Please take notice that on December 29, 2025, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”) in The Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y. (the “Diocese”) entered an order [Docket No. 4471] (the “Nontestimonial Statement Order”) granting the request of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the “Committee”) for the presentation of nontestimonial statements (the “Statements”) in the above-captioned bankruptcy case (the “Bankruptcy Case”).
Please take further notice that the hearings for the Statements (the “Statement Sessions”) shall be held at the Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse, 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, New York on the following initial dates:
January 27, 2026 starting at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern)
January 28, 2026 starting at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern)
February 25, 2026 starting at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern)
February 26, 2026 starting at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern)
Please take further notice that the Committee, in consultation with the Diocese, may seek to add additional Statement Session dates, if necessary, and subject to the Court’s availability.
Please take further notice that the Statement Sessions will be subject to the following conditions:
Statements shall be made in person at the Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse, 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, New York. Persons who are unable to appear in person may request accommodations, including having counsel or another person read a written statement on their behalf, and the Bankruptcy Court will consider whether to grant any other accommodation.
Statements should not exceed twenty (20) minutes.
No parties in interest shall be expected or allowed to comment or respond to the Statements.
No statements or Statements of any party at the Statement Sessions will be considered as evidence in any matter or proceeding, including in the Bankruptcy Case, and no such statements or Statements will carry any evidentiary weight or become part of the official record in the Bankruptcy Case.
The Statement Sessions will not be transcribed by a court reporter. The audio of the Statement Sessions will be recorded but any such recording shall be sealed and not available to the public or any party in any form except upon an order from the Court following a hearing upon notice to any affected persons or their counsel, counsel for the Diocese, and counsel for the Committee. To the extent the audio recording of a Statement or Statement Session is later released or transcribed pursuant to an order of this Court, such transcript or recording shall be sealed pending further Court order.
Persons who have Sexual Abuse Proofs of Claim in the Bankruptcy Case may elect to be identified only by their proof of claim number.
Consistent with Judicial Conference policy, no party or member of the public may photograph, video record, audio record, broadcast, televise, or otherwise transmit the Statement Sessions. Any media report concerning the statements made during the Statement Sessions shall not be considered evidence in any matter or proceeding in the Bankruptcy Case.
Please take further notice, any person impacted by the Bankruptcy Case who would like the opportunity to make a statement (a “Speaker”) should contact, or, if represented by counsel, should have their counsel contact the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors at [email protected] or 212-319-5527 by January 15, 2026, and include the Speaker’s, or the Speaker’s counsel’s contact information and the Speaker’s interest in the Bankruptcy Case.
Please note it may not be possible to accommodate every request at the scheduled Statement Sessions.
Please take further notice, the Committee shall select the Speakers for each Statement Session, and, at least two business days in advance of the Statement Sessions, counsel for the Committee shall email Chambers with the number of Speakers, in order of expected appearance, and the estimated time allocated to each Statement.
Dated: New York, New York January 7, 2025
PACHULSKI STANG ZIEHL & JONES LLP Counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
Fr. Karl Loeb, Sr. Parochial Vicar;Tom Di Scipio, Chair, Annunciation Parish (AP); Chas Sauers, St. Vincent de Paul Parish (SVdP);Caryn Wojtowicz (AP); Brian Zittel, Liturgy Pillar, Immaculate Conception Parish (IC); Darya Brach, Spiritual Life Pillar, (IC); Deacon Marty Hackford, Chair, In-reach/Outreach Pillar, (SVDP); Stacy Robasse, (AP); Ed Bukowski, Recording Secretary (SVdP).
The meeting convened at 6:31 PM.
A. Fr. Karl led a prayer.
B. All present introduced themselves, in turn.
C. T. Di Scipio read the mission statement: “The Family Pastoral Council serves as a visionary body, guiding our Parish community toward a future rooted in faith and service. We inspire and empower our members to work together, leveraging our collective strengths to enrich the spiritual lives of our Parishioners and strengthen our community bonds.” The mission statement was discussed and the consensus was that it is adequate “for now”.
D. Family Structure Chart Review – (Copy attached.) The chart was drafted by C. Wojtowicz to capture Fr. Bernie’s vision. Ms. Wojtowicz noted that “Fr. Bernie wants to tweak it.”
E. Diocesan Pillar Presentation:“Road to Renewal 2.0” – The group discussed the recent presentation on RtR progress. T. Di Scipio: The WHEAT Family is in Tier 3, because of pastor changes and lack of reporting upwards. The Pillars are doing things and making progress. Fr. Bryan Zielenieski, Diocesan Vicar for Road to Renewal, will visit after the New Year. There should be a representative from each Pillar at the FPC meeting. D. Brach noted that we have difficulty getting people for the Pillars to do things. The Council discussed ways to recruit volunteer Pillar members. It was agreed that the In-reach/Outreach, Stewardship and Spiritual Life Pillars need people ASAP. D. Brach asked what the theme is for the coming year. We need people to drive programs. People are “turned off” by the sex-abuse scandal, settlement, bankruptcy, Parish mergers and closings. T. Di Scipio: “We need to find a way to grow the Faith.” Deacon Hackford: Leaders in Parishes should join the Family I/O Pillar; we cannot merge Pillars, but Pillars can collaborate. T. Di Scipio: “By the next meeting, each of us should report on reaching out to others to join the three critical Pillars. … Look for anyone who can bring energy and has a ‘Family’ mindset.” We need a representative from each Pillar at the next FPC meeting.
F. Family Action Plan Review – The Nov 5th FAP Review & Strategy Session was discussed. T. Di Scipio: The current narrative is “negative”, but there should not be bad news coming. “Celebrate the accomplishments.” Can we put a “Good News page” in the Family bulletin? The FPC is to overview Pillar activities. D. Brach: Fr. Bryan stipulated the bulletin should not be one page per Parish, but simply a Family bulletin. Chas: Fr. Bryan at the meeting said each of the (WHEAT) Family #6 Parishes is over1,000 members, so none will be closed. The FPC needs to assign every ministry to a Pillar; Deacon Hackford will provide a list for the next FPC meeting.
G. Closing Prayer: Fr. Karl led the attendees in the Lord’s Prayer and blessed those present.
The November meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM. Next meeting: 21 Jan 2026, Walter Hall, SVdP Parish, 6:30 PM.
Darya Brach (IC), Deacon Marty (SVD), Bill Broderick (SVD), Randy Krolewicz (ANN), Cheryl Krolewicz (ANN), Joe Morcelle (SVD), Evelyn Morcelle (SVD), Jessica Russo (IC)
Consultants in Attendance:
Deb Keenan (ANN), Sr. Sharon (IC), Sharon Snyder (SVD)
Missing:
Gail Buehlmann (ANN), Linda Gonzalez (SVD), Grace Jaworski (ANN), Frack Lewandowski (IC), Paul Murak (IC)
Agenda Items
1. Introduction of Our Family Council
Our Family of Parishes now has an established Family Council, and several members joined us to introduce themselves. In attendance were Ed Bukowski, Greg Wiltrout, Fr. Bernie, Fr. Karl, Tom DiSipio, Charlie Sauers, and Caryn Wojtowicz. Those unable to attend were Bob Hasselbeck, Tim Lafferty, and Stacey Robasse.
Everyone present introduced themselves, and Tom DiSipio requested that he be copied on all meeting minutes. He also asked that major event ideas be shared with the Family Council for coordination. Tom will forward our minutes to Dawn to post on the Family website.
Fr. Bernie provided an update on potential diocesan changes related to the Pillar structure in the coming months. He encouraged continued collaboration among our Pillars and commended the team for the successful programs, events, and retreats we’ve offered to our Family of Parishes.
Fr. Bernie also shared the Christmas Mass Schedule:
Church
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Annunciation
5:00 PM & 8:00 PM
11:00 AM
Immaculate Conception
4:00 PM, 6:00 PM & 9:30 PM
9:30 AM
St. Vincent de Paul
4:00 PM & 10:00 PM
10:00 AM
The Family Council then departed to attend their own meeting. Deacon Marty opened our meeting with the Prayer for Renewal.
2. Ministry Fairs
Since our last meeting, both St. Vincent de Paul and Immaculate Conception successfully hosted their Ministry Fairs. We discussed what went well and what could be improved for future events. Each fair included representation from all parishes, and we expressed appreciation for the priests who promoted the fairs during their homilies and allowed announcements after Mass to encourage participation.
Questions regarding Annunciation’s upcoming Ministry Fair were addressed. It was noted that the decision to hold the Ministry Fairs was made in September, and our Pillars worked diligently to make them happen in just a few short weeks.
The next step will be the Annunciation Ministry Fair on October 26, followed by the creation of a Family Ministry Fair Booklet featuring all parish ministries.
3. Eucharistic Miracles Display
Deb Keenan confirmed the dates and times for the Eucharistic Miracles Display, which will be held at Annunciation Parish from November 6–11. The display will be open daily from 9:30 AM–1:00 PM and 4:00–7:00 PM.
Each parish has been assigned specific days to provide volunteers to guard the relics and exhibit:
Annunciation: November 6 & 9
Immaculate Conception: November 7 & 10
St. Vincent de Paul: November 8 & 11
Each parish will ensure adequate volunteer coverage.
Sharon will place a call for volunteers in the bulletin.
Jessica will include an announcement in Flocknote and draft a press release.
Deb will design a flyer and/or poster.
Volunteer coordination:
Annunciation – Deb Keenan
Immaculate Conception – Darya Brach
St. Vincent de Paul – Deacon Marty
4. Telephone Outreach
We discussed launching a holiday outreach program to contact parishioners who are homebound or have stopped attending Mass. Darya will share the script previously used by St. Vincent de Paul for a similar effort. We plan to customize and finalize a new script over the next month should we decide to move forward with the outreach.
Closing: The meeting concluded with the Hail Mary.
Next Meeting: November 19, 2025, at 6:30 PM at St. Vincent de Paul.
Fr. Bernard Nowak, Pastor; Fr. Karl Loeb, Sr. Parochial Vicar; Tom Di Scipio, Chair, Annunciation Parish (AP); Tama Gresco-Sauers, Trustee, St. Vincent de Paul Parish (SVdP); Bob Hasselbach, Stacey Robasse, Immaculate Conception Parish; Chas Sauers and Dave Squire, (SVdP); Greg Wiltrout (AP); Karen Wojtowicz (AP); Ed Bukowski, Recording Secretary (SVdP).
The meeting convened at 6:37 PM.
Fr. Karl led a prayer.
Di Scipio read the mission statement. (Copy attached.)
Update from Fr. Bernie: “We’re on the ‘red list’ for (Road to) Renewal. There are 3 categories; we’re in (number) 3 (the lowest) … The Diocese is not seeing (a realistic) increase in receipts (as the Family Parishes have budgeted). … Money is being taken out of savings (by the Parishes) to meet expenses. … I’ve no problem with any of the bookkeepers in our houses. … Faith formation in all three houses would put us in Category 1. … I think after the meeting (of Families) on the 30th, we’ll be alright.” We’ll be in Category1 after the meeting. Fr. Karl: The Pillars are having meetings. Fr. Bernie: From the 30th on, we’ll jumpstart. There are to be four representatives from each Family.
Direction for the Council: The Family Pastoral Council should help the Parishes. Each Parish Council reviews what’s recommended. Grasca-Sauers: We need a list of how we’re falling short and what we need to do. Fr. Bernie: Each Parish will have a finance committee; the corporation for each Parish will remain in existence.
Mass schedule: There will be no 7:00 AM Mass at AP, but a 9:00 AM Mass daily, beginning 29 Sep. The 8:00 AM Mass at SVdP will return, because of parking problems, beginning the first Sunday of Nov. Fr. Bernie: “Don’t need Bishop’s exemption (from Mass attendance) in the event of a driving ban (because of weather”. The Thanksgiving Mass schedule was confirmed.
New Pillar approach by the Diocese (upcoming meeting): The Diocese has called the Sep 30th meeting on RtR progress. Bernie: “The Pillars are not going away. … Buildings & Grounds (B&G) falls under the Administration Pillar. … (B&G) should be in each Parish because those people know what’s needed.” Security ideas should be shared. Fr. Bernie: “We don’t want a student opening a locked door because someone’s knocking on it.”
Robasse: We assembled a schedule of fund-raisers in the Family Parishes and eliminated conflicts.
Secretary-Uploading minutes to the website and summary to bulletin: To upload FPC minutes to the Family website, the minutes should be e-mailed to T. Di Scipio / D. Cahill Family Business Manager.
Other Business (open suggestions and discussion):
Fr. Karl: “Life in the Spirit” apparently is modular. It’s scheduled for the month after Easter. T. Gresco-Sauers: We had Mission at SVdP, then LitS at AP. Should there be an interval? All the Family1st Communions are in April. Fr. Karl: Young people are coming to SVdP for10:00 AM Mass, and also Tuesday and Thursday Masses, and Confession. Fr Bernie: There are new Parishioners at all three Parishes, from St. George’s and St. John Vianney. All Soul’s Day, Nov 2nd, is on a Sunday this year. “The Liturgy talks to us, we don’t talk to the liturgy.”
Chas: “What happens to the “WHEAT” name? (When we are only a single Parish)”. It will be replaced by a new name, to be determined.
Regularly scheduled meetings. The FPC will routinely meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month, ‘at least for a while”. T. Di Scipio: We will invite one or two Pillars to attend each meeting.
Reflection on the week’s Gospel Reading: The Gospel for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Sep 21, was read. Fr .Karl: Deacon Jim Jaworski preached that the steward “took care of others so that they would take care of him”. The steward was prudent.
Fr Karl led the Lord’s Prayer as a closing prayer and, with Fr. Bernie, blessed the attendees.
The September meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM.
WHEAT Family Pastoral Council Mission
The Family Pastoral Council serves as a visionary body, guiding our Parish community toward a future rooted in faith and service. We inspire and empower our members to work together, leveraging our collective strengths to enrich the spiritual lives of our Parishioners and strengthen our community bonds.
