The Diocese of Buffalo announced Monday that 24 of its 36 families of Roman Catholic parishes “will present formal alternatives to diocese recommendations of mergers/closures proposed in June.”

The families have until Aug. 5 to submit formal, written alternatives. A series of meetings between diocesan officials and representatives of all of the families is scheduled for Aug. 12-22.

Final recommendations for parish mergers and closures are expected by Sept. 1.

Major changes are in store for the north county Catholic parishes, according to the recommendations made in June. The Dunkirk-Fredonia region would go from six parishes to one.

In that region’s family, “The Lord’s Vineyard,” both the Fredonia churches of St. Anthony’s and St. Joseph’s are scheduled to close and merge with Holy Trinity in Dunkirk.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton would close and merge with Holy Trinity as well, with Northern Chautauqua Catholic School remaining open and continuing at its current location with ministry provided by Holy Trinity.

Blessed Mary Angela, Dunkirk would merge with Holy Trinity and the church would sell the St. Hedwig, Dunkirk, and St. Hyacinth, Dunkirk campuses.

The Lord’s Vineyard took input from parishioners during meetings at each church July 2.

Elsewhere, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Silver Creek would remain open and join with St. Rose of Lima in Forestville, which would close.

Other county closings noted by the diocese included Our Lady of Loretto in Falconer, which is to merge with St. James. Our Lady of Victory oratory at St. James in Jamestown also would close.

Sacred Heart parish in Lakewood would close its Panama site and Holy Apostles in Jamestown is set to shut its St. John site.

In addition, St. Mary of Lourdes of Mayville would remain open while Christ Our Hope in Clymer would close its Sherman site and St. Dominic in Westfield would close its Brocton site.