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When Pope Francis visits the United States at the end of this month, he will have just come from Cuba, the first papal visit since the United States and Cuba mended their decades-long hostile relationship.

Among the recent clergy assignments announced by Bishop Richard J. Malone are six priests who were given additional terms as pastor at the parishes they have been serving.

Sister Mary Charlene Nowak, former formation director and vicar for religious in the Catholic Center of the Diocese of Buffalo, died Sept. 15, 2015, in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in Buffalo.

As part of the World Meeting of Families, Pope Francis will make a whirlwind visit to three U.S. cities this month. During the week of Sept. 22-27 the pope will visit Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a new, wide-ranging interview Pope Francis touched on a variety of serious and lighthearted topics, such as the current refugee crisis, youth unemployment and how often the he goes to confession.

About 100 Respect Life coordinators received a civics lesson on Sept. 12, as they learned how they can help make a bill into a law. During the annual in-service sponsored by the Office of Pro-Life Activities, guest speaker Loretta Fleming spoke about the impact people have on the legislative process.

When Pope Francis makes his first ever visit to the United States this month, he'll have a packed itinerary as he travels to Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia. Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo will also have a full schedule that includes several interactions with the pope.

A native of Nigeria and a father of two are among the four men who will be ordained transitional deacons on Saturday, Sept. 19, at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo. Through the imposition of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Richard J. Malone will ordain Venatius Ifeyichukwu Agbasiere, Michael K. Brown, Samuel T. Giangreco Jr. and Michael LaMarca at a special 10 a.m. Mass as the seminarians move one step closer to becoming priests.

A confusing process to many, we've answered many of the common questions regarding annulments.

With the upcoming World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia (Sept. 22-25), and in anticipation of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which begins on Dec. 8, Bishop Richard Malone has decided to eliminate all fees associated with seeking a marriage annulment through the Diocese of Buffalo's Marriage Tribunal.

St. Mary of the Angels Parish has been a fixture of the Olean community since the current church was built in 1915. The parish will celebrate its 100th anniversary in September with a Mass and concert. Part of the parish's celebration includes a series of ongoing renovations that have been paid for by the parish's centennial capital campaign with funding from the donations of various benefactors.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis told couples to defend God's design for the family as the union of a man and woman for the procreation of children, and urged them to be merciful to those whose marriages have failed.

TONAWANDA — Cardinal O'Hara High School is bragging about its 2015 graduation class, which garnered nearly $7 million in scholarships and acceptance to colleges and universities across the country and its growth in the new year.

ROME, ITALY (CNA) - She has met the Beatles. She speaks fluent French. She has survived 12 U.S. Presidents and she even has a Facebook page. She served in WWII, driving a truck for the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service where she was known to change a flat tire or two.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a reformed marriage annulment process, Pope Francis has made significant changes, giving more of a role to the local bishop, dropping automatic appeals, and declaring the process free of charge.

Thousands of students were welcomed back into school buildings - both public and private - this week. As students, faces filled with joy, smiles and nerves, walked off the bus onto the grounds of the Catholic Academy of West Buffalo Tuesday morning, they were greeted by three of the top diocesan officials - Bishop Richard J. Malone, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Education Carol Kostyniak, and Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools Sister Carol Cimino, SSJ.

ROME, ITALY (CNA/EWTN News) - With many European families already opening their homes to refugees, the current head of the Jesuit's refugee agency says Pope Francis' appeal for parishes to open their doors offers a practical way of combating what is otherwise an overwhelming crisis.

Nardin Academy in Buffalo, an independent Catholic school, has a long history of developing boys and girls within an academic, spiritually-based focus. The academy encompasses a Montessori school, an elementary school and a high school.

When Pope Francis arrives in the U.S. for the World Meeting of Families later this month, he will find a Catholic public that is remarkably accepting of a variety of non-traditional families, according to a new Pew Research Center survey that provides an in-depth look at American Catholics' views on family life, sexuality and Catholic identity.

After consulting with the Canonists of the Chancery, I have confirmed that the faculties granted to all priests of the Buffalo Diocese include the faculty of remitting the excommunication attached to the procurement of abortion. This has been the case in our diocese since the 1980s during Bishop Edward Head's tenure. By extending this faculty to every priest throughout the world, Pope Francis is reminding us of the limitless power of God's mercy and compassion.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a new set of pastoral guidelines for the upcoming Holy Year of Mercy Pope Francis has made some significant moves, allowing all priests to forgive the sin of abortion and granting SSPX priests the faculty to forgive sins.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA) - A group representing Catholic students with intellectual disabilities is hoping a U.S. visit from Pope Francis could spark nothing less than a renaissance in Catholic education.

NEW ORLEANS (CNA/EWTN News) - For Sister Greta Jupiter, SSF, it was an odd sensation driving through New Orleans East in the months after Hurricane Katrina. Her neighborhood was quiet. The power, out. Gone was the familiar white noise of birds chirping. There was no traffic, save for military and first responders.

This fall, a new and luxurious independent living faculty, owned and operated by the Brothers of Mercy in Clarence, will be available for seniors as an alternative to home ownership. Montabaur Heights, the brothers' newest apartment complex, is nearing completion, with plans to open in November.

A group of dreamers, women religious from various congregations in Western New York, had a vision of helping those in need.

ST. BONAVENTURE - Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, will preside over St. Bonaventure University's Opening Mass of the Holy Spirit on Sunday, Aug. 30.

Father Joseph Gatto, president-rector of Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, said students can expect to see a blend of several new faces and a few familiar ones in expanded roles heading into the 2015-16 academic year this fall. It's all part of the story of resurgence taking place at the seminary.

Canisius High School in Buffalo named Andrea Tyrpak-Endres the first female principal in the school's 145 years of history. A longtime religion teacher at CHS, her experience includes 40 years in Catholic education.

For many priests and permanent deacons, hospital ministry is an important part of their ministry to their community. It is true for Deacon Charles D. Esposito, who was ordained June 2014. While serving parishioners at SS. Peter & Paul Parish in Williamsville, he also ministers to patients and their families at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Williamsville.

LINCOLN, NEB. (CNA/EWTN News) - It was a cold December day in Nebraska, and Ashley Stevens was riding in a car with four other women.

Delegates from the Diocese of Buffalo will travel to Philadelphia next month to attend the World Meeting of Families. The gathering, held Sept. 22-27, will be an international event of prayer, catechesis and celebration.

Bishop Richard J. Malone visited Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish (St. Joseph worship site, 1413 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls 14301) on Sunday to rededicate the St. Joseph Church site and celebrate the completion of the painting of the church which included several murals.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA) - Of the countless Catholic couples who have come through Father T.G. Morrow's office in Washington D.C. for marriage counseling, two remain imprinted in the priest's mind even today.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Sunday Pope Francis said that the Eucharist is no mere symbol, but is in fact the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, which has the ability to transform our hearts and minds to be more like him.

Father Andrew Lauricella has been named the new director of Vocations of the Diocese of Buffalo. He spoke about his newest assignment, as well as what it will be like to fill the shoes of Father Walter Szczesny, who held the position for nine years.

Bishop Richard J. Malone says parish communities are the heart of the church in "Consider This."

This year, a Catholic tradition and spiritual experience that originated across the Atlantic is celebrating its 50th anniversary within the Diocese of Buffalo. The Cursillo movement, characterized by a three-day weekend retreat of prayer, discussion, reconciliation and reconnecting with Christ, is offered in many parishes of the diocese and is having a celebratory Mass on Aug. 15 for its golden anniversary.

ELMA — Music, classic cars, numerous raffles and delicious food offerings will highlight the 78th annual summer picnic at the Church of the Annunciation, 7580 Clinton St. The event kicks off on Friday, Aug. 14, and concludes with a grand drawing the evening of Sunday, Aug. 16.

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (CNA/EWTN News) - Although Pope Francis will be new to the United States, visiting the country this autumn for the first time during his papacy, he will be well-seasoned in American history.

The 2015 Catholic League Appeal for Religious Assistance to the Church in Poland takes place throughout the month of August in the eight counties of the Diocese of Buffalo. Your contributions will help keep open the Polish Pontifical College and the Polish Pontifical Institute, both in Rome, where bishops of Poland send their talented priests for higher studies.