Current News

Father Charles Schneider, a Divine Word Father who served as a missionary in Ghana for much of his life and ministry, died Nov. 6, 2016, in Techny, Ill. He was 97 years of age.

NIAGARA FALLS — Since 2014, Niagara Falls has had a local unit of the Federation of North American Explorers, a Catholic outdoor adventure movement for youth that works to promote faith, develop character, and train young people in outdoor skills.

WASHINGTON— Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, vice president of the USCCB, offer Thanksgiving Day wishes to the nation.

At St. Andrew's Country Day School in Kenmore, Legos, the perennial favorites of children and adults alike, have become a tool for STREAM education instructing children in the fields of science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and math. Throughout the months of October and November, the school held an eight-week after school course, the Lego U STREAM Academy, to teach children in lower grades to collaborate with one another, use critical thinking skills and have fun in the process of learning.

The Washington, DC, City Council and the voters of Colorado both recently acted to legalize doctor-prescribed suicide. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, chair of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, called for increased efforts to fight against assisted suicide, saying it must be "opposed with renewed vigor."

ROME, ITALY (CNA/EWTN News) - Although the Jubilee of Mercy has ended, Pope Francis has decided that some of the novelties he applied to the Church during the Holy Year will continue.

Bishop Richard J. Malone celebrated the 1,050th anniversary of Poland's Christianity during a Christ the King Eucharistic Celebration on Nov. 20. It commemorated Poland's acceptance of Christianity in the year 966, when Mieszko I, the first ruler of the Polish state, and much of his court were personally baptized on Holy Saturday of that year.

Sister Mary Kathleen Duggan, GNSH, died Nov. 15, 2016, at the Lafayette Redeemer nursing facility in Philadelphia, at 90 years of age.

Parishioners of St. Benedict's received a warm welcome from a group of young adults last month. Members of Dynamis WNY, a New Evangelization effort inspired by St. John Paul II, greeted those who entered the Eggertsville church as part of the group's hospitality effort.

LANCASTER — Gabrielle Burkard, a junior at St. Mary's High School, had the opportunity to participate in the Junior Robotic Surgery Challenge over the summer at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The challenge introduced participants to various career opportunities within health care using hands-on, practical exercises and classroom instruction as well as guest lectures from accomplished professionals.

KENMORE — Ants inspired first-graders at St. John the Baptist School to learn about hundreds of kinds of the creatures in the world. In addition to exploring the anatomy of ants, the youngsters discovered the interesting jobs performed by the different species, including weaving homes out of leaves, carrying cargo many times their weight back to their nest, or the pesky ones that bite people.

Thomas Awiapo from Ghana tells his story of being helped by Catholic Relief Services in his youth which led to working on their behalf today.

As Pope Francis' Jubilee Year of Mercy comes to a close, we need to remember to continue sharing mercy and compassion with others. Watch Bishop Richard J. Malone in "Consider This."

Catholic Charities of Buffalo celebrated the opening of its new Health Care Center on Buffalo's West Side with a dedication and blessing. Designed to be a "one-stop shop" for refugees, the center will offer primary medical, dental and educational resources in the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, school and rectory on Herkimer Street.

Ten people a week die of a drug overdose in Erie County. This statistic drove a crowd of 120 on November 15th to St. Leo the Great Church as they held a special evening of prayer, reflection and education for those family and friends struggling with the disease of addiction and for those who try to rescue them through support and treatment.

ST. BONAVENTURE - Dr. Dennis DePerro, dean of the Purcell School of Professional Studies at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, has been named the 21st president of St. Bonaventure University. He will take office June 1, 2017.

The time was the early 1890s. The membership at St. Stan's was over 20,000, and the journey to worship there was a long and difficult walk, passing through the New York Central Rail Terminal and crossing dangerous train tracks, which took many lives. Father Jan Pitass, pastor of St. Stanislaus, decided to divide his parish and form another faith community.

Christ the King Seminary will host its annual Advent vespers service on the second Sunday of Advent, Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. in the seminary's St. John Vianney Chapel. All are welcome.

Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, Bishop of Buffalo, has appointed Jacqueline Joy to pick up where Mary Ann Deibel-Braun left off as victim assistance coordinator to offer immediate care to any person who claims to have been the victim of sexual abuse by priests, deacons or other diocesan personnel.

BALTIMORE, MD. (CNA/EWTN News) - After the recent presidential election, the new president of the U.S. Bishops is adamant about standing with all vulnerable persons, including the unborn and immigrants.

Catechists, scout masters, altar servers, parents and mentors of all ages received recognition for their work with diocesan youth at the annual Youth Ministry Awards Banquet presented by the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Bishop Richard J. Malone. The Nov. 4 banquet, held at Lucarelli's Banquet Center in Lackawanna, spotlights teens who serve their parishes as intentional followers of Christ, and the adults who help guide them.

HAMBURG - Hilbert College freshman Logan Yotter of Lockport is organizing a 5K race on Nov. 19 to benefit Kaely's Kindness Foundation, which is focused on providing resources for teens living with cancer.

Just in time for the cold winter months, children in Niagara Falls have a brand new indoor modern athletic facility for playing softball, volleyball, tennis or soccer. The Niagara Community Center has opened on property formerly owned by the Diocese of Buffalo, behind Niagara Catholic Junior and Senior High School, on 66th Street in Niagara Falls.

BALTIMORE - Bishop Gregory J. Mansour of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn introduced a discussion today, during the U.S. bishops' fall General Assembly, on ways the Church in the United States can assist persecuted Christians in the Middle East.

As a newly-ordained young priest serving at St. Mark Parish in Rushford, Father David Griffin, who is now retired, conducted his first wedding ceremony, that of Desider and Dorothy Simcoe III, on Sept. 10, 1966. Today, the couple has been married for 50 years and, to commemorate their golden anniversary, the Simcoes and Father Griffin held a celebration at St. Mark's with a congregation of family members.

BALTIMORE - Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, was elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) during today's annual fall General Assembly in Baltimore. Cardinal DiNardo has served as vice president of the USCCB since 2013. Archbishop Jose Gomez was elected as USCCB vice president.

On Saturday, Nov. 19, Bishop Richard J. Malone will be main celebrant at the final Rosary Novena for Life for 2016. Mass at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Parkside and Parker avenues, Buffalo, will begin at 8 a.m. and will be followed by a peaceful, prayerful procession to a nearby abortion clinic (optional). At the clinic, participants will pray the rosary with the hope that today's society will choose life instead of abortion. The group will return to St. Rose of Lima for closing prayers.

BALTIMORE—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have approved their 2017-2020 strategic plan, during their annual Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 15.

Some people take home their parish bulletins and hang them up on their refrigerator. Now St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean is making an even stronger connection to its parishioners by putting new updates right in their pockets.

On the opening day of the Catholic bishops' annual fall assembly in Baltimore, Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, discussed plans for an unprecedented gathering of Catholic leaders next July in Orlando, Florida.

BALTIMORE - The chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Special Task Force to Promote Peace in Our Communities presented findings and recommendations from the Task Force that call Bishops to continue and deepen the vital work of fostering healing and lasting peace in their respective communities.

A grand opening to celebrate the completion of the Catholic Charities Health Care Center, located on its Immigration and Refugee Assistance campus in Buffalo, now that both health care providers are operational, will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the converted former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 10 Herkimer St., Buffalo. Brief remarks will begin at 3:30 p.m. All are invited.

The copper domes of its twin towers stand tall over the city's East Side, and now there is a new way to highlight the history of Corpus Christi Church on Clark Street in Buffalo. To mark the 110th anniversary of the laying of its cornerstone, Corpus Christi Church is selling a 2017 calendar with historic photos.

Our Church today, throughout the United States, is becoming more diverse every day. As we begin National Black Catholic History Month, let us embrace the African-American Catholics in our diocese by welcoming our brothers and sisters and committing to listen to some of the experiences that they encounter, not only in our parishes but also in our communities and workplaces. Are we ready to embrace this culture and all the other cultures that are part of our diocese today? Are we ready to forgive some of the hurts that may have taken place in the past, so that together we can move forward in peace and harmony?

USCCB Migration Chairman Calls Upon Elected Officials and All Americans to Work Together to Welcome Refugees and Immigrants without Sacrificing Our Core Values and Security

The latest presentation in a faith enrichment series at Our Lady of Pompeii in Lancaster ponders what happens after the Year of Mercy.

On this month's encore episode of "Our Daily Bread," host Father Paul D. Seil takes a ride out to Arcade, located in the southwest corner of Wyoming County.

As a decorated World War II veteran, retired New York State Supreme Court Judge James B. Kane Jr. transitioned from the Army Air Forces to the bench after completing his tour of duty. Last month, the nonagenarian discussed his military service and being shot down over Europe, accomplishments as a judge and his wife, Marie, who passed away earlier this year, as well as his Catholic faith.

Ted Drews remembers his war stories all too vividly. The former Marine saw things during World War II that have haunted him for 70 years. Now 90 years old, the Tonawanda resident still recalls burying his dead buddies on the sands of Iwo Jima.

On Sept. 23, the Vatican announced it has slightly modified requirements for scientifically confirming occurrences alleged to be miracles. Among other changes, the Vatican is now requiring a larger number, a supermajority of two-thirds of medical experts, testifying that there is no medical or scientific explanation for an occurrence, as well as requiring the experts be compensated via bank transfer rather than cash. However, this will not yet have an impact on Venerable Nelson Baker's cause for canonization.