WASHINGTON—Bishop George V. Murry, SJ, of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, called on Catholics and all people of faith to observe an annual Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities on September 9, the Feast of St. Peter Claver.

"Today's announcement by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions that the Trump Administration is rescinding the Obama-era Executive Order known as DACA (Delayed Action for Childhood Arrivals) is cause for great concern and anxiety for nearly 800,000 beneficiaries of the program, including an estimated 42,000 of our fellow New Yorkers.

WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Gerald T. Walsh, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, for reasons of age. He has reached the retirement age for bishops of 75.

WASHINGTON—In anticipation of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, New Mexico, chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, issued a statement echoing Pope Francis' call that all people, "Christians or not,...should be united in showing mercy to the earth as our common home."

WASHINGTON—Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with all those affected by Hurricane Harvey, in a message conveyed by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

WASHINGTON—Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, vice-president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has called on the bishops to consider taking up a special collection to support victims of Hurricane Harvey and to provide pastoral and rebuilding support to impacted dioceses.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) president, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, has called for prayers and solidarity with those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Cardinal DiNardo also called on all people of good will to closely monitor future calls for assistance for victims and survivors in the days ahead.

Niagara University will welcome its freshmen and transfer students to campus during Move-In Day on Friday, Aug. 25, beginning at 8 a.m.

WASHINGTON—Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Texas, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, expresses his opposition to the Administration's decision to end parole processing for individuals in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala who apply to enter the U.S. through the Central American Minors (CAM) program. Bishop Vasquez, who is currently in El Salvador, says that the elimination of this program puts the lives of vulnerable children at risk for greater harm.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, is responding to today's attack which killed 13 people in Barcelona, Spain.

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., Aug. 15, 2017 — Students who are new to the Bona family will begin arriving at St. Bonaventure University Aug. 24 for Welcome Days 2017, a four-day program hosted the weekend before classes begin.

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, are calling on all people of goodwill to join in prayer and unity today in response to yesterday's violent protest and deadly attack in Charlottesville, Virginia.

WASHINGTON—The Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of Austin and Chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, says that the newly proposed RAISE Act would cause our nation to turn its back on those setting out to build better lives, weaken family bonds and impact the nation's ability to respond to those in crisis. Bishop Vásquez's full statement follows:

Hundreds of people are expected to join Bishop Richard J. Malone on Sunday, Aug. 6, Transfiguration Sunday, at 10 a.m. for a special outdoor Mass at St. John XXIII Parish, 1 Arcade St. (corner of Harlem Road), West Seneca. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. This will be the only Mass at the parish on Sunday, Aug. 6.

WASHINGTON—Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Texas, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Migration, has issued the following statement on San Antonio law enforcement's identification of a tractor trailer containing 39 people, including ten individuals who died due to heat exposure and asphyxiation.

The gift of a building from a Youngstown businessman will allow the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to resume retail operations in Niagara Falls.

WASHINGTON— Over 750,000 youth have received protection from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) since its inception by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2012. While DACA provides no legal status, it does provide recipients with a temporary reprieve from deportation and employment authorization for legal work opportunities in the United States.

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), along with Bishop Oscar Cantú, of Las Cruces, Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Bishop Mitchell Rozanski, of Springfield, Chair of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, have issued the following statement on today's attack in the Old City of Jerusalem. The deadly attack took place early this morning by the Lions' Gate in the Old City walls, next to what Muslims call the Noble Sanctuary and Jews call the Temple Mount.

Reverend Monsignor David S. Slubecky, vicar general and moderator of the curia of the Diocese of Buffalo, announced this morning the 2017 Appeal in support of Catholic Charities of Buffalo met and exceeded its $11 million goal. After a very challenging Appeal, officials expressed gratitude for the incredible parish, community and corporate support, especially last-minute gifts, which brought the campaign total to $11,069,168.36.

WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has named Bishop Nelson Perez, up until now Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre, as the new bishop of Cleveland. Pope Francis has also named Father Andrew Bellisario as the new bishop of Juneau, Alaska.

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities in Williamsville have now entered Phase II of their property study and are pursuing a senior care provider owner/operator for the community living center and region house at 201 Reist St. for the 62 sisters currently in residence as well as for any additional future sisters currently residing in local mission houses in Western New York.

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, Bishop of Springfield, Massachusetts and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs have issued a joint statement in response to Sunday's attack on worshipers outside a mosque in London.

Pope Francis has named Bishop Charles Thompson, of Evansville, Indiana, as Archbishop of Indianapolis.

It's time again for the annual Catholic Communication Campaign, the campaign that connects people with Christ. Each year, on the second weekend of June - June 10 and 11 this year - parishes throughout the diocese participate in this second collection which helps the men and women in the Office of Communications bring the Good News to you.

"Our solidarity in Christian hope and commitment to peace is a bond that cannot be broken."

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued the following statement in the wake of the latest attack on Christians in the Middle East.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, will ordain Rev. Mr. Robert Ikpe Agbo, Rev. Mr. Martin F. Gallagher, Rev. Mr. Luke P. Uebler and Rev. Mr. Cole T. Webster to the priesthood at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo at 9:30 a.m. June 3. Each of the deacons graduated from Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, on May 12 with a master's degree in divinity.

On Saturday, May 13, Pope Francis will travel to Fatima, Portugal, to bestow sainthood on Francisco and Jacinta Marto. They were two of the three shepherd children who captured the world's attention 100 years ago by witnessing appearances from the Blessed Mother six times, on the 13th of each month from May to October of 1917, each time exhorting them to "Pray, pray, pray."

Bishop Richard J. Malone will mark the Diocese of Buffalo's fifth annual Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb at a special Mass on Sunday, May 7. The 10:30 a.m. Mass will be held at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo.

Bishop Richard J. Malone announced the new assignment of Deacon Brian C. Walkowiak to diaconal ministry at Infant of Prague Parish, Cheektowaga. His appointment was effective April 1.

Each year, the Office of Pro-Life Activities for the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo sponsors a Rosary Novena for Life. This year, it begins on Saturday, March 25, with 8 a.m. Mass at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Parkside and Parker avenues, Buffalo, and will continue on one Saturday each month through November.

The diocesan Office of Pro-Life Activities and Baker Victory Services are sponsoring a Mass for all those who have been touched by adoption -- birthparents, adoptees, adoptive parents, grandparents and other relatives.

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued the following statement in response to explosions on Palm Sunday at two Coptic Christian churches in Egypt that have killed at least 40 and injured at least 100:

WASHINGTON— Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Oscar Cantú, chair of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, have issued a joint statement calling for renewed peace efforts in Syria.

The following liturgies are scheduled for Holy Week at St. Joseph Cathedral.

Teachers were informed on Wednesday afternoon and parents were told this evening that Mary Queen of Angels School in Cheektowaga will be closing at the end of this school year. The difficult decision was made by the school's Board of Trustees, a board of limited jurisdiction, which asked Bishop Richard J. Malone's permission to close the school.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, will be the main celebrant at the 10:30 a.m. Mass Sunday preceding the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

Pope Francis has bestowed the title of "basilica" on St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean. This marks only the ninth time in his papacy that the Holy Father has granted this rare honor to a site in the United States.

What is 65 years old, but still young and "positively dangerous?" It's this year's 65th annual Diocesan Youth Convention which takes place March 3-5 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Buffalo. More than 730 youth and chaperones are scheduled to attend as well as dozens of staff, volunteers, presenters and exhibitors.

Joining efforts and resources, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, Amigone Funeral Home and Catholic Cemeteries will provide a memorial service and burial for baby Bernadette, an abandoned deceased baby. Buffalo's Bishop Richard J. Malone will be the presider at the memorial service on Monday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. at Amigone Funeral Home, 1132 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.