Featured News

Catholic Charities of Buffalo today reported the 2017 Appeal has reached 82 percent of goal, or $9,078,297.96 million in cash and pledges, a little more than three weeks after reaching 72 percent of the $11 million goal, or $7.89 million as of April 11. Typically at this time, three weeks after the annual Appeal Week campaign in local parishes throughout the Diocese of Buffalo, the Appeal is at between 87 and 91 percent of the final goal.

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.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - President Donald Trump will meet Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican later this month.

Buffalo Mass Mob XXI will take place on Sunday, May 7, at Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church on the city's West Side starting at 9 a.m.

Members of Catholic Health, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Buffalo Medical Group donned hardhats and shovels to break ground for a new radiation oncology center in Orchard Park on April 28. The 5,000-square-foot center, located at Buffalo Medical Group's Southtowns Campus on North Buffalo Road, will offer outpatient radiation therapy under the clinical oversight of Roswell Park radiation oncologists. A panel of cancer specialists including radiation oncologists, medical physicists and medical dosimetrists will work together to plan, review and deliver personalized treatment for each patient in accordance with both national oncology treatment guidelines and the latest medical evidence.

One of my favorite sayings is, "Every expert was once a beginner," and I can honestly say there are now many experts who enjoy making retreats quite frequently. Allow me to take this opportunity to briefly describe a retreat experience through actual questions and comments received from individuals who had never been on a retreat until their visit to the Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara. Happily, those who decided to try it out have been pleasantly surprised and renewed.

Carmen Colao, director of Catholic Cemeteries for the Diocese of Buffalo, discusses their upcoming open houses as well as special remembrances for Mother's Day and Memorial Day.

In about a month, the Diocese of Buffalo is set to welcome four new priests, as Transitional Deacons Robert Agbo, Martin Gallagher, Cole Webster and Luke Uebler will be ordained by Bishop Richard J. Malone at St. Joseph Cathedral on Saturday, June 3. Peak into the lives of these men as they prepare to take the final step of their journey to the priesthood in our new photo gallery.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Early Wednesday morning Pope Francis addressed the TED 2017 conference, telling participants that to have a hopeful outlook for the future, we must plant seeds of humility, solidarity and tenderness today.

Students at St. Christopher School are riding the current wave of educational technology. The Tonawanda school initiated an iPad program for its seventh-graders to prepare them for the future.

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - Sister Donna Markham OP, PhD, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), announced that Estelle Anderson of Buffalo has been named the CCUSA Volunteer of the Year for 2017.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - When it comes to religious persecution, Christians are the most widely targeted community, said a new report released this week.

For those interested in forming and participating in a local parish committee or team to promote helping the environment, the diocesan Care for Creation Committee will host an informational workshop at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, at Villa Maria College in Buffalo. The committee has been reaching out to pastors to see if their parishioners would be interested in having such a group in their parish, as well as seeking feedback from people in diocesan parishes that have them and would like to share their experiences.

Bishop Richard J. Malone invites you to attend an information session about his upcoming pilgrimage to Ireland, A Journey of Faith, which will take place from Oct. 20-29. The session will be held on Sunday, April 30, at 3 p.m. in the Msgr. Britt Room at St. Joseph Cathedral (50 Franklin St., Buffalo, 14202). Whether you have already signed up as a pilgrim or are simply interested in learning more about the trip, everyone is very welcome to attend. Enjoy complimentary refreshments while learning more about the trip itinerary and what you can expect to see and do while you're traversing the Emerald Isle. You will also be given information on what to wear, what to pack and what the weather will be like during your 10-day trip.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis reminded Christians on Easter Sunday that the Resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith - and that even in the face of unexplainable tragedy and suffering in the world, we can declare, "Christ is risen!"

Holy Week at St. Joseph Cathedral is one of the busiest times of the year, with several Masses and liturgies marking the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here are some of our favorite images of the week in a new photo gallery.

The path to the Resurrection was illuminated at St. Joseph Cathedral, as Bishop Richard J. Malone celebrated the Easter Vigil Saturday night.

Hundreds of people flocked to St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo on Good Friday, April 14 to hear Bishop Richard J. Malone lead the Solemn Celebration of the Lord's Passion. Good Friday liturgies have three parts: Liturgy of the Word, Adoration of the Holy Cross, and Holy Communion.

At the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, Bishop Richard J. Malone washed the feet of twelve men, women and young people in front of the altar at St Joseph Cathedral.

The Diocese of Buffalo continued a time-honored Holy Week tradition that renewed the promises of all diocesan priests and enabled Bishop Richard J. Malone to prepare sacred oils for use in sacraments throughout the diocese. The Chrism Mass, held at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo April 11, also included the participation of "The Elect," soon-to-be Catholics initiated later in the week.

During the warm months, you may have seen a group riding their bikes around Buffalo on a slow roll, checking out the scenic city. On Holy Thursday, some of these people will take a "Holy Roll" through the seven Catholic churches of Buffalo's Polonia and Kaisertown districts.

BUFFALO, N.Y.- Bishop Richard J. Malone reported on the progress of the annual Catholic Charities of Buffalo Appeal, announcing $7,890,544.24 has been raised to date, as Catholic Charities officials marked the close of Appeal Week 2017 which ran from April 2-9 in parishes throughout the diocese.

Sister Lucille A. Socciarelli, RSM, formerly Sister Mary Lucella, died April 9, 2017. She was 82 years of age.

With a congregation of Catholics holding individual palms, Bishop Richard J. Malone officially opened Holy Week in the Diocese of Buffalo with Palm Sunday Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo April 8.

Two priests walk into a kitchen. One has a mallet, and one has a cutting board. No, this is not the beginning of a joke. It's a description of this month's "Our Daily Bread."

Christmas and Easter mark the birth and death (and resurrection) of Jesus Christ, but Christmas seems to get more attention. Colored lights, a houseful of decorations, even a tree brought indoors fill a house at Christmas. On Easter you might see a lily in the dining room. It even took Charlie Brown nearly nine years after his first Christmas special to introduce the Easter Beagle.

In the Lenten season, the Catholic faith emphasizes the importance of self-denial, discipline and a sense of planning and preparing oneself for the future. However, Father Ryszard Biernat, who serves as secretary to Bishop Richard J. Malone, strives to live these in his life all year long through vigorous workouts, a strong will and devotion to his spiritual life that came from his desire to make sure he is healthier.

This year, St. Mary School in Swormville will continue a parish tradition that enables both students and members of the community to participate in the Stations of the Cross while contributing to a cause. Fifth-graders at St. Mary's will participate in "Pray and Play," a live-action Stations of the Cross, at 7 p.m., Friday, April 7, at St. Mary's parish center gym, followed by a fundraiser for Catholic Charities.

The business of education merged with the business of, well, business at Mount St. Mary Academy, when the Kenmore high school opened its doors to teach middle-schoolers about entrepreneurship.

Fulfilling one of his roles as bishop, the Most Reverend Richard J. Malone celebrated Mass for inmates at the Erie County Holding Center on the evening of April 1. He told the 16 orange-clad inmates who attended the Mass in the chapel that he made the visit because Jesus said to.

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

Bishop Richard Malone shares the experience of being with his parents when they died and how physician assisted suicide is a big mistake. He offers examples of why it is problematic for society.

Mount Mercy Academy is dedicated to educating young women not only for academic excellence, but also for compassionate service, Christian leadership, global awareness and lifelong learning. Rooted in foundress Catherine McAuley's vision for women and those who are poor, Mount Mercy affirms the uniqueness and dignity of individuals and fosters faith with a commitment to the challenges of building a just society.

On the first Saturday of each month from September through June, a faith formation program for people with disabilities and their families meets at Baker Victory Services' Baker Hall School in Buffalo from noon until 2:30 p.m. This ministry, called God's Family, allows individuals to connect with other families who have experienced similar life circumstances while also learning more about their Catholic faith.

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.

STELLA NIAGARA — Stella Niagara Education Park announced its plans to further incorporate the innovative Outdoor Education Program that was created in 2015 to provide intentional outdoor experiences and infuse outdoor education into all areas of the curriculum. Building on an existing curriculum that utilized the 104-acre campus, the education committee of the school's board of directors created the Outdoor Education Program and hired Coleen Edwards as the coordinator.

Why do we do the things we do during Lent? Find out the reasons why we fast, abstain from meat and more.

In its next commercial for the Ford Escape, Ford Motor Corporation might want to consider making Father Dennis Mancuso the spokesman for the small sport utility vehicle. It's the vehicle he uses to cover 400 square miles of Allegany County on a regular basis.

Retrouvaille, an international Catholic ministry that has worked with couples in troubled marriages for four decades, will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Retrouvaille's International Council Meeting, a major ministry event that is held in a different location each year, will take place at Sheraton on the Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, from Oct. 13-15. It will be hosted by Region 11, which includes Retrouvaille Buffalo and 10 other American and Canadian communities.

The 500 years of animosity between the Catholics and Lutherans were washed away for an hour, when Bishop Richard J. Malone joined Bishop John Macholz for an evening prayer service.