Current News

An annual Advent tradition and prayer service will again take place at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, and will be open to members of the community.

A 100-year-old crucifix in St. Josaphat Parish in Cheektowaga saw the completion of a much-needed facelift with the help of some artistic talent.

Vatican City, Nov 22, 2015 / 11:41 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis condemned the "senseless violence" of Friday's terrorist attack on a hotel which killed at least 22 people in Mali, and prayed for the "conversion of hearts."

Parishioners of SS. Peter and Paul in Hamburg with its newly formed environmental committee hope to promote greener living and reflect the message of Pope Francis in his most recent encyclical.

Vatican City, Nov 19, 2015 / 09:58 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his homily Thursday, Pope Francis said that just as Jesus wept for Jerusalem in the day's Gospel reading, he continues to weep today, because the world has rejected the path of peace in exchange for war.

Imagine leaving your home on any particular morning and noticing that the cars in your neighborhood all have flat tires. Up and down the block, in driveway after driveway, are cars parked with flat tires. And imagine that on your daily commute, the vast majority of cars on the expressway are actually making their way through traffic in cars without any air in their tires.

We have all been horrified by the senseless terrorist attacks in Paris. Join me in fervent prayer for victims of the massacre, for justice for ISIS leaders and killers, and for world peace.

BALTIMORE, MD. (CNA/EWTN News) - In a historic statement outlining the challenges pornography poses to the family and individuals as well as the tools available within the Church and society to combat its negative effects, the U.S. bishops say they have created a resource for healing and mercy.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Despite rumors that a date has been set for Mother Teresa's canonization, the Holy See Press Office told CNA Wednesday that the cause for sainthood has not concluded, and no date has been officially set.

TONAWANDA - When Jeremiah Martinez was 3 years old, his mother enrolled him in a tap dance class to help his motor skills. Twelve years later, his love of and devotion to dance led him to win fourth place in a recent national solo dance competition in Hollywood, Fla., sponsored by American Dance Awards.

BALTIMORE - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved several items, including a proposed statement on pornography and a new introductory note and limited revision of their quadrennial statement on political responsibility, during their annual Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 17. The bishops also voted on a liturgical book, strategic priorities for the 2017-2020 cycle and on the 2016 budget.

PARIS, FRANCE (CNA/EWTN News) - In a Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral, the archbishop of Paris said that despite the uncertainty and grief surrounding the terrorist attacks in the city last week, God is the source of strength and hope.

Opera Sacra, the longest continually producing opera company in Western New York, began in 1975, founded by Father Jacob Ledwon at the former St. Joseph New Cathedral in Buffalo. Choosing works that center on religious themes, it has been presenting major productions for 40 seasons in many Western New York churches and schools.

BALTIMORE - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved a formal statement, "Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography," at their annual Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 17.

WASHINGTON -The national collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) will take place in most parishes the weekend before Thanksgiving, November 21-22. The theme of this year's collection is "CCHD: Working on the Margins."

The diocesan chancery bulletin announcements for the week of Nov. 17, 2015.

BALTIMORE - Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Migration, issued a statement on Syrian refugees during the Bishops' annual General Assembly in Baltimore Nov. 17.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Amid questions over whether European nations will reevaluate their migrant policies in the wake of Friday's deadly attacks in Paris, Pope Francis offered a reminder over the weekend that refugees are more than statistics: they are children of God, each with his or her own inherent dignity.

In the six days that Pope Francis visited the United States, he was able to command the attention of virtually everyone in the country. By spending time in the nation's Capital, the home of the United Nations and Wall Street, and the birthplace of American freedom, he was able to speak to and reflect on the great icons of what it means to be American.

As the world reacts to the terrorist attacks in Paris, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have released a statement of solidarity with the people of France:

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA) - Leading Catholic bishops met with President Barack Obama at the White House on Friday and had a discussed a number of issues including religious liberty, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops confirmed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The 2015 Fall General Assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Baltimore will be live streamed on the Internet, November 16-17. The live stream will be available at: www.usccb.org/about/leadership/usccb-general-assembly/index.cfm. News updates, vote totals, texts of addresses and presentations and other materials will be posted to this page.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - The acts of terrorism which took place in Paris Friday night are the latest part in what Pope Francis has called a "piecemeal World War III," describing the attacks as "inhuman."

PARIS, FRANCE (CNA) - Amid devastating attacks at locations throughout Paris, Church leaders are calling for prayer.

ROME - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will meet, November 16-19, in Baltimore for their annual Fall General Assembly. The bishops will hear addresses by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, USCCB president, and Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganó, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

This past October, Father Chester Smith, SVD, asked everyone at the Revival what time was it and everyone would yell out, "It's prime time!" As I recall the excitement of the pope's visit, his homilies, his messages through words and actions our response to this should be, "Prime Time!" What does it mean? I believe it's when we cannot let the excitement and joy of his message die. We have to not only bring the good news of Christ to others, but also we must do it through our actions of love, hope and charity.

Washington D.C., Nov 11, 2015 / 04:00 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Proposed federal anti-discrimination rules could threaten the religious liberty of health care providers and also infringe on the privacy of patients, lawyers for the U.S. Catholic Bishops have warned.

Becoming pregnant while facing an uncertain and unstable future forces women to make one of the most important decisions of their lives. The diocesan Office of Pro-Life Activities is now working to build a ministry that hopefully eases the stress of that decision.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - For Pope Francis the dinner table is a key place to strengthen family bonds and foster a sense of "togetherness," which he said can often be thwarted by an excess attachment to technology.

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, The Frontline Faith Project is sponsoring it's fourth annual "An American Moment" to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces, past and present. This event will include one moment of silent prayer — prayer to thank our military for their service, to pray for the peaceful repose of those who have died, and to pray for the intentions of those still living. This event will take place at noon in each respective time zone, all across the world, on Veterans Day 2015.

CHICAGO, ILL. (CNA) - Fans of the Food Network's competitive cooking show "Chopped" can look forward to a special appearance on Monday night's episode - Sister Alicia Torres, a Catholic religious sister from the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago.

Imagine your job is to provide spiritual and emotional support and guidance to a parish of thousands of mostly young men and women.

As the nation pauses this month to honor its military veterans on Nov. 11, Catholic Cemeteries of Buffalo is doing its part through the Veterans Memorial Plaza in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kenmore and the Thank A Vet program.

South Buffalo's Richard Jeffers, a parishioner at St. Martin of Tours, was called to serve the United States taking photographs in World War II.

The National Honor Society of St. Mary's High School will host an All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast on Veterans' Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the school, 142 Laverack Ave. in the Village of Lancaster.

Each year on Veterans Day, the United States honors its men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. Richard Jeffers, 93, a parishioner at St. Martin of Tours in South Buffalo, is one of the approximately 16 million Americans who served their country in World War II. He served in the Army Air Forces as a photographer from 1944-45.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will vote on a new introductory note and limited revisions to the 2007 version of "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," the USCCB's quadrennial statement on political responsibility, at the bishops' annual Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 16-18. The document, which is issued about a year before each U.S. presidential election, will feature proposed new language around issues of public concern for Catholics.

WASHINGTON - As the Supreme Court takes up the plea of religious ministries to uphold their fundamental right to offer comprehensive health coverage consistent with their religious convictions, Archbishop William E. Lori, Chairman of USCCB's Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, is inviting everyone to join in prayer.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will lead a group representing more than 95 parishes from across the Diocese of Buffalo in a prayer service and reflection at the start of the social justice convocation at Christ the King Seminary on Saturday.

Earlier this year, Father George Devanapalle, administrator of SS. Joachim and Anne Parish in Attica, came to the Diocese of Buffalo after previously serving downstate in Kingston. Before coming to New York state, he served in his native India. Experiences Father Devanapalle had as a youth led to his pursuit of the priesthood.