SS Peter and Paul Church

Saints Peter & Paul Church

5480 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221-6754

Diocese of Buffalo

Mass Schedule

Saturday Vigil for Sunday: 4:30 PM

Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM (LIFETeen)

(This schedule is subject to change during Summer and at holiday times)

Holy Day Masses as announced in our weekly bulletin.

Daily Masses: 8:00 AM Monday though Saturday

12:05 PM Monday through Friday

Morning Prayer: Monday through Saturday at 7:45 AM

SACRAMENTS

Reconciliation (Confession)

Saturday 3-4 PM or anytime by appointment. Communal Reconciliation is scheduled during Lent and Advent.

Baptism

Parents and expectant parents meet for pre-baptismal Catechesis before the celebration of the sacrament. Consult the parish bulletin for details or call the parish office for information and reservations. Baptism may take place at a weekend liturgy or on the second or third Sundays of the month at 1:15 PM. God parents must be active Catholics who are regular participants in the life of their local parish. A letter from their pastor will confirm this.

Matrimony

In accord with universal Church Law, we will assist parishioners and their immediate families in their planning and celebration of the Sacrament. Prospective brides and bridegrooms must meet with the priest/deacon before setting a wedding date. Our marriage preparation consists of one of these two programs: Engaged Encounter of Sponsor Couple Program. Weddings may not be scheduled more than 6 months from the initial contact with the priest or deacon.

Confirmation

Out secondary school parishioners are prepared as a part of our Religious Education program. Adults and young adults who have completed high school are invited to a formation period geared to their needs and faith level. Call the parish office for details.

Anointing of the Sick

There is an annual communal celebration, usually in early autumn. Call anytime it is felt necessary, in the hospital or at home. It is preferable that the sick person be very conscious, aware and involved in this liturgy. It is especially significant when a group of family and friends are able to participate and lend prayerful support.

Rite of Christian Initiation

Older Children (7+) and adults are baptized or received into the church at the end of a period of initiation. Christians baptized in another faith tradition need not be baptized again. However, they will be prepared for full reception into the Catholic Church as they celebrated the Sacraments of Conformation and Eucharist. Call the parish office for details.

Our church is handicap accessible and is equipped with an audio loop for the hearing impaired.

NEW PARISHIONERS

We welcome new parishioners. Call to make an appointment with one of our pastoral team members who will be happy to meet with you at a mutually agreeable time.

PARISH HISTORY

History of Our Parish

=Newly ordained 25 year old Fr. John Neumann arrived in Western New York on July 12, 1836. Father Neumann, later canonized St. John Nepomucene Neumann became pastor of the small mission at Williamsville which consisted of about 40 families. Non-Catholic neighbor Oziel Smith donated a small parcel of land for a chapel.

Our original chapel was built on the site of what is now the cleaner's establishment across Grove Street from our present church. The rear wall of the present cleaning establishment was a wall of the original chapel. Fr Neumann celebrated Mass in that chapel which, at his arrival, still had no floor or roof.

Within a year, the chapel was completed and Fr. Neumann embarked on what would become a life long ministry, Catholic education. He provided for the secular and religious education of area children first in a loaned private home and later in a small rented building. Since then, Catholic Education as been an essential ministry of our parish. Ours is the oldest continuously functioning parish school in the diocese of Buffalo. For many years we were blessed with existence of Bishop Neumann High School.

During his pastorate, when not visiting the many small communities to the north and east of Buffalo, Fr. Neumann occupied a room at the Eagle Inn (now the Eagle House Restaurant) on the Buffalo - Albany Toll Road (now Main St./Rt. 5). Feeling the need for a deeper sense of community, Fr. Neumann entered the Redemptorist Order in 1940 and eventually moved to Philadelphia. Several years later he became that city's bishop and eventually a saint of the universal Church. He was canonized a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1977.

After the departure of its first pastor, a number of priest served for 2 or 3 year periods. At one point a community of 4 Jesuits ministered here. By the late 1850's, the community had grown and a larger church was became necessary. A plot of land across from the chapel was purchased from Betsy Grove. This is the site of the present church.

The Grove home was moved for the construction of the new church. This house became the parish school. Quarry stone from what is now the intersection of Main St. and Kensington Ave. was used in he construction. The dedication of the new church took place in 1866. The windows in the sanctuary and in the choir loft are from that period.

The original clock in the tower functioned for 59 years. Its replacement was purchased in 1926. Two large bells were placed in the tower in 1868. These joined a smaller one which had been cast in Strasbourg in 1906.

During the pastorate of Msgr. George Zimpfer (1945-1973), the church underwent extensive renovations. It was then that the freestanding altar was placed in the church. Since 1961, three years before it became the norm, Mass has been celebrated facing the people in SS. Peter & Paul Church. During this renovation Msgr. Zimpfer and the parishioners donated another tower bell.

Other recent pastors have included Msgr. Nelson Logal (1973-1985) and the Most Rev. Donald W. Trautman(1985-1990), presently the bishop of Erie, Pennsylvania. Our current pastor is Msgr. David M. Gallivan.

The years have brought changes, but our parish has always been blessed by the loyalty, enthusiasm and gifts of wonderful laity and staff members. We are proud of our rich heritage. We have embraced fully the teachings of the Church Councils which have occurred during our existence: The First and Second Vatican Councils. We are indebted to those who have preceded us and feel responsible for those who will follow. We invite all to become part of our on-going journey of faith.

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

MINISTRIES

We invite parishioners to participate in and call upon our many ministries: Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Home and Hospital Visitation, Bereavement Ministry, Liturgical Ministries, Usher and Greeter Ministry, Music Ministry, Altar Servers, Catechesis, Family Liturgy Ministry and many more. Even our shut-ins are urge to participate through the Ministry of Praise. Call our parish office for information and contact persons.

ORGANIZATIONS

St. Vincent de Paul Society: assists the poor of our neighborhood and throughout Western New York. It meets BI-weekly and works closely with the St. Vincent de Paul Society on a diocesan level. New members are welcome.

St. Ann's Sodality: invites women, single and married, of all ages for its social, spiritual and cultural activities. It meets for Mass at 9:00 AM Mass followed by breakfast in our cafeteria.

Small Faith Communities: Several such groups of 8-12 people gather in private homes for prayer, reflection and discussion based on life and the scriptures.

Scouting Movements (boys and girls): area youths and children are encouraged to participate in scouting activities and community service through therese nationally affiliated organizations. There are scouting groups for all ages.

The Bishop's Committee for Christian Home and Family assist young parents at the time of Baptism and the early years of childhood. They support the parents as the primary Christian educators of their children.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Rosary Makers

These parishioners meet monthly to pray and make and repair rosaries. More than 45,000 rosaries have been sent to petitioners since the group's founding in 1987.

Senior Citizens Club

Social, recreational, educational and spiritual activities are provided by and for the membership. Monthly meetings are held in parish facilities. Occasional outings and dinners are part of the program of event. Members participate in Mass together on a designated weekend.

Respect Life Committee

The Church's doctrines and concerns on life issues provide the agenda for this committee. Our parish participates in diocesan events and is kept abreast of life issues and legislation thanks to the Respect Life Committee. Life Chain, letter writing campaigns, conferences, etc. are arranged through this committee.

Catholic Youth Organization

Our young people are connected to diocesan youth activities through the CYO. Our youth ministry within the parish is accomplished by the Life Teen program. However, our youth are encouraged to participate in the activities, conventions, sporting events, retreats and leadership training supplied by the diocesan CYO. This involvement and our youth ministry programs are partially funded by the CYO Booster Club.

The Parish Pastoral Council

This is the major consultative advisory group whose function is that of liaison between the Parishioners and the Pastoral Staff. It has several standing committees made up of some who are council members and some who are not. These are: Buildings and Grounds, Education, Liturgy, Parish Life, Social Action. The Finance Council, while not an official committee of the Parish Pastoral Council, works closely with it and is included in its deliberations and projects.

There are a host of other gatherings of people who meet and work to build up our community. All ages and interest groups are invited to contribute their time, talent and treasure for the good of the community. For information regarding the ministries and groups listed above, please call the parish office at (716) 632-2559.

MISSION STATEMENT

We are a community of believers who are grateful for our diversity and mindful of our unity in Christ. Our lives are based on faith, hope and charity through the outpouring of the Spirit, nourished by the Eucharist.

Our mission is to be communicators of God's grace and Christ's message to help people achieve salvation. We seek to build a Faith Community by enriching ourselves through Word and Sacrament. Our aim is to share our faith by teaching, personal witness and works of charity.

Because we see in all people the image of God, we seek to relieve their physical, spiritual and emotional needs by involving all age groups within our parish.

EDUCATION

SS. Peter & Paul School:

Our parish has a fine grammar school (K-8). It has a full academic program staffed by a capable, certified teaching staff. Religion is a part of the daily schedule and the children plan and celebrate Mass regularly. Each classroom is well supplied with computer equipment. "Pooh Corner" is our Pre-K program for 3 and 4 year olds. Call the school phone number for more information. Parental and parish participation in the life of the school is assured through the Home School Association and the SSPP School Board.

Religious Education Programs and LIFETeen:

We offer Religious Education grades 1-6 on Sunday Morning. Grades 6-12 participate in the 6 PM LifeTeen Mass on Sunday Evening and then continue with programs appropriate to their ages and interests. Family Religious Education, for children at all grade levels and their parents, takes place during three hours on one evening per month. Follow-up is required at home between sessions. Parents must participate with the children. Call our religious education office for details.

PARISH DIRECTORY

Pastor: Rev. Msgr. David M. Gallivan 632-2559 ext. 202

Pastoral Associates: Deacon George Klein 632-2559 ext. 203

Linda Downey 632-2559 ext. 208

Principal Sr. Joan Hupp, OFM 632-6146 ext. 206

Director of Music George Clarke 632-2559 ext. 216

Religious Education Dir. Susan Golebiewski 632-2678 ext. 209

Youth Minister Joe Wargo 632-2678 ext. 303

Administrative Assistant Diane Malucci 632-2559 ext. 201

Office Assistant Phil Rico 632-2559 ext. 200

Maintenance Supervisor Joe Todaro, Sr. 632-2559 ext. 204

Sacristan R. J. Szmanek. 632-2559 ext. 214

Trustees: Ruth Schlosser, James Leising

Parish Council Pres. Joan Deinhart

Important phone numbers: Parish Office 632-2559

SS. Peter & Paul School 632-6146

Religious Education/Youth Ministry 632-2678

School Cafeteria/Bingo Hall 632-9575

Cemeteries/Mausoleum 632-2559

Prayer Lines 632-1601/634-2364

Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00PM

Saturday: 9:00 - 12:00 Noon

BINGO Each Monday at 8:00 PM and the third Saturday of each month at 8:00 PM.

Proceeds are used exclusively for the support of SS. Peter & P