ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (CNA/EWTN News) - During a press conference Tuesday aboard the papal plane from Sweden to Rome, Pope Francis said the issue of women priests has been clearly decided, while also clarifying the essential role of women in the Catholic Church.

CHEEKTOWAGA — The Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual Rosary of Buffalo will host their second bazaar from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish, inside the school. This year, all proceeds will raise money for the daily operational costs and various necessary maintenance projects at the monastery.

Father Peter Calabrese, CRSP from the Fatima Shrine in Lewiston leads off the month of October, dedicated to the Holy Rosary.

The Diocese of Buffalo welcomed five new deacons this weekend as Bishop Richard J. Malone led an ordination Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo. Four of these men will continue to the priesthood, while one will remain a member of the Permanent Diaconate.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has appointed new pastors for two city parishes and one Chautauqua County parish.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, will ordain five men to the holy order of deacon. One gentleman will be a permanent deacon and the other four will continue their studies for the priesthood. This special Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo.

On this week's Podcast we talk about upcoming Open Houses at our Catholic Cemeteries with director, Carmen Colao.

The Buffalo State College Newman Center will welcome back an alumnus for a special Mass as it kicks off its 79th year. Father Zachary Miller, a 2008 grad, will celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit, a tradition from medieval times at universities in Paris, Bologna and Salamanca to invoke the Spirit's gifts at the opening of the school year.

Continuing our series on the Works of Mercy in our diocese, this week we visit the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

WASHINGTON - Sister tephanie Still, PBVM, has been named director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO).

It's been just about a year since Father Andrew Lauricella exchanged his role of a parish priest for an office in the downtown Buffalo Catholic Center. He now serves as the director of vocations for the diocese. He has gone from bringing God to the people, to bringing people to God.

On this week's podcast Cheryl Calire, director of Pro Life Activities for the diocese, talks about the dedication and blessing of the new Mother Theresa Home on the East Side of Buffalo.

The first-ever "Burgers, Brews and Blues" event hosted by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities was a sold-out success, drawing a crowd of 150 people to help raise money for the Williamsville Franciscan community Tuesday evening.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has appointed Father Robert W. Zilliox Jr. pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Bowmansville, for a term of six years. In his new role, which began August 1, he takes over for Father Joseph Klos who retired in May. Father Zilliox will continue to serve as judge and defender of the bond in the Tribunal of the Diocese of Buffalo, a position he has held since 2013.

Throughout the long history of our diocese, we have been served by hundreds and hundreds of dedicated priests. Today, there are 128 retired diocesan priests incurring the cost of living either on their own or the cost of living in one of our diocesan retirement homes.

Msgr. James Connelly's grandmother planted the idea of becoming a priest during his first Communion. A speaker at Bennett High School in Buffalo cultivated it. A priest mentioned how an ordinary student could become a priest if God was calling him. That priest, Father Michael Gallagher, assisted Msgr. Connelly many years later at his first Mass after ordination.

Msgr. Paul Juenker, a retired diocesan priest who now lives at the O'Hara Residence in Tonawanda, spoke about the services the diocese provides to its retired clergy, which the priests' retirement fund would benefit.

The Diocese of Buffalo will hold its first-ever collection intended specifically for the benefit of retired diocesan priests on the weekend of Aug. 6 to Aug. 7. One of these priests, Msgr. Dino Lorenzetti, currently lives at the O'Hara Residence behind Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda.

Many of us are familiar with arranging for the care of an aging parent. As sons and daughters, it's the right thing to do. We should consider it a similar responsibility to provide health care for our aging diocesan priests.

On this week's show we talk about Burgers, Brews and Blues, a fundraiser for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities on Tuesday August 14 at their St. Mary of the Angels center, 201 Reist St. in Williamsville.

United States have observed the Fortnight for Freedom in preparation for Independence Day on July 4. The theme set by the U.S. Bishops' Conference for this year's fortnight is "Witnesses to Freedom."

Bishop Richard J. Malone has reappointed Father Angelo M. Chimera pastor of All Saints Parish, Buffalo, for a second term of six years. His appointment was effective June 29.

Father William "Jud" Weiksnar, OFM, of the Holy Name Province in Buffalo, returned home in June from a two-week trip to Italy for a meeting on justice, peace and the integrity of creation. The gathering brought together Franciscans from throughout the world who discussed the importance of caring for creation and the lasting impact of Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, "Laudato Si."

EAST AURORA — Father Robert A. Wozniak has been appointed vice rector at Christ the King Seminary. The appointment follows the departure of Father Gregory Faulhaber, who is now pastor of Queen of Heaven Parish in West Seneca.

Mother Teresa was quoted as saying that the problem with the world is that we draw the circle of our family too small. This quote may not be true for everyone, but it definitely was true for me.

The Franciscan Institute and the School of Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure University is hosting a conference from July 12-15 on Women in the Franciscan Tradition on the St. Bonaventure campus, as well as a talk on new findings on St. Francis of Assisi.

The Franciscan friars of Holy Name Province are making plans to vacate St. Patrick's Friary on Seymour Street in Larkinville next year.

The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Divine Child began in the Diocese of Buffalo in 1927 to help thousands of children of Italian immigrants in need of religious instruction. Some original members of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Divine Child gathered recently at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Buffalo for Mass to remember their origins and to be recognized by the Italian Federation.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has announced the appointment of a new liaison for retired priests.

It's not uncommon, when we hit a milestone in our lives, to go back and recapture some of the highlights of our ministry. In doing so, I recalled an incident that occurred very early on in my ministry.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has announced the following clergy appointments.

You've probably read the stories of the three men ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, but did you see how happy they were on that day? Check it out yourself in our exclusive photo gallery of Ordination 2016.

Father Richard "Duke" Zajac knows the importance of communication. During his 40 years in the priesthood, he has used nearly every form of communication to deliver his message.

A packed congregation assembled at Buffalo's St. Joseph Cathedral Saturday morning, as the diocese came together to welcome Father Michael Brown, Father Samuel Giangreco and Father Michael LaMarca to the priesthood during an ordination Mass.

Deacon Samuel Giangreco will be ordained at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo on May 28. Deacon Giangreco, a native of Western New York, spoke about the significance of his ordination, the paths in his life that led to choosing the priesthood and what he hopes to do once he is able to fulfill his dream of becoming ordained in the Diocese of Buffalo.

Graduation day at D'Youville College was not only special for the 650 students who received diplomas. It also served as a touching tribute to Sister Denise Roche, GNSH, who will retire after nearly 37 years as President of the College.

Dominicans celebrate 800th anniversary of order.

This month, the Diocese of Buffalo will welcome three new priests to its ranks. Transitional Deacon Michael LaMarca is one of the men who will be ordained at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 28.

The religious and secular worlds have had a yin yang effect in the life of Michael Brown. After years of government jobs and raising a family, he will return to serving the Church as he sought as a younger man. On May 28 he will be ordained a priest at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo, along with Samuel Giangreco and Michael LaMarca.

In observance of the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans), Bishop Edward M. Grosz will celebrate a special Mass on Tuesday, May 24, 4 p.m., at the Dominican Monastery, 335 Doat St, Buffalo.