Thirty years ago — 1994

Representatives from the 15 Catholic parishes in northern Chautauqua County recently endorsed a plan to deal with the dwindling number of available priests by assigning many of them to more than one parish. While the plan calls for all existing parishes to continue, the status of St. Thomas More in Ripley would be downgraded to that of a mission. Under the plan, nine priests would be expected to serve the region’s parishes, which are now served by about a dozen priests. The larger parishes would continue as they are now, each a separate community with its own pastor. These include St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Hyacinth’s and St. Hedwig’s, all in Dunkirk, and St. Anthony’s in Fredonia.

Forty years ago — 1984

The Rev. Mr. Raymond A.J. Donohue was ordained a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church on May 11 in St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Buffalo. He has been appointed to St. Joseph Church, Fredonia to assist the pastor, the Rev. James E. Wall. Deacon Donohue is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Donohue of South Buffalo.

Fifty years ago — 1974

Workers at Petri Baking Products, 653 Brigham Road, Dunkirk rejected a union within the plant by a 2-1 vote.