Our Priests & Deacons

Msgr. Litwin ordained in 1979 and in October 2024, he celebrated 45 years as a priest. In 2008, he was appointed as pastor of Christ the King Parish, where he is currently serving. In his 45 years as a priest, he has held many key roles. After obtaining a Canon Law Degree at Catholic University in Washington, he was assigned to the Diocesan Tribunal and then the Chancery for 22 years. He also taught Canon Law at Christ the King Seminary for over 20 years. In 2008 Bishop Kmiec presented Fr. Litwin’s name to the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, asking that he be given the honor of Monsignor. Msgr. Litwin is also an accomplished musician and singer and has spent over 32 years as a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus. He also enjoys going on frequent walks with his 4-legged partner, Boookie.

“I like to view my life as a 3-legged stool. Priesthood, music, and golf, to keep my life in balance; they are all necessary.”

Boookie

Sidekick of Msgr. Paul Litwin

To contact, please send request to CTK with doggy treats!

Boookie is the greeter at the rectory at Christ the King Parish and School. She is the sidekick of Msgr. Paul Litwin, and turned 11 years old in September, 2025. This black lab is the mother of 19, grandmother of 17, and great-grandmother of 9. Msgr. and Boookie found each other in 2019 through Warner Hill Labradors in Lancaster. She loves her treats, her walks around the neighborhood with Msgr. Litwin and spending time with the school children at CTK School. 

Fr. Gatto was ordained in 1983, marking his 42nd year of priesthood in July 9, 2025.  He attended Wadhams Hall Seminary in Ogdensburg and continued his Studies in Rome. He earned several degrees in theology from the Gregorian University and completed his Doctorate in Sacred Theology while in Rome. He has served as a Pastor in Lockport and Williamsville parishes, was rector of Christ the King Seminary, senior associate at St. Leo the Great Parish in 2019, that became a part of the Bread of Life Catholic Community in 2023.  He finds great joy in raising up lay leaders and empowering them to assume strategic roles in ministry and leadership within our Family of parishes. He avidly encouraged vocations for priesthood, diaconate and lay ecclesial ministry. Fr. Joe is a lifelong learner and loves to travel.

“I love being a parish priest; it gives me the opportunity to be with people at all stages of their spiritual life and the vibrancy of the parish brings life into the Church.”

Fr. Moses grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and spent 9 years studying at the St. Peter and Paul seminary in Ibadan, Nigeria. He took a course in Missionary Enterprise which led him to finish his priestly studies in America. He received his Master’s degree in Divinity at Christ the King Seminary and was ordained a Priest in 2019. His first assignment was at St. Gregory the Great, for 3 years, and then he spent 18 months at Holy Name of Mary Parish in Ellicottville before joining the Bread of life Catholic Community at Saints Peter and Paul in 2023. Fr. Moses is very devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Maria Faustina, and St. Jude Thaddeus. He reads scripture to help his relationship with God. He also loves music, singing, and playing soccer and tennis.

“I love being a priest, I celebrate every Mass as if it were my first, my last and my only one”

Deacon Bill Hynes was ordained in 1998 and has been married to his wife, Debra, for 38 years. They have three children and two grandchildren. Deacon Bill teaches religion to 12th graders at St, Joseph Collegiate Institute, having previously taught at Turner-Carrol H.S. in Buffalo. Prior to being assigned to our Family of Parishes he ministered as Director of Music at St. Mary of Sorrows and Director of Religion Ed & Music at St. Florian before ordination and Holy Spirit and St. Benedict parish as a Deacon. He graduated Summa cum Laude in Philosophy from SUNY College at Buffalo and pursued his graduate studies at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora. Deacon Bill’s personal interests include reading, music, and travel. And as an award-winning educator, he often gives presentations to parishes and teaches religion or English overseas during the summer months. This has included assignments in Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Thailand, Haiti, and Vietnam.

Deacon Charles Esposito was ordained in 2014 and has served since then in his home parish of St. Peter & Paul in Williamsville. Charlie has been married for 36 years to his wife, Patricia, and has two grown children, Tricia and Andrew. His charitable ministry is being assigned to the pastoral care office of Millard Suburban Hospital where he meets with patients and families. Charlie has a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Christ the King Seminary. Charlie is the club manager of the Kenmore K of C, he has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for 48 years and just recently finished a two-year term as NY State Deputy, the top spot in NY overseeing 80,000+ members. 

Deacon Steve Czarnecki was ordained in 2020.  He lives in Snyder with his wife Tracy.  He has been employed at M&T Bank for the past 30 years running and currently serves as a Regional Credit Manager.  He attended grade school at Ss. Peter & Paul in Hamburg, graduated from St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, and earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA degree from UB, and a Masters of Pastoral Ministry from Christ the King Seminary.  Prior to being assigned to our Family of Parishes he served at Christ the King parish in Snyder.  He and Tracy enjoy a Ministry of Charity at the Little Portion Friary Homeless Shelter on Utica St. in the City of Buffalo.

Deacon Bob Warner was ordained in 2018 for the Diocese Buffalo. Bob and his wife Eileen, reside in Williamsville and have four grown children and eight grandchildren. Deacon Bob recently retired after five years of working as the Parish Business Manager at St. Amelia Church in Tonawanda.  Prior to this, he worked in financial management in the banking industry for 33 years.  After serving as a Deacon at St. Amelia Parish for 4 years, his most recent diaconate assignment was at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in the Old First Ward of Buffalo. Deacon Bob’s Ministry of Charity is serving as the Spiritual Advisor to the diocesan-wide Buffalo Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  Bob holds a BS and MBA degree from Canisius University, and a Master’s in Pastoral Ministry from Christ the King Seminary.

Deacon John Coughlin was ordained in 2003 for the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island.  He moved to Amherst with his wife, Pat, who was raised here, after he retired as the Director of Human Resources for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Prior to being assigned to our Family of Parishes he served at Christ the King in Snyder since 2012 and the Office of Family Life Ministry in the Diocese of Buffalo from 2012 to 2018. John holds an MBA from Adelphi University and a master’s degree in theology from Immaculate Conception Seminary.