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St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church
Amherst
NY
14226
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Who we are
Dear friend of St. Leo the Great Parish:
St. Leo the Great Parish is a family of faith, serving the needs of parishioners and the wider community for over 50 years. We are committed to living our Catholic faith through prayer and service. Our parish provides many opportunities to grow in faith through prayer, educational experiences, and in service. We have over 30 parish ministries, which are open to young people and parishioners of all ages.
Our parish is committed to providing a wonderful educational experience in our school, offering a faith-based education for pre-school through eighth grade. Our religious education program for children begins in first grade and continues through the Confirmation program in tenth grade.
Please join us for prayer at Mass, stop by our chapel for a visit, and consider becoming part of our parish family. We look forward to growing in faith and sharing our blessings together as brothers and sisters of Christ.
With prayers,
Rev. Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel and the Parish Staff
St. Leo the Great Parish is a family of faith, serving the needs of parishioners and the wider community for over 50 years. We are committed to living our Catholic faith through prayer and service. Our parish provides many opportunities to grow in faith through prayer, educational experiences, and in service. We have over 30 parish ministries, which are open to young people and parishioners of all ages.
Our parish is committed to providing a wonderful educational experience in our school, offering a faith-based education for pre-school through eighth grade. Our religious education program for children begins in first grade and continues through the Confirmation program in tenth grade.
Please join us for prayer at Mass, stop by our chapel for a visit, and consider becoming part of our parish family. We look forward to growing in faith and sharing our blessings together as brothers and sisters of Christ.
With prayers,
Rev. Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel and the Parish Staff
Location of worship / Church Address
885 Sweet Home Rd
Amherst,
NY
14226
United States
Phone: 716-835-8905
Fax: 716-835-8997
Download St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church vCard with Mass Times
Church Pastor
Rev. Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, S.T.D
Pastor
885 Sweet Home Rd
Amherst,
NY
14226
United States
Phone: 716-835-8905
Fax: 716-835-8997
Download Pastor Rev. Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, S.T.D vCard
Quote of the Day
Matthew 17:20
...If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
...If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Denomination
Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic churches in Amherst, New York, United States
Roman Catholic churches in New York, United States
Roman Catholic churches in United States
All churches in Amherst, NY
Affiliations:
Website:
Social Media
St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church Amherst on YouTube
Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev. Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, S.T.D
Leader Position:
Pastor
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
716-835-8997
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
Other Church Leaders:
Rev. Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, S.T.D on Social Media:
St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Admin Position:
Admin Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
716-835-8997
Admin Email:
Mailing Address
Driving Directions to St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church
Travel/Directions Tips
Parking
St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church Amherst Mass Times
Masses:
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 pm
Sunday: 9:00 and 11:00 am
Weekdays and Sat: 8:00 am
Holy Days: See bulletin or website
Confessions:
Saturdays: 3:00 pm
and by appointment
Thanksgiving Day Masses at 8:00 & 10:00 AM
Live Stream
Weekend Masses: 4 PM & 5 PM Saturdays and 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM & 11 AM Sundays
https://stleothegreatamherst.com/about-st-leo-the-great/live-feed/
Chapel Live Stream
Adoration and private devotion
https://stleothegreatamherst.com/live-feed-chapel/
Mass Times last updated on the 20th of November, 2020
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 pm
Sunday: 9:00 and 11:00 am
Weekdays and Sat: 8:00 am
Holy Days: See bulletin or website
Confessions:
Saturdays: 3:00 pm
and by appointment
Thanksgiving Day Masses at 8:00 & 10:00 AM
Live Stream
Weekend Masses: 4 PM & 5 PM Saturdays and 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM & 11 AM Sundays
https://stleothegreatamherst.com/about-st-leo-the-great/live-feed/
Chapel Live Stream
Adoration and private devotion
https://stleothegreatamherst.com/live-feed-chapel/
Mass Times last updated on the 20th of November, 2020
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities:
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
Our campus is fully accessible
Prayers and hymns:
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information:
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church Photo Gallery
St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church History
Breaking new ground at St. Leo the Great
A new chapter begins
May 9th marked an historic moment in the history of St. Leo the Great Parish on Sweet Home Road in Amherst as a ground breaking ceremony took place for the new parish center. With the help of architect Doug Scheid and the building committee, parishioners were able to view drawings of the new layout weeks prior to the event.
Over 9,000 square feet, the parish center will connect to the church for easy and convenient access. The center will feature a banquet room with seating capacity of 275. It will be ideal for social and educational events as well as for weddings, sacramental receptions and seminars. The large teaching kitchen will be a community resource, hosting nutritionists who will help groups with special needs-including those with diabetes, weight or heart issues, etc.
A separate new structure will feature a 7,000 square foot recreation area for all age groups. Included will be a pavilion for outdoor picnics. “I am very excited about the future of our parish family as we take another step forward in the legacy of our faith community. While we honor our past, we look forward to a new chapter and a faith filled future where God’s people will continue to be spiritually nourished and enjoy the fellowship of community,” said Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, S.T.D., pastor of St. Leo the Great Parish, a Station Church for the Extraordinary Jubilee Year with a blessed Holy Door of Mercy.
Holy door hours are:
M-F 7:30am-4:00pm, Sat 7:30am-5:30pm and Sun. 7:30-noon.
St. Leo the Great Parish was established on June 12, 1953 by the Most Rev. Joseph A. Burke, Bishop of Buffalo with Rev. Clatus E. Snyder appointed as the first pastor. A small residence at 803 Sweet Home was purchased from Santo Billoni for $16,500 to be used as a temporary rectory. Later, the house was exchanged for property from the Sykes family. Twenty acres of land on Sweet Home was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Henry Brummer and additional land was donated by the Donovan family to serve as a future site of the church and school.
The first Mass of the new parish was offered in a field with subsequent masses offered in the parking lot of Northtown Plaza. Daily Mass was held in the Rectory.
Ground was broken on Ascension Day in 1954 for the school and in September of that year the school was open for children in grades K-8. In December, mass was offered in the basement of the school, named the Chapel of the Infant Jesus. Just 4 years later in September 1958, a new wing of the school containing the junior auditorium and bowling lanes were opened.
In June of 1961, Fr. Patrick J. Dineen became the 2nd pastor. In 1966, the new rectory was completed and in spring 1970, work was started on the current church and dedication was held on December 5, 1971.
A 3-alarm fire, destroyed “Leo Lanes,” the parish bowling alleys on August 25, 1970. The fire was blamed on burglars. A decision was reached not to rebuild the bowling lanes.
On August 1, 1978, Msgr. Patrick Dineen retired at the age of 75 and Bishop Edward D. Head named Msgr. William McDonnell the 3rd pastor of St. Leo’s. A 6 year fund drive was initiated in January 1979 to reduce the parish debt and to make major repairs. On October 6, 1985 a special mortgage burning Mass was celebrated.
Msgr. McDonnell died suddenly on retreat in Florida on January 17, 2002. Msgr. Michael J. Yunk was named administrator of the parish.
Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel was appointed on April 8, 2002 as the 4th pastor of St. Leo’s. In January 2003, the new addition to the church was completed to provided a central gathering space, baby sitting area and an updated front entrance.
In March 2003, the new parish office addition was completed to provide office space for the parish staff.
A new chapter begins
May 9th marked an historic moment in the history of St. Leo the Great Parish on Sweet Home Road in Amherst as a ground breaking ceremony took place for the new parish center. With the help of architect Doug Scheid and the building committee, parishioners were able to view drawings of the new layout weeks prior to the event.
Over 9,000 square feet, the parish center will connect to the church for easy and convenient access. The center will feature a banquet room with seating capacity of 275. It will be ideal for social and educational events as well as for weddings, sacramental receptions and seminars. The large teaching kitchen will be a community resource, hosting nutritionists who will help groups with special needs-including those with diabetes, weight or heart issues, etc.
A separate new structure will feature a 7,000 square foot recreation area for all age groups. Included will be a pavilion for outdoor picnics. “I am very excited about the future of our parish family as we take another step forward in the legacy of our faith community. While we honor our past, we look forward to a new chapter and a faith filled future where God’s people will continue to be spiritually nourished and enjoy the fellowship of community,” said Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, S.T.D., pastor of St. Leo the Great Parish, a Station Church for the Extraordinary Jubilee Year with a blessed Holy Door of Mercy.
Holy door hours are:
M-F 7:30am-4:00pm, Sat 7:30am-5:30pm and Sun. 7:30-noon.
St. Leo the Great Parish was established on June 12, 1953 by the Most Rev. Joseph A. Burke, Bishop of Buffalo with Rev. Clatus E. Snyder appointed as the first pastor. A small residence at 803 Sweet Home was purchased from Santo Billoni for $16,500 to be used as a temporary rectory. Later, the house was exchanged for property from the Sykes family. Twenty acres of land on Sweet Home was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Henry Brummer and additional land was donated by the Donovan family to serve as a future site of the church and school.
The first Mass of the new parish was offered in a field with subsequent masses offered in the parking lot of Northtown Plaza. Daily Mass was held in the Rectory.
Ground was broken on Ascension Day in 1954 for the school and in September of that year the school was open for children in grades K-8. In December, mass was offered in the basement of the school, named the Chapel of the Infant Jesus. Just 4 years later in September 1958, a new wing of the school containing the junior auditorium and bowling lanes were opened.
In June of 1961, Fr. Patrick J. Dineen became the 2nd pastor. In 1966, the new rectory was completed and in spring 1970, work was started on the current church and dedication was held on December 5, 1971.
A 3-alarm fire, destroyed “Leo Lanes,” the parish bowling alleys on August 25, 1970. The fire was blamed on burglars. A decision was reached not to rebuild the bowling lanes.
On August 1, 1978, Msgr. Patrick Dineen retired at the age of 75 and Bishop Edward D. Head named Msgr. William McDonnell the 3rd pastor of St. Leo’s. A 6 year fund drive was initiated in January 1979 to reduce the parish debt and to make major repairs. On October 6, 1985 a special mortgage burning Mass was celebrated.
Msgr. McDonnell died suddenly on retreat in Florida on January 17, 2002. Msgr. Michael J. Yunk was named administrator of the parish.
Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel was appointed on April 8, 2002 as the 4th pastor of St. Leo’s. In January 2003, the new addition to the church was completed to provided a central gathering space, baby sitting area and an updated front entrance.
In March 2003, the new parish office addition was completed to provide office space for the parish staff.
St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church Historical Photos
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