JAMESTOWN — Oh, Happy Day.

Or maybe we can–under these special circumstances — take the liberty of putting that another way: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum.”

Those are the words — “I announce to you a great joy” — with which a cardinal standing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City heralds the election of a new pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

Such words also apply to the Dec. 6 announcement that Jamestown’s Holy Apostles parish — which includes Saint John Roman Catholic Church and Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church–will not merge into another fine local parish. Nor will Saints Peter and Paul, with its extraordinarily beautiful cathedral, close.

The Diocese of Buffalo had directed that the merger and the closure take place.

But smart, determined, courageous Holy Apostles parishioners appealed to the Dicastery of Clergy in Vatican City.

Lo and behold, the dicastery has reversed the decision below.

The dicastery is the Roman Catholic Church’s equivalent of a federal court of appeals. Had the parishioners not prevailed in the dicastery, they could have appealed once more, to the church’s equivalent of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Now that won’t be necessary.

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No local priest was involved in the appeal.

Nevertheless, after the dicastery’s ruling, a priest from Catholic Neighbors in Faith, a local family of parishes, issued a gracious and well-taken statement:

– Congratulating “the recourse group on” its “work and perseverance in this difficult process” during this “trying time for our whole family of parishes.”

– Urging that the dicastery’s decision not “be seen as a ‘win’ for one and a ‘loss’ for another,” “keeping in mind those churches that did close this past year.”

– Recalling that the decision follows the church’s “canonical process of prayerful discernment and review.”

– Extending a conciliatory hand to the diocese: “We respect the authority of our Bishop (Michael Fisher) and accept his guidance as we move forward.”

– Trusting “that the Holy Spirit has been a part of this process the whole way through,” and

– Looking forward to seeing the family of parishes grow together: “Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead our parishes, our family, our diocese, and the gift of Holy Mother Church.”

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In music, that’s called perfect pitch.

And it doesn’t preclude acknowledging that the Holy Spirit needed earthly instruments to carry out its work.

Such instruments included smart, determined, courageous Holy Apostles parishioners who both became appellants and conducted themselves as good appellate lawyers do: They mastered the appellate rules, gathered the facts, and applied the church’s equivalent of the law to the facts.

Still, the odds weren’t with the appellants, not anywhere or anytime along the way.

Please recall that some religious entities, including churches, are organized from the bottom up. Others are organized from the top down. To be sure, each has its advantages and disadvantages. Yet when those in the pews become appellants, they have an easier row to hoe in a bottom-up entity.

Perhaps more than any other such entity, the Roman Catholic Church is top down, which made the row harder to hoe.

Somehow though, just somehow as events developed, there was a sense that the appellants just might–well, let’s not say “win.”

Let’s put it this way: Somehow though, just somehow as events developed, there was a sense that the appellants–as earthly instruments of the Holy Spirit–just might both save the parish and keep Saints Peter and Paul open.

For having accomplished this, the appellants and those who stood with them–including three other local churches that hosted appellants’ meetings–deserve to be proud.

Applause, applause.

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You, faithful reader of this column, already know what Saints Peter and Paul has brought and continues to bring to this region. Indeed, you didn’t need this column to tell you.

The Holy Apostles parishioners who hoed the tough row deserve the appreciation not only of their fellow parishioners but also of their fellow Catholics in the region, their fellow Christians in the region, and the entire region writ large.

Because of this outstanding work in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, what all of us know as Saints Peter and Paul–sometimes colloquially known as “St. Pete’s”–can continue to be open.

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In fact, if you’ve never been to Mass at Saint John or Saints Peter and Paul during Advent or Christmas, pick one this December and go.

Both churches are beautiful and inspirational anytime, and especially now.

While you’re there, congratulate parishioners on their work with the Holy Spirit.

Besides, a little celebration doesn’t hurt anyone.

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Dr. Randy Elf’s family has belonged to local Lutheran churches beginning with two of his third-great-grandparents who are common ancestors of local Cederquists. This Mr. Cederquist is an eighth-great-grandson of King Gustav I Eriksson Vasa of Sweden.

(c) 2025 BY RANDY ELF