INTRODUCTION TO THE ROAD TO RENEWAL
*The Road to Renewal is made up of a family of Parishes that comes together to strengthen one another. We are a Member of Family #17 which is made up of the following parishes: St. Andrew’s Kenmore, Blessed Sacrament, Tonawanda, St. John the Baptist, Kenmore, St. Paul’s, Kenmore, St. Timothy’s, Tonawanda and St. Stephen’s, Grand Island.
* Each parish has gifts and talents that can benefit other parishes. This model allows parishes to bring their best to the family, so that all parishes in the family can benefit.
* Collaboration between parishes is important for a strong future. This model allows for a collaborative approach between parishes and ministries. Parishes can work together towards a common goal.
* Priestly ministry becomes shared within the family. With the declining number of priests available, this model has parishes collaborate by sharing mass schedules and sacramental life. This means priests can focus their attention on sacramental ministry, working more closely with their brothers within the family of parishes.
* Better utilization of financial resources. With parishes working together in a family, shared staff and resources will contribute to financial stability and savings.
This will be an ongoing column for all to better know that the Road to Renewal is all about. Stayed tuned for more information.
𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗲𝗻-𝗧𝗼𝗻/𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀
The Ken-Ton/Grand Island Family of Parishes has received pastoral appointments effective June 1, 2023, from Bishop Michael Fisher, Bishop of Buffalo.
Father Michael Parker will serve as pastor. Parochial Vicars Father Martin Gallagher and Father Peter Ekanem (both currently serving at Blessed Sacrament, Tonawanda and St. Paul, Kenmore), will continue in that role for the new family. The Family of Parishes #17 includes St. Andrew Parish (Kenmore), Blessed Sacrament Parish (Tonawanda), St. John the Baptist Parish (Kenmore), St. Paul Parish (Kenmore), St. Timothy Parish (Tonawanda), and St. Stephen Parish (Grand Island).
Father Parker will be responsible for implementing the Road to Renewal Family of Parishes model among the parishes. He said is looking forward to collaborating with the priests, deacons, staff, and the people of God which form our new Family of Parishes. “I realize the challenge of the responsibility, but I trust that together with the Christian faithful, we will draw strength from the Word of God and the Eucharist.”
He pledged his generosity, zeal, and love to serve the People of God entrusted to his care, together with the prayers of the parishioners and the grace of the Holy Spirit. “All members of the Family of Parishes bring their unique individual and communal gifts to build God’s presence with us. May the Spirit of the Risen Jesus continue to charge us with the zeal and faith to be witnesses of Jesus among us,” Father Parker said.