take place is for the Bishop, the Road to Renewal Committee, the present Holy Name Province Provincial, and the yet to be appointed provincial and council of the unified province to meet before the summer of 2023 to discuss the offer of the Franciscans assuming the leadership of the Olean-Allegany Family of Parishes.
While the Bishop is pleased with the offer there needs to be some further discussion regarding particular canonical (canon law) details. This discussion will begin once the new administration for the Franciscan is appointed, which is expected in a few months. Concerning the path ahead for the Olean-Allegany Family of Parishes: All of the parishes in the Diocese, no matter when the date of activation of their Family, are asked to start having gatherings among parishioners, parish councils, Religious [Education] personnel, staff, etc., so to begin to meet each other, formulate their future, and brainstorm plans for their family. Watch the bulletin (and the parish website) for future announcements concerning such assemblies for the Olean-Allegany Family of Parishes.
[Submitted by Rev. James Vacco, Vicar Forane]
Below is the latest information on our future in the Olean-Allegany Family of Parishes which presently is scheduled to be activated in October 2023.
Concerning clergy staffing and leadership: In the [Fall] of 2021, Bishop Mike sent a letter to all the provincials of Religious Orders who staff parishes in the Diocese asking if they would be willing to be part of or accept leadership of a “Family of Parishes."
Fr. Kevin Mullen, the provincial of Holy Name Province, replied to the Bishop's letter by saying that the Franciscans would be willing to accept the responsibility of leadership & staffing of the Olean-Allegany Family (Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, St. Bonaventure, and St. John the Evangelist).
A timing complication comes into this proposal acceptance. The October 2023 [time period) also happens to be the same [time period] for the unification of the present 6 provinces of the Franciscans in the United States to be joined into one new Franciscan province. Thus, what is now needed to take place is for the Bishop, the Road to Renewal Committee, the present Holy Name Province Provincial, and the yet to be appointed provincial and council of the unified province to meet before the summer of 2023 to discuss the offer of the Franciscans assuming the leadership of the Olean-Allegany Family of Parishes.
While the Bishop is pleased with the offer there needs to be some further discussion regarding particular canonical (canon law) details. This discussion will begin once the new administration for the Franciscan is appointed, which is expected in a few months. Concerning the path ahead for the Olean-Allegany Family of Parishes: All of the parishes in the Diocese, no matter when the date of activation of their Family, are asked to start having gatherings among parishioners, parish councils, Religious [Education] personnel, staff, etc., so to begin to meet each other, formulate their future, and brainstorm plans for their family. Watch the bulletin (and the parish website) for future announcements concerning such assemblies for the Olean-Allegany Family of Parishes.
[Submitted by Rev. James Vacco, Vicar Forane]
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