Father Martin Named
Pastor of North Buffalo Church
Father Robert A. Martin
became the first diocesan priest to be pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish,
Buffalo, since 1998 when the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate staffed the
North Buffalo parish. The Oblates, who
also serve at Holy Angels and Annunciation parishes, left the parish on July 15
for other assignments.
A
graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and Christ the King
Seminary, Father Martin has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s
degree in theology. He was ordained by
Bishop Edward D. Head in 1983 and took on his first assignment as a priest at
St. Benedict Parish, Eggertsville, where he was parochial vicar. Since that time, Father Martin has also served
at St. Paul Parish, Kenmore; Our Lady of Fatima Church, Elba; and St. John the
Baptist Parish, Alden; as well as being in residence at St. Joseph Parish,
Batavia and St. Barnabas Parish, Depew.
He also was a faculty member at both Cardinal O’Hara High School,
Tonawanda, and Notre Dame High School, Batavia.
The
Oblates have been a strong presence in North Buffalo for a number of years. Father
Harry Winter, OMI, and Father Martin Walsh, OMI, the former pastor and
parochial vicar, respectively, left on July 15 for other assignments outside
the Diocese of Buffalo. When their departure was announced, Bishop
Edward U. Kmiec thanked the Oblates for “Faithful and effective priestly
ministry that they have provided to the people of St.
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