Our Lady of Loreto’s Catholic Church’s youth group, Dec. 1 set up its final living nativity production at its 309 W. Everett St. location. The church has been identified for closure by the Diocese of Buffalo on May 18, 2025, when it will merge with another congregation. For 12 years the youth groups of Our Lady of Loreto have annually produced a living nativity set for the communities’ enjoyment. Submitted photo

FALCONER – For the past 12 years, live animals and character actors have recreated the birth of Jesus with a living nativity at Our Lady of Loreto in Falconer.

Our Lady of Loreto had set up, produced and performed a living nativity production at its 309 W. Everett St. location for more than 10 years – but that tradition will change next year.

Our Lady of Loreto’s youth group produced the church’s last living nativity scene Dec. 1, amidst much fanfare – earning the praises of the parish’s leadership team- and striking an end to a community-centered event.

“Our youth group did an amazing job,” said the Rev. Donald Watkins Jr., the temporary administrative vicar of the church. “Ted Toy, the church’s youth group leader and his group really deserve all the credit for the display. …They even had a little bunny, in a costume, dressed as a baby sheep.”

However, as reported in a Sept. 11, Post-Journal article, The Diocese of Buffalo is set to shutter several Catholic churches across the county and merge several others in cost cutting measures. Our Lady of Loreto is one such parish scheduled for closure, May 18, 2025. This list includes 196 worship sites and 160 parishes and 36 secondary worship sites that will reduce the total open structural locations to 79 parishes and 39 secondary worship sites.

“I have confirmed that the parish’s merger/closing date is May 18, 2025,” wrote Joseph Martone, Diocese of Buffalo, communications director, in an email Friday.”

While Our Lady of Loreto is set to close, Martone said that under the Road to Renewal program, the only thing to really change will be the location that services, programs and other offerings are located at.

“Throughout the changes that the Road to Renewal will see in the Diocese of Buffalo, it is our firm intention that any ministries, outreach, and special events be continued within the family of parishes of the merged churches.”

This would include the living nativity event currently hosted at Our Lady of Loreto, he said.