Published: May 27, 2008 10:49 am            

RELIGION: St. Brendan ties three parishes to the lake

OLCOTT — St. Brendan on the Lake was christened Monday morning in an outdoor Mass celebrated with the backdrop of Lake Ontario.

The new faith community came as a result of the merger of three Catholic churches: Our Lady of the Rosary in Wilson, St. Bridget’s of Newfane and St. Charles Borremeo of Olcott.

“Things came around. This is just a reflection of the change,” said trustee Jack Dickenson, 77, noting that St. Bridget’s was once the mission church of St. Charles. “Things have always been changing. The reason for the change this time is the shortage of priests. In the past the changes were caused by the changes in population. The diocese has to inhale.”

The pavilion at Krull Park was filled with about 250 parishioners who attended the first Mass for the new parish. A stiff breeze, darkening skies and boats in the lake made an appropriate setting for the 6th century Irish saint known as the navigator.

The name “St. Brendan on the Lake,” which came out of the blue, according to the Rev. Robert Wozniak, is catching on.

“After today’s Mass it seems more appropriate,” said Lori Nasca of Newfane. “It’s a good name, there were sailboats out there, there were boats out there. We’re becoming the patron saint of the open seas, so it’s good.

“We had a beautiful communion of our parishes coming together.”

A new era has begun. The churches are miles apart and one priest can be spread pretty thin.

“We’re not going to let that affect what we do. We’re going to do things well, as best as we can,” Wozniak said. “Sunday was one of those difficult days. We reflected on who we were. Each community celebrated ... Everyone was very sensitive, very emotional. Today we saw that new power that’s here and I think it will work.”

“You and I have to be challenged,” the pastor told the faithful. “Pray to St. Brendan to watch over us in uncharted waters.”

The merger is fine for Kathy Burt, who is new to Wilson. “We love our new priest,” she said. “He’s doing wonderful things. The merger for me is exiting.”

Wozniak spoke of the courage to leave the familiar and journey to the unknown. St. Brendan serves as a good example. There are legends that the navigator sailed to the new world from the British Isles in a doughnut shaped boat. A modern day adventurer proved that it could be done.

Dickenson, a trustee, recalled the church history. The Irish immigrants started St. Bridget’s around the time of the Civil War. A farmer donated land on Ewings Road and the current church is the third building at the site.

Olcott started to grow and a church was needed in the northern part of the town. The mission church of St. Bridget’s needed three Masses to accommodate parishioners.

A priest was assigned to the new parish and a new church was completed in 1921. St. Charles was dedicated by Father Nelson Baker who represented the bishop of Buffalo.

With the growth of Olcott, St. Bridget’s was made a mission of St. Charles. Now the three churches are one, St. Brendan on the Lake.

“We’re just going to march right into it,” said church secretary Jinny Carnegie, who has been in the parish since she was 4 years old. “I want to be part of the new. As much as I was part of the old, I’m excited about the new.”

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott

439-9222, ext. 6246.

        

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