About St. Bernadette · Orchard Park, New York
Saint Bernadette Parish is a Roman Catholic, Eucharistic-centered faith community located in Orchard Park, New York, in the Buffalo Southtowns. Founded in 1957, the parish has faithfully served Western New York for more than 60 years, and today describes itself as vibrant, faith-filled, and dedicated to serving, teaching, and worshiping in the glory of the Holy Trinity. Saint Bernadette offers daily Mass, a Perpetual Adoration Chapel open 24/7, a Faith Formation program for children and youth (grades K–10), an Early Childhood Academy, and roughly 50 ministries and organizations. After a Vatican appeal in 2024–2025, the parish successfully fought a planned merger and remains a freestanding parish in the Diocese of Buffalo's "Eternal Flame Catholic Community" Family of Parishes.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- St. Bernadette (of Lourdes)
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Seil
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
Saint Bernadette draws people from across parish boundaries because of its warm, active community life: four weekend Masses (including a Saturday Vigil and a Sunday Life Teen Mass), a 24/7 Perpetual Adoration Chapel, more than 50 ministries and organizations, a Faith Formation program spanning kindergarten through tenth grade, and the Open Doors Ministry that welcomes worshippers with special needs. With a PreK–8 Early Childhood Academy on campus, daily Mass, and regular Confession on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the parish offers something for nearly every age and stage of Catholic life.
Mass times at St. Bernadette
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays at 6:00pm
- Saturdays at 4:00pm
- Special penance services during Advent and Lent (see bulletin for dates)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
- Hours of particular need include Sundays 12am, 2am, 4am, 5am, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm; Mondays 12am, 1am; Tuesdays 12am, 11pm; Wednesdays 12am, 1am, 8am, 9am, 3pm; Thursdays 12am, 1am, 3am, 11am; Fridays 12am, 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 8pm; Saturdays 12am, 2am, 4am, 5am, 11am, 3pm, 4pm, 10pm
Welcome and Parish Identity
Saint Bernadette describes itself as a vibrant, faith-filled Roman Catholic, Eucharistic-centered community dedicated to the glory of the Holy Trinity. The parish's stated mission is to SERVE, TEACH, and WORSHIP, embracing all people. There is a standing Welcome Committee (led by Barbara Trolley, with members Jean Dulak, Ann Heraty, Sue Jantzi, Kathleen Peron, JoMarie Duffy Bleech, Pat Grise, Jon Lake [bilingual], and Karen Otto) that greets new registrants between the church and the school on the second Sunday of every month after each Mass and welcomes anyone—parishioners or visitors—wanting to register or learn more.
- Registration available at the foyer between Church and school on the 2nd Sunday after each Mass
- Welcome Letter and Information Form available on the website
- Welcome Committee offers bilingual outreach through member Jon Lake
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at Saint Bernadette begins at birth and continues for life. Programming for children is led by Director Linda Jeswald and Coordinator Sharon Urbaniak, with sessions held on Mondays from 3:45 to 5:00pm for grades 1–6 in the parish's classroom formation program. A Family Faith Formation (home-study) option allows parents to instruct their children at home with four gatherings per year, a weekly opening prayer emailed from the upcoming Sunday's Gospel, and a monthly schedule of family activities. Sacramental preparation includes First Reconciliation and First Communion.
- Director: Linda Jeswald; Coordinator: Sharon Urbaniak
- Phone: 716-648-1720
- Classroom sessions: Mondays 3:45–5:00pm (grades 1–6)
- Family Faith Formation (home study) for parents instructing children at home
- Sacramental prep: First Reconciliation and First Communion
- Covers grades K–10
Faith Formation for Older Youth (Grades 7–10)
Faith formation continues through the elementary and high school years, with classroom sessions on Mondays and dedicated resources for each grade. Sacramental preparation and ongoing formation are available through tenth grade.
- 1st Reconciliation info and First Communion info available on the parish site
- Grade-by-grade home formation schedules for grades 1 through 8 and beyond
- Programming depends on volunteer catechists and assistants
St. Bernadette Early Childhood Academy
After the Diocese of Buffalo closed St. Bernadette's elementary school in 2014, Pastor Rev. Paul Seil presided over the opening of the St. Bernadette Early Childhood Academy in the same South Abbott Road building in September 2014. The academy offers preschool programming and remains part of the parish's educational mission, described by Father Seil as a way to keep serving younger children and families on the parish campus.
- Opened September 2014 on the parish campus at 5930 S. Abbott Road
- Preschool / early-childhood programs
- Described by Father Seil as a 'bittersweet' but faithful continuation of the parish school tradition
Open Doors Ministry (Special Needs)
Saint Bernadette's Open Doors Ministry sponsors Masses for parishioners with special needs and abilities. These Masses are intentionally designed to be more accessible—shorter in length, with fewer people in attendance, lower lighting, and softer sound and music—so that worshippers with sensory, cognitive, or other differences can participate more fully in the liturgy.
- Masses with lower lighting and softer sound/music
- Shorter Mass length and smaller attendance
- Welcomes participants of all abilities
Parish Outreach and Service
Service to neighbors is central to parish life. The Parish Neighbors ministry supports over 300 needy families with food, meals, and supplies, and parishioners are encouraged to bring a 'Parish Neighbors' shopping list on weekly grocery trips. The St. Luke's Baby Room Ministry collects new or gently-used clothing (especially girls' sizes 18 months to 2T), with bins near the rear church entrances. The Scrip Card Program allows parishioners to support the parish by purchasing gift cards for stores such as Target and Home Depot—coordinated through Cindy Sodaro.
- Parish Neighbors supports 300+ families in need
- St. Luke's Baby Room Ministry collects infant/toddler clothing
- Scrip Card Program (gift cards from Target, Home Depot, etc.)—contact Cindy Sodaro
The Eternal Flame Catholic Community (Family of Parishes)
Following the Diocese of Buffalo's 'Road to Renewal' reorganization, Saint Bernadette is grouped into the 'Eternal Flame Catholic Community' Family of Parishes together with Nativity of Our Lord (Orchard Park), SS. Peter and Paul (Hamburg), St. John the Baptist (Boston), and St. Mary Oratory (East Eden). The Vatican appeal in 2025 preserved St. Bernadette as a freestanding parish within this family; priest assignments listed by the diocese include Rev. James D. Ciupek, Rev. Joseph D. Wolf, Rev. Edward F. Jost Jr., and Rev. Christopher Emminger, with active deacons Deacon Edward Howard, Deacon Gary P. Andelora, and Deacon Robert T. Ciez.
- Family of Parishes name: Eternal Flame Catholic Community (Family #28)
- Companion parishes: Nativity of Our Lord (Orchard Park); SS. Peter & Paul (Hamburg); St. John the Baptist (Boston); St. Mary Oratory (East Eden)
- Vatican appeal won in October 2025; St. Bernadette remains an independent parish
Staff and Parish Office
Rev. Paul Seil is the Pastor of Saint Bernadette Parish. Parish office staff support the work of the parish at 5930 S. Abbott Road, with office hours Monday through Friday 9:00am–12:00pm and 1:00pm–4:00pm (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00pm), and Saturdays 9:00am–1:00pm. The main phone line is (716) 649-3090 (Fax: (716) 649-0211). Faith Formation staff include Linda Jeswald (Director) and Sharon Urbaniak (Coordinator).
- Pastor: Rev. Paul Seil
- Parish Office: 5930 S. Abbott Road, Orchard Park, NY 14127
- Phone: (716) 649-3090; Fax: (716) 649-0211
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9am–12pm and 1pm–4pm; Sat 9am–1pm
- Faith Formation: Linda Jeswald (Director), Sharon Urbaniak (Coordinator); 716-648-1720
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Nugent1997 (initiated Perpetual Adoration)
Began the parish's tradition of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on September 14, 1997.
- Rev. Paul Seil2014–present (as Pastor)
Presiding pastor during the 2014 transition to the Early Childhood Academy and the successful 2025 Vatican appeal against merger.