Our Leaders

Pastor
Rev. James W. Kirkpatrick (Father Jim)

Father Jim Kirkpatrick was named administrator of St. John de LaSalle in November 2022 while serving as pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in North Tonawanda.

On June 1, 2023, Father Jim became pastor of the Niagara Falls family of parishes — including St. John de LaSalle; St. Vincent de Paul; Divine Mercy; Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph; and St. Mary of the Cataract, where he resides.

A native of nearby Sanborn, he grew up at Immaculate Conception Parish in Ransomville, where he was strongly influenced by Father Harold Nuwer. During his junior year at Canisius College, Jim felt called to the priesthood. He entered Christ the King Seminary in 2002 as he continued to discern his vocation with family, friends and priest mentors.

He spent his pastoral year as a seminarian at St. John the Baptist Parish in Lockport, and then was assigned as a deacon to St. Benedict Parish in Eggertsville. His first summer assignment as a seminarian was at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in North Evans. He was ordained by Bishop Edward U. Kmiec on May 17, 2008, and began his first priestly assignment at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Hamburg. In 2015, Father Jim was named pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in North Tonawanda.

Before his call to the priesthood, Father Jim felt a desire to be a teacher and a writer. Since his ordination, he has joyfully discovered that through his priesthood he is able to be both. Father Jim finds the priesthood highly fulfilling, and there is nothing else he would rather do.

Parochial Vicars of the Family of Parishes

Rev. Benjamin Mariasoosai (in residence at St. John de LaSalle)
Rev. Duane Klizek (Senior Parochial Vicar)
Rev. Mario Racho
Rev. Stewart Lindsay, OSFS

Office Staff

Cynthia Tripoli, Sharon Benavidez and Patricia Prawel

Music Ministers

Alexandra Fitch, Christy Murty and Jeff Paterson

Building and Grounds Maintenance

Chuck Siegfried

Trustees

Janet Furlong and Michael Casale

Parish Council Leaders

Penny Craft and Andrew Touma