Spirituality & the Care of Souls
Committed to the belief that each of us is called to an intimate relationship with God,
St. Paul's seeks to help everyone strengthen their relationship with God.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM is offered freely as a gift at St. Paul's. Anyone desiring to be baptized should call the church office at (716) 855-0900 to speak with one of the clergy for more information and for discernment. Typically Holy Baptism is celebrated at St. Paul's at the Easter Vigil, Pentecost Sunday, All Saints' Sunday, and the Feast of the Baptism of Christ. Holy Baptism is the official entry into the Church of Christ, and therefore, children, once they have been baptized, may receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Because Baptism is the official entry into the church, it is expected that the newly baptized will attend church regularly on Sundays and participate in the life of the Cathedral.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION is celebrated almost everyday at St. Paul's. Also called the Eucharist, this is the primary sacrament in which we have spiritual union with Christ. At. St. Paul's all are invited to partake in this Sacrament, as we believe God's grace is freely given to all people. Our worship programs state, "Welcome to our celebration of the Eucharist. There is no one here who is ineligible or unwelcome to receive communion. There is no one who is too old or too young; no one who has too many doubts to too few beliefs. This is the altar prepared by a loving God for all of creation through the power of Jesus Christ. You, who are part of that creation, are welcome."
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION is always offered at least once a year at St. Paul's. Youth and adults are regularly confirmed. Confirmation is an opportunity for those who have been baptized to recommit their life to Christ. Attendance at one of the Cathedral's Inquirer's Classes is required for those who wish to be confirmed.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY is celebrated frequently throughout the year, except for the seasons of Advent and Lent, as well as other dates specified by the Cathedral calendar. One of the persons seeking marriage must be an Episcopalian. For couples for which neither person is an Episcopalian, there is the option of being received into the Episcopal Church. St. Paul's has multiple requests for weddings every week, so it is advisable to do prompt planning. All couples are required by canon law to meet with the clergy for pre-marital counseling. At St. Paul's this usually requires at the least a period of six months. St. Paul's has a wedding booklet that outlines all of the requirements, fees, and preparations for a wedding; this is usually given to couples at their first pre-marital counseling session. At. St. Paul's all weddings include a celebration of the Eucharist as the first act of unity between the couple, and everyone in attendance is always invited to communicate as well.
THE REAFFIRMATION OF MARRIAGE VOWS may be celebrated as part of any Cathedral Eucharist to celebrate a milestone in a couple's life.
THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION, often called confession, is a sacrament available to all, by appointment with the clergy. More about this Sacrament of the Church may be found beginning on page 446 of the Book of Common Prayer.
THE SACRAMENT OF ORDINATION frequently occurs at St. Paul's Cathedral. As the mother church of the Diocese of Western New York, many ordinations to the diaconate occur at the Cathedral. Priestly ordinations may also be held at St. Paul's, however, often in Western New York these ordinations are celebrated in the home parish of the ordinand.
THE SACRAMENT OF UNCTION, also called healing or annointing, is celebrated every Wednesday at the 12:05 noonday Eucharist. On Sunday morning, healing prayers with annointing are also offered at the Richmond Chapel during the 9:00 and 11:15 am Eucharists.
CHRISTIAN BURIAL is when we gather to celebrate the new life of Christ discovered by those who have died. The Cathedral asks that the church be notified as soon as possible once someone dies in order that the community may offer the best care possible. At St. Paul's, Christian Burial is celebrated in the context of the Holy Eucharist, and as in all celebrations of the Eucharist at St. Paul's, all in attendance are invited to receive the Sacrament.
The faithful are encouraged to pray THE DAILY OFFICES OF MORNING & EVENING PRAYER, whether online or using the Book of Common Prayer. The Cathedral has also developed materials for praying the Daily Office that use texts from Enriching Our Worship, the Episcopal Church's resource for texts since the publishing of the BCP. To pray the daily office online, go to The Mission of St. Clare.
During the Choral Season, the Cathedral Choirs sing CHORAL EVENSONG every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 5:45 pm, and again on the Fourth Sunday of every month at 3:00 pm. Choral Evensong is the sung version of Evening Prayer. For more information on Choral Evensong, click here. For assistance in praying the Daily Office, speak with one of the Cathedral clergy.
The service of COMPLINE is prayed at the conclusion of many of the Cathedral's evening meetings. Like the services of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, this service is in the Book of Common Prayer, providing an excellent form of prayer to be said before going to bed.
The Cathedral Gift Shop has a variety of ROSARIES available for purchase for those who wish to learn this method of prayer. For guidance in praying the Rosary, speak with the Cathedral clergy; they will be happy to assist you with either the Anglican or Dominican forms. For information on the DIOCESAN MEN'S ROSARY SOCIETY click here.
The Cathedral Gift Shop also has a variety of ICONS available for purchase. Again, the Cathedral clergy will be very happy to assist those who are interested in praying with icons. Mother Liza Spangler has an extensive collections of icons, and would be glad to show her collection with those interested. One of the projects of the Youth Group is to help take care of the icons on a regular basis.
THE CATHEDRAL LABYRINTH continues to be a resource to many groups within the community. For use of the labyrinth, e-mail the Cathedral office.
The BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE is a wonderful way to memorialize the life of a loved one. For more information, click here.
Every year the Cathedral hosts an ALL SOULS' REQUIEM as a way to memorialize those who have been buried from St. Paul's during the past year. Family and friends of the departed always find this liturgy to be incredibly healing. Names of the departed, called the necrology, are read during the prayers.
Parishioners often donate MEMORIALS for the beloved who have entered new life in Christ. One of the more recent memorials was a full frontal for festal seasons for the Richmond Chapel Altar. The Richmond Chapel is where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated Monday through Friday at 12:05 noon.
QUIET DAYS & RETREATS are times in when we gather for worship, individual and/or group spiritual direction, private prayer, and meditation, seeking to make our lives more open to God's presence. Often occuring during the seasons of Advent and Lent, they may be offered at any time. Parishioners are welcome to speak with any of the clergy if they wish to coordinate their own quiet day, observing silence in the Cathedral and attending the Cathedral's daily Eucharist.
The VESTRY RETREAT happens every year once the new Vestry is elected. Vestry Members and the clergy go for a two day retreat to discern the year's objectives and goals, seeking to be fully open to the presence of Christ in the work of the parish and its future.
Every Maundy Thursday the Cathedral hosts a CLERGY RETREAT for the clergy of the Diocese. The retreat begins in the morning with social time with the bishop and a guided reflection. The Chrism Mass with the Renewal of Ordination Vows is celebrated at 12:05 noon, and afterwards the clergy gather for a simply soup and salad luncheon in the Walker Room. The time is chosen intentionally, as the coming evening is the beginning of the Triduum when the clergy will lead their parishes into the mysteries of Christ's death and resurrection.
Due to need, St. Paul's forms DISCERNMENT COMMITTEES for those who wish to explore a call to the ordained ministry, whether it be the priesthood or the diaconate. St. Paul's is proud to have produced many fine clergy for the Episcopal Church.
Every Spring St. Paul's participates in an INTERFAITH SEDER with our brothers and sisters of the Abrahamic religions--Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Seder is hosted by one of the local Jewish synagogues, parishioners from St. Paul's regularly attend, and our clergy often do some of the readings.
COUNSELING is available through the clergy and through referrals to other counseling professionals.
PASTORAL CARE is an important part of our mutual ministry. Our Pastoral Care Committee oversees our Eucharistic Visitors and Healing Ministers, and plays a vital role in caring for the seniors of our parish. Every year a variety of community potlucks are planned, and the Pastoral Care Committee provides transportation to our seniors who are unable to drive.
Our HELPING HANDS group is made of volunteers who offer assistance to people when they are in need. Preparing meals, providing transportation, or just offering a listening ear, are some of this group's main ministries.
St. Paul's has convened a BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP as the need arises for those who are in need and have suffered some form of loss. The clergy or the laity may coordinate such gatherings.
Our PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY is a ministry of prayer. Many members knit the shawls while praying for those who are in need. The shawls are blessed in our liturgies, and then presented to those who are hospitalized, or in need of some form of care.
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