Newsletter March 5, 2025

Highlights:

• Over 200 Procurator Mandates (petitions) have been signed.  A very high percentage of our Finance Council (100%), Parish Council (89%), Lectors (84%), Eucharistic Ministers (tba) have signed, with more to come – Thanks!!  We are at 50% of what we believe to be our total number of parishioners and expect that number to continue to go up.  We need as many signed as possible.

• We now have the Remonstratio template from Save Our Buffalo Churches.  This will be tailored for our appeal to the Bishop once we receive his decree.  Upon receipt of the decree, we will have 10 days to respond with the Remonstratio.  Remonstratio means reconsideration.  So, we will be asking the Bishop to reconsider the decree.

• Financial Review package – we have the data needed, along with written explanations for the history.  We must continue to support St John’s through weekly collections and donations.  Financial viability is a must.  Our Finance Committee is doing an excellent job reviewing and managing our finances – thanks!

• Our website and Facebook page continue to be quite active.  Please share with your friends and family.

  • Website https://www.savestjohnsolean.com/

  • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Save-St-Johns-Olean/61572759676856/

Click to View Website

Click to View Facebook Page

• St Michael’s Church in Buffalo was the first member of the Save Our Buffalo Churches group to appeal to the Dicastery in Rome.  Their appeal was accepted by the Dicastery for examination and a suspension of the Extinctive Merger has been put in place for the duration of the appeal process.  This is very good news as our appeal will be very similar.

• Our next PCG meeting will be Thursday, March 13 at 5pm at the Pulaski Club (Olean).  We need to continue to drive the number of mandates higher. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Please consider respectfully writing to the Bishop, showing your support for keeping St. John’s as a parish.  The address is Most Rev. Michael Fisher, Bishop of Buffalo, Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, 795 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203.  Please copy Dan Hinz with any letters sent.

If you know someone who does not have access to the internet and would like to receive our newsletters and updates, please let us know! Send an e-mail to Dan at dhinz52@gmail.com or fill out the Contact Us form on the Home Page of the website (savestjohnsolean.com).

Parish Core Group Members include, among others:

Dan Hinz (Procurator), Dawn Pezzimenti, Dennis Pezzimenti, Carol Capito, John and Cathy Baglione, Carm and Rick Mikolajczyk, Paul Abdo, Paul Bzdak, John Whelpley, Mark Quinn, Pat O’Malley, Paul and Diane Ksionzyk, Mary Fofanah, Larry and Laurie Pavlock.

Heavenly Father, look upon me and hear my prayer during this holy Season of Lent.  By the good works You inspire, help me to discipline my body and to be renewed in spirit.