Current News

WASHINGTON - The 40th meeting of the Bishops of the Catholic Church in America will take place in Tampa, Florida, February 22-25, bringing together representatives of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM).

In June of last year my priestly ministry underwent a significant shift in focus as I left my work as parochial vicar at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Niagara Falls and began a new role as director of Vocations for our diocese.

Catholic Bishop Richard J. Malone and Episcopal Bishop R. William Franklin joined together on Feb. 21 to dialogue with each other and the public about issues important to both dioceses. Billed as "Conversation with Two Bishops: A Discover Sunday Event," the gathering served as part of an ongoing partnership between the two bishops that began with the release of a December 2014 joint pastoral letter.

Chancery bulletin announcements for the week of Feb. 22, 2016.

The diocesan celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took place on Sunday, Jan. 17, at St. Martin de Porres Parish in Buffalo.

In this Year of Mercy, the Lenten season will be a time for Catholics to reflect on the meaning of mercy and the importance of forgiveness, both of which have a long tradition in the Church. According to Pope Francis, in this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy the sacrament of reconciliation becomes more important than ever, with indulgences granted.

James T. Walsh (R-N.Y.) and Richard H. Stallings (D-Idaho), former members of the U.S. House of Representatives, will visit St. Bonaventure University March 6-8 as part of the Congress to Campus program.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Christians must work to abolish the death penalty and improve prison conditions, Pope Francis said on Sunday.

Jacquie Stalnaker is one of those special people who not only have managed to overcome the very difficult situations in her life, but managed to use them for good and to help others.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Despite a rush of headlines claiming Pope Francis is softening the Church's stance on contraception, a closer look at his recent remarks could suggest otherwise.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (CNA/EWTN News) - Sabrina Puig is eight years old. Due to a rare condition, she only has half a heart. But when Pope Francis passed by, she ran to him.

"I desire mercy and not sacrifice." Bishop Richard Malone talks about real commitment vs. empty sacrifice during Lent in a new "Consider This."

On Feb. 18, Bishop Richard J. Malone formally announced Upon This Rock, a five-year, $100 million capital campaign that will fund the Diocese of Buffalo's mission in three specific areas. These three pillars, which the campaign calls "those we serve," "those who serve" and "how we serve," involve investing money into the future of diocesan parishes, caring for retired priests, and supporting efforts of Catholic Charities and Catholic education, all with the goal of ensuring a solid future for the diocese.

Sister Rose Therese Shaw died Jan. 13, 2016, in the St. Clare Community of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, at age 88.

PAPAL PLANE (CNA/EWTN News) - During his inflight news conference en route from Juarez to Rome, Pope Francis responded to recent criticism from Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, who called the Pope "political" and has threatened to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border.

As the Year of Mercy continues, the Response to Love Center on Buffalo's East Side is continuing its commitment to serve the poor and help those in need in the example of Jesus Christ. The non-profit organization, located in the former St. Adalbert Parish school building, began in 1985 and has continued its mission of helping economically disadvantaged people with food, clothing, a sense of community and spiritual assistance, with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers.

The Buffalo State College Newman Center will host a unique painting by a local artist during Lent. Henry Schmidt's "Christ, A Point of View" will hang in the chapel Feb. 10-March 25. The artist himself will give a talk about his work Feb. 17, at 7 p.m.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - The late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was a man of deep Catholic faith who saw his work through the eyes of vocation, said those who knew him.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Experts and friends of Pope St. John Paul II responded quickly to a BBC promotion of a documentary about his friendship with Polish-born female philosopher Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka - questioning some of the portrayals of their friendship and outright dismissing others.

MORELIA, MEXICO (CNA/EWTN News) - In his visit to Morelia - one of Mexico's most violent cities - Pope Francis had a strong message for the country's youth: rather than allowing themselves to be used and trampled on, he told them to recognize their value and to place their hope in Jesus.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In his Ash Wednesday homily, Pope Francis said that Lent is the perfect time to let go of selfish and indifferent attitudes, returning to God with the help of prayer, penance and acts of charity.

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10, marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. Whether you're in a pew every Sunday or haven't been inside a church in a long time, here are the things you should know about the next 40 days.

Bishop Richard J. Malone and Father Ryszard Biernat recently delivered meals to some of the area's homebound through Meals on Wheels for WNY.

In this Year of Mercy, the Diocese of Buffalo will again offer special times for the sacrament of reconciliation during Lent, as parishes did during Advent.

Chancery bulletin announcements for the week of Feb. 8, 2016.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, will distribute ashes at the 12:05 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo, on Wednesday, February 10, Ash Wednesday.

Diocesan priest Father Lawrence E. Burns, 79, died Feb. 5, 2016, at his home at the Bishop Head Residence in Lackawanna.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, today announced that George Richert, well-known WIVB-TV Channel 4 reporter, has been named director of communications for the Diocese of Buffalo.

Bishop Richard Malone shares an experience he had with spilled ashes on Ash Wednesday 30 years ago. He encourages us to think of each confessional door as a door of mercy in a new "Consider This."

On Friday the Vatican announced that while on his way to Mexico, Pope Francis will stop in Cuba to meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in the first meeting between a Pope and a leader of the Russian Orthodox Church since the Great Schism 1,000 years ago.

With the start of the new year, Cardinal O'Hara High School in the Town of Tonawanda is planning to start an updated program for aspiring chefs.

Nardin Academy, an independent Catholic school, provides an enriching academic experience, allowing students in the Montessori school, elementary school, and high school to broaden their horizons and explore new perspectives on a daily basis through hands-on, cross-curricular instruction.

The diocesan bulletin announcements for the week of Feb. 4, 2016.

The New York State Council of Catholic Charities Directors will hold its annual convening in Albany on Monday and Tuesday, February 8-9. More than 70 representatives from Catholic Charities agencies across the state will participate in an evening reception Monday night, followed by a day of advocacy with lawmakers on Tuesday on issues related to the state budget negotiations.

WASHINGTON, DC - National Marriage Week USA and World Marriage Day are opportunities "to celebrate the gift and blessing of marriage," said the chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Msgr. George J. Brennan, a retired diocesan priest, died Jan. 31, 2016, at the age of 94.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - When God is described in the Bible as being both merciful and just it can seem like an identity crisis, however Pope Francis said it's the opposite: rather than contradicting each other, the two actually go hand in hand.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Vatican II education document "Gravissimum Educationis," the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education convened a World Congress in Rome.

In February, the St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Outreach Center will be holding its fifth-annual benefit banquet to raise money to buy needed supplies for women it serves who are in need of baby supplies.

ALBANY - Students and parents who benefitted from needs-based scholarships appeared today before the Legislature's fiscal committees to urge passage of a bill that would provide opportunities to more New Yorkers like them.