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Up and coming Christian-country musician John Paul Von Arx will come to East Aurora for a special concert at Christ the King Seminary on Aug. 3. Guests will be able to enjoy the picnic atmosphere as Von Arx performs songs from his recently released album.

WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, from the College of Cardinals.

One Jesuit Buffalo is launching the inaugural "Iggy Fest" on July 31, the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.

St. John the Baptist Parish in Lockport has a nearly 40-year history of outreach to Eastern Niagara County, helping the low-income households to eat, sleep and stay clothed. Now, the parish wants to start a program to help the local residents fend for themselves by teaching fiscal responsibility.

After a long journey refugees trying to enter Canada can find shelter at Casa el Norte in Fort Erie. Run by the Sisters of St. Mary Namur, Casa el Norte helps, "refugees coming into Canada who don't have a place to stay," Sister Judith Carroll, SSMN, provincial superior said. "Once at the shelter they immediately receive food, clothing and sense of security above all."

Father Nicholas Swiatek, OFM Conv., will celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordination on Sunday, July 29 with a Mass of Thanksgiving at Resurrection Church in Cheektowaga at 2 p.m.

Church festivals are known for their food. Chivetta's chicken, corn dogs and shawarma. Shawarma? If you have never tried one of the world's most popular street foods then you need to broaden your food horizons by attending Lebanese Festival at St. John Maron Church in Williamsville.

An historical moment will take place on August 1 as Father Patrick Melfi will become the ninth resident pastor (in 142 years) and the second rector of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Also starting on that day, a new linked configuration of three local parishes will take place, effectively joining under the leadership of shared clergy the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angles of Olean, St. John the Evangelist Church of Olean (where Father Melfi serves as pastor), and St. Philomena Church of Franklinville (where Father Melfi recently assumed pastorship). A new Mass schedule for all three parishes will be announced in the coming weeks and will commence effective the weekend after Labor Day.

Red and white colors of Polonia will line Walden Avenue and Harlem Road in Cheektowaga as the 80th annual Pulaski Day Parade makes its way from the Thruway Plaza to Cheektowaga Town Park. The parade begins at 1:30 p.m. on July 22.

As a way to improve the health of the community in Western New York, Catholic Health uses Community Benefit Grants to support non-profit organizations whose work has a direct impact on the region's most vulnerable citizens. For the third straight year, Catholic Health presented grants totaling nearly $132,000, as well as corporate funding to address unmet health needs.

Springville's St. Aloysius Regional School is moving full STREAM ahead, as the Southtowns school incorporates the diocesan educational curriculum into its instruction.

Joan Dobrin's work brings the written word to life.

FATIMA, PORTUGAL (CNA) - While men in the trenches of World War I faced chemical gasses and industrialized weaponry that wrought unprecedented human carnage, an Angel of Peace appeared with a message.

To celebrate its rich historical connection with migrants, and to celebrate its current outreach, St. Benedict Parish has announced plans to install "Angels Unaware," by internationally known Canadian sculptor Tim Schmalz, on the grounds of St. Benedict Parish.

D'Youville College has been awarded a $5 million grant through the New York State Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap). D'Youville will use the $5 million towards the construction of a 50,000-square foot Health Professions Hub to train the healthcare workforce of the future.

VATICAN CITY (CNA) - Pope Francis surprised wedding guests Saturday when he unexpectedly celebrated a marriage being held at a small chapel in the Vatican Gardens.

WASHINGTON—The Migration and Refugee Services of USCCB and Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) today issued the following statement on the ongoing efforts to reunite children separated from their families at the border.

On Wednesday evening, August 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the dining hall at Christ the King Seminary, Father Peter Drilling and Lutheran Pastors Tim Madsen and Daniel Hoffman will discuss and share about the 500th Commemoration of the Reformation and the ongoing Lutheran-Roman Catholic cooperative efforts.

On the final episode of "Our Daily Bread", Father Paul D. Seil talks about the the importance of Circus Ministry in our Church today. Tune in on Saturday, July 14th at 6:30 a.m. and noon on WKBW-TV Channel 7.

Msgr. Mecislaus S. Wendzikowski, who served the Diocese of Buffalo for 59 years, died July 4, 2018. He was 84.

SNYDER — At the end of the year Christ the King School held a fireside chat, inducted new members into its National Junior Honor Society, and showcased the talents of its students at an art show and band concert. Each event displayed the gifts and talents of the student body.

WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is publishing a new document, Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters. The full text is available on the USCCB website at: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/asian-pacific-islander/upload/asian-and-pacific-island-pastoral-response-encountering-christ-in-harmony-2018.pdf .

WASHINGTON— Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), wrote to the members of the Senate on July 6, urging them not to use support for Roe v. Wade as a litmus test for judicial nominees in their deliberations about the upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court of the United States.

"The seed sown in rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold." This line from the Gospel of Matthew defines the purpose of the diocesan Youth Board, allowing the seeds of youth to grow in the rich soil of faith.

The message could not be missed. From the red, white and blue streamers to the American flag on Father George Devanapalle's T-shirt, everyone could tell he was proud to be an American, and his parish was proud to have him.

Jerry Wszalek is a third-generation carney. He has been working the Queen of Heaven Summer Carnival well over 30 years. He knows the history, the origins and why it's not called a lawn fete.

The Diocese of Buffalo has released the following update regarding priests placed on administrative leave:

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.

As a result of continued enrollment reductions, growing financial challenges and a significant reduction in Diocesan support, Niagara Catholic High School on 66th Street, will close its doors, effective immediately.

Two local Catholic schools have announced a new scholarship opportunity intended to allow better access to private education. Through an unnamed donor, Saints Peter and Paul School, in Williamsville, and Southtowns Catholic School, in Lake View, will offer a partial scholarship to each of the first ten kindergarteners who qualify financially.

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.

Deaths from opioid use or substance abuse are prevalent here in Buffalo as well as other places. We know that no two people grieve exactly the same. However, an overdose death creates barricades for healing to take place thereby adding complications to the grief process. This type of grief can become disenfranchised because added emotional stressors such as guilt, resentment and shame can become suppressed because one does not have an outlet to express them. It is important that those who have lost a loved one from an overdose be comforted in a compassionate, non-judgmental way.

Catholic Cemeteries of Buffalo offered updates on their sites in the June edition of the Western New York Catholic.

The Diocese of Buffalo released the following statement Friday pertaining to cutbacks affecting Daybreak TV Productions and the Fredonia Newman Center:

Three parish priests have received a third six-year term appointment by Bishop Richard J. Malone and two deacons have been given new assignments.

You don't see this every day. On Thursday, Mount St. Mary Academy named Katherine M. Spillman as its new principal. What's unique about the appointment is that Spillman's husband, James Spillman, was recently named the new principal of St. Joseph Colligate Institute.

In the hopes of hearing the 'voice of the people', Msgr. Robert Zapfel welcomed a crowd of over 600 Catholics, Wednesday evening, to an open discussion called "Let's Talk About...The Future of the Catholic Church" at St. Leo the Great Parish in Amherst.

The Diocese of Buffalo is inviting teenagers to begin their journey to discipleship.

Recent attention in local media has been given to the joyful news of the ordination of four men as priests for service in our diocese, and, on the other hand, to the tragic story of past clergy abuse of minors. While we rejoice with our new priests, and share the sadness and anger of abuse victims - while continuing our commitment a to safe environment for our young people - we must not lose sight of other important matters that call out to our consciences.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a new interview with Reuters, Pope Francis backed the U.S. bishops' opposition to the separation of migrant children from their parents at the Mexican border, calling the move "immoral" and "contrary to Catholic values."