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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.

They say that joy is the truest sign of God's presence. Our most recent popes have called upon all Catholics to spread the joy of knowing Jesus with a new and missionary fervor. A joy for the Gospel, of which Pope Francis so often speaks, can only succeed if it exudes at all levels of church life - personal, parish, school, campus, in health care, and social services. But we cannot give what we do not possess. How would your parish score in its capacity for joy, these days?

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.

Love and responsibility often get ignited by a new calling. The call to marriage or to the priesthood, for example, brings about a new movement of grace and love in the heart. Such a movement also happens when one becomes a mother or father. I tell couples in Marriage Preparation that when they have their first child they will discover that some part of their heart, which up until this point has been dormant, will be activated. That is because the love parents have for their child is so incredibly unique.

Father George E. Maj, a Pallottine priest for 60 years, died June 24, 2018, at the age of 86.

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.

WASHINGTON, DC - On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case of Trump v. Hawaii, which involves a challenge to President Donald Trump's Proclamation No. 9645 restricting travel from several predominantly Muslim-majority countries. The Supreme Court in a 5-4 ruling upheld the travel ban.

The Sisters of Social Service in Hungary, embraced Benedictine spirituality, had a special devotion to the Holy Spirit and protected many from Nazi atrocities. Their foundress Sister Margaret Slachta is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - The Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked a California law requiring pro-life pregnancy centers to post information on programs to obtain a free or low-cost abortion.

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.

Former teacher and principal, Sister Rita Kane died June 22, 2018, at the age of 100.

Father Stanislaw Dudek, a Polish-born priest who served the Diocese of Buffalo for over 10 years, died June 24, 2018.

"Bishop Malone's office, Siobhan speaking - how may I help you?" Over the last two months, a multitude of callers have been on the receiving end of my phone greeting. I've talked to distressed citizens who express anger over Church cover-ups and silence, to concerned Catholics whose faith has been shaken by the priest abuse scandal, and to the victims of this abuse themselves. These latter individuals often share their stories, which are heartbreakingly horrible to hear. Even being on the periphery of their pain has been deeply disturbing. Yet remarkably, it is their strength more than their suffering that has most resonated with me.

Recently there has been a challenge to a long-held interpretation of the story of the Widow's Gift found in Mark's gospel. No doubt many have heard this short narrative used to praise self-sacrificing on behalf of others or to indicate that a gift is measured by the spirit in which it is given. But is that what the story is meant to convey?

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.

Prayer is a basic necessity for us as Christians. Realizing this will help us have a better relationship with Jesus. We are blessed because we could not have a better teacher than Jesus. He prayed to the Father every chance He got. He even gave us the Lord's Prayer so that we can pray to our Father in heaven. We can learn and use this prayer daily. Therefore, those who don't know anything else, can at least pray the Lord's Prayer.

Imagine for a moment what it would take for you to stuff whatever you could into a garbage bag and take your entire family to a place you have never been, without any certain plans or destination.

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.

Cheryl Calire, director of the Office of Pro-Life Activities for the Diocese of Buffalo, will head to St. Charles, Mo., to take part in the national Pro-Life Women's Conference, June 22-24. The three-day event, by women and for women, is to illustrate that women's empowerment cannot be attained by the oppression of other human beings. More than 600 women are expected to attend the conference held at the St. Charles Convention Center.

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."

With fewer than two weeks remaining the 2018 Appeal for Catholic Charities of Buffalo is $345,416 short of its $11 million goal.

'It's been a journey', in her own words, for Sister Emily Beata Marsh, who will make her perpetual profession of vows as a Daughter of St. Paul on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bemus Point. The 31 year old grew up in the community along Chautauqua Lake, where she has fond memories of biking and playing soccer.

There's a buzz in Swormville. The staff of St. Mary's School has been busy as bees to get a special dedicated space for their technology program.

The Trump administration's recent policy changes in border security and immigration enforcement, particularly the move to separate parents from their children, has drawn outcry from a number of Catholic leaders like Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo.

Catholic Charities' Workforce and Education Services will have a new, more accessible site on the East Side of Buffalo this summer. The new location will be 1001 E. Delavan Ave., site of the former American Axle plant and will replace the current Kerns Avenue site. The Kerns Avenue site is expected to be closed June 25-29 to complete the move.

The new leadership team for the Missionary Sisters of St. Columban visited the Diocese of Buffalo this spring on a three-week fact finding trip. The sisters serve in cross-cultural missions, live in community, and commit themselves to helping the poor and marginalized. The four-member team is traveling to all the areas where the congregation serves. The next stop is Britain before going to Asia. Thirteen sisters live in Silver Creek, their only American province.

AMHERST — What will the Catholic Church look like in 20 years? What do you want our Catholic Church to be? Four Catholics of distinction in our diocese will each make a brief presentation about their vision of the Catholic Church of the future. Then you will have an opportunity to question and share with a Q & A session.

St. Christopher Parish in Tonawanda has begun a new monthly Praise & Worship program that blends something old and something new. Father Steven A. Jekielek, pastor, and music director Sean Polen have designed a program that incorporates adoration with Scripture readings and music that mixes traditional, contemporary, meditative and upbeat music.

What started as a scary event for a 100-year-old sister, turned out to have a heroic happy ending.