TONAWANDA, N.Y. — The Buffalo Catholic Diocese announced in February that it was closing St. Andrews Roman Catholic Church and school on June 30.
Hundreds turned out for one final Mass at St. Andrews on Sunday morning, including Bishop Michael Fisher.
"Many priests have said this church plays such an important role and important part of our lives," Bishop Fisher said. "We thank you in a very special way."
The Buffalo Diocese hasn't confirmed whether or not the property will be put on the market for sale, but several diocesan properties are for sale.
This comes as the Diocese announced recommendations for 80 mergers and closures of parishes, schools and Catholic centers in Western New York.
"It's very sad, and I'm very sad," said Suzanne Vorberger. "But we'll keep the faith as father says."
Vorburger has been a member of the St. Andrew's parish since 1944.
"We were married here," Vorburger said. "All of our children were baptized here, and confirmed, and went to school here, all the years."
Vorburger says she's been accepted into the St. Timothy parish, but the news of St. Andrew's and 80 other parishes closing was tough.
"It was like a punch in the gut, really, to be honest with you," Vorburger said. "I couldn't believe it."
The diocese cited financial reasons for the shuttering of St. Andrew's back in February.
But the July 15 deadline for parishes to either accept or propose their own merger plan is nearing. As the diocese still works its way through bankruptcy court, it is believed they'll need to raise at least $100 million to settle numerous sex-related abuse cases.
Much of the scuttlebutt amongst the parishes on the merge and close list is focused on why their parish was listed. Father Bryan Zielenieski has denied the claim that the diocese is only selecting parishes that will have high resale value.
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