Current News

ST. BONAVENTURE — The Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication will now be known as the Jandoli School of Communication. The name change has been endorsed by the communication school's faculty and was officially approved by the university's Faculty Senate. The Alumni Advisory Council declared its support for the change at its April meeting.

LANCASTER — The board of trustees of St. Mary's High School recently announced Kevin Kelleher, a 1989 graduate, has been named the first head of school at St. Mary's, completing its transition to a new governance and leadership model. It also announced it will be holding its placement exam and review classes in November.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY — Thirteen Niagara University chemistry and biochemistry majors showcased research findings at the 252nd American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition. Three NU faculty members also presented at the international conference, which took place Aug. 21-25 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Several of the studies have potentially meaningful implications on the treatment of diseases.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, Houghton College will host a luncheon and clinic with four-time Olympic gold medalist and 10-time Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) All Star Tamika Catchings. The clinic is open to girls ages 8-18.

I haven't met many people who are not by now exasperated, confounded and dismayed by the ongoing presidential election campaign. Ordinarily in an election year I would be looking forward to the day after the election; at least the war of words would be (pretty much) behind us. This time, however, I expect that I will feel no better about the national situation then than I do right now, a few weeks away from Nov. 8. In fact, I may feel worse.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will close its store at 1919 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls, effective at the close of business, Saturday, Oct. 15. The store provides reconditioned clothing, household goods and small appliances at little or no cost to those in need.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - In a leaked email hacked from a private account, the chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign appears to discuss with a progressive figure whether it is possible to "plant the seeds of the revolution" against the U.S. bishops and their stances.

DENVER, COLO. (CNA/EWTN News) - For history professor Christopher Shannon, Catholics in American politics have a long history, yet this legacy is overshadowed by a troubling disunity in the present.

At this important time in our nation's history, I encourage all of us to take a moment to reflect on one of the founding principles of our republic - the freedom of religion. It ensures the right of faith communities to preserve the integrity of their beliefs and proper self-governance. There have been recent reports that some may have sought to interfere in the internal life of the Church for short-term political gain. If true, this is troubling both for the well-being of faith communities and the good of our country.

It took 16 years for land to be found on which to build the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Construction on the gothic and art nouveau basilica began in 1882 and is expected to be complete in 2026. So, Laurence Behr doesn't think his project is moving too slowly.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will be the main celebrant at this special Mass to honor first responders of all faiths who live and work in the Diocese of Buffalo. In 2015, Bishop Malone said the first Blue Mass in the diocese and has decided to make this an annual Mass.

Sister Celia Kiesel, formerly Sister M. Conrad, died Oct. 9, 2016, in the Stella Niagara Health Center in Stella Niagara. She was 90

Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic high school for girls in Amherst, proudly announces five award recipients for the 2016 Christus Super Omnia Scholarship & Awards Dinner. The dinner event will take place at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3, at The Atrium @ Rich's.

WASHINGTON - Archbishop William E. Lori, Chairman of the USCCB's Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, and Bishop Gregory J. Mansour of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, joined leaders from diverse faiths in writing to President Barack Obama, Senate President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch, and House Speaker Paul Ryan concerning a report released last month by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The letter calls upon these political leaders "to renounce publicly the [report's] claim that 'religious freedom' and 'religious liberty' are 'code words' or a 'pretext' for various forms of discrimination." The President, Sen. Hatch, and Rep. Ryan each appoint members of the Commission.

In order to prepare catechetical leaders to make the best use of this material to teach and instruct Catholics for life, the diocesan Office of Lifelong Faith Formation announced last month that it will be offering some opportunities to learn more about the updated curriculum and ask any questions they may have.

"Caregivers: This Day is for You" is the theme of free day of workshops for caregivers set for Saturday, Nov. 5, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Millennium Airport Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga. The event is sponsored by the Western New York Alzheimer's Caregiver Partnership (WNYACP) and the Erie County Caregiver Coalition.

The Christmas tunes have yet to hit the radio, and the store shelves are still filled with Halloween candy, but plans are well underway to record a Christmas Mass in late October so the nation can watch it on TV during Christmas week.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine was gravely wrong to say he personally opposed abortion while taking a pro-choice stance in public office, a moral theologian says.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA) - Recently released audio of Donald Trump making lewd comments about women in 2005 has created a split in his Catholic supporters - with some continuing to back him and others pulling away from the GOP nominee.

ROME, ITALY (CNA/EWTN News) - The Albanian priest whose testimony moved Pope Francis to tears in 2014 is one of the 17 international bishops and priests the Pope will elevate to the College of Cardinals Nov. 19.

While her friends are saying "hello" to fall, Mara Wicket will say "hello" to a new life. On Oct. 17, the Steubenville grad will fly to Ecuador to begin a year of missionary service with Heart's Home.

CHEEKTOWAGA — The Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual Rosary of Buffalo will host their second bazaar from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish, inside the school. This year, all proceeds will raise money for the daily operational costs and various necessary maintenance projects at the monastery.

Bishop Richard J. Malone discusses the damaging effects of pornography and what the church can do to help in this week's "Consider This."

LYNDONVILLE — At the two worship sites of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, a dedicated, strong group of parishioners has been meeting since March to discuss "Persuasive Pro-Life," by Catholic author Trent Horn, a guide for encouraging persuasive and productive discussion on the pro-life cause with those on the opposite side of the political spectrum. On Sept. 7, the group held a meeting at the parish's St. Patrick worship site in Lyndonville. It also regularly meets at the St. Joseph worship site in Barker.

The WNY Catholic is sponsoring a pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes with Msgr. David Slubecky, Vicar General of the Diocese. He and Director of Communications, George Richert, also discuss an information night at St. Joseph Cathedral on October 19 at 7PM.

DENVER, COLO. (CNA/EWTN News) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump wrote a letter to Catholic leaders during a two-day conference in Denver this week, identifying himself as pro-life and vowing to support core values such as religious liberty and school choice.

This month, we will be featuring an encore episode of "Our Daily Bread," hosted by Father Paul D. Seil, who will be talking about the Ten Commandments and how they set the tone for one to live a sound, moral life in the Catholic tradition, as well as what people know about the commandments.

The national Pilgrim Virgin statue of Our Lady of Fatima will return to the Diocese of Buffalo with more than a dozen stops throughout the area in October.

The St. Mary Swormville Faith Community recently raised $1,000 to purchase ten milk cows for families in Nicaragua missions by collecting and redeeming recyclables.

Teenagers throughout Kenmore showed that they were indeed ready to rock when they attended Mountstock. Six bands competed at Mount St. Mary Academy's ninth annual battle of the bands competition on Oct. 1. The winning band, Identical Difference, took home a $200 gift certificate to Guitar Center.

The diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministry will host a hiking retreat for young adults on Saturday, Oct. 8 through Sunday, Oct. 9 at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora. The retreat will include peer witness talks, Mass, spiritual direction, small group discussions, board games, a bonfire and hiking opportunities.

As it celebrates 91 years of existence, Boy Scout Troop 107 of St. John Kanty Parish in Buffalo is looking for a few good young men interested in the Boy Scout experience. Recruitment will take place Thursday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m., in the parish's Convent Center, and will be combined with a gym night. Boys 11 years or older, or if they have completed the fifth grade, are welcome to join.

PIKE — Each August, a Wyoming County married couple aims to raise the community's awareness of the pro-life cause at the Wyoming County Fair. For eight years, Robert and Yvonne Smith have presented a "Respect Life Booth" at the fair, with plans already underway to do it again next year.

FARMVILLE, VA. (CNA/EWTN News) - The topic of abortion made an appearance at the vice presidential debate last night, as both candidates discussed the role of faith in their lives, and how it aligns with their political views.

BOSTON, MASS. (CNA) - In an online video, actor Mark Wahlberg said that he will be praying for vocations to the priesthood, which he deeply values because of the role that priests have played in his own life.

Christ the King Seminary will host its annual Curé of Ars Awards dinner on Thursday, Oct. 6, at The Atrium @ Rich's in Buffalo. This year's event will honor Father Peter J. Drilling, Father Gregory M. Faulhaber and Kathleen Heffern as award recipients.

On the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Bishop Richard J. Malone called all creatures great and small to his front lawn on Saturday morning for a blessing of animals. The blessing of animals has become an annual custom in the Church, as a way to remember the love that St. Francis of Assisi had for Creation. See our new photo gallery here.

In modern times, St. Peregrine, who lived in Italy during the 13th and 14th centuries, has become known as the patron saint of people suffering from cancer. In the Diocese of Buffalo, the Friends of St. Peregrine continue to celebrate healing Masses, as they have since 1992, to administer the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick to people who are fighting cancer. More recently, its actions led to a new Friends of St. Peregrine chapter in Ireland, courtesy of an Irishman who was inspired by his visit to Western New York.

It seems fitting that the first residents of Mother Teresa Home attended the canonization of the home's saintly namesake. Cheryl and David Calire, executive directors for the transitional home for single mothers, took a pilgrimage to Italy for the Sept. 4 ceremony with Pope Francis.

Special attention is given to pro-life causes during the month of October, as the Diocese of Buffalo celebrated Respect Life Sunday on Oct. 2 with Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral and the National Life Chain. See some of the sights of the day in our new photo gallery.