Deacon Don Weigel led a faithful army to the state capitol on Public Policy Day to advocate for those in need. They spoke to state senators and assembly representatives, imploring them to pass legislation that would offer fair benefits to workers, restore dignity to inmates and decrease abortions.

Niagara Catholic High School retains that welcoming spirit that greeted students from St. Mary's, Bishop Duffy, and Madonna high schools when it opened its doors in 1975. In the fall of 2012, kids from St. Dominic Savio Middle School joined the nearby school, merging to form one junior/senior high school. Teachers and pupils now welcome four foreign-born students to their classes.

January's announcement that 10 Catholic elementary schools in Erie County would close has caused a great deal of consternation, and in some quarters, anger. I certainly understand the response, and I am sorry that it has disrupted the lives of some of our school families.

Niagara University's new president has hit the ground running, all the way to Vietnam. Since taking office last August, Father James Maher, CM, has taken the first steps to opening the school to students and educators from Asia.

Imagine a superlative city, then research and write a description of it. Design a model and then present and defend your city before a professional panel.

Ever since he was a boy, Father Thomas Ribits, OSFS, recalls his love of art, a passion that turned into his life's work.

As the diocese goes through another round of Catholic school closings, Bishop Richard J. Malone maintains it could have been prevented if New York state leaders pass legislation to provide tax credits for school expenses and donations.

Cabin fever on a gray afternoon may be exchanged for open, spacious color along the Niagara escarpment. It's all in a visit to the Castellani Art Museum on the campus of Niagara University. Frequented by local and international visitors, director Katherine Koperski said that for many reasons, it's the most welcoming museum she knows. Admission is free, and there's something for everyone.

Beginning in September 2014, parents of 5-year-olds in Western New York have a new choice in Catholic education. Buffalo's Nardin Academy is adding kindergarten to its first- through eighth-grade elementary program. The inaugural group will build reading and math skills in extended morning classes, while afternoons will include religion, languages and performing arts, according to Victoria Boreanaz, lower schools admissions facilitator.

Surprised, humbled and grateful were the responses Principal Martha Eadie described on receiving awards for her work at Our Lady of Black Rock School in Buffalo. She was recently honored with the "Lighting the Way for Catholic Education" award by the Catholic School Administration of Western New York.

The adage goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover." The moral behind the adage is that what you see on the outside may be quite different from what you see when you look further. The same is true of our Catholic schools.

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop emeritus of Buffalo, will be one of two recipients of the Bishop's Medal during the 2014 Making a Difference Dinner, set for Jan. 30 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in downtown Buffalo.

Today will be a painful day for some, but a new beginning for others, as the Diocese of Buffalo announced the closing of 10 area Catholic elementary schools, restructuring the remaining buildings into community-based schools.

Niagara Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Niagara Falls was able to fulfill the dream of 15-year-old twin siblings from the small village of Asturias, a principality in northern Spain.

In this day of TV, electronic gadgets, telephones and other assaults on any effort to have some peace and quiet, St. Francis of Assisi School in the city of Tonawanda has launched a new initiative to help students and faculty enjoy quiet time.

On any given night 1,000 people in Erie County experience homelessness. On a cold night in November that number increased by 20 as students from Immaculata Academy took part in the 11th annual Homeless Hangout behind the Hamburg school.

Physical development of children is just as important as academic and spiritual, a fact recognized by the diocese as Mike Wojcicki, athletic director and physical education teacher at Cheektowaga's Mary Queen of Angels School, has been selected as the 2014 "Making a Difference" award winner.

KENMORE — State of the art technology upgrades have been the focus of St. John the Baptist School. St. John's has invested more than $45,000 to install interactive SmartBoards into every classroom from kindergarten through eighth grade, as well as the library and art departments. Moreover, they have secured wireless Internet connections throughout the campus and have obtained iPads to complement the teachers' use of the SmartBoards. Some of these funds will also be used to provide additional training to the faculty and staff.

LANCASTER — Lynn Tytka, a math teacher at St. Mary High School, has been named a "Math Hero," one of only two in New York state.

Youth and adults gathered to celebrate youth ministry on Nov. 15 at the third annual Witness the Spirit awards presentation, held at Mount St. Mary Academy in Kenmore. The evening saw people of all ages being recognized for the work and support of youth ministry.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, chairman of the Christ the King Seminary board of trustees, has named the pastor of the largest parish in the Diocese of Buffalo as the next president/rector of the East Aurora seminary.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has appointed a new superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Buffalo. Sister Carol Cimino, SSJ, Ed.D., a national consultant, college professor and author, will be introduced on Jan. 31 at the "Making a Difference Dinner - A Celebration of Catholic Schools," which will be held at the Buffalo/Niagara Convention Center.

South Buffalo Catholic School (SBCS) will continue its focus on a strong Catholic identity, catechesis and evangelization as three campuses become one next fall when SBCS transitions to a single campus. The South Buffalo Catholic School board recommended that Notre Academy on Abbott Road be the sole campus for students in Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade. Bishop Richard J. Malone approved the recommendation, which takes effect Sept. 1, 2013.

Declining enrollment and significant financial challenges have resulted in decisions to close Holy Family School in LeRoy and Catholic Academy of the Holy Family in Jamestown.

It has been one year since we introduced to you "Faith in Tomorrow," the strategic plan for our Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo. We are pleased to report on the significant progress that has been made over the course of the past 12 months following its implementation.

The Diocese of Buffalo has unveiled its new vision for Catholic elementary schools. Titled "Faith in Tomorrow," the strategic plan provides a detailed course of action to strengthen Catholic education and help secure the future success and viability of elementary schools located throughout the eight counties of Western New York.

Appearing before a Joint Legislative Budget hearing in Albany on Feb. 15, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York, urged members of the state Senate and Assembly to give parents of Catholic and independent school students some tax relief.

The music of the St. Vincent School (Elma) Bell Choir and four flautists from St. Christopher School (Tonawanda) filled the Catholic Center cafeteria on Jan. 31, marking the start of the weeklong Catholic Schools Week celebration.