Buffalo Diocese Plans to Close Downtown St. Jude Center

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — “I don’t know where I’d go,” said St. Jude Center worshiper Pat Moore.

As the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo continues to move forward on its path of renewal to reduce the number of churches and houses of worship in Western New York, the St. Jude Center, long located in downtown Buffalo, is set to close.

7 News senior reporter Eileen Buckley gives a voice to those fighting for the survival of the Church.

“I just didn’t think it was a reality,” said Father Richard Augustyn, director of the St. Jude Center.

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The Diocese of Buffalo is ready to sell the primary real estate, center and sanctuary, located on Ellicott Street in the medical corridor of downtown Buffalo.

“This is property that belongs to the diocese. Is this something I want to do? Absolutely not, but I have no choice,” Bishop Michael Fisher said.

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Bishop Michael Fisher visited the center last month to break the news to St. Jude volunteers and congregants, saying the diocese had wanted to move St. Jude’s work to St. Joseph Cathedral, but that had not been well received.

“What we would like to do is move the ministry of St. Jude Shrine here to the cathedral,” Bishop Fisher said.

This was interrupted by some consternation among the listening audience.

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“My stomach is turning, you know, I’m disgusted and upset,” Moore responded.

Pat Moore goes to the sanctuary daily to pray.

“What’s important to you about St. Jude?” Buckley asked. “Because it’s a touching place to come and worship God. It’s so intimate and like home,” Moore replied.

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“What would it mean to you if this place closed?” Buckley asked. “I don’t know where I’d go, I really don’t,” Moore replied.

But St. Jude is different from other closed churches. It is not a parish, but a place of worship that provides comfort and solace to people dealing with sick or dying loved ones in nearby hospitals.

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“So what better place to be than here? Roswell Park Buffalo General, High Point, Oishei — it’s just natural,” Father Augustyn explained.

Father Augustyn has been the director of St. Jude for nearly 48 years. He told me they’ve had four private investors look at the property. He hopes to partner with a potential buyer, like the Kevin Guest House, that would allow St. Jude to stay open.

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“So it would be natural that Kevin Guest House would become an ideal location and that as part of a verbal agreement, if that were to happen, they would want us to stay. So it would be a fusion of our mission and vision, which are similar between Kevin Guest House and St. Jude’s, so that’s what we’re hoping for,” Father Augustyn noted.

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I asked Father Augustyn what he thought about the bishop’s statement that the diocese plans to bring the St. Jude mission to the downtown cathedral.

“That night he told me that — this was news to me too and I went — what are they smoking,” Father Augustyn asked.

The priest said this made no sense because many people come to the centre from the hospital campus.

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“Even at Mass today, there were a number of doctors here,” Father Augustyn noted.

Masses are held daily at 11am and 4:30pm.

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St. Jude is known as the saint of causes of loss, but those who come to venerate him here hope that is not the case.

“With God, there is always hope,” Moore said.

“I will beg whoever buys him to work hand in hand with him,” Father August described.