About Us // Our Clergy // Msgr. Fran Weldgen
Fr. Fran was born in 1935 in Batavia, NY. He is a graduate of St. Joseph’s School in Batavia, the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary, Niagara University and the Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained a priest in Rome, Italy on December 20, 1959.
Fr. Fran has served in many capacities in the Diocese. He was the Director of the Youth Department for 13 years from 1972 to 1985. He served as the Pastor of St. Christopher Parish in Tonawanda for 21 years. He retired from St. Christopher’s in 2006.
When Fr. Gary Bagley died suddenly in 2006, Fr. Fran agreed to serve as administrator of the parish until a new pastor was appointed. He stayed on as weekend help after the appointment of Fr. Joe Porpiglia. He again agreed to help out when Fr. Joe was deployed to Afghanistan, serving as the moderator of the school.
We are very grateful for all that Fr. Fran has done for St. Benedict Parish since his “retirement.”
I like to be part of the challenge that we all have from the gospels: to convert. As John the Baptist says, “To make straight the path.” There’s always an opportunity to straighten out the crooked path.Moved by Faith
GARDEN PROJECT
MOVES FORWARD
Our Generations of the Faith and First Communicant families have agreed to lead the project to "reinstate the garden" behind the Catholic Charities building.
We invite all of you to be a part of it! Please come on Saturday, May 19th starting at 9:30 am (pray for sunshine!) and we will work together to restore the gardens!
We plan a cookout at noon and we invite you to please join us and bring a dish to pass. Please RSVP to the Rectory by phone or email with your attendance and the number in your family who will be attending.