Current News

In anticipation of the passage of the 2016 New York state budget, advocates for Catholic education had expressed support for education tax credits which would have provided additional financial assistance to low- and middle-income tuition-paying families who send their children to private schools.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Thousands of poor and excluded men and women from across Europe will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity this November: a chance to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Rome with Pope Francis.

This year's National Day of Prayer takes place around our nation on May 5. It is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, which invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In his May prayer video Pope Francis issued a global petition that women in all countries would be respected and valued, asking rhetorically if the mere recognition of their role is enough, or if more can be done.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Wednesday Pope Francis said the parable of the Good Shepherd is a key example of God's mercy, because it represents the depth of the Lord's concern in ensuring that no one is lost.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY — Niagara University's College of Education, for several years, has sought to provide access to quality science, technology, engineering, and math education for children - especially girls and low-income youths, who studies show enter the STEM fields at the lowest rates.

TONAWANDA — The Grief Support Group of St. Christopher Parish will have Dr. Amy Beth Taublieb as the monthly speaker on May 11 at 6:30 p.m. Taublieb is nationally known for her work as a clinical psychologist who has helped many people deal with their grief throughout the years.

The bottom line is expressed in these words of the Holy Father: "It is my hope that, in reading this text, all will feel called to love and cherish family life, for 'families are not a problem; they are first and foremost an opportunity.'"

A memorial concert in honor of Sister Karen Klimczak, SSJ, will take place SS. Columba-Brigid Church, 75 Hickory St., Buffalo (between Clinton Street and North Division), on Friday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Fatal addictions to drugs, particularly heroin and opiates, have impacted Western New York in a big way this year, as about 11 people are dying each week from overdoses. Just as Erie County officials have stepped up their efforts to curb the rapid increase in substance abuse, faith leaders are organizing a pastoral conference in response to the epidemic at Christ the King Seminary on May 14.

Several bills have been introduced in New York State that would fundamentally alter the doctor-patient relationship by authorizing physician-assisted suicide for individuals declared by a doctor to be terminally ill.

Visitors to Catholic Cemeteries of Buffalo are encouraged to share their thoughts and remembrances of their mothers by signing banners which are mounted near entrances to six cemeteries, with the words, "Happy Mother's Day."

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA) - It is perhaps not surprising that an American priest, Father John Courtney Murray, was one of the key contributors to Dignitatis Humanae, the most important document in modern times on the Catholic Church and religious freedom.

DENVER, COLO. (CNA/EWTN News) - "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Bishop Edward M. Grosz, auxiliary bishop of Buffalo, will offer a special blessing for unborn children and their expectant parents at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday at St. Joseph Cathedral

The fourth Corporal Work of Mercy is visit the imprisoned. Bishop Richard J. Malone shares an experience he had with while visiting a prison in Western New York in this week's "Consider This."

WILLIAMSVILLE — The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities will host their 14th annual "Food & Wine Tasting" on Tuesday, May 3, at St. Mary of the Angels, 201 Reist St., Williamsville. The tasting will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., and all proceeds will benefit the sisters' important ministries throughout Western New York and beyond.

Fans of the recent book, "The South Buffalo Boy Who Became Bishop," will enjoy the follow up, "The South Buffalo Girl Who Built a Hospital." Author Mariam R. Shannon again sets out to make a vocation book for children using local heroes and stories. This one tells the story of Anna Margaret O'Connor, who, like Bishop Joseph Burke, was born in South Buffalo to Irish immigrant parents and went on to accomplish great things after joining the religious life.

Chancery bulletin announcements for the week of April 25, 2016.

Dawn Curazzato will give a witness talk on a "Memoir of a Miracle," "The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist," and the "Power of Prayer" during this extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy at SS. Peter and Paul Parish, 66 E. Main St., Hamburg, on Friday, May 6, at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.

St. Bonaventure University officials announced a series of activities and commemorations of Sister Margaret Carney's 12-year term as president.

St. Francis of Assisi Church in Athol Springs is hosting a free seminar on recognizing and treating opioid abuse on Tuesday, May 10. The seminar, sponsored by the Buffalo Police Department, will teach participants on recognizing the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, how to properly administer narcan for reversal and what to do next.

Grammy-winning Catholic musician John Michael Talbot will come to Buffalo for a two-day ministry next month. The accomplished singer, author and television host will mix singing with preaching at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Buffalo May 16-17. Both days' events begin at 7 p.m.

Checking one's heritage is a popular pastime, which takes time and patience.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Freedom does not come from things we possess or from doing whatever we want, Pope Francis said Sunday in his homily for the Jubilee for boys and girls. Rather, true freedom and happiness can only be found in the love of Jesus.

GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR (CNA/EWTN News) - Everything collapsed around it, but the glass case with the statue of our Lady of Light remained intact after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Ecuador on April 16.

Blessed Sacrament Parish in Tonawanda will host a screening of "The Original Image of Divine Mercy." The documentary tells the story of the actual painting of the Divine Mercy image as described by St. Faustina Kowalska from a vision of Jesus Christ.

As we prepare to celebrate these two occasions we may find ourselves reflecting on how our parents raised us, and we may also spend some time reflecting on how we are raising our own children. Are we raising them to be children of faith and service?

Catholic Charities of Buffalo has been awarded a $192,245 grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to support its Rapid Re-Housing efforts, which aim to help individuals or families who are homeless secure and retain permanent housing through rental assistance and support services.

I have heard comments from some who are upset over the fact that Pope Francis is "sticking his nose" into areas which are not of his concern. Most of these comments were in reaction to his encyclical letter on the ecology, "Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home." It is disturbing that these good people seem to be missing the message and mission of our pope.

On Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, parish leaders from across the Diocese of Buffalo will gather at Christ the King Seminary, 711 Knox Road, East Aurora, to examine what it means to be deliberate followers of Jesus who are committed to paying it forward.

Chancery bulletin announcements for the week of April 18, 2016

Bishop Richard J. Malone speaks about "Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love)," written by Pope Francis. This apostolic exhortation is a beautiful celebration of love and families.

Ninety-three women and men religious will be recognized on Saturday, April 23, for their commitment to God as they celebrate their silver, golden and diamond jubilees. Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, will be the main celebrant and homilist at this special 10 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo.

The Brothers of Mercy Campus Foundation has announced the 2016 Caritas Awards honorees. They will be the guests of honor at the annual Brothers of Mercy Caritas Awards Dinner on May 12 at Salvatore's Italian Gardens on Transit Road, Depew.

EAST AURORA — When patients, family members, and visitors walk into the future John R. Oishei Children's Hospital, they will be greeted by 10,000 smiles. These smiles will be in the hospital's community art mosaic.

Catholic Cemeteries is holding a special "Music and Memories" remembrance service at two locations in which names of loved ones are read aloud. Services will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kenmore on Thursday, April 28, at 6:30 p.m., and at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna on Saturday, April 30, at 1 p.m.

Two women religious from the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George from Illinois will speak about vocations in the Diocese of Buffalo Thursday night. Sister Consolata and Sister Mary David offer their perspective on religious life at 7 p.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church in Williamsville.

In the true spirit of the Year of Mercy, Bishop Richard J. Malone celebrated mass for about one hundred female prisoners at the Albion Correctional Facility in Orleans County Monday evening.

A group of parishioners at St. John the Baptist in Kenmore is compiling a booklet of prayers submitted by parishioners which it plans to distribute as a gift to the community. The intention is to make the book specifically by and for St. John the Baptist parishioners.