RELIGION: Diocese to decide changes at St. Albert’s

By Neale Gulley<br><a href="mailto:gulleyn@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Neale</a>
The Tonawanda News

May 11, 2008 11:23 pm

— The patron saint of scientists on Sunday watched as parishioners weighed a heavy decision.
Members of the congregation formed after Ascension closed its doors last year voted to establish three out of six available saints’ names for adoption by the new parish at St. Albert the Great in North Tonawanda.
Ballots were handed out and members of the church named 60 years ago for the “teacher of everything there is to know” were asked to circle three. Results will be tallied today.
The top choices will then be sent to Bishop Edward Kmiec of the Buffalo Diocese, who will select just one.
At Sunday evening’s regular 7 p.m. Mass, a prayer pertaining to the decision was recited.
“As we enter this new challenge, we pray that you fill us with the gifts of your spirit, so we can move forward with success and without fear,” a copy of the prayer reads.
Ushers then distributed slips of paper to those in attendance, with local church leaders asking that only registered parishioners submit their choices.
The six names for consideration were those of the saints Thomas Aquinas, Jude, John Bosco, Nicholas, Monica and Ignatius of Loyolla.
Prior to the evening ceremony — conducted in the usual fashion except for the vote — two church members bearing umbrellas stood near the entrances, each holding a sign that read “Vote for St. Albert’s.”
A 19-member volunteer committee has determined the name of the parish, not technically the building, must change.
On the authority of The Rev. Edward “Ted” Jost, however, individuals Sunday were told they could write in the names “St. Albert the Great” or “Ascension,” but must also consider names included on the ballot for a total of three.
Church leaders spoke of a Catholic “oneness” that should prevail over divisive issues some believe follow closely to the merging of congregations, each with their own unique history, culture and character.
A prayer near the beginning of the Mass was issued for the “Journey of Faith and Grace,” which is ultimately a euphamism for the restructuring of the Diocese of Buffalo.
Initiated in 2005 for the purpose of increasing the concentration of worshippers in a smaller number of churches, the measure has touched numerous Catholic institutions in the area, including St. Joseph’s and Our Lady of Czestochowa.
Beyond the churches themselves, there is the question of how recent developments will come to effect students at North Tonawanda Catholic School who use the Ascension building.
Statements issued for months by Kmiec have been reiterated by spiritual leaders here, who have called for unity among Catholics beyond other specific loyalties.
But the diocese cites declining population and a drop in the number of confirmed Catholics among the reasons for the initiative, not an excess of local identity.
According to members who are unhappy with the name change, closures are driving some out faster than “oneness” can serve to offer a fix to flagging attendance.
Carmela Rybczynski and Anita Bednarz, among others, describe ambiguity in the process and the speed at which it is occurring as having caused some people to give up on their church.
“Change is good, but change has to be made for the better, not for change itself,” reads an excerpt from a letter Bednarz sent to Kmiec recently.
“How many parishioners have to walk way?”
Others involved with the transition have taken a different view.
John Colvin, a member of the transition team, said he is pleased with the injection of new people to fill the building and related programs.
On the other hand, he said the burden is sometimes more than local parishes can bear.
He said it would probably have been easier if members of the diocese had taken more of a lead role in standardizing the mergers.
Others the Tonawanda News has contacted say they have avoided “politics” on the measure, worshiping just as they have for years.
Contact reporter Neale Gulleyat 693-1000, ext. 114.

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