The Chapel is now closed for the 2023 Season!
Rev. Dr. Charles D. Bang
Rev. Dr. Charles D. Bang, Retired
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Charlie Bang is a retired Lutheran (ELCA) pastor living with his wife, Debby, in Seneca Falls, NY.
He retired from full time ministry in 2018, but since has been called to serve (part-time) at Zion Lutheran Church in Geneva, NY and St. John's Lutheran Church in Potter, NY (Penn Yan).
Pastor Bang has served churches in San Francisco, Liverpool, Buffalo, and Virginia. "I loved my time at Holloway Memorial Chapel and send warmest regards to all.
REV. Thomas Broad
Rev. Thomas Broad, Retired, Grace Episcopal Church, Randolph, NY.
Grace Episcopal Church Rev. Thomas Broad has been serving his congregation for twelve (12) years until his recent retirement in July 2020. He received is Masters of Divinity degree conferred by the General Theological Seminary (GTS) in New York City and has served in the Diocese of WNY as a member or chair of many commissions.
Since his retirement, Tom has served as Vicar and Chaplin of the Chapel at the Chautauqua Institution during 2021. He currently attends St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown, NY where he occasionally presides.
Tom was born and raised in Western New York. He and his wife Sue do not have any children however, are blessed with many nieces, nephews and Godchildren.
Previous to Tom’s spiritual endeavors, he had a background in science and engineering, having received a Bachelor’s Degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He then worked for twenty five (25) years as Systems Engineer at various companies in the Buffalo area.
Tom has always enjoyed being in the outdoors. Currently he is becoming re-engaged in High Power Amateur Rocketry and is committed to his annual “pilgrimage” to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the largest aviation show on earth.
CANNON CATHY DEMPESY-SIMS
Rev. Cathy Dempesy-Sims
Episcopal Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York
The Rev. Cathy Dempesy-Sims serves as the Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York. That means she is the Bishop’s primary clergy assistant. Ordained as a priest in 2008, Canon Cathy has served as a priest at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Buffalo, the Church of the Good Shepherd, Buffalo and the Church of the Ascension in Buffalo. In 2015, Bishop Bill Franklin called her to the Canon position, which she has continued under the present Bishop, Sean Rowe.
The priesthood is a second career for Cathy, having spent 20 years as a psychotherapist specializing in mental health and addiction issues in mothers and their drug-affected children. The Women’s Program she developed has been replicated across the State of Illinois. A native of Chicago and central Wisconsin, Cathy is a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Green Bay Packers, as well as the Bills and the Sabres. Pray for her sport fan soul!
A widow, she lives in Western New York with her two rescue dogs.
REV. DR. ROBERT W. HARVEY
Rev. Dr. Robert W. Harvey, Calvary Episcopal Church, Williamsville
Dr. Harvey has invited the Friends of the Holloway Memorial Chapel to participate in Calvary's home service as follows: "To our dear friends at Holloway Memorial Chapel we welcome you this day. Since we are not able to gather for in-person worship due to the COVID-19 virus we hope you will join us this Sunday, July 11th for our virtual service. I was very much looking forward to being your guest preacher this Sunday at the Chapel and would like to invite you to participate in the Morning Prayer Service from my Church. Sunday's service will be broadcast live on the Calvary Episcopal Church website.
REV. Buddy Hubbard
Rev. Buddy Hubbard, Retired, First Presbyterian Church, East Aurora, NY.
First Presbyterian Church of East Aurora Pastor Dr. Langdon Hubbard has been serving his congregation for over 20 years now. Because of the many outreach programs initiated by this forward-thinking minister, Pastor Buddy – as he affectionately is known by nearly everybody in his church – clearly has been on the cutting edge of progressive social ideology since the beginning of the 21st century.
As a result, it has thrust his ministry into the forefront of advanced thinking of church dogma – especially as it pertains to the youth of the church that he ministered to on a daily basis.
“Joining with others for the prior 19 years now, I’ve been helping to lead – with our youth leaders and sometimes paid staff – our out-of-district Mission trips that travel to various sites where we are very much needed,” Pastor Buddy said. “We’ve gone all over the world.”
Mission is a socially intensive outreach initiative designed primarily for high school freshmen and college students. It finds these young people traveling to distant places throughout the world, seeking to help relieve the anguish and heartache felt by those who have fallen upon hard times caused by natural disasters or other such calamities brought upon through no fault of their own. It is based on a four year cycle, where the first year is a local destination then an out trip, most likely within the state, the second year would take place about 10 hours away, the third year is a flight to another region in the country and the final year is meant to highlight a global experience.
All in all, Pastor Buddy surmises that in the 19 years that he has organized the trips, he has taken almost 160 young men and women on various sojourns designed to improve the social welfare of humankind.
Pastor Buddy has been happily married to the former Jan McGuckin. Jan is also an ordained minister herself, currently serving her ministry as a vested Methodist minister serving the United Methodist Church congregations in Western New York.
Together, the Hubbard’s have two grown children, Bethany and Daniel.
In May, 2016, Pastor Buddy received his doctorate in ministry from the Louisville Theological Presbyterian Church in Louisville, KY.
Running is now a lifetime hobby of Pastor Buddy. He finished his first marathon when he was 50-years-old, running in the Buffalo marathon. He has completed seven and is planning an eighth in the near future. Another goal is to run a half or full marathon in each state. He is up to 18 states at this time.
Two other outreach programs that Langdon’s church has immersed itself and his congregation in involves developmentally disabled adults and the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LBGT) communities in Western New York.
Rev. Ryan Keating
Rev. Ryan Keating, Parochial Vicar, St. Mary Church, Swormville, N.Y.
Fr. Ryan was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on June 6, 2021.
Before graduating from Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, N.Y., with a master's in divinity, Ryan was an elementary and middle school teacher for ten years.
“I always liked school. I always liked the school environment and learning, so I thought that I would try teaching,” he said.
As a 2001 ‘Teach For America’ corps member, Ryan served in Phoenix, A.Z., at a K-8 public school teaching mostly a Latino population. He loved the job, particularly its broad ability to affect people's lives through private mentorship and public presentations.
A local of Buffalo, N.Y., and graduate of Nichols School, Hobart College, and Arizona State University, Ryan developed a late vocation to serve in ministry as a priest, after working in education.
A decade into his teaching career, Ryan started looking at what would fill his soul. He saw deep parallels in the job he loved, teaching, and the priestly vocation to which he aspired.
His interest and experience in ministry are in hospitals, prisons, parish life, and leading bible studies and faith sharing with youth and adults.
As a Parochial Vicar at Saint Mary Church, he looks forward to proclaim the Gospel and give reflections on the Gospel.
“I’m also really looking forward to accompanying people in the good times and the challenges of their lives, getting to know as many people as I can. Also, I hope to do some outreach in the community, to people who are less fortunate – those who live in poverty or are incarcerated or sick.”
"I'm just a regular guy, but I feel that God has a plan for me. My big thing is trying to connect with people and share my faith and personal belief in Christ with others," Keating said.
In his spare time, Ryan enjoys spending it in the outdoors, canoeing, playing tennis, and skiing in Ellicottville, N.Y.
Rev. Cannon Gordon Kinkley
Rev. Cannon Gord Kinkley, M.A., M.Div., St. John's Anglican Church and, Cannon of Christ Church Cathedral, Diocese of Niagara, Ontario.
Father Gord is a retired Anglican priest in the Diocese of Niagara. He retired from active ministry in the spring of 2013 and, has now been in Holy Orders for fifty-two (52) years.
Formerly, he was the rector of St. John's Anglican Church in St. Catherines, Ontario, for thirty-five (35) years.
He was ordered Deacon 52 years ago and raised to the priesthood 51 years ago. Canon Kinkley received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Ottawa and his Licentiate in Theology and Master of Divinity from the University of Toronto.
He has done additional studies at Harvard University and on two occasions studied at St. George's College in East Jerusalem.
Over the years, Canon Kinkley has travelled extensively including 13 visits to the Holy Land.
Canon Kinkley is married and has three adult children.
Rev. Dr. Robert J. Perelli
Rev. Dr. Robert J. Perelli
St. Joseph’s University Parish
Dear Friends of the Chapel:
Rev. Dr. Robert J., CJM entered into rest on August 2, 2022.
Father Bob was a Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Eudist Fathers who was ordained in 1976.
Father Bob served as the weekend priest at St. Joseph University Church in Buffalo, New York for over 25 years, where he was known as a fascinating and memorable preacher.
Father Bob was the Founder and CEO of The Center for Family Systems Theory, offering consulting services to family-owned businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and communities of faith focused on the understanding of functional and human relationships.
He was also the Founder and President of the former AIDS Family Services, a leader in providing counseling services and pastoral care to people with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
A gifted educator, Father Bob was the former Vice President for Mission Integration at D’Youville College and served as the Campus Minister at D’Youville College and Nardin Academy for many years.
Father Bob had a deep commitment to volunteer work locally and abroad, having counseled families of children affected by cancer for many years, participating in extended mission trips to developing countries, and most recently finding a new passion volunteering at a local soup kitchen.
Father Bob was an integral part of the Holloway Memorial Chapel community for many years. He was one of our favorite speakers at our Sunday Worship Services and a Dear Friend. He will be sadly missed.
Father Bob's familiar Benediction follows:
May the earth and all her beauty
awaken the wonder of the child within you.
May you know the meaning of play
and not be embarrassed to have a good time.
May your feet want to dance
much more than they want to march.
May your smile be contagious and come full circle.
May your laughter echo long after you leave the room.
May your tears make it easier for others to cry.
May you find home and friends
where ever God asks you to be.
May your experiences teach others
almost as much as they taught you.
May you live in peace because you live peacefully.
May your friends double your joy and divide your sorrow.
And may the blessings of a generous God inspire you to do the
best you can but no more.
Amen
REV. TOM YORTY
Rev. Tom Yorty, Retired Westminster Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, NY.
Tom Yorty came to Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1998 following pastorates in Easton, PA and Williamsville, NY.
During Tom's pastorate at Westminster, the congregation has continued its historic role as a leader in mission to the city, social justice, and worship and music ministries.
In 2005, the Church launched the Westminster Economic Development Initiative, which provides business coaching and loans to Buffalo’s growing immigrant community as well as an English language learner after school program for K-8 children. Westminster's Early Childhood Programs is a leader in early childhood development in Western New York. Westminster works in solidarity with Muslim and Jewish communities to provide education and outreach.
Tom grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, graduated from Muskingum College, Yale Divinity School, and Drew University (PhD, 19th Century Studies), and has served on the board of Auburn Theological Seminary, NYC since 2003.
He and his wife, Carol, have two adult sons and a Labrador retriever. Tom enjoys writing poetry, riding his bike, and playing with his granddaughter.
As you may know, Tom retired from Westminster Presbyterian Church, in June of 2021.