The East Pembroke Grange celebrated its 90th anniversary on Saturday with a quarter carnival.

Previously: Bring your quarters to the 90th celebration of East Pembroke Junior Grange.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Press release:

The Batavia boys varsity soccer team beat Pal-Mac 6-2 on Saturday afternoon in a dominant showing, highlighted by two goals by Gavynn Trippany (#3), both assisted by Trevor Tryon (#8), two goals by Jaziah Ayala (#1), one assisted by Aiden Reimer (#14) and the other unassisted, one goal by Rylan Bohn (#24), assisted by Gavynn Trippany (#3), and one goal by Troy Hawley (#5), also assisted by Gavynn Trippany (#3). 

The Byron-Bergen Lady Bees traveled up Route 262 to take on the Oakfield-Alabama/Elba Lady Aggies on Saturday morning.  

The Bees won 2-0.  

Both goals for the Bees were scored by midfielder Mia Gray in the second half.  Her first goal was a header (assisted by a corner kick from Grace DiQuattro).  Her second goal was assisted by Elizabeth Starowitz. 

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro.

With record-holder Mike Richenberg on his trail, Oakfield's Brandon Rebert became the second man in the history of Arc of Genesee Orleans Friends and Family 5K in Elba to win six consecutive races.

He tied the record set by Richenberg in 2014.

Rebert posted a time of 19:19. Richenberg, of Corfu, came in second with a time of 19:42.

Neither man has won as many races as Oakfield's Kimberly Mills, who at 20:34, picked up at least her eighth title on Saturday in the Arc 5K, with her first coming in 2009. The online and The Batavian's records are incomplete, so we don't know if she might have more than eight wins. We can't account for two years of races. She said she doesn't keep count.

Rebert started his record-tying streak in 2018. There was no race in 2020 because of the pandemic.

In 2021, he recorded the race's fast time at 18:09.

For The Batavian's prior coverage of the annual race, click here.

The Pembroke Primary School community gathered Friday to celebrate the grand opening of a new playground, a project two years in the making. 

Students found it hard to contain their excitement as they anxiously waited for the big moment to take place at the entrance to the playground. 

 “Cut the ribbon, cut the ribbon,” they yelled out in unison while some also exclaimed that “this playground is awesome!”

Superintendent Matthew Calderon began the ceremony by reflecting on the legacy of the old playground, which was built 30 years ago with the help of the current students' parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. He also noted the assistance given to the district for the upgraded design of what they celebrated this week.

“Special thanks to everyone that helped us with the playground, especially Play By Design’s Lee Archen, SEI Design, Alleghany Services, Campus Construction," he said. "And you know you need to give it up for our Director of Facilities Jim Green and Principal (Patty) Zika."

Zika shared that the journey to the new playground began two years ago when current third graders were in first grade. Each student wrote a persuasive essay convincing her for a new playground, expressing concerns about broken equipment and safety hazards.

The students had many ideas for the new playground, and many of their suggestions were taken into consideration.

The community build took place over two weeks at the end of August, with Alleghany Services handling grading, laying stone, and mulching. Despite having only 72 volunteers, those who participated contributed significant hours to ensure the playground was completed on time.

Among the dedicated volunteers was Gordon Crosby, a retired optical technician who also helped build the previous playground. Crosby logged nearly 60 hours during the two-week project. 

The new playground features not only accessible swings and bars but also sensory areas, a spinning swing, animal tracking stations, and musical components. Zika emphasized that the playground will be open to the community outside of school hours from dawn to dusk. 

“Come and enjoy it, and please take care of it,” Zika said.

Looking ahead, they are planning on bringing the refurbished murals from the old playground back and installing a picnic area on the side. 

Facilities Director Jim Green praised the volunteers and donors who made the project possible. 

“My staff did a great job adapting to ensure we finished on time and that the schools were ready for the kids’ return,” Green said.

For prior coverage about the project, go HERE

Batavia put together an impressive air and ground game for its home opener on Friday, beating Rochester Prep 46-6.

Zailen Griffing ran for 105 yards and two TDs on 11 attempts. Isaac Varland threw for 106 yards and a TD, going 3-6, while Bronx Bucholz was 2-3 passing for 50 yards and a TD.

Carter Mullin had two receptions for 50 yards and a TD. Grayson Fix had two receptions for 96 yards. Maggio Buchholz had a rushing TD.

On defense, Lakoda Mruczek had seven tackles, and Da'Von Gallo-Williams had four tackles. Maggio Buchholz had six tackles and a tackle. Will Stevens had an interception. Jameson Motyka had two tackles and a sack.

Also in football on Friday, 

Alexander beat York/Pavilion 55-0. The Trojans compiled 400 total yards. QB Brody Heckman was 4-4 for 70 yards passing with 3 TDs.  RB Ryder Reichert carried 11 times for 167 yards and 2 TDs.  WR Kaden Torres had 2 TD Catches for a total of 39 yards.  TE/FB Damien Hale added 2 TDs on a run and on a reception. RB Kingston Woods and JR RB Duke Snyder each scored TDs.  Defensively Free Safety Duke Snyder had two interceptions for the Trojans, who have defensively posted back-to-back shutouts.  Melissa Sawyer added the PATs in the kicking game. Seven different Trojan defenders recorded a QB sack or tackles for loss.    The Trojans are 3-0 and will face undefeated Avon on Friday.

Football: Oakfield-Alabama/Elba falls to Avon

Le Roy/Cal-Mum lost to Bishop Timon 35-22

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Byron-Bergen/Elba beat Attica/Alexander in Boys Soccer on Friday, 4-2.

For the Bees, Jack Farner had a hat trick, Colin Rea had a goal and an assist, and Cole DiQuattro and Noah Clare also provided assists.

Josh Kubik scored both Attica/Alexander goals, assisted by Carter Gorski and Brandon Beal.

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro.

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba ran into a tough Avon squad on Friday and lost 56-0.

OAE stats:

• Avery Watterson:  43 Yards Rushing,  11 Total Tackles
• Jack Cianfrini:  35 Yards Rushing,  11 Total Tackles, 1 TFL
• Carson Warner:   14 Total Tackles

"Nice win for Avon.  We did not come to play tonight," said Coach Tyler Winters. "Luckily, it's early.  We have a group that is learning every day, and there is plenty to learn from tonight.  We will look to get back on the path we know this group can take."

Photos by Debra Reilly.

This summer is seeing the return of Creed -- one of the biggest music acts of the late 1990s. The band has recently completed a pair of cruises and now embarks on an extensive tour that visits outdoor amphitheaters this summer and arenas in the fall.

It’s not the first time Creed has reunited. The first time, in 2009, the band’s reunion tour the following year saw fairly lackluster ticket sales. But this year, the cruises were instant sellouts and ticket sales for the tour have been robust. What’s more, the band’s 2004 greatest hits album has been re-released and is climbing the charts for multiple rock genres.

Guitarist Mark Tremonti offered his take on why Creed is enjoying this renewed wave of popularity.

“I think ’90s music in general is having a resurgence,” he said in an early July phone interview. “I think people want to go back and relive some of their younger years when they were going through college or whatever it was and want to get back out and relive those days. So I think people just want to get back together with their friends and go see the concert that they saw 20 years ago.”

It’s not just fans who bought some of the more-than-20 million copies of the first three Creed albums -- “My Own Prison,” “Human Clay” and “Weathered” -- that are snapping up tickets for the tour. A new generation of fans has discovered Creed on Tik Tok and other online sites, through the use of the Creed hit single “Higher” by last season’s Texas Rangers as the team’s theme song and via a popular Super Bowl ad that included Tremonti and singer Scott Stapp.

It turns out our largest fan base of the tickets that have been sold is between 25 and 35 years old,” Tremonti said, citing data the band receives from ticketing outlets. ‘Those are (mainly) people that wouldn't have quite been old enough to experience a Creed concert.”

Fans will be seeing the classic Creed lineup of Stapp, Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips. That unit formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida, made a big splash with its 1997 debut CD, “My Own Prison,” which sold six million copies and spawned four number one hits on “Billboard” magazine’s Hot Mainstream Rock Hits chart.

The follow-up, 1999’s “Human Clay” (which is getting an expanded deluxe reissue in August) was an even bigger blockbuster, selling more than 10 million copies and producing multiple hits, including “Higher” and “With Arms Wide Open.” That latter song won the 2001 Grammy for Best Rock Song. 

The third CD, “Weathered” became another big hit, selling six million copies, but after that CD was released in November 2001, things started to go off track for the band when Stapp was involved in a 2002 car accident that delayed a Creed tour. The singer then developed nodules on his vocal cords and was prescribed prednisone to combat the inflammation. Unfortunately, he began having anxiety issues as a side effect of the drug, and hoping to counteract his anxiety attacks, began drinking to excess.

A couple of embarrassing public incidents – the release of a sex tape he made with Kid Rock and some willing female participants and a drunken performance at a Creed show in December 2002 in Chicago – only made things worse, and in 2004 the band called it quits, with Tremonti, Marshall and Phillips moving on to form Alter Bridge with singer Myles Kennedy.

Tremonti said the four musicians are hoping this second reunion sticks, and there will be Creed albums and/or tours every few years. Creed’s activities will have to happen between other projects (Stapp and Tremonti both continue to release solo albums) and projects by Alter Bridge, which very much remains an active group. 

“I think at this point now we've all seen enough, we've all been in enough bands, we've all had all our projects, to know that we're all going to be busy doing all our own things throughout the years,” Tremonti said. “We're going make it a best effort to be able to continue to keep Creed active at least every few years.

“We just have to plan way ahead, just gotta make sure that everybody has all their T’s crossed and I’s dotted in advance so we can make sure that everybody's other projects have their time and a life as well,” the guitarist said.

For now, Creed will tour, and fans can expect to hear the songs they know and love.

“Our setlist will initially start out pretty similar to what we had done on the cruises, playing the hits along with some of the favorite album tracks,” Tremonti said. 

“As the tour goes on…(we’ll) probably dive into a handful of songs that we didn't play on the cruise and then from there as the tour goes on we'll just keep on adding songs.”

Creed plays at Darien Lake Amphitheater on Friday, September 27.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley and two busloads of veterans left on Hawley's annual Patriot Trip on Thursday morning.

The trip gives area veterans an opportunity to visit some of the most significant monuments and museums in Washington, D.C.

Submitted Photos.

Sometimes, circumstances align just enough to make it seem that your idea was destined to happen at the right time and place. 

That’s how the location of Shush Wine Bar LLC was found, Rob Credi says. With him as business manager for proprietor Bonnie Woodward, her two daughters Stephanie Mahoney and Karie Credi and daughter-in-law Michelle Woodward, the plan seemed to fall into place after Gilliana’s Diner closed permanently.

“Bonnie and I were talking since this spring and were looking for properties that made sense for what we wanted to do — open a nice meeting place for drinks — and we were looking for properties, just kind of keeping an eye on the market to see if anything came up that would make sense. And we looked at a couple other ones that came up but never really fit exactly what we were looking to do with it,” Credi said during an interview with The Batavian. “Then I saw Gilliana’s was closing online, and it was a surprise, but then I thought it was a perfect location. There are lots of bars but nobody focuses on wine. We are very aware of our demographic here. We want to cater to them so everyone can enjoy what we have to offer. So that was a big thing for us, to be able to bring something different with an elevated experience that’s not too posh or too expensive.”

The business partners worked with Gavin Townsend and pitched an offer to property owner Jack Waggoner for the former Gilliana’s diner spot, tucked between Michael Anthony’s Salon and Block, Longo, LaMarca & Brzezinski law offices, with a computer repair office and other tenants in adjacent properties, near the corner of Jackson and School streets in downtown Batavia. 

They struck a deal and are leasing the 52-by-20 spot for Shush Wine Bar LLC at 41 Jackson St.

Yes, downtown may seem like a popular niche for beer, but Credi, Woodward and her family believe there’s plenty of room for an assortment of good quality, affordable wines to sip in a cozy atmosphere, perhaps with some live soft jazz at some point down the road, and tasting events, no doubt.

Waggoner is working with Batavia Development Corp. Director Tammy Hathaway for a revolving loan/grant to do “a huge rehabilitation” project at the site, Credi said.

Work is to include taking down walls, upgrading the bathroom, which would include making it Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, putting in new flooring to replace the 60-year-old one that’s taken a severe beating, maybe relocating the kitchen for better workflow and rehabilitating the ceiling and its hidden tin-stamped treasure. They’re also mulling what to do with existing plastic with actual brick behind it and investigating some exposed options.

There will be seating for about 20 in what Bonnie Woodward describes as an intimate atmosphere with a small lounge where folks can stop in for a drink before heading to dinner. 

Credi said a chef will whip up some light fare tapas, appetizers and such to complement the higher-quality wine at affordable prices. His wife Karie said to think of cheese and meat boards and a chocolate board to feed those sweet tooths.

They will also work with Eli Fish to procure a proprietary craft brew for the menu, and will include non-alcoholic and sparkling wines and have applied for a full liquor license to serve cocktails. 

Bonnie is no stranger to the hospitality scene, having been an integral part of Alabama Hotel for decades, and returning to downtown is coming full circle for the family since Karie’s Uncle Pat Woodward owned the once popular Candlelight Restaurant up the street, a location  Bourbon & Burger now occupies. 

“This will be a little more elevated; it won’t be a cookie-cutter bar,” Credi said. “It’s a great alternative for people who don’t want the bar scene. And it will be educational too, for people who want to learn more about wines; we will have tasting events and opportunities for people who want to learn more.”

They still need to work out the details, but they believe Shush will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays to get things going. The Woodward family is excited about this new venture in Batavia, and Credi, who closed his ramen take-out on Harvester Avenue earlier this year,  is also looking forward to having another entertainment option for downtown, he said.

“It’s different, it’s classy,” he said. “It’s a great alternative for people who don’t want that typical bar scene, and it’s perfectly located amongst the busy places in town, like Eli Fish. I think they’ve done an incredible job with their space, and it definitely brings people downtown. So here’s something that’s not too far away for slightly different appeal, but the same quality.” 

Press Release:

The Genesee County Highway Department will begin road paving projects on Transit Road in Elba and Byron Road in Byron next week. Work will begin on Tuesday, September 24.

Transit Road in Elba will be closed in sections during the day but will reopen fully overnight. Residents will have access to their homes and businesses, and emergency vehicles will be able to pass through. 

Once Transit Road is complete, paving will shift to Byron Road in Byron, from State Route 262 to State Route 237. The road will be closed entirely during the project, with access for residents and emergency vehicles.

Both projects should be completed by Friday, September 27 weather permitting.

The Oakfield-Alabama Central School District's (OACS) 20th anniversary of the Alumni Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 12 to honor exceptional alums and inspire current students.

Reflecting on its inception, Bill Bostwick, a retired OACS teacher and this year's guest speaker, said that founder Dave George "came to me with the idea while I was a Lead Teacher while he was editing the alumni newsletter. We presented it to Superintendent Mike Hall, who was enthusiastic about it. With initial funding from Mike Hall's fund, we were able to start the Hall of Fame."

"After the first year, the operation became a volunteer self-supporting effort. Without the community's help, the Hall would cease to exist," Bostwick said. "Growing up in Batavia, my education was shaped by the emphasis on Math and Science during the space race. I initially pursued a bio-chemistry major at Hobart College but discovered my true passion in English literature. This liberal arts experience deeply influenced my perspective on the Hall of Fame," he said.

The inaugural Hall of Fame induction in 2004 remains a standout memory, Bostwick said. 

"The first class was remarkable. We honored 11 individuals, including a Fortune 500 CEO and a top FBI official. Celebrating their achievements was a powerful experience for everyone involved."

"I really haven't had much involvement since I retired. The idea always was (and continues to be) to have the inductees interact with the students as much as possible to show them that there are ways to accomplish great things even if you're from a small town."The Hall of Fame also supports broader school goals through fundraising efforts.

Proceeds from the event go towards scholarships for graduating seniors, providing financial support to students pursuing higher education or skilled trades.

Since 2008, the Hall has awarded $25,500 to graduating seniors.

A vital feature of the Hall of Fame event is the involvement of current students. Students are paired with inductees for interviews and interactions, providing valuable learning experiences.

The food services students also prepare a farm-to-table lunch for the inductees, creating a
meaningful connection between past and present.

The Hall of Fame, founded in 2003 by Dave George, OACS Class of 1979, was established to honor alums who have made significant contributions to their fields and communities. George,
who is heavily involved in OACS with the alum newsletter and fundraising efforts, envisioned the Hall of Fame to provide current students with role models who exemplify the potential of an OACS education.

"The Hall of Fame's impact on the OACS community has been profound. The Hall of Fame is a powerful source of inspiration. Hearing about the achievements of our alums helps students see what's possible and reinforces the idea that their dreams are attainable with hard work and
dedication," George says.

A Former OA teacher and Bostwick coworker, John Jakubowski, calls him a "master teacher."

Regarding the Hall, Jakubowski said, "I think that the OA HOF doesn't just recognize successful grads who have made outstanding contributions, but it also serves to recognize the teachers, administrators, school board members, and the community that made OA a great district."

Bostwick advises maintaining the Hall of Fame's legacy: Find what you're passionate about, excel at it, and treat people with kindness. Let the chips fall where they may!"

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. in the OACS High School Cafeteria. The evening will celebrate these distinguished individuals' achievements, offering an opportunity for the community to come together and honor their
successes.

The Hall of Fame's 20th anniversary will feature the induction of four distinguished alums:

Robert (Bob) Briney, Class of 1962
Erin Graham, Class of 2002
Erik Olsen, Class of 1973
Terry Wolcott, Class of 1977

Tickets for the Hall of Fame event are available from Sept. 5 to Oct 5, and may be purchased at the following locations: OACS Elementary and the Junior-Senior High School; and Oakfield Family Pharmacy, 40 Main St.

For those preferring to purchase tickets by mail, send your request to:

OA Hall of Fame
PO Box 35
Oakfield, NY, 14125

When purchasing by mail, make checks payable to Dollars for Scholars, indicating HOF Tickets in the memo line, and include your email address for order confirmation.

If interested in supporting the Hall of Fame event or the scholarships provided, write your tax-deductible check to Dollars for Scholars and write Hall of Fame in the memo area, and mail to address above attention Hall of Fame Treasurer.;Hall of Fame Treasurer.

Or donate online.

Press release:

The Batavia Bulldawgs Youth Football and Cheerleading Program is proud to announce a Batavia Community Day on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vandetta Stadium. This community-focused event takes place during the teams' home games and combines the excitement of youth football and cheer with an opportunity to give back to local families in need.

As part of the event, the Bulldawgs will hold a food drive, “Tackle Hunger,” to benefit the United Way’s Backpack Program through the Batavia City School District. We encourage fans to bring an “admission fee”  non-perishable food items and/or hygiene products. These donations will directly support the Backpack Program, which provides essential food supplies to students in need over weekends and school breaks.

In addition to the food drive, the Bulldawgs will donate all proceeds from their 50/50 raffles throughout the day to the Backpack Program. By participating in the raffle, attendees can win cash prizes while also supporting a meaningful cause.

The Batavia High School Senior Class of 2025 will also contribute to the day’s festivities by running the concession stand to raise funds for their senior activities. Purchases made at the stand will help the Class of 2025 achieve their goals for a memorable senior year.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
• Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Location: Vandetta Stadium, Batavia
• Food Drive: Bring non-perishable food and/or hygiene products to support the United Way’s Backpack Program
• 50/50 Raffle: Proceeds will be donated to the Backpack Program
• Concession Stand: Operated by Batavia High School Class of 2025 to raise funds for senior activities

Come out, enjoy an exciting day of youth football & cheer, and join us in positively impacting our community. Together, we can tackle hunger and support local students and families.

In Girls Soccer on Thursday, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba beat Pembroke 3-2.

OAE's goals were scored by Piper Hyde, Alahna Chatt, and Lydia Ross.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Press Release:

The Byron Town Board will hold a meeting at the Byron Town Hall on September 25 at 6 p.m. 

A representative from Bene-Care, the Town of Byron's health insurance broker, will be presenting health insurance coverage information.

Immediately following the presentation the Town of Byron's Tentative Budget Meeting Workshop will take place. 

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New York's rules on discovery, or evidence that must be shared with opposing attorneys in criminal cases, are still a work in progress, County Court Judge Donald O'Geen suggested on Friday during hearings in the cases of Michael J. Elmore and Lyndsey J. Wilcox.

Both are charged with felonies related to an incident at Batavia Downs on March 9 and March 10 that led to the death of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, a 32-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

Friday's hearing is a standard procedural opportunity to assure the attorneys -- particularly the District Attorney's Office to the defense -- that all documents and other evidence has been disclosed.

It turns out that the Genesee County Jail and the Sheriff's Office did not share some documents, and DA Kevin Finnell was required to file a "supplemental certificate of compliance."

Finnell told O'Geen that his office performed its due diligence in educating local law enforcement on discovery rules, requested all documents from the agencies involved in the case, and a paralegal review of the documents provided did not suggest any missing documents.

Once his office realized some documents had been omitted, he conferred with the Sheriff's Office and Batavia PD and emphasized that "all documents mean all documents."

What was left out were, he said, documents that the jail considered purely administrative and reports from the Sheriff's Office that he said were redundant of documents already disclosed.

Wilcox's attorney, Daniel Dubois, disagreed with that characterization. He said four of the five PDFs he received contained factual information directly relevant to the charges.

"If there was some sort of miscommunication or lack of communication between the District Attorney's Office and the Sheriff's on documents, that isn't our concern," Dubois said.

O'Geen agreed that the situation was disturbing, but he blamed the new law for most of the confusion. There are unresolved issues about what must be disclosed. He said it did seem like the DA's office did its due diligence.

"It is disturbing if local law enforcement can't figure out that 'everything means everything,'" O'Geen said.

In the following hearing, Elmore's attorney shared the same concerns about the document disclosure. He acknowledged that the rules are so new that no upper court rulings have yet defined what exactly constitutes compliance.

O'Geen said both attorneys are welcome to file motions challenging the discovery and gave them until Oct. 1 to file motion papers. He gave Finnell until Oct. 8 to file any answer.  If a hearing is necessary, it will be on Oct. 16, the plea cutoff date.

Elmore is charged with multiple criminal counts for his alleged attack on Sanfratello, including aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, and Wilcox also faces several charges, including burglary and assault. 

On March 9, both were asked to leave Batavia Downs and while being escorted out, according to reports, a struggle ensured, which escalated to the point where Elmore allegedly left the building and then came back in with heavy chains -- jewelry -- in his hands. He is accused of fighting with Sanfratello, striking him with the chains.  It appears that Sanfratello had a medical issue and died on the scene on March 10.

For previous coverage, click here.

Tempers flared Thursday at a southside fellowship hall during an emotional and lengthy meeting about the impending closure of Ascension Parish.

Father Scottston Brentwood, aka Father Scott, fielded questions and assertions from a room full of about 150 unhappy congregants, including parish member Ed Kosiorek, who said he had gone through this before. He joined Ascension after St. Mary’s closed.

“Why are we not a part of this?” Kosiorek said. “There's a cover-up. We're not getting the information, okay? We just went through a major cover-up with the sexual abuse situation, and we didn't get the information we needed. Now we're going through the parish. I think nobody's being transparent. No one is putting the facts out there. Everyone in this room is a thinking adult, and if they are given the facts, they'll comprehend it, and they will sort it.”

Like it or not, he got the facts eventually during a slide presentation of financial and statistical considerations that put Ascension in the red, at about a 10% operating deficit, with decreasing numbers of youth and sacrament participation. UPDATED: The parish apparently does have $1.5 million of savings. Distance to the various church locations was also a factor, with the end result sounding like a simple math equation.

“You get two parishes, four worship sites and three priests, that is it,” Father Scott said. 

After taking it on the chin for two and a half hours, he empathized and said that “no priest wants to close any churches, and I’m closing five.” 

“It is not easy to say to people that a place that matters so much to them, you have to be the name that's attached to that final act. As I said in the very beginning, it's not something I would have wanted any priest to go through. It wasn't something that I have even chosen,” he said. “It’s one of those where we have to remember that this process has been up and down and all these other things. And even, I mean, I'm trying to be as honest as I can, I have been frustrated with the Diocese in the way that they've done things. I myself have said openly in the churches, in meetings and everything else, that I think things should have been done in a different way. But I did not have the decision in any of that, how they did it, how they rolled it out, how they expressed it.”

A few congregants stepped forward to commend him for his willingness to represent the powers that be.

“You truly had nothing to do with this decision to close our parish, and you're taking a lot of the brunt of the heat for it. So I just want to say thank you for at least hearing our concerns and letting us come to you when we're upset. I think what I can speak on behalf of all of us for is, at no point did Bishop, or anyone who was front facing at the Diocese say, we're prayerfully considering all counter proposals. If your parish wasn't on the initial list, be prepared, because that might happen,” Christina Bucciferro said. “And I think when we weren't on the initial list, we as a parish family were not prepared for us to close. And then on a random Tuesday, while I'm at work, all of a sudden see that my livelihood, my family's livelihood, in generation, it's just gone. 

"And then I have to, like, snap out of it and be at the bank and be okay. And that's not okay. There was no communication from the Diocese that we were going to close, and that's not fair.”

Bucciferro likely represented many people there: she was baptized at Ascension, was a cantor, and sang in the choir for 20 years. It isn’t just a church, but part of her life and soul. In a letter she penned to the Diocese, she says that angry, disappointed and heartbroken don’t even sum up how she’s feeling.

While no one liked the idea of closing, they were most disgruntled about how it all happened, she and others said.  

Fran Mruczek, a lifelong member who was baptized at Ascension, said that things seemed to work out fairly well for Father Scott, who she thought was to be in rotation yet she hasn’t seen much of him except for one Christmas Eve service. 

“However, you you were able to stay just in Le Roy and in Bergen, and I understand that it worked out good because, you know, you get to know your parishioners better,” she said. “But how did that get by the sidelines?

“And as far as priests, I know there’s a shortage of priests. I know you’re overworked and everything … there are a lot of retired priests who would be happy to help out, and I know that’s the bishop, the Diocese; they just don’t want you to have anybody to make things easier for all the parishes, not just this parish, for all the parishes.”

She gave an example of a retired priest who has returned to work in Oakfield. Father Scott said not everyone who retires is physically able to return. 

Another member suggested that if priests were allowed to marry, there wouldn’t be a shortage because there would be more priests taking the job. And there wouldn’t be sex scandals. The closures are so that money can be used to pay off pedophile priests, another said.

Father Scott wanted to address those points, he said.

If that was the case, then why are there shortages in Anglian churches? he asked. Why are there shortages of priests who are married and openly gay? 

Why do Anglians have a shortage? The Methodists have women ministers and married ministers, and they have a shortage, he said, listing other denominations with similar issues. Why do they all have a shortage if the fix is to get married? 

“These are Bandaids that aren’t going to work. It isn’t about being married or unmarried. It isn’t about women or men or all the other things. The answer comes down to commitment, because you don’t see people committing to marry Jesus,” he said. They’re living together and having kids together, but they won’t say yes. You have people interested in religion, interested in God, but they don’t say yes. You have to convince people that we need people who are committed to the gospel, and those are the ones who are going to be the good priests.”

Important points emphasized during the presentation were that every parish had an opportunity to present counter-proposals at the gatherings of the family leadership, and everyone had an opportunity to present as many proposals as they desired. St. Brigid presented two, not one proposals, whereas Ascension presented only one, he said.

Consideration was given to Max. Kolbe in East Pembroke primarily because of the distance to other parishes and faith formation. Finances were and are not the primary focus of the Diocese on the “Road to Renewal,” but the continuation of the faith for the future is, he said.

As for any kind of timeline of what may happen when, Father Scott had no definitive answer about that. 

“When it comes to timelines, at the moment, we do not know. When we do know more that will be communicated immediately to everybody when we have an idea of what's going on, because when it comes to the next steps, the bishop has to issue a decree that actually closes a parish. Once that decree happens, there's a difference between when a parish is being merged and when a parish is closing canonically, which is different than the civil organization, which is the parish according to the state and others,” he said. “When we are merging a canonical parish into another, all of the assets are frozen from the parish, meaning they are not to be used for anything that do not directly relate to this parish. For example, if it merged today, you've still got to pay for electricity, you've still have to pay for water, you still have to heat the building at least minimally to keep the pipes from freezing, all of that stuff so the money that is frozen would only be used for paying the bills ... it would not be used to pay anything outside of this parish complex. When the merge happens, all records go to the parish that you are merged into. And we take very good care that that happens very safely, and we do it in a way in which nothing will be lost."

All records, including baptisms, confirmation, marriage, will be preserved in fireproof and waterproof bound books, he said, and may be obtained upon request. 

And what if parishioners don’t want to close? They can fight it, he said. Parishioners can appeal the Vatican, but they need to know two important factors: it’s a costly endeavor, to the tune of potentially $10,000, according to another similar case; and there’s no guarantee that they will win. 

One parishioner who did not want to disclose his name said that he is ready to pony up his share to save the parish. It would be worth the $10,000, he said. There was already a plan in place to gather signatures for an appeal. 

“We do have a core group working to save the parish,” Pat Becker said, directing attendees to go into the parking lot after the meeting to sign a petition if they wanted to participate. “This group is willing to do whatever it takes to save our church, but we can’t do it without all of you.”

“So after this meeting, if everybody would head that way, we have a mandate that gives that core group the power to make necessary decisions, to do whatever they need to do, to fight, to save Ascension Parish. So we are asking you to please do that,” she said.

After all was said and done, Father Scott shared a somber thought about the deeper effects that the mergings and closings could have on people.

“The thing that bothers me the most is the number of people that will use this as an excuse not to go anywhere. I'm not saying that they're going to go to another church, or they're going to go to the Protestants, or they're going to go here. The ones that will use this as an excuse not to go anywhere.  I don't think you guys know the charism of my particular community. It's the redemption of those captives in danger of losing their faith. Well, how many people are going to be losing their faith as a result of this process? And it's the charism of us to try to help them and save them and all that other stuff,” he said. “And I have in the back of my own mind all of these people that are going to, for whatever reason, be choosing to abandon their faith. And I have to try to, in my own conscience, understand how that works. And that is something I said from the beginning, is how many people are going to use this as the excuse not to continue on. And that bothers me a lot. 

“And I can say, as hard as this may be to believe, that bishop Fisher is the same way, I know that you may not believe me, but I've had many conversations with him. And as I said before, I've known a lot of bishops in my time, believe it or not, and I don't like a lot of them. I do like him. He genuinely has the concern for what's going on, and he's trying to do what he can with whatever information is available, and all these other things, and it's hard to make those big decisions, and I know it bothers him to do that,” he said. “It's one of those where a decision has to be made, and he happens to be the person who has to do it. Ultimately, it's hard, and I know that it's hard for you guys. I know that it is. I'm there with you. I don't want anything to happen either, but I can't change that.”