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Earlier this year, Father George Devanapalle, administrator of SS. Joachim and Anne Parish in Attica, came to the Diocese of Buffalo after previously serving downstate in Kingston. Before coming to New York state, he served in his native India. Experiences Father Devanapalle had as a youth led to his pursuit of the priesthood.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA) - For Catholics who want to invest in a retirement plan but hesitate for fear of unintentionally supporting causes contradicting their faith, a financial advisor group is now offering a new option.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Though letting go of yourself and living for others can make you seem weak in the eyes of the world, Pope Francis said that this is the purpose of our lives, and that in the logic of God, it's what makes us truly victorious.

A group of 38 priests, deacons and seminarians from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora were among the congregation when Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Washington, D.C.

When Pope Francis approached the altar at Madison Square Garden for Mass, seven priests and two bishops from Buffalo were on hand to concelebrate. As Bishop Richard J. Malone and Bishop Edward M. Grosz stood at the altar alongside the Holy Father and other bishops of New York state, nearly 1,000 other priests sat behind and to the sides in the bleachers for the historic Mass. Special tickets were given to dioceses throughout the United States allowing the holder to concelebrate with Pope Francis during his September Mass in New York City.

Bishop Richard J. Malone marked the Feast of All Souls by presiding at a committal service for unclaimed cremated remains at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna. The Nov. 2 service saw the cremains of over 300 placed in an exterior crypt named the Crypt of the Holy Angels with the inscription, "Eternal Rest Grant unto Them, O Lord."

Recently, St. Martha Parish in Depew completed a series of renovations in its church in the aftermath of the merger that created it five years ago. It celebrated its formal five-year anniversary in July, the result of the merging of St. Barnabas and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament churches in 2011. In order to keep moving into the future, the church will now have a new look for parishioners and visitors alike.

St. Casimir Parish in Buffalo highlighted its 125th anniversary with a special events to help prepare for family celebrations that come with the Thanksgiving holiday season. On Oct. 18, parishioners crowned the Black Madonna, celebrated Mass, prayed the rosary, blessed religious icons and held a luncheon featuring traditional Polish and Italian foods.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. bishops will vote on a proposed formal statement, "Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography," at the annual Fall General Assembly, November 16-19, in Baltimore. The statement's development has been directed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth (LMFLY), in collaboration with other USCCB Committees and offices, as well as additional experts.

As the 2015 Revival began on Oct. 13, everyone entering SS. Columba/Brigid Church was given a small rock inscribed with a reminder that only those without sin should cast stones.

Although dealing with a bout of laryngitis, Bishop Richard J. Malone welcomed participants to the 10th annual Catechetical Conference, which took place at the Depew Grapevine on Oct. 5. He gave a welcoming prayer and blessed pins for every catechist and schoolteacher in diocese. He also thanked the staff of the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation for sponsoring the program.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will mark the Feast of All Souls by presiding at a committal service for unclaimed cremated remains at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna.

The Sisters of Social Service looked at their past and faced their future during their annual fundraising dinner on Oct. 22. One guest speaker reviewed the history of the sisters and another spoke about the challenges the order must deal with as it moves forward.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis Sunday officially brought the Synod on the Family to a close at Mass in St. Peter's, warning against a "spirituality of illusion," and reminding pastors of their duty to accompany the faithful and be bearers of God's mercy especially in times of suffering and conflict.

Hundreds of people donned their navy blue, sky blue, royal blue and other uniform colors as part of the first diocesan Blue Mass, dedicated in honor of local EMS, fire and law enforcement departments of all faiths. Bishop Richard J. Malone thanked all those who served the community during his homily Sunday morning at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo.

Before going to Poland for World Youth Day, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish brought a little bit of Poland to Orchard Park. The parish welcomed a group of dancers who hail from "The Land of the Fields."

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Though it has been more than 10 years since the death of Pope John Paul II, the saint's impact can still be seen in those working to uphold Church teaching at the Synod on the Family, said his former secretary.

In September, Pope Francis made headlines when he announced that all priests worldwide will be allowed to hear confessions and forgive women who have had abortions. Cheryl Calire, diocesan director of Pro-Life Activities, discussed this matter and said this will not have a significant effect on Diocese of Buffalo policy, but is an important step toward making the Church more welcoming.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has announced the following new clergy assignments.

Following Pope Francis' lead to simplify the Catholic annulment process, Bishop Richard J. Malone has announced that he has waived the fee for annulments in the Diocese of Buffalo. Now Catholics can learn more about the confusing process with a workshop Thursday night.

Bishop Richard J. Malone referred to Baby Jesse as a "little saint" during a prayer service at St. Mary Cemetery in Dunkirk on Oct. 20.

The first Blue Mass in the Diocese of Buffalo will take place on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo. The Mass will honor local EMS, fire and law enforcement departments of all faiths who live and work in the diocese. Bishop Richard J. Malone welcomes everyone, from all counties, paid and volunteer staff, families and friends, to attend this special commemorative Mass to honor and thank these men and women for their service to the common good.

St. Andrew Parish in Sloan has been celebrating a special anniversary this year, with a series of events to commemorate a century since the parish's establishment.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Sunday Pope Francis canonized four new saints, whose greatest legacy he said was their tireless imitation of Jesus in humble service to others, which is something each of us are asked to emulate.

Bishop Richard J. Malone served as the main celebrant at a Mass that honored missionaries from the diocese who are ministering throughout the world.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will preside over a prayer service on Tuesday, Oct. 20, the observance of the National Remembrance Day for the Unborn. The prayer service will be held at 4 p.m. at St. Mary Cemetery, 10880 Bennett Road (Route 60), Dunkirk, at Baby Jesse's grave.

A food pantry that has remained a staple of Buffalo's West Side community for more than a decade received a new designation. In September, Holy Angels Parish in Buffalo formally dedicated its food pantry to its founder, a Missionary Oblate who devoted his life to serving the poor and hungry. It will now be called the Father James C. Erving, OMI, Food Pantry.

Every year we remember in a special way our baptismal call to mission as we celebrate World Mission Sunday, which is being held this year on Oct. 18. On this Sunday, we will gather at the Eucharist, as will Catholics throughout the world, in a spirit of love for evangelization so that, through our prayers and concrete acts of solidarity, the gift of faith may be shared with all.

Last month, a social group for Catholic young adults held a special celebration in honor of its namesake, a model of a pious Catholic young adult who dedicated his life to the poor.

In the wake of Pope Francis' visit to the United States and his call to Catholics around the globe to take better care of the earth, the diocesan Care for Creation Committee continues to organize events to promote Pope Francis' message released in his June encyclical, "Laudato Si," or "Praised Be." The committee, founded in 2006, arranges events in the diocese to raise awareness of the environment.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Numerous bishops voiced alarm over the lack of a clear definition of marriage in the synod's controversial guiding text, prompting a call for one based on scripture and Church teaching to be added.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis opened this Wednesday's general audience by apologizing for unspecified scandals that have recently arisen in the Vatican.

It's been 11 years since Bishop Edward U. Kmiec was installed as the 13th bishop of Buffalo in October 2004. Jump into our wayback machine to relive his welcome celebration in our new photo gallery.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Married couples who endure hardships together; gay men and women trying to live chastely; engaged couples who choose not to cohabitate. What do all these people have in common?

In honor of the Synod on the Family, which takes place in Rome in October, St. Christopher Parish in Tonawanda will hold its own Family Day to promote the Catholic Church providing pastoral care for all families and the need for this care regardless of how traditional or non-traditional they may be.

St. Gregory the Great School in Williamsville is welcoming a pair of recent college graduates to its elementary school faculty. Madeline Otero and Tiffany LoGiudice begin their careers in Catholic education working with children in the diocese.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Mercy has emerged as a major theme in the synod of bishops, as discussion has moved forward with many participants emphasizing that while mercy is greatly needed, it must always be linked to truth.

October is the month for the Blessed Mother and the Rosary. Bishop Richard J. Malone talks about the mysteries of the Rosary in a new "Consider This."

The World Meeting of Families was held in September in Philadelphia. Pope Francis, the fourth pope to visit the United States attended this, the world's largest Catholic gathering of families. Held every three years and sponsored by the Holy See's Pontifical Council for the Family, this year's theme was "Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive."

After Pope Francis' visit to the United States, a new Pew Research Center survey finds that the pope has generated goodwill toward the Roman Catholic Church among many people across the political spectrum. Ideological liberals and moderates, along with Democrats, are especially likely to say Francis has given them a more positive view of the church.