Msgr. Frederick D. Leising, Pastor
Msgr. Frederick Leising was appointed Pastor of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish on October 31, 2003. Prior to coming to Nativity, he was Pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption in Lancaster for seven years. Msgr. Leising spent nine years at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, first as Vice-Rector, Director of Formation for Seminarians and Instructor in Philosophy, then as President-Rector.
Ordained in 1971, Fr. Fred’s first assignment was at 14 Holy Helpers in West Seneca as Parochial Vicar. He then was assigned to Notre Dame High School in Batavia and over the next ten years held a variety of positions, including Religion Teacher, Guidance Director, Vice-Principal and Acting Principal. He spent a year as Pastor of Assumption Church in Portageville, Wyoming County and St. Mary's in Canaseraga, Allegheny County prior to his assignment to Christ the King Seminary.
Fr. Fred received his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and BA in Philosophy and MS in Theology from St. John Vianney Seminary.
As a dedicated teacher, Fr. Fred knows we are never finished with learning. He devotes much of his time to reading. As priest and pastor, he reads extensively in theology and philosophy; we reap the benefits in his homilies and "Pastors Viewpoint". He also enjoys biographies and a good novel. His favorite fair weather pastime is golf; he is known to give in to 'white ball' fever whenever time and schedule permit.
Fr. John J. Leising
Rev. John Leising arrived at Nativity in January of 2008. For the previous twelve years he pastored two Niagara County parishes, St. Bridget’s in Newfane and Our Lady of the Rosary in Wilson. Prior to that he was pastor at Our Lady of Pompeii in Lancaster.
One of Fr. John’s four sisters is a Williamsville Franciscan, Sr. Bea Leising. Fr. John has a sister, Mary, married and living in Akron. She has two sons, both doctors. Another sister Marge, is married and lives in Williamsville. She has a son and daughter. Fr. John’s youngest sister, Rita, died of cancer in 1994, leaving a husband, a daughter, and two sons. Fr. John’s parents are both deceased.
Ordained in 1969, he served SS Peter & Paul Parish in Williamsville as an associate pastor for a decade. For eight years he held a similar position at St. John the Baptist Parish in Kenmore. Bishop McLaughlin was its pastor and Fr. John often accompanied him on Confirmation trips, one of which was to Nativity.
Fr. John also had a three month sabbatical in Menlo Park, California. Fr. John has served on the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and on the Buffalo Council of Priests. His admitted interests are music, books, and liturgy. He plays the piano and enjoys listening to music.