About Infant of Prague · Cheektowaga, New York
Infant of Prague is a Roman Catholic parish in Cheektowaga, New York, part of the Diocese of Buffalo and one of six parishes of the Bread of Life Catholic Community. Founded in 1946 in a rapidly growing Buffalo suburb, it serves the faithful along Cleveland Drive with weekend and weekday Masses, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, an active Faith Formation program, and dozens of parish ministries. The parish is named for the devotion of its founding pastor, Rev. John Henesey, to the Infant Jesus of Prague, and the original statue that crowns the church dome was carved in Italy.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- Infant Jesus of Prague
- Rector
- Rev. David Bellittiere
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
Infant of Prague is a welcoming Cheektowaga parish with a deep Catholic devotional identity, where the faithful can attend daily and weekend Masses, go to confession before the Saturday Vigil, and spend a full day before the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays. Active parishioners serve in more than two dozen ministries — from Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, and the Music Ministry, to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Ladies of Charity, Legion of Mary, Bereavement Committee, Faith Formation, Bible Study, and outreach to the Friends of Night People soup kitchen in Buffalo. As part of the six-parish Bread of Life Catholic Community, the parish pairs small-parish friendliness with the resources of a larger family of parishes.
Mass times at Infant of Prague
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM
- By request (after any daily Mass)
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: after the 8:30 AM Mass in the Mother of Divine Grace Chapel, continuing until 6:00 PM, ending with Benediction
Parish History
Infant of Prague traces its roots to 1946, when the Diocese of Buffalo acted on a recommendation from Rev. Maurice Woulfe to purchase land on Cleveland Drive in the booming Buffalo suburb of Cheektowaga. Rev. John Henesey was named the founding pastor and celebrated the first Mass in a U.S. Army tent for 150 people. A school — first housed in a relocated airplane hangar and run by the Sisters of St. Francis from Williamsville — opened to 44 children under principal Sr. Mary Regina. The parish grew rapidly: a permanent school was built in 1950, and within five years enrollment topped 900. Ground was broken for the current one-thousand-seat church on the Feast of Christ the King in 1959, and Bishop Leo Smith dedicated the new building in 1962. The Italian-carved statue of the Infant of Prague that crowns the dome is a tribute to Fr. Henesey's personal devotion. A new parish center and rectory followed in 1990, and in 2009 the parish was merged with the faith community of Mother of Divine Grace.
- Founded 1946 by Rev. John Henesey
- First Mass held in an Army tent with 150 people
- Original school housed in an airplane hangar from Niagara Falls
- Permanent school built 1950; 900+ students within five years
- Current church groundbreaking 1959, dedicated by Bishop Leo Smith in 1962
- Parish center and rectory built 1990
- Merged with Mother of Divine Grace faith community in 2009
Faith Formation (Religious Education)
The Infant of Prague Faith Formation program is directed by Fran Mackowiak and is open to parish families whose children do not attend Catholic school, as well as Catholic-school families wishing to supplement their religious education. Following the six foundations of catechesis laid out by the USCCB, the program is built around monthly Family of Faith gatherings, parent and child sessions, and regular Sunday Liturgy attendance. The Diocese of Buffalo requires at least two consecutive years of Faith Formation before a child receives a sacrament. Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist begins in Grade 1 and is completed in Grades 2 and 3; Confirmation preparation begins in Grade 9 and is completed in Grade 10 (Catholic school students register with the parish program in 10th grade).
- Director: Fran Mackowiak (716-634-3660 ext. 212, [email protected])
- Monthly Family of Faith gatherings on Sunday mornings
- Sacramental preparation: Reconciliation & First Eucharist (Grades 1–3), Confirmation (Grades 9–10)
- Open to public school families and Catholic school families
Parish Staff and Leadership
Infant of Prague is pastored by Rev. David Bellittiere, who serves as moderator of the Bread of Life Catholic Community, a six-parish Family of Parishes within the Diocese of Buffalo. He is assisted by Deacon Brian C. Walkowiak and a small office and maintenance team.
- Rev. David Bellittiere — Pastor (716-634-3660)
- Deacon Brian C. Walkowiak (716-634-3660 ext. 217)
- Fran Mackowiak — Director of Faith Formation (ext. 212)
- Lin Kolb — Office Manager / Bookkeeper (ext. 213)
- Peggy Kozlowski — Office Staff
- Bill Tokacz — Director of Maintenance
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life at Infant of Prague is supported by a deep bench of lay volunteers who assist at the altar, proclaim the Word, lead the music, and care for the sacred space. Training is provided for new ministers, and all adults of the parish are welcome to serve.
- Eucharistic Ministers (also bring Communion to the sick and homebound)
- Lectors (proclaim the Word at all liturgical celebrations)
- Altar Servers and Lazarus Servers (adult servers for funeral liturgies)
- Ushers (hospitality, collections, bulletins at all Masses)
- Musical Ministers (vibrant, open to all members of the parish community)
- Eucharistic Adoration Society
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Altar and Rosary Society / Environment Committee (cares for the Altar and Sanctuary)
Service and Outreach Ministries
The parish lives out the corporal works of mercy through a strong tradition of outreach to the wider Buffalo community. On the second Sunday of every month, a group of volunteers drives to Buffalo's West Side to serve the evening meal at the Friends of Night People soup kitchen — both preparing the food and cleaning up afterward.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Ladies of Charity
- Friends of Night People (2nd Sunday each month)
- Respect Life
- Bereavement Committee (supports parish families through the first year of grief)
Spiritual Formation and Prayer Groups
Beyond Sunday Mass, parishioners gather in smaller groups for ongoing formation, Marian devotion, and prayer. The parish's spiritual life is rooted in devotion to the Blessed Mother and to the Infant of Prague.
- Bible Study Groups (discuss scripture and how to live it daily)
- Legion of Mary (active and auxiliary members; rosary prayed daily; meetings generally Saturday mornings)
- Marian Movement of Priests (prayer and reflection on messages from Fr. Stefano Gobbi; meets every other week)
- Altar and Rosary Society
Pastoral Administration and Fellowship
Behind the scenes, parish councils and committees keep the buildings running, the finances transparent, and the parish community connected. The Parish Council is nominated and elected by parishioners each fall.
- Parish Council (elected each fall)
- Finance Committee (annual budgets, financial statements)
- Building and Maintenance Committee
- Offertory Collection Counters
- Special Events Committee
- Parish Life Committee
- Feel the Spirit 5K Race Committee
- Hospitality Committee
Sacraments at Infant of Prague
Infant of Prague prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments in cooperation with the Diocese of Buffalo. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are parish celebrations beginning in Grade 1; Confirmation is celebrated after a two-year preparation in Grades 9 and 10. Engaged couples preparing for marriage are invited to enroll in Pre-Cana. The Anointing of the Sick is offered after any daily Mass on request and at the 8:30 AM Mass on the last Monday of the month.
- Baptism (arranged through the parish office)
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (Grades 1–3)
- Confirmation (Grades 9–10)
- Marriage — Pre-Cana preparation
- Anointing of the Sick (after daily Mass on request; last Monday of the month)
- Holy Orders (information on parish website)
Bread of Life Catholic Community
Infant of Prague is one of six parishes that make up the Bread of Life Catholic Community, a Family of Parishes within the Diocese of Buffalo. The community is led in solidum by moderator Fr. David Bellittiere, with other priests and deacons serving across the parishes. The grouping allows the parishes to share resources, staff 'lunch meetings,' and best practices while preserving the unique character of each local faith community.
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Cheektowaga
- St. Benedict, Eggertsville
- Christ the King, Snyder
- Infant of Prague, Cheektowaga
- St. Leo the Great, Amherst
- Ss. Peter & Paul, Williamsville
Visiting and Getting Involved
Infant of Prague welcomes new visitors and parishioners. The parish stresses that visitors should come as they are — there is no dress code beyond basic respect. Registration forms can be downloaded from the parish website and mailed or emailed to the parish office. Anyone interested in joining a ministry is invited to call the Parish Office at 716-634-3660.
- Visitors encouraged to come in comfortable, respectful clothing
- Registration form available on iopparish.com
- Mother of Divine Grace Chapel open for private prayer Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM (except holidays)
- Parish Office open Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–4:30 PM; call ahead before visiting the Parish Center
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Henesey1946–
Founding pastor. Recommended by Rev. Maurice Woulfe, associate pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians. Celebrated the first Mass in an Army tent with 150 people; built the school and current church, which was dedicated in 1962.