Current News

Let me say here that if you are expecting a story about Norm's beautiful family or his many ministries or his work at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, by all means read the previous obituary we shared. You can also search Norm's name at the Buffalo News for 2 wonderful tributes. This is not that story.

The community-wide Catholic Charities Day of Giving being held today throughout the eight counties of Western New York to raise funds for the 2018 Appeal continues to gather incredible momentum. As of noon, more than $88,956 has been raised, already surpassing the original goal of $50,000 in matching funds. The total so far today, when doubled, is now at $177,912.

"It's a very exciting time to be working at Daybreak because of social media," said Claire A. Rung, executive producer of Daybreak TV Productions, who is pleased with the response to two new video segments launched this year by the Diocese of Buffalo's video production team.

A veteran educator with a wealth of school administration experience has been appointed Superintendent of Schools for the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. Michael C. LaFever, Ed.D, president of St. Benedict School in Eggertsville, will assume the leadership of Catholic Schools in the diocese effective June 29, upon the retirement of Sister Carol Cimino, SSJ.

On Saturday, June 9, at 6:30 a.m. and noon, Father Paul D. Seil, host of "Our Daily Bread," will talk about sin on the monthly cooking show. Produced by Daybreak TV Productions of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, "Our Daily Bread" airs on WKBW-TV Channel 7.

If you've visited Daybreak TV's YouTube channel, you may have seen Father James Vacco, OFM, deliver a reflection on the day's Gospel reading or cooking up Thanksgiving dinner on an episode of "Our Daily Bread." Perhaps you've read about his thoughts on Easter in the Western New York Catholic newspaper. Soon, you will hear him speak about the Office of Communications. The pastor of St. Bonaventure Parish in Allegany has been named the honorary chairperson for this year's Catholic Communication Campaign, an annual collection to support national and local communication needs in the Church.

When a disciple of Jesus takes his or her prophetic baptismal call seriously, that person's words and actions live on long after he or she leaves this world.

KENMORE — By late June, students, and sometimes faculty, are anxious for that final bell to ring on the last day before summer recess. But just a few days later, the St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute campus comes alive again as summer programs begin for boys of all ages. The school prides itself on the quality of the programs it offers each year, and all are led by St. Joe's faculty and coaches.

St. John Paul II Parish in Lake View received a first class relic of their patron, the 264th pope. The parish held a special Mass to install the relic on May 3. The small drop of blood will be on permanent display in the vigil chapel room for veneration.

Longtime educator Sister Emily Marie, 98, a Felician Sister for 79 years, died in Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in Buffalo, on June 1, 2018.

A community-wide Catholic Charities Day of Giving will be held on Friday, June 8 throughout the eight counties of Western New York to raise funds for the 2018 Appeal. The first $50,000 raised that day will be matched dollar-for-dollar in an effort to help achieve this year's $11 million goal before the June 30 deadline.

Buffalo's Broadway-Fillmore district saw an event so large it took two churches to make it happen. To celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Parish joined with Corpus Christi Parish for a procession from church to church.

Webster's Dictionary defines communication as "giving or exchanging of information by talk, writing, etc." That's what the 18 professionals in the diocesan Office of Communications do daily. The office's mission is to generate awareness of the global Church, universal issues and Gospel values through print and electronic media.

Smiles were seen throughout St. Joseph Cathedral Saturday, June 2, as Bishop Richard J. Malone ordained four new priests into the Diocese of Buffalo on Saturday, June 2. Relive the journey of these men in our new photo gallery.

They all took different paths to the priesthood. One came from Nigeria. Another was a middle-aged computer engineer.

There has been mention recently in the local media about the advocacy efforts of the Catholic bishops of New York State at the State Capitol in Albany. The Diocese of Buffalo, with the seven other dioceses of New York state, is represented in Albany by the New York State Catholic Conference, the official voice of the Catholic Church in our state. The conference represents the bishops in working with government to shape laws and policies that pursue social justice, respect for life, and the common good. Through the NYSCC, the bishops speak with a unified voice on issues of education, poverty, family life, abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia, social services, health care, criminal justice and the environment. This is the way in which the Church shines the light of Catholic social teaching on critical issues of the day and encourages citizen involvement in the legislative process through the Catholic Action Network.

In preparation for the priesthood, Deacon Peter J. Santandreu took a lap around the world. The 30-year-old who is being ordained June 2, flew to Argentina, Poland and Bangkok for educational and ministerial experiences.

Of the four men being ordained to the priesthood this June, Gerard Skrzynski has the most, let's say, life experience. The 54-year-old has spent 25 years in the workforce as a computer engineer and homeowner. He now plans on taking a radically different course of life.

After receiving an abuse complaint against Rev. Mark J. Wolski, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Wolski on administrative leave as an investigation continues. 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.

LEWISTON — Niagara University's recreation department is now accepting registrations for its popular Summer Youth Camp. Camp will be held on campus from June 25-Aug. 10.

More than $700,000 was collected in the Diocese of Buffalo during the 2017 Retirement Fund for Religious Appeal. This total includes donations from throughout the United States through the "Share in the Care" website which is sponsored by the Religious Retirement Fund in the Diocese of Buffalo. Donations to this site can be made online throughout the year.

Deacon Paul S. Cygan, a fourth-year theology major at Christ the King Seminary, says he first began thinking about becoming a priest when he was 7 years old. "It was a simple realization," he recalled. "I thought, 'Priests are not born priests. That means I can be a priest someday. Yes, I think that sounds like a good idea.'"

St. Gregory the Great Parish's Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) will lead a Spiritual Pilgrimage for Life in Italy. Former Vatican volunteers for the Jubilee Year of Mercy and St. Greg's members Nadine Bargnes and Dawn Iacono will return to the Eternal City with Catholic MOMS from the diocese. Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, STD, who studied and lived in Rome and is pastor of St. Leo the Great Parish in Amherst, will spiritually guide 24 MOMS through Rome and Assisi in late May.

The transition from middle school to high school can be a big adjustment for some students, but there is a way to ease the transition during the summer between grades seven and eight. Camps such as the Higher Achievement Program (HAP) at Canisius High School offer boys heading into eighth grade a glimpse ahead to high school life.

The road to priesthood can be long and winding, as it was for Peter N. Bassey, who began his journey in his native Africa. But, a few encounters in ministry have shown him that the Diocese of Buffalo is where he is supposed to be. The 30-year-old will be ordained to the priesthood on June 2.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will have the honor of ordaining four men to the priesthood on Saturday, June 2. The special Mass will begin at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo. Daybreak TV Productions, the television entity of the Diocese of Buffalo, will provide a livestream and replay of the ordination which can be viewed or shared on their YouTube channel @DaybreakTV.

During his life, Venerable Nelson Baker established his legacy and work in the Our Lady of Victory Institutions that made him a local saint. A century later, Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity Executive Director Rick Heist walked in many of the same footsteps of service Father Baker did, as Heist is set to culminate a 45-year career on the Lackawanna campus when he retires in June.

In Jeremiah 29:11, the prophet tells us, "I know the plans I have for you; plans for a future filled with hope." Although there is currently no Catholic School located there, the seeds of hope for the future of Catholic Education are being nurtured in North Tonawanda.

A local company has purchased the former summer camp operated for nearly 90 years by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

I spend my summers in the woods. I wake up at 6:30 every morning with six hours of sleep after countless middle-of-the-night bathroom trips and at least one counseling session with a homesick 10-year-old. I live in a hot, humid cabin with no air conditioning. I spend the day scorching under the sun and under persistent bug attacks. I'm cut off from my family and friends for seven weeks, with no cell phone service. Many wonder why anyone would willingly do this all summer long.

When Msgr. Paul R. Juenker died on Feb. 8 of this year, at age 97, he was the oldest priest in the Diocese of Buffalo. According to those who knew him best, he may have also been the most beloved priest in the diocese.

NEW YORK CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - The Archbishop of New York said Tuesday that while some recent comments about homosexuality attributed to Pope Francis are "orthodox teaching," the pope's reported remarks could require clarification.

St. Jude the Apostle Parish, 800 Niagara Falls Blvd, North Tonawanda, will be the site of the Rosary Novena for Life on Saturday, May 26, at 5 p.m. Father James Kirkpatrick, pastor, will be the main celebrant.

Summertime is in full swing, and travel season is upon us. For seniors, summertime often brings a wealth of travel opportunities, from family reunions to pilgrimages to cruises. But with the urge to get out and see the world comes an increased risk - especially for elderly people - of suffering from heat-related illnesses and injuries.

A few weeks ago I joined about two dozen other volunteers who went inside a local prison to offer a four- day retreat to 40 of the men inside the facility. I have been part of this ministry for over 10 years, and in that time I have had the opportunity to meet a great number of inmates who, although they have made some serious mistakes in their lives, are dedicated to turning their lives around.

The parish staff and trustees of St. John Kanty Parish, located on Broadway and Swinburne, want the public to know that their church is open. With solid volunteer support and healthy pierogi sales, the parish is surviving in a changing neighborhood, which they think is changing for the better.

The STREAM program at St. Stephen School on Grand Island has taken on many faces in the three-plus years that the school has been part of the diocesan initiative.

In the Preamble of the National Black Catholic Congress XII, Pastoral Plan of Action, "The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me," states that as black Catholics, "We commit ourselves to promote the causes of canonization of the five holy women and men being considered for sainthood in our Church." The delegation that went to the National Black Catholic Congress from Buffalo met this past March and one of their goals is to commit themselves to helping everyone in our diocese learn about them. They are requesting that we all pray for their canonization.

Seniors in Allegany County have a new tool available through the Center for Elder Law & Justice (CELJ), providing them with free brief legal services and referrals, and if needed, to more in-depth legal services in the caller's geographic area.

The excitement is blooming at St. John the Baptist in Alden as they prepare for their new community garden. Working with a grant from the Whole Kids Foundation, as well as generous parishioners and local businesses, they have begun a school-wide garden initiative as a way to teach principles of healthy living and sustainability through authentic educational experiences.