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St. Bernadette R. C. Church |
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5930 South Abbott Road Orchard Park, New York 14127-4597 716-649-3090 |
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Parish History (Continued) |
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Since 1977, our inadequate parking facilities have been expanded and improved through blacktopping and parking space markings. The Rectory Office was renovated and enlarged, and conference and meeting facilities were added to accommodate our parish needs.
In 1979, a school cafeteria was added through the generous gifts of Francis and Marie McGrath. An addition to the convent in November 1984 provided a garage for the parish cars through the generosity of the John and Willard Clarey families. As the parish continued to expand, almost 15 acres adjacent to our property was purchased from Mrs. Loretta Duggan in August 1984. Two years later a maintenance storage building was erected to house our large equipment. In 1988, the original rectory was expanded.
On May 26, 1990, the parish was blessed with the arrival of newly ordained Fr. Merrick J. Bednar as associate pastor. Fr. Merrick had undergone a successful heart transplant at Pittsburgh's Presbyterian University Hospital in July 1986, and, when he arrived here, had been recently ordained a priest at St. Joseph Cathedral, Buffalo. Fr. Peter Cronin left us for a new appointment in September 1990 as director of the St. Columban Missionary House in Los Angeles, Calif.
Philip Huber, formerly vice president of Empire of America, joined our parish staff in July 1993 as Parish Planning Coordinator to assist the parish in financial planning and development.
In the summer of 1993, Mrs. Joan Ersing accepted a position as Director of Religious Education, supervising and directing 75 volunteer teachers and 800 students from the public schools.
On September 30, 1993, Edward J. Cecka, our Parish Trustee, Sunday Bingo Chairman and Parish Council Historian, died at age 85 after a brief illness. James J. Ruh, Parish Comptroller, was appointed to serve with John J. Murray as a parish trustee.
On February 1, 1994, Bishop Edward Head appointed Deacon Larry Markowski to our parish to assist in parish liturgies, baptisms, marriage preparation and other sacramental functions.
In July of 1994, we welcomed Fr. Raymond McNicholas of the Society of St. Columban as our newest associate. Fr. McNicholas has spent more than 50 years with the Columban Society as Missioner, Retreat and Vocation Director, College Chaplain, and parish priest.
On September 25, 1994, a gala parish Golden Jubilee celebration of 50 years as a religious sister was held in the school hall for Sr. M. Priscilla Faltisko, our parish associate and former principal.
The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, October 7, 1994, saw the beginning of Daily Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel, sponsored by our Marian Eucharistic Committee, promoting our daily consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
As growth occurs, so did our need to provide adequate facilities. Our building superintendent, Joseph Canfield, and his staff completed a new three-car garage in preparation for the expansion of our church office facilities. In November 1994, Buffalo Hotel Supply removed the original carpet and provided our parish church with a new carpet in the church and chapel and parquet oak flooring at the altars.
In September 19, 1995, our parish lost John J. Murray, who passed away at age 82. John was one of St. Bernadette's first parishioners. Through the years, John served the parish as trustee and counseled the parish in financial matters. He worked every Sunday processing the weekend offertory; he was an usher, dedicated bingo worker and parish chairperson many times over for Catholic Charities. William A. Rade was appointed by the Bishop to replace John as Parish Trustee.
In October of 1995, Fr. Merrick Bednar was reassigned to Cardinal O'Hara High School as Director of Campus Ministry. Fr. David R. Glassmire began his assignment at St. Bernadette's on November 27, 1995, as Parochial Vicar and remained in that position until the fall of 1996, when Bishop Mansell assigned him to St. Mary's Parish in Lancaster.
After nearly a year of analysis and input from the Parish Council, School Advisory Board and the leaders of many parish organizations, a recommendation was presented to the pastor to initiate a multi-purpose parish addition. This proposed addition created eight additional classrooms, including specialized rooms for science, art, computer and music, and a community room, which would increase the number and size of urgently needed meeting rooms. Saturday, May 10th, 1997, marked the official ground breaking ceremony for our new parish addition.
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