ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Parishioners at St. John Vianney knew Tuesday would be tough.
In some ways, they were ready for it. But in others, they weren’t.
After four months of waiting for a decision from the Buffalo Diocese, the community at St. John Vianney learned it would be one of 78 churches merging and closing as a part of its “Road to Renewal” program.
Despite promises to keep its catholic school running, the diocese also announced that after 50 years, St. John Vianney’s school would have to close its doors, too.
“We really feel like we got blindsided with this,” said parent Matthew Brun.
Parishioners like Sandy Riccio have been a part of the community for all 50 years.
“My four kids came here for church,” she said. “My granddaughter here is in sixth grade. Now, she's not going to be able to graduate here”
She says the school community — like so many others who showed up in protest ahead of a meeting with the diocese Tuesday night — has become her family.
The diocese initially said the closure wouldn’t take place until the end of the school year, but it means the parish and school community will have to prepare to merge with Queen of Heaven in West Seneca. But the community members say they aren’t sure they’re willing to do so.
“There has to be another way,” Brun said. “I plead with them to do the right thing and leave our kids alone.”
Some families may not even be able to go to Queen of Heaven, as the school is almost at capacity. That was among the frustrations expressed at a closed-door meeting Tuesday night that the diocese told 2 On Your Side could not attend.
Tuesday’s decision left many parishioners at St. John Vianney worried the “Road to Renewal” isn’t renewing anything but the diocese’s pockets.
“If the future of the catholic church is the youth, which I think we can all agree is the truth, let's not close a Catholic school,” Brun said. “We feel like they don't care about our kids. We feel like they don't care about our school, our church, our community. It really all came down to dollars and cents.”
2 On Your Side spoke with the diocese after Tuesday night’s meeting. A spokesperson for the diocese said it has committed to keeping the school open for an additional year through the 2024-25 school year before leaving it up to Family No. 7 to determine the best course of action moving forward.