About St. John Vianney · Orchard Park, New York
St. John Vianney is a Roman Catholic parish in Orchard Park, New York, in the Diocese of Buffalo, founded in 1958 when the local Catholic community celebrated its first Mass outdoors on a temporary altar and initially worshipped in a parish gymnasium. Inspired by the example of their patron saint, the Curé d'Ars, parishioners have built the parish into a spiritual home for generations of Southtowns families, gathered around the Word, the Sacraments, hospitality, education, and service. The parish currently operates under the Diocese of Buffalo's 'Blessed Family 7' grouping of parishes and is led by a Parish Administrator (a priest) with a small staff and active lay ministries including faith formation, music, youth group, men's ministry, ushers, and scouts. After operating its parish school for over six decades, St. John Vianney School closed in June 2025, and the parish community is presently working to sustain its church life and preserve its 67-year legacy in Orchard Park.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. John Vianney (Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, the Curé d'Ars)
- Rector
- Rev. Mark Itua (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
St. John Vianney offers a warm, traditional Catholic community in the heart of Orchard Park with a Sunday Mass schedule of three Masses (8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 AM) and a Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays after the 8:00 AM Mass, and regular Confession. Parishioners of every age can get involved through Faith Formation (Adriana Ramirez, Director of Faith Formation), a Youth Group, a Men's Ministry, a Parish Council with ministry liaisons (RCIA, Finance, school board, etc.), music ministry under Chuck Basil, Scouts, and an Ushering ministry, alongside the long-standing tradition of hospitality that has defined the parish since 1958.
Mass times at St. John Vianney
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month, 5:00–5:30 PM
- Wednesday, 5:00–5:45 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration in the Gathering Room following the 8:00 AM Mass)
Our Story
St. John Vianney Parish was founded in 1958 in Orchard Park, New York, in the Diocese of Buffalo. The community first gathered for Mass outdoors on a temporary altar and then in a parish gymnasium, before parishioners and benefactors raised the funds to build the present church on Southwestern Boulevard. Two years later, St. John Vianney School (Est. 1960) opened on the same campus and served Southtowns Catholic families for more than six decades before closing in 2025. Today the parish remains an active worship community inspired by St. John Vianney, the Curé d'Ars, and his example of prayer, hospitality and pastoral service.
- Founded 1958 on Southwestern Boulevard, Orchard Park
- First Masses held outdoors, then in a parish gymnasium
- St. John Vianney School operated 1960–2025
- Subject of a Vatican appeal and community campaign to keep the church open
- Buffalo Mass Mob #56 celebrated the parish on March 22, 2026
Parish Staff
St. John Vianney is led by a Parish Administrator (a priest of the Diocese of Buffalo) and supported by a small lay staff handling faith formation, music, business, administration, and property.
- Rev. Mark Itua — Parish Administrator (716-674-9133)
- Kara Cavaretta — Business Manager (716-608-6516)
- Theresa Poole — Administrative Assistant (716-674-9133, [email protected])
- Adriana Ramirez — Director of Faith Formation (716-674-9133)
- Chuck Basil — Music Director (716-778-4866)
- Gary Adams — Property & Grounds (716-674-9133)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. John Vianney is directed by Adriana Ramirez. Children typically begin formal Faith Formation in 1st Grade, prepare for First Reconciliation in 2nd Grade, and receive First Holy Communion as part of 3rd Grade Faith Formation, so they are catechized and reconciled before receiving the Eucharist for the first time. The parish also runs the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for adults entering the Church. Questions about Faith Formation or First Communion may be directed to Theresa Poole in the parish office.
- Faith Formation begins in 1st Grade
- First Reconciliation in 2nd Grade
- First Holy Communion in 3rd Grade
- RCIA for adult initiation
- Contact: Theresa Poole, [email protected] or 716-674-9133
Parish Council & Ministries
The Parish Council serves as an advisory body to the pastor on day-to-day operations and future opportunities, shares information from ministries with parishioners, and provides continuity during pastoral transitions. Its monthly meetings draw updates from parish ministries, Parish Trustees, the Director of Family Faith Formation, RCIA, the Finance Council, and the School Board — and every parishioner is welcome to attend.
- Advisory body to the pastor
- Monthly meetings open to all parishioners
- Liaisons with RCIA, Finance Council, School Board and ministries
- Parish Council Charter governs roles and structure
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. John Vianney is led by Music Director Chuck Basil, who can be reached at 716-778-4866. The music ministry supports the parish's weekend Masses, weekday liturgies, holy days, and special celebrations such as the 7:00 PM Special Needs Mass.
- Music Director: Chuck Basil (716-778-4866)
- Supports weekend, weekday, holy day, and Special Needs Masses
Youth, Men, Scouts & Parish Life
Parish life at St. John Vianney includes a Youth Group, a Men's Ministry, an active Scouts program that meets at the parish, an Ushering ministry currently recruiting new volunteers, and community events such as the annual Church Picnic. These groups are advertised on the parish calendar and bulletin.
- Youth Group
- Men's Ministry
- Scout meetings at the parish
- Ushers (currently recruiting)
- Annual Church Picnic
Blessed Family 7 of Parishes
St. John Vianney is grouped with neighboring Southtowns parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo's 'Blessed Family 7' collaborative. The grouping coordinates weekend Mass scheduling across the family and includes parishes such as Fourteen Holy Helpers (Elma), Queen of Heaven (West Seneca), St. Gabriel (West Seneca), and St. John XXIII (West Seneca), along with others on Seneca Street and Indian Church Road.
- Diocese of Buffalo 'Blessed Family 7' collaborative
- Fourteen Holy Helpers (Elma)
- Queen of Heaven (West Seneca)
- St. Gabriel (West Seneca)
- St. John XXIII (West Seneca)
- Shared weekend Mass scheduling across the family