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Perhaps you caught some of the recent Plenary Assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, held in Baltimore from Nov. 12 through Nov. 15.

Sister Mary Helen Buscarino, OSF, has come a long distance from her Italian birthplace, and she has met a lot of people along the way. Her life as a Franciscan sister has given her opportunities to help others, and she used every one of those chances to make someone else's world better.

The 29th Annual Night of Prayer will be observed Saturday, Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, at 9 p.m. to Sunday, Dec. 9, feast of St. Juan Diego, at 1 a.m.

Retirement for Sister Joan Sherry means working four days a week rather than seven. There are also no more late night meetings, and "a lot less pressure."

Prayer is one of the most important things a Christian can do. It is a way of communicating with God. Prayer does not have to be complicated or difficult. It can be as easy as a conversation with a good friend.

Teachers know they have made an impact on their students when those students attend their birthday parties. When Sister Mary Fidelma Kakol turned 100 in October, her former students packed the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center to wish her well.

The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 8-9 in the Diocese of Buffalo. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) in Washington, the appeal benefits 31,000 elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests.

DENVER, COLO. (CNA) - "Insincerity was an evil which sprang up within the Church from the first," wrote Blessed John Henry Newman in 1839. "Ananias and Simon were not open opposers of the Apostles, but false brethren."

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.

The longer I have reflected the clearer it has become to me that all of the vocations in the Church exist in relation to one another, and that none exist in isolation. Over the years, our diocese has been blessed with the ministry and support of several communities of religious orders.

The Western New York community is invited to begin the Advent and Christmas seasons by participating in the annual vespers service, a holiday tradition at Christ the King Seminary, on Sunday, Dec. 2. The service will begin at 4 p.m. in the seminary's St. John Vianney Chapel.

TONAWANDA — Students at Cardinal O'Hara High School are experiencing a new opportunity to join theater. The comedy, "Anne Arky" by Lindsay Price scheduled Nov. 29 and 30, will be the first fall play performed in the school's history and will join the annual spring musical, expanding the drama and performance opportunities for students.

Father David Richards, administrator of Our Lady of Pompeii Parish in Lancaster, received recognition for channeling his abundant energy into advocacy for youth.

It was a proud moment for the Diocese of Buffalo when 15 deacons were ordained this past September at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna. Upon entering this sacred space the awareness and immensity of God's presence is captivating. Those gathered to celebrate the ordination struggled to recall a time in recent memory when there were so many prepared and ready to serve the Lord and his Church.

The chancery announced several clergy appointments during the month of November 2018.

After receiving a complaint of sexual misconduct with an adult female, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Samuel T. Giangreco Jr. on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

The Diocese of Buffalo has announced four new members of the Diocesan Review Board (DRB) - Lee Coppola, John F. Coyne, M.D., Hon. Salvatore R. Martoche and Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF. The DRB advises Bishop Richard J. Malone in his assessment of allegations of child or vulnerable adult sexual abuse.

After enduring several months of controversy and anger over his decisions about handling sexual abuse cases within the Diocese of Buffalo, Bishop Richard J. Malone responded to a recent story by WKBW-TV about his history in his former diocese in Portland, Maine.

The Diocese of Buffalo takes pride in its rich cultural heritage. Masses are celebrated in 10 different languages throughout the eight counties, as well as signed English and the traditional Latin.

An old Irish proverb says, "It is in the shelter of each other that the people live." Indeed, we are created to depend upon one another and walk together in suffering. But when family members or friends approach life's end, we may not know how best to "shelter" them. Here are some concrete ways we can compassionately care for them. Invite God In: Pope Francis has said that "praying in difficult situations is like opening the door to the Lord, in order that he might enter." The dying process is a sacred time - a final season to seek closure in this life and prepare for the next in the hope of sharing in Christ's Resurrection. As you enter into this season with your friend or family member, ask God to accompany both of you.

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.

The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates of Buffalo, dedicated a new Peace Pole at the Sisters property in Clarence. Sister of St. Joseph Associate Audrey Mang's welcome set the tone for the dedication of a Peace Pole by saying, "Today we celebrate diversity - the gift of our country. Diversity - all of us - is what makes our country great."

Some people may think school buildings are lifeless and boring. That is not the case at South Buffalo Catholic Notre Dame Academy. A mural was recently created for the cafeteria in the Abbott Road building, whose premise is a box of crayons, which is a perfect theme for this pre-K - fourth-grade campus.

St. Mary's High School took a field trip south of the border this summer as three students and their Spanish teacher traveled to Puebla, Mexico to teach English. They ended up learning more than they ever expected.

As a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, I am concerned with the healing of both adult and child victims of abuse. I desire the reconciliation and the healing of the divisions in our Diocese. I long for the sanctification of the Clergy and the growth in holiness of all of the People of God. With all of this in mind: Here are three reasons why I support the Most Reverend Bishop Richard J. Malone to remain as bishop of Buffalo and lead us through the next two and a half years.

Pope Francis has spoken about providing a "moral and religious" education for all children. The diocesan Department of Catholic Education took that to heart when planning the annual education convocation. This year's theme "All Our Welcome; Learning Knows No Bounds," addressed the need to provide the strong teaching that Catholic schools are known for to all students regardless of race, economic class or special needs.

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of the moral vision of society. Kevin Upendran, a student of Christ the King seminary studying for the priesthood in Hamilton, Ontario, has seriously considered that idea. He holds a medical degree and has met with several women who did not see new life as such an important thing.

The Church of the Annunciation has begun expansion of its 112-year-old historic cemetery. The expansion will offer a more sacred space and park like setting directly behind the old cemetery on Girdle Road in Elma.

A little bit of Africa came to Buffalo when the Office of Cultural Diversity held its annual African bazaar. The event, Held at Our Lady of hope Parish in Buffalo, raised money to help Vive La Casa Refugee Center in Buffalo.

Sitting in the office of NativityMiguel Middle School, Sister Timothy Howard, OSP, reminds her students to say, "Excuse me" as they come in for a hall pass. Sister Timothy has taught in Buffalo for nearly 50 years. She is now one of only two Oblate Sisters of Providence in the Diocese of Buffalo.

Just as mothers made lunches for their children and buttoned their coats when they were sent off to school, Blue Star Mothers are still making sure their children have a healthy snack and warm clothes even when the children are deployed around the world. Blue Star Mothers are the mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who support their children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or are veterans. They also care for each other and promote patriotism.

After graduating from Hutchinson Central High School in 1941, with plans on attending college, Russel Bracco began working at Curtiss-Wright aircraft plant in Cheektowaga building P-40 Warhawk fighter planes as part of the war effort.

Bishop Richard J. Malone said there are no priests currently in ministry that he is aware of with credible allegations against them. He also addressed plans expand current abuse safeguards to protect adults as well as minors. The bishop spoke with media on Nov. 5, to answer concerns regarding sexual abuse by members of local clergy. The bishop, along with chancery staff, explained the history of abuse, steps taken to prevent it, and the diocesan compensation program for victims.

Buffalo native Tom Fontana, who has written and produced such groundbreaking television series as "St. Elsewhere," "Homicide: Life on the Street," and "Oz," will take part in the Downtown Jesuits Distinguished Speaker Series Saturday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. at St. Michael Church, 651 Washington St., in downtown Buffalo.

On Nov. 5, 2018, the Diocese of Buffalo released another list of priests with substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor. This is in addition to the original list published in March 2018. Priests who received a single allegation after their death are not included. Death dates for diocesan priests are in parenthesis.

After receiving abuse complaints against Msgr. Frederick R. Leising and Father Ronald P. Sajdak, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Msgr. Leising and Father Sajdak on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

As we move through this extremely difficult time in the Church's history, at the forefront of my mind each day and foremost in my prayers are all victims who have suffered at the hands of clergy they trusted. My heart hurts and I share in the anger, grief and disappointment felt by so many. This crisis has shaken our community of believers to its core. But as Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible." Those words couldn't be truer. We as human beings are completely inept to do anything on our own, but with God, there is hope.

After receiving an abuse complaint against Father Michael P. Juran, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Juran on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

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.