The Coronavirus has caused an unprecedented reaction through the world. Entire countries are experiencing lockdowns with people told to stay at home. Popular tourist attractions are shut down.

"It's not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts."

Appeal Sunday, a decades-long Palm Sunday tradition, would have played out in parishes across the Diocese of Buffalo this weekend.

As Catholic Charities of Buffalo responds to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis by following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and local health officials, some program changes and closings are in place and other reminders are being shared

Some things never get old.

On June 13, Catholic Charities of Buffalo accepted the largest donation ever in its 95-year history.

After the success of last year's online focused fundraising campaign, Catholic Charities is bringing back Hope Day on May 17 to attract new donors to contribute to the social service agency's $11 million annual appeal.

The Office of Pro-Life Activities welcomed a new addition to its family of services to mothers and families in need with the opening of St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Outreach Center's newest location on April 2.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo was recently named a recipient of two grant awards totaling nearly $2.9 million, over five years, to support the services it provides through its Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program, especially addressing barriers to employment and self-sufficiency.

As Catholic Charities prepares for another Appeal Week, in which the social service organization attempts to raise the bulk of its $11 million fundraising goal, their work throughout the Diocese of Buffalo would not be possible without another kind of donation: time.

We are honored and excited to serve as chairs for the 2019 Appeal in support of Catholic Charities. We have been involved with Catholic Charities for years as parishioners at St. Mark Parish in Buffalo, and as donors and appeal volunteers. We have learned and experienced firsthand how the organization serves our neighbors in need.

Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity appoints Charles G. Jones Jr. to its Board of Directors. OLV Homes of Charity is the fundraising and support services segment of Our Lady of Victory Institutions. A member of the philanthropic community, Jones has generously given his time and efforts to numerous charitable organizations across Western New York. Jones - president of Wittburn Enterprises Inc., a commercial electrical construction firm - will serve a term of three years.

About 85 parish volunteers, clergy and Catholic Charities' Appeal leadership team and staff attended a volunteer training workshop on Feb. 9 to help kick off the 2019 Appeal in support of Catholic Charities in Erie County.

This year marks 35 years since Response to Love opened its doors to serve the hungry of Buffalo's East Side. Over the years, the center has expanded to meet the growing needs of the area. A thrift store, education classes and a Veterans program have been added. Thus, opening doors to a better life for those who come to the center.

"Victim's first." That is the commitment of Bishop Richard J. Malone and all the bishops of New York. "Our principle in anything we say or do, it has to be victims first. That's the first concern. I tell that to our priests."

Girls at Nativity School, in Orchard Park are making headlines for a good cause, literally. These eighth-graders wrote, designed and printed their own newspaper to raise money for the children at Mother Teresa Home in Buffalo.

Catholic Charities has announced their launch of the 2019 Appeal with a goal of $11 million. $1.4 million havs already been raised. The theme for Appeal 2019 is "Help your neighbor find HOPE."

Sister M. Johnice Rzadkiewicz CSSF, executive director of the Response to Love Center came to Notre Dame Academy on Wednesday, Jan. 9 to accept a donation from the fourth-grade class.

Born 75 years ago as a result of the refugee crisis that unfolded during World War II, Catholic Relief Services, the international relief and development agency of the United States Catholic Church, has since grown into one of the largest humanitarian aid agencies in the world while responding to some of the most devastating modern crises of our time.

The Response To Love Center is collecting everyday cleaning supplies that will be distributed to the people in need during our Christmas Eve dinner.

Officials and staff of Catholic Charities Workforce and Education Services celebrated the grand opening of its newest location at 1001 E. Delavan Ave., Buffalo, Friday, Nov. 16, with an open house, blessing and dedication and tours of the facility.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo is pleased to announce the appointment of Timothy J. Sember, lifetime Catholic and Buffalonian, to the newly created position of Chief Development Officer. Dennis C. Walczyk, chief executive officer and diocesan director, made the announcement.

BALTIMORE — Do you need an excuse to drink that second, third ... or even fourth cup of coffee? We've got you covered, but not with just any old coffee - we have coffee with a cause. For a limited time, you can purchase "Mama Tierra" coffee, created through a partnership between Catholic Relief Services and Equal Exchange. Proceeds from coffee sales will benefit CRS' work with coffee farming communities throughout Mexico and Central America.

Queen City Farm is a slice of rural goodness nestled in the heart of Buffalo. Once a property whose only feature was a dilapidated house, is now an urban farm generating produce for neighbors in need. For students of Catholic Charities Workforce and Education Department, the farm serves as a mechanism to learn new skills and hone ones they already have.

The deposit on cans and bottles is 5 cents. That may not seem like a lot of money, but Response to Love Center is taking nickels from can and bottle returns in Western New York and using the accumulated money to help with its ministry.

When Tim Patterson came across Catholic Charities' Buffalo-based Chemical Dependency Treatment Program two years ago, he was no stranger to addiction programs. Previously, he had been in a Suboxone program with a different agency, but during his time there, Patterson said it never felt quite right.

Catholic Charities representatives from around the United States recently visited Buffalo to participate in workshops, panel discussions and volunteer opportunities as part of the 2018 Catholic Charities USA Annual Gathering.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo announces the recent election of three new members to its board of trustees and one appointment and two promotions to its leadership team within the organization.

For the first time ever, Buffalo will play host to Catholic Charities USA's Annual Gathering. Catholic Charities of Buffalo was the catalyst for bringing the Sept. 12-14 conference to the Nickel City and has been involved in the planning as well.

Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity board of directors proudly announces the appointment of David J. Kersten as chief executive officer. Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity is the fundraising and support services arm of Our Lady of Victory Organizations/Father Baker's.

In reaction to the Supreme Court upholding the Muslim travel ban Catholic Charities of Buffalo hosted a press conference to speak out against U.S. immigration policy. Members of local refugee, Muslim and Arab organizations spoke on June 28, calling the ban anti-American.

Nearly six months of fundraising efforts by hundreds of volunteers throughout the Diocese of Buffalo and a late rally by the Western New York community have helped the 2018 Appeal for Catholic Charities surpass its $11 million goal.

With fewer than two weeks remaining the 2018 Appeal for Catholic Charities of Buffalo is $345,416 short of its $11 million goal.

Catholic Charities' Workforce and Education Services will have a new, more accessible site on the East Side of Buffalo this summer. The new location will be 1001 E. Delavan Ave., site of the former American Axle plant and will replace the current Kerns Avenue site. The Kerns Avenue site is expected to be closed June 25-29 to complete the move.

The community-wide Catholic Charities Day of Giving being held today throughout the eight counties of Western New York to raise funds for the 2018 Appeal continues to gather incredible momentum. As of noon, more than $88,956 has been raised, already surpassing the original goal of $50,000 in matching funds. The total so far today, when doubled, is now at $177,912.

A community-wide Catholic Charities Day of Giving will be held on Friday, June 8 throughout the eight counties of Western New York to raise funds for the 2018 Appeal. The first $50,000 raised that day will be matched dollar-for-dollar in an effort to help achieve this year's $11 million goal before the June 30 deadline.

During his life, Venerable Nelson Baker established his legacy and work in the Our Lady of Victory Institutions that made him a local saint. A century later, Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity Executive Director Rick Heist walked in many of the same footsteps of service Father Baker did, as Heist is set to culminate a 45-year career on the Lackawanna campus when he retires in June.

Gerard Place is expanding its services in order to assist families with moving out of poverty and to expand its ministry within its East Side community.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo officials today reported a recent surge in donations has helped the 2018 Appeal reach $9.5 million in cash and pledges, representing 86 percent of this year's goal. This updated total includes an influx of more than $600,000 since April 30 when the Appeal was at $8.9 million. With fewer than seven weeks remaining, the 94th annual Appeal remains $1.5 million short of its $11 million goal.