Our Core Beliefs
God is one in three divine persons: the Father, who created it all; the Son, who died for our sins and rose from the dead; the Holy Spirit, who regenerates and sanctifies souls.
HOLY SPIRIT
The third person of the Blessed Trinity abides in the Church to teach, govern and sanctify its members.
JESUS CHRIST
The Son of God, who became man and died on the cross for our salvation, is always with believers who try to live according to His teachings.
KINGDOM OF GOD
It is the duty of every Christian to help establish God’s Kingdom on earth through the grace and virtue of love, justice and dedication to the will of God.
THE CHURCH
The Church is made up of baptized Christians who worship together, partake of the sacraments, hear and obey the Word of God.
HOLY MASS
The Holy Eucharist (Holy Mass) is the true central point of Catholic worship. The church expects all its members to join in the common worship of God and receive Holy Communion.
HUMAN BEINGS
Human beings are the creation of a loving
God. Each of us are to follow His teachings
and live in accord to His will.
Our Church Teachings
LANGUAGE OF WORSHIP
Masses are celebrated in the language of the people, so that all worshipers can understand God’s message.
GOD AND NATIONS
God Wishes all nations to act together in brotherhood and justice.
PARISH OWNED PROPERTY
Church property is owned by the people who purchase, build and maintain it.
WORKING TOGETHER
The bishops work in concert to run the Church and together, with the Prime Bishop as first among equals make decisions on matters of faith, morals and discipline.
DIVORCE
Divorce is not recognized, but a marriage may be dissolved by the Church.
CELIBACY
Since 1921, bishops and priests have been permitted to marry.
Holy Mother of the Rosary Parish is the Cathedral See of the Buffalo-Pittsburg Diocese of the National Catholic Church Polish community of Buffalo, New York. Many times, through struggle change occurs, which is the case for this once Roman Catholic community. A common thread is woven through the parishes of the Polish Catholic in its infancy, there was a feeling of disenfranchisement within the Roman Church in the United States including the Buffalo Diocese.
In August,1895 an Independent Catholic parish was established in Buffalo when this group of parishioners from St. Adalbert’s decided to form a separate church just a block away forming an independent church that allowed for member ownership of church property and participation in the governance of the church, characteristics not found in the Roman Church. The Catholic Faith and Practice continued to be faithfully carried out in this new community, providing valid sacraments to its members. Struggles between this Polish Church and the Roman Church continued as disputes arose over church property ownership which was finally settled in the New York Appellate Courts giving ownership back to the Holy Mother of the Rosary Parish.
In 1914 the congregation aligned itself with the Scranton, PA-based Polish National Catholic Church. The following year August 1, 1915 the first Mass was celebrated as a PNCC church with between 6,000 and 8,000 parishioners and friends in attendance, filling the church and the surrounding land on Sobieski Street.
The Parish has since survived fires, rebuilding and the influx of many new members and immigrants that struggled for a new life steeped in the Catholic Faith. With the problems of a changing neighborhood, the parish reluctantly considered moving from the old eastside of Buffalo to its suburbs.
The multimillion dollar complex, located on Broadway near Schwartz Road in Lancaster, NY was opened in 1995 in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the parish. Some of the old cathedral’s artifacts were removed and placed in the new complex including the beautiful stained glass windows of the saints, the magnificent pipe organ, some altar appointments and the original cornerstone. The six original Cathedral bells were recently installed in a beautiful bell tower and an office and rectory were added in 2012.
The Holy Mother of the Rosary Parish welcomes people of all ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds.