
Another apostolate which engaged the Oblates almost from the outset of their arrival in Buffalo was the preaching of Parish Missions. By the early 1900s a band of Oblate missionaries exclusively devoted to the preaching of parochial missions had been constituted and Buffalo became one of its hubs. Very quickly the Oblate Mission Band became renowned from coast to coast. Various and sundry chaplaincies- especially in health care - have been filled over the years by Oblates "in residence" in our Buffalo Oblate houses. After 150 years, the Oblates in Buffalo remain engaged in all of these apostolates. Holy Angels Church (the oldest parish continuously staffed by the Oblates in the United States) today continues its ministry on the West Side of Buffalo with outreach to the newest immigrant population in the area, this time, Hispanics.
The past 50 years have witnessed a downturn in Buffalo’s fortunes. Buffalo today is an economically depressed area with an unemployment rate higher than the national average. The Oblates continue to minister to the Catholic population here because the need continues to be great. Buffalo’s ethnic diversity remains augmented now by an influx of Hispanic and African residents. The Oblates have ministered in Buffalo during its good times and its less than good times.