Current News

A Western New York musician who studied in the Vatican has found success as a choir director at the University of Notre Dame. J.J. Wright, who released his most recent album, "Vespers for the Feast of the Transfiguration," last month, spoke about his lifelong interest in music and accomplishments with the Western New York Catholic as he began his new position at the prestigious Indiana university.

Little Portion Friary, the quiet house on Main Street just a little north of Buffalo's Medical Campus, serves people in need. But right now, the friary has a need of its own - volunteers.

Sister M. Bonaventure MacDonald, OSF, died Sept. 24, 2017, at Olean General Hospital. She was 91.

Sister Rita Marie Nigro, OSF, died Sept. 20, 2017, at St. Mary of the Angels Convent of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities in Williamsville. She was 90.

It's fascinating to think that the first social service organization brought to Buffalo by its first bishop is still around, going stronger than ever 170 years later. The St. Vincent de Paul Society came to the Diocese of Buffalo in 1847, just after Bishop John Timon was named its first bishop. Bishop Timon had heard of the charitable organization while visiting Ireland and brought it first to St. Louis, where he served in the late 1830s.

WASHINGTON—Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, and Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, bishop of Springfield, Massachusetts and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, urged Members of Congress to support passage of the Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2017 (H.R. 2405 / S. 1823). An almost identical bill passed the House in 2013 with overwhelming bipartisan support.

What is it like to have peace within? What is it like to know God loves you regardless of your faults? What is it like to love God, to know Him more and want to do His will?

Today, several dozen bishops across the United States are joining Pope Francis as he launched the two-year "Share the Journey" campaign, holding events and reaching out to support migrants and refugees in their own dioceses as the campaign aims to raise awareness about their plight worldwide.

The year 1967 is remembered as teeming with violence, milestones and setbacks in race relations, and the beginning of a youth culture. The year saw the Summer of Love and germ warfare, the first African-American justice on the Supreme Court and race riots on Buffalo's East Side. Bishop Karol Wojtyla is ordained a cardinal and abortion is legalized in the United Kingdom. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band issued a new progression of popular music, while a group of new priests in the Diocese of Buffalo became the first group to be trained and educated at St. John Vianney Seminary.

Bishop Edward M. Grosz, Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo, will be the main celebrant and homilist at the annual Respect Life Mass on Sunday, October 1, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo.

On September 27, Pope Francis will launch the worldwide, two-year "Share the Journey" campaign calling on Catholics and the faithful to 'encounter' migrants and refugees in an effort to break down barriers of fear and suspicion and build bridges of understanding and hospitality. Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are part of a global network of Caritas organizations participating in the campaign.

Fall is naturally a time of new beginnings and excitement in many households as children return to school or begin school for the first time, young adults are off to college, and parishes launch their complete schedule of ministries. New beginnings and welcomes mark this time of the year, and at the heart of it all, there is hope for all the future holds. Words of welcome and welcome back echo through these days.

Music, a universal language. It evokes thoughts, feelings, and memories. For teenagers, music is an essential part of life. We listen to music while we get ready for school, do homework, or when we are just relaxing. As I have grown, my music choices have developed as well. There are also special songs that I will always remember and love, like "This Town" by Niall Horan or "Caroline" by Amine. When I hear certain songs from my childhood it brings back memories from church, and suddenly I am 7 years old again sitting with my family in our favorite pew.

STREAM brings many elements into the classroom through partnerships with local cultural institutions. These partnerships allow students to both visit the wonderful institutions in the Western New York area and have them come into diocesan schools.

In October, the Diocesan Revival will be sponsored by the Office of Cultural Diversity's Diocesan African-American Commission. The theme of the Revival this year is "Shut Up and Just Listen, Jesus Has Something to Say."

WASHINGTON, DC - On September 21, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida and Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin called on the U.S. Senate to "think of the harm that will be caused to poor and vulnerable people" by provisions contained in the "Graham-Cassidy" health care legislation. They urged Senators to "amend the legislation while retaining its positive features."

WASHINGTON, DC - Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement on the impact of Hurricane Maria. The storm has devastated Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Dominica. Now downgraded to Category-3 winds, the storm is expected to bring more heavy rain and flash floods as it makes landfall later today in the Turks and Caicos.

NIAGARA FALLS — The week of Aug. 7-11 was a flurry of activity as the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Center was transformed into Snowflake Station. During Vacation Bible School Week, the program Operation Arctic Adventure was used, and over 35 children learned about the "coolest book on the planet," the Bible.

A hundred people gathered at Christ the King Seminary, in East Aurora, Friday to hear more about Buffalo's first bishop. Bishop John Timon established the Diocese of Buffalo in 1847 and over the next 20 years laid a groundwork for many of the hospitals, schools and missions which still serve the diocese to this day. To commemorate his legacy on the 150th anniversary of his death, Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora hosted a four-hour conference in the seminary's main dining room.

In the throes of addiction, not one facet of the victim's life is left unaffected. Everything from familial and personal relationships to daily tasks are impacted. Knowing that, the Chemical Dependency Treatment Program of Catholic Charities' Monsignor Carr Institute seeks to treat the whole person - both physically and mentally. Catholic Charities Chemical Dependency Treatment Program, housed at 76 W. Humboldt Parkway in Buffalo, is a New York state OASAS licensed outpatient program that provides services to adolescents, adults and families where substance use/abuse is an ongoing concern.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, is calling all creatures great and small for a blessing of animals on his front lawn. The blessing will take place at 77 Oakland Place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, to mark the upcoming Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Father Walter Werbicki celebrated six decades as a priest on June 30. "It is not only my trust in the Lord, but more importantly, the prayers and support of all of you," he wrote to his church family at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, where he lives and celebrates early morning Mass.

Area judges, lawyers and public officials of all faiths gathered at St. Joseph Cathedral on Wednesday to take part in the annual Red Mass, celebrated by Bishop Richard J. Malone who urged all in attendance to look at their legal profession as a calling.

ST. BONAVENTURE — A new research center at St. Bonaventure University will begin looking this fall at the cognitive impact of students bringing cell phones into the classroom.

Trocaire College is pleased to announce its new Brewing, Distilling and Fermentation Science program, officially launching its first course on Sept. 20 under the Workforce Development arm of the college.

WASHINGTON, DC - Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued the following statement to the people of Mexico following yesterday's powerful earthquake that struck southeast of Mexico City. The death toll has now surpassed 200. As the desperate search for survivors continues, Cardinal DiNardo calls for prayers for those suffering from the catastrophic earthquake.

In October, the diocesan Holy Name Society, part of one of the oldest confraternities in the Catholic Church, will be holding its annual awards banquet to honor clergy, religious and laypeople in the community who have gone above and beyond in service and dedication to the Church, society and the diocesan community as a whole. It will take place Sunday, Oct. 15, at Kiebzak's Restaurant and Beginnings Banquet, 38 Crocker St. in Sloan, with refreshments beginning at 5 p.m. and family style dinner at 6 p.m.

After nearly 15 years at the helm of Catholic Health, Joe McDonald, the health system's longest tenured president & CEO, has announced plans to retire. While an exact timetable has not been set, McDonald plans to remain on to help transition his successor, which is expected during the first quarter of 2018. A committee, made up of representatives of Catholic Health's Corporate Members, Sponsors, Board of Directors and Medical Staff, is leading the search process for a new president & CEO.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will be the main celebrant at this special Mass for those involved in the legal and judicial systems. Niagara County Court Judge Matthew J. Murphy will offer remarks at the close of Mass.

Think to a time when you were hungry. Remember how it felt, a bit uncomfortable, right? You may have even said, "I'm starving!" But you knew that in a short time the next meal would be there for you. Knowing that a good meal was awaiting you allowed your slight hunger to actually whet your appetite.

Six Sisters of Mercy are celebrating their jubilees this year during a Mass on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. at the Mercy Center Chapel, 625 Abbott Road, Buffalo. The Rev. William Bigelow will celebrate and music will be provided by the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Associate Choir.

Six men from varied backgrounds promised Bishop Richard J. Malone they would discharge the office of deacon with humble charity in order to assist the priestly order and to benefit the Christian people. Finding them worthy, Bishop Malone accepted them and ordained these men as deacons of the Catholic Church. Four men continue their formation to the priesthood, while two - Edward Birmingham and Kenneth Monaco - will remain members of the Permanent Diaconate.

The Sisters of Mercy Many Faces of Mercy Giving Circle celebrated its 15th anniversary of awarding grants to non-profit agencies that serve women and young girls by distributing 10 grants totaling $17,100 during a ceremony at Mercy Center, Buffalo, on Sept. 14.

Father Walter Grabowski was named pastor of St. Gabriel Parish, Elma, effective Sept. 1. The previous pastor, Father Daniel Palys, retired at the end of January 2017. Father Grabowski's new assignment is for a term of six years. He had been serving as pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish, Eden, and Holy Spirit Parish, North Collins.

EAST AURORA - The annual fall campaign for Christ the King Seminary will be held in September throughout the Diocese of Buffalo, with a goal of $350,000. President-Rector Father Joseph Gatto said funds raised will help support the seminary's mission to educate sponsored candidates for the priesthood, as well as permanent deacons, and religious and lay ministers enrolled in graduate programs. The campaign will also help focus attention on the many activities that take place at the seminary year-round.

Parents will do just about anything for their children. Sacrifice is a quality that seems built into being a parent, and protecting your children from danger, suffering, or threats to their life and well-being is both natural and expected.

Bishop John Timon, the first bishop of Buffalo, will be the topic of a conference commemorating his legacy on the 150th anniversary of his death. Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora will host the conference on Friday, Sept. 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the seminary's main dining room. Bishop Richard J. Malone will open the afternoon with welcome and prayer.

The road to recovery from drug addiction is lined with many hurdles and pitfalls. For the past five years, St. Bonaventure Parish in Allegany has worked with a counseling recovery service to provide a safe passage to sobriety.

Turku, Finland. Barcelona and Cambrils, Spain. Charlottesville, Virginia. Stockholm, Sweden. Paris, France. Manchester and London, England. The Middle East, Africa ... and Buffalo. There are so much more, just in recent months, including 3,000 preborn children's lives snuffed out through abortion every day in the United States.

WASHINGTON—The President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has invited his brother bishops to take up an emergency collection the weekend of September 23-24 on behalf of those devastated in parts of the Caribbean and southeastern United States by Hurricane Irma. In the letter sent to bishops today, Cardinal DiNardo says the emergency collection is greatly needed to help victims of Hurricane Irma rebuild their lives and also help support reconstruction needs of churches destroyed or severely damaged in the U.S. and Caribbean.