Current News

The National Pilgrim Virgin Statue will come to more than a dozen parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo from Aug. 8-27. The statue is one of 25 blessed by Pope Paul VI for the 50th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions in 1967.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - The Vatican changed on Thursday the Catechism of the Catholic Church's teaching on the permissibility of the death penalty, which the Church has taught is legitimate in limited cases, stating the penalty is 'inadmissible,' and its elimination should be sought.

In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI wrote his encyclical "Deus Caritas Est" which was a reminder of God's unfathomable love for humanity. His goal was to remind the world of the love God has for each individual and how limitless it really is.

After receiving an abuse complaint against Msgr. John M. Ryan, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Msgr. Ryan on administrative leave as an investigation continues. Msgr. Ryan retired in 2001 from St. Benedict's Parish. Please note that this administrative leave is for the purpose of investigation and does not imply any determination as to the truth or falsity of the complaint.

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.

We need to imagine ourselves as refugees and then imagine what justice looks like. The good news is that our imagining of justice for immigrants and refugees can be guided by a strong and clear teaching of the Church on this issue.

"You're not listening to me!" We have all said those words. We feel hurt, disrespected, and perhaps even angry when others seem to ignore what we have to say. Now, in good Catholic fashion, let's do an examination of conscience. Are we listening well to others?

Rejuvenation and refreshment are what summer is all about. In Psalm 23, we read, "beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul." Have we ever reflected that the place of greatest refreshment for us as Catholics is the Mass where we not only drink in the teachings of our Lord from Sacred Scripture, but also feast on the Body and Blood of Christ? Nourished by the living presence of Christ, every corner of our lives is touched with grace. We go forth from the Mass #Catholic Strong, empowered to live Christ in the world and to joyfully witness to His love.

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.

WASHINGTON, DC - In June, the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) distributed $25 million to 360 religious communities to aid in the care of senior members. The funds were made possible by the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection, which benefits elderly Catholic sisters, brothers, and priests in religious orders. The most recent appeal raised just over $28 million and was held in a majority of U.S. Catholic parishes in December 2017.

Sister Mary Esther Odachowski died July 25, 2018, at St. Francis Park in the 86th year of life and the 68th year of religious life.

Why are people poor?

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.

Father's Day this year as for many families like mine, was a gathering at a home, park or restaurant. Our family gathered at my brother's house where three generation of families celebrated their fathers and asked God's blessing upon these great men whom we have been blessed to have in our family. I believe they learned from their role model, my dad who worked and spent his life taking care of 11 children and his wife with much love and care. He spent a lot of his spare time taking us out to enjoy the day at parks. Papi was a man of faith, who would have us pray the rosary together. On Sundays, our family would fill the whole pew at church. He was well remembered at our Father's Day gathering this year.

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."

WASHINGTON— In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Blessed Paul VI's papal encyclical, Humanae Vitae, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued the following statement. Originally published in 1968, Blessed Paul VI's letter promotes the whole human person in the context of marital love that respects both the spiritual and physical dimensions of man and woman, which is faithful, generous, and life-giving.

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.

Sister Mary Lintner, SSJ, a teacher and school psychologist, died July 15, 2018, at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence, Clarence, after an extended illness. She was 94.

MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND (CNA/EWTN News) - Father Patrick Hennessy, who was robbed and attacked in May at his rectory in Scotland, says he has forgiven his robber and wants to visit him in prison to give him pastoral care.

WASHINGTON, DC - Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, Archbishop of New York and Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement today inviting all people of good will to join in a prayer campaign that the change in the U.S. Supreme Court will move our nation closer to the day when every human being is protected in law and welcomed in life.

The Sunday after the 9/11 attacks I was walking to my car after Mass in Alameda, Calif. I was being followed by a tall man and when I turned and asked if I could help him, he asked if the 9/11 attacks were the beginning of the defeat of evil as promised in the Book of Revelation. Why he chose me I don't know but we had a lengthy discussion.

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.

VATICAN CITY (CNA) - After publishing a highly controversial essay in July 2017 alleging the existence of an "ecumenism of hate" between Catholics and Evangelicals in the U.S., close papal confidantes Father Antonio Spadaro, SJ, and Marcelo Figueroa in a new article issue a scathing critique of the "prosperity gospel," which they say is based on a reductionist view of the American Dream.

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.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has appointed a new College of Consultors, a move that canon law states should happen every five years.

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 .