ROBERT SCHWENKER CENTER DEDICATED IN BUFFALO, NY

l-r: Frs. Terry O'Connell & Bill O'Donnell, Bro. Gus Coté

On Sunday, October 3^rd, as they celebrated their patronal feast day, the members of Holy Angels Church in Buffalo, NY, assisted at the dedication of a re-opened and newly renovated parish building which will serve as Parish Center and outreach facility in the neighborhood.  The Center was dedicated in memory of Fr. Bob Schwenker, OMI, who last March was killed in an apparent hit-and-run incident in Colombia where he missioned.

Fr. Schwenker was revered by the young people with whom he worked when he was stationed at Holy Angels from 1969-74.  Those same individuals have now lent their support to the building renovation project (which is proceeding in stages) as a fitting, living memorial to their friend and mentor.  Already, the basement level is at the disposal of the CYO and the main level is being readied for use by the Religious Education Program. Eventually, the entire building will be open for outreach to other young people in the neighborhood who presently have no religious affiliation and/or who have no safe place to gather.

The dedication ceremony was conducted by Fr. Terry O’Connell, OMI, and Fr. Jim Erving, OMI, of the Pastoral Staff at Holy Angels.  Also participating were Fr. Bill O’Donnell ,OMI, the Northeast Area Councilor, and Bro. Gus Coté, OMI, representing the Haitian Mission Procure in Lowell, MA.