Current News

WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, thanked and praised the House of Representatives for passing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act today with a bi-partisan vote of 241-183.

As everyone embarks upon the journey of the new year, special resolutions about how to be better people abound. The focus of most New Year's resolutions usually is becoming happier and healthier in one way or another. The quest for deep peace and contentment in life tugs at us at this time of year, inviting us to consider what will bring us true happiness.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - President Donald Trump praised the pro-life movement's support for pregnant women and touted his administration's pro-life policy achievements in his remarks to the March for Life Friday.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - In the fight against abortion, it is crucial to recognize the reality of evil and the importance of prayer, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York said on the eve of the annual March for Life.

The Cantalician Center in Depew offers a full range of services for individuals with disabilities, from children through adults. Thanks to a $125,000 grant from the Tower Foundation, the center has been able to give nonverbal children a new way to communicate with teachers, family members and friends with the help of the latest technology.

The diocesan Youth Board wants you to know the "True Story" of Jesus Christ and is inviting everyone to the Youth Convention to hear it.

In June 2015, Michelle had an accident at work that sent her life spiraling into an unknown abyss of paperwork, pain and poverty. Within months she was homeless, living out of her truck and fearing for her future. The last place she ever thought she would be, turned out to be the last place she had to go - Catholic Charities.

Northern Chautauqua Catholic School learned the word "amiga" in November, when two sisters who lost their home to Hurricane Maria were welcomed to the Dunkirk school. Amiga is the feminized Spanish word for friend.

WASHINGTON—The National Prayer Vigil for Life will be held from Thursday afternoon, Jan. 18, to Friday morning, Jan. 19, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Over 20,000 pilgrims from around the nation will pray there for an end to abortion before the annual March for Life. The Vigil marks the 45th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions legalizing abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy. Since those decisions, over 58 million abortions have been performed legally in the United States.

Bishop Richard J. Malone is one who practices what he preaches. The man who has spoken about the need to help the neighbors offered his Christian generosity by volunteering with Meals on Wheels just before Christmas.

Sister Rita Barrett, SSJ, died Dec. 17, 2017, at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence in Clarence. She was 91.

Sister Mary Teresita Langowski, CSSF, died Dec. 26, 2017, in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in Buffalo. She was 89.

Bishop Richard J. Malone and the diocesan Office of Pro-Life Activities honored those who have stood up in the fight for human life during a special Mass at St. Bernadette Parish in Orchard Park. At the Jan. 13 Mass, Pro-Vita Awards handed out in five categories to people and groups dedicated to the pro-life cause.

A group of 45 teenagers from the Diocese of Buffalo swam in a sea of 23,000 new friends of faith at the National Catholic Youth Conference. Held Nov. 15-18 in Indianapolis, with events at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indy Convention Center, the event is a national conference similar to the local diocesan Youth Convention, with a series of keynote speakers, music, breakout sessions, prayer and fun.

Organizations involved in the Western New York Refugee and Asylee Consortium, which represents five agencies that resettle and provide services to refugees, immigrants and asylees in the Buffalo area, joined together today to respond to recent comments attributed to President Trump. The comments seen as inappropriate were allegedly made during meetings this week on immigration policies with lawmakers.

Happy New Year! That greeting resounds among friends, acquaintances, coworkers and even strangers. It lasts for more than just the day, and continues through much of the month of January as a wish for health, happiness and good fortune through the coming year.

KENMORE ­— The St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute board of trustees announced, the appointment of Christopher Fulco, Ed.D., as the next president of the Kenmore school. He will assume the role after the retirement of Robert T. Scott, AFSC, on June 30.

On this episode of "Our Daily Bread," host Father Paul D. Seil is in the kitchen with Jesse and Sarah Saltarelli, a young couple who have devoted their lives to youth ministry. Jesse works at St. Bernadette Parish in Orchard Park, and his wife, Sarah, ministers at Annunciation Parish in Elma.

This month, many will honor slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with prayer vigils, peace marches and service projects. SS. Columba-Brigid Parish is planning something a little closer to King's vision: building a community.

This year, National Migration Week is from Jan. 7-14. This week has been celebrated in the Catholic Church in the United States for over 50 years. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, immigrants, refugees, children and victims and survivors of human trafficking.

Bishop Richard J. Malone paid a visit to St. Paul Parish in Kenmore for a special occasion, the completion of a new addition to the parish in December. The bishop blessed the new gathering place, a parish center, after that morning's 11 o'clock Mass before a gathering of clergy and members of the parish community.

WASHINGTON—On Jan 9th, congressional members met at the White House with President Trump to discuss immigration reform. In response to this important bipartisan meeting, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Texas, Chairman of the Committee on Migration (USCCB/COM), issued the following statement:

On Jan. 10, Bishop Richard J. Malone announced an $11 million goal for the 2018 Catholic Charities Appeal, joining representatives of Catholic Charities of Buffalo at their new Cheektowaga office providing services for the Women, Infants and Children program in Western New York. In addition to the 2018 goal, the bishop announced this year's patron saint, St. Clare of Assisi; its theme, "Love Your Neighbor," and the 2018 appeal family, the first such family to have this role.

The Diocese of Buffalo will mark the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday with a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard J. Malone on Sunday, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. at SS. Columba & Brigid Church, 75 Hickory St., Buffalo. Deacon LeRoy T. Gill Jr. of the Archdiocese of Chicago will be the guest homilist.

The diocesan observance of the 45th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 5 p.m. at St. Bernadette Parish, 5930 S. Abbott Road, Orchard Park. Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, will be the main celebrant.

St. Michael Parish hopes to be a light in the darkness for Catholics everywhere, especially in downtown Buffalo. The Jesuit-run parish has installed a light in its bell tower as a beacon for those lost in faith and those lost on Washington Street.

For more than 30 years, the Catholic Church and United States bishops have recognized National Migration Week. This year, NMW will take place from Jan. 7-13, and its theme, "Many Journeys, One Family," will serve as a reminder that Americans came from many different origins, with every person and family having a unique story.

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), offers a National Migration Week message to the nation with special gratitude for the gift of immigrants and refugees.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has offered to celebrate two Confirmation Masses at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Orchard Park; one at 1:15 p.m. for those who prefer to stick to the original plan, and another at the 10:30 a.m. Mass for those who wish to get home in time for the big game.

KENMORE — Mount St. Mary Academy celebrated the Advent season by sharing with those in need. Led by the student volunteer organization, Z-Club, students collected over 10,000 food items, which were donated to local shelters.

Remember the game of chicken? It's a foolishly high-stakes challenge in which two drivers, risking death, drive on a collision course towards each other until one of the drivers chooses to swerve away.

Growing up, my parents instilled in my three brothers and me that our Catholic faith was not what you do on Sundays, it's who you are. It is the constant celebration of the value of goodness, and this has had a profound influence on the way I think, behave and act.

As the area leader in health care quality and patient safety, Catholic Health has once again earned the region's highest overall grades in the Leapfrog Group's biannual Hospital Safety Grade Report. Catholic Health also received two of only seven "A" grades that were presented to hospitals throughout New York state. A national leader in health care quality reporting, the Leapfrog Group grades hospitals from "A" to "F" on how well they protect patients from medical errors, infections and injuries.

Even the most avid of readers might pick up a book that intrigues them, and desire so badly to get into the book that they skip the preface. If we skip the preface during the Christmas season, we might miss the heart of the Christmas message. In St. John's Gospel, the well-known preface says, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." God, who existed before time, broke through both time and space, and entered humanity. In Jesus, God became manifest as He revealed Himself in a complete way.

For many, holidays are a time for joy and sharing with family. But for some, the colored lights and burning candles cast a shadow of depression. Many are saddened by the loss of family members or fear of dealing with the first Christmas since the death of a loved one.

Father Bill Quinlivan, prolific writer, musician and minister, has done it again with a new CD out in time for Christmas. Titled "Jump for Joy," this is Father Quinlivan's eighth CD. Having published "Made to Praise Him" in 2014 and recently been named pastor of two parishes in Buffalo, you might wonder how he does all this.

Between Advent and all of the preparations for Christmas, December becomes one of the busiest months of the year, especially for a parish staff. Some believe that all of the happenings and "to-dos" distract us from the true meaning of the season. But I think that the true meaning of Christmas is made even more real by the very experiences we sometimes take for granted or that might even seem like distractions. For example: given the choice between watching a Christmas movie with all my cousins or taking time alone in prayer, I am hands down going to choose movie time. Even though prayer is an important part of spiritual preparation, time with family is a blessing and a reminder of how close to God we can be. The festivities we look forward to, the food we eat, and the family we see are experiences that help us fully realize an inward, spiritual celebration that builds with anticipation during Advent and that we celebrate on Christmas.

St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo, has scheduled a number of celebrations during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

WASHINGTON— After the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed The Tax Reform and Jobs Act, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, drew attention to unacceptable problems that remain, and called on President Trump to insist that Congress fix them before he signs a bill into law.

"Shhh. The baby is sleeping." Every parent of a newborn has whispered these words. Christmas is our whispering season. Christmas quiets the world. It is time to do what God did for us. It is time to share the Son of God with the world, quietly. God knows, a whisper is sometimes the best way to get a message across.