NEW YORK — Steven Pavignano, OFM, has been appointed pastor of St. Clare Church, an assignment that was approved last week by Buffalo, N.Y., Bishop Edward Kmiec and is effective immediately.
The St. Clare Parish community was established in late 2007 by the merging of five parishes in the Southeast Buffalo Vicariate, one of which was Sts. Rita and Patrick, staffed by the friars for many years. Former pastors at the church include James Czerwinski, OFM, Ronald Pecci, OFM, John Alderson, OFM,Alexius Mulrenan, OFM, and the late Vincent Carroll, OFM. Sts. Rita and Patrick was formed 30 years ago in 1981 by the merging of St. Patrick’s Parish, where the Province had served since 1858, and St. Rita’s Parish, previously served by Slovak Franciscans.
Previously the pastor of All Saints Parish in New York City since 2008, Steven replaces Michael Putich, OFM, who will be continuing as a hospital chaplain in Buffalo.
Steven, a native of New Jersey and a graduate of Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., was based in the South for 27 years. He will be living at St. Patrick’s Friary, where Francis Pompei, OFM, is guardian.