About St. Jude The Apostle · North Tonawanda, New York
St. Jude the Apostle Parish was a Roman Catholic community in North Tonawanda, New York, located at 800 Niagara Falls Boulevard. Established in 2008 through the merger of several earlier North Tonawanda parishes, the parish grew to include over 3,200 families and more than 500 Religious Education students serving both Erie and Niagara Counties. The parish was a proud 'Respect Life Community' known for Eucharistic Adoration, weekday Masses, and a robust Religious Education program. In May 2025 the parish celebrated what was intended to be its final Mass as part of the Diocese of Buffalo's 'Road to Renewal' merger with St. Christopher Parish in the Town of Tonawanda; the Vatican's Dicastery for Clergy subsequently paused that closure. The parish was part of the Roman Catholic Churches of the Tonawandas (RCCT) grouping under the Diocese of Buffalo.
- Established
- 2008
- Patron
- St. Jude the Apostle (also known as Thaddaeus, Jude of James, or Lebbaeus), one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus, traditionally venerated as the patron saint of 'lost causes' and 'desperate situations,' as well as the patron of Armenia, St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.
- Rector
- Rev. James Kirkpatrick (Pastor as listed on the parish's most recent published Mass Schedule page)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo (part of the Roman Catholic Churches of the Tonawandas, RCCT, grouping)
Why belong here
St. Jude the Apostle offered a large, welcoming Catholic community on Niagara Falls Boulevard serving over 3,200 families across both Erie and Niagara Counties. Daily Mass (Monday through Saturday), three Sunday Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays, the Novena of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a year-round K–8 Religious Education program with Confirmation preparation, and a dedicated Respect Life outreach gave parishioners many ways to grow in faith and serve others. As the parish's own vision statement put it: 'Led by the Holy Spirit and rooted in the Eucharist, we believe in the dignity of each person and that all life is sacred.'
Mass times at St. Jude The Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 pm (and by appointment; note: in a classroom in the parish hall with a screen, not in the church confessional)
- First Friday Exposition 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
- Divine Mercy Chaplet recited at 3:00 pm
Parish Identity & Vision
St. Jude the Apostle Parish's vision statement is published on its homepage: 'St. Jude the Apostle is a Roman Catholic community committed to knowing our Christian Faith. We are a welcoming community striving to live in the truth of the Gospel, with love in service to others. Led by the Holy Spirit and rooted in the Eucharist, we believe in the dignity of each person and that all life is sacred.' The parish also carries the motto 'Honoring the Past — Building the Future,' honoring its 2008 origins in the merger of earlier North Tonawanda Catholic communities.
History & the Road to Renewal
The parish was established in 2008 through the merger of several Roman Catholic communities in North Tonawanda. By the mid-2020s it served over 3,200 families and more than 500 Religious Education students across Erie and Niagara Counties. As part of Bishop Michael W. Fisher's 'Road to Renewal' initiative, the Diocese of Buffalo decreed a merger of St. Jude the Apostle with St. Christopher Parish (Town of Tonawanda). The final Mass was celebrated in May 2025, but parishioners noted that the blessed altar stone — meant to be carried out in procession — was 'stuck,' seen by many as a powerful sign. A parishioner appeal to the Vatican's Dicastery for Clergy resulted in the closure being overturned.
- Founded 2008 via merger of earlier North Tonawanda Catholic parishes
- Final Mass in May 2025; closure later paused by the Vatican's Dicastery for Clergy
- Appeal led by parishioner Victoria Vanill
Patron Saint: St. Jude the Apostle
St. Jude the Apostle, also called Thaddaeus, Jude of James, or Lebbaeus, was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus. Born in 1st-century Galilee, he is traditionally said to have died in Persia. Often confused with Judas Iscariot because their names are translations of the same Greek name, St. Jude is venerated as the patron saint of 'lost causes' and 'desperate situations,' and is also the patron of Armenia, St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. His feast day is October 28.
- Feast Day: October 28
- Patron of lost causes and desperate situations
- Usually depicted with the image of Jesus in his hand or a flame above his head at Pentecost
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
The parish maintained a robust Mass schedule with daily Mass Monday through Saturday and three Sunday Masses. Eucharistic Adoration was held Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm with the Divine Mercy Chaplet recited at 3:00 pm. Confessions were heard Saturday at 4:00 pm and by appointment, with additional First Friday Exposition from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Weekday Masses: Mon–Fri 9:00 am; Tue & Thu additional 6:45 am; Sat 9:00 am
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm (Noon)
- Novena of Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Wednesdays at 9:00 am
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The parish Catechetical Ministry partnered with parents to provide formal classroom instruction for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade, plus a Confirmation program for high-school-aged youth. Classes were held Sunday mornings and Monday evenings, with a time commitment of roughly 2–3 hours per week, September through May. Under the broader RCCT Faith Formation program, families could also choose a 'Growing Our Faith Family' (GOF) track on the first Sunday of each month plus two additional Sundays, or complete units at home with online review sessions. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation followed diocesan policy (one prior year of faith formation before entering sacrament prep).
- Religious Education Director: Lynda Mostowy
- Confirmation Coordinator: Robert Simnneit
- Religious Ed Office: 694-4540 (Mon–Thu 7:00 am–4:30 pm; Fri 10:00 am–3:00 pm)
- K–8 classroom instruction on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings
- Confirmation preparation for public-school students begins in 10th grade
Music & Liturgical Arts
Music at St. Jude was coordinated by Michael Hauser, who served as Music Coordinator, Organist, and Choir Director. A Contemporary Ensemble (Folk Group), a Teen Band, and a Children's Choir — all led by Peggy Barkley — supported both weekend liturgies and special devotional celebrations.
- Music Coordinator, Organist & Choir Director: Michael Hauser
- Contemporary Ensemble / Folk Group: Peggy Barkley
- Teen Band: Peggy Barkley
- Children's Choir: Peggy Barkley
Respect Life & Pro-Life Outreach
The parish self-identified as a 'Respect Life Community' and provided a dedicated Pro-Life page, supporting the Catholic Church's teaching on the dignity of every human person from conception to natural death. Parishioners were encouraged to download the latest bulletin for current Respect Life activities.
- Self-described 'Respect Life Community'
- Dedicated Pro-Life page on parish website
- Bulletin announcements for current activities
Parish Staff & Clergy
Pastoral leadership at St. Jude the Apostle was listed as Fr. James Kirkpatrick (Pastor) on the Mass Schedule and Ministries pages, while the Parish Staff page listed Rev. Michael P. LaMarca (Pastor). Two deacons — Deacon John Steiner and Deacon Daniel E. Brick — assisted. Parish offices included a Religious Education Director, Confirmation Coordinator, Music Coordinator/Organist, and leaders for the Contemporary Ensemble and Children's Choir.
- Pastors listed: Rev. James Kirkpatrick and Rev. Michael P. LaMarca
- Deacons: John Steiner, Daniel E. Brick
- Religious Education Director: Lynda Mostowy
- Confirmation Coordinator: Robert Simnneit
- Music Coordinator, Organist & Choir Director: Michael Hauser
- Contemporary Ensemble, Teen Band & Children's Choir: Peggy Barkley
Visiting, Contact & Sacraments
The parish Rectory, located at 800 Niagara Falls Blvd. at St. Jude Circle, was open Monday–Thursday 9:30 am–4:30 pm and Friday 9:30 am–3:30 pm. Letters of Recommendation were issued by appointment. Families seeking sacraments — Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, or Marriage — were directed to contact the Rectory (694-0540) or the Religious Education Office (694-4540). Holy Day Mass times were published in the latest bulletin or on the 'Masses & Events This Week' page.
- Rectory: 800 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda, NY 14120
- Phone: 694-0540 (Rectory) | 694-4540 (Religious Ed) | Fax: 694-8943
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:30 am–4:30 pm; Fri 9:30 am–3:30 pm
- Letters of Recommendation by appointment
- Holy Day schedules via bulletin or parish events page