Current News

WASHINGTON, DC - An extensive new survey by the Pew Research Center of more than 35,000 U.S. adults finds that the percentages who say they believe in God, pray daily and regularly go to church or other religious services all have declined modestly in recent years.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA) - For Catholics who want to invest in a retirement plan but hesitate for fear of unintentionally supporting causes contradicting their faith, a financial advisor group is now offering a new option.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Though letting go of yourself and living for others can make you seem weak in the eyes of the world, Pope Francis said that this is the purpose of our lives, and that in the logic of God, it's what makes us truly victorious.

BUFFALO - Catholic Charities of Buffalo is partnering with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to help older adults in Erie County improve their financial outlook by connecting seniors to credit and debt counseling, employment, housing and other money management tools.

A group of 38 priests, deacons and seminarians from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora were among the congregation when Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Washington, D.C.

When Pope Francis approached the altar at Madison Square Garden for Mass, seven priests and two bishops from Buffalo were on hand to concelebrate. As Bishop Richard J. Malone and Bishop Edward M. Grosz stood at the altar alongside the Holy Father and other bishops of New York state, nearly 1,000 other priests sat behind and to the sides in the bleachers for the historic Mass. Special tickets were given to dioceses throughout the United States allowing the holder to concelebrate with Pope Francis during his September Mass in New York City.

Sister Mary Regis Zboch died Oct. 29, 2015, in Hospice Buffalo. She was 86 years old.

Bishop Richard J. Malone marked the Feast of All Souls by presiding at a committal service for unclaimed cremated remains at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna. The Nov. 2 service saw the cremains of over 300 placed in an exterior crypt named the Crypt of the Holy Angels with the inscription, "Eternal Rest Grant unto Them, O Lord."

Recently, St. Martha Parish in Depew completed a series of renovations in its church in the aftermath of the merger that created it five years ago. It celebrated its formal five-year anniversary in July, the result of the merging of St. Barnabas and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament churches in 2011. In order to keep moving into the future, the church will now have a new look for parishioners and visitors alike.

St. Casimir Parish in Buffalo highlighted its 125th anniversary with a special events to help prepare for family celebrations that come with the Thanksgiving holiday season. On Oct. 18, parishioners crowned the Black Madonna, celebrated Mass, prayed the rosary, blessed religious icons and held a luncheon featuring traditional Polish and Italian foods.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. bishops will vote on a proposed formal statement, "Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography," at the annual Fall General Assembly, November 16-19, in Baltimore. The statement's development has been directed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth (LMFLY), in collaboration with other USCCB Committees and offices, as well as additional experts.

Sister Mary Joseph McDermott died Oct. 27, 2015, in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in Buffalo, after a brief illness. She was 82 years old.

A couple of months from now when the Christmas season rolls around again, I know that my wife and I will once again watch her favorite Christmas movie - "It's a Wonderful Life." You probably remember the story of George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, who is facing so much trouble that he has decided to take his own life. Fortunately, an angel named Clarence talks him out of it by pointing out how much poorer everyone else's life would have been if he had not been born.

As the 2015 Revival began on Oct. 13, everyone entering SS. Columba/Brigid Church was given a small rock inscribed with a reminder that only those without sin should cast stones.

Although dealing with a bout of laryngitis, Bishop Richard J. Malone welcomed participants to the 10th annual Catechetical Conference, which took place at the Depew Grapevine on Oct. 5. He gave a welcoming prayer and blessed pins for every catechist and schoolteacher in diocese. He also thanked the staff of the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation for sponsoring the program.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will mark the Feast of All Souls by presiding at a committal service for unclaimed cremated remains at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna.

St. Bonaventure University has announced a new initiative that welcomes people to experience the St. Bonaventure campus in a new way.

Teens are invited to A Night of Faith, Hope and Love, led by Carrie Ford and John Wilde, on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Mary Swormville Parish Center, 6919 Transit Road, East Amherst. Students in grades six through 12 are encouraged to attend.

The St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute Alumni Association is pleased to announce that the 37th Annual St. Joe's Bob Ivory '47 5K Run will take place on Sunday, Nov. 1. The race will begin promptly at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, located at 845 Kenmore Avenue. A USA Track & Field Sanctioned Event, the course is USAT&F certified.

The Sisters of Social Service looked at their past and faced their future during their annual fundraising dinner on Oct. 22. One guest speaker reviewed the history of the sisters and another spoke about the challenges the order must deal with as it moves forward.

Sister Barbara Martens died Oct. 21, 2015, in the St. Clare Community of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany. She was 98 years old.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis Sunday officially brought the Synod on the Family to a close at Mass in St. Peter's, warning against a "spirituality of illusion," and reminding pastors of their duty to accompany the faithful and be bearers of God's mercy especially in times of suffering and conflict.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - With a two-thirds majority vote, the more than 200 bishops gathered for the Vatican's synod on the family supported Church teaching on hot-button issues such as homosexuality and communion for divorced and remarried persons.

Hundreds of people donned their navy blue, sky blue, royal blue and other uniform colors as part of the first diocesan Blue Mass, dedicated in honor of local EMS, fire and law enforcement departments of all faiths. Bishop Richard J. Malone thanked all those who served the community during his homily Sunday morning at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo.

Before going to Poland for World Youth Day, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish brought a little bit of Poland to Orchard Park. The parish welcomed a group of dancers who hail from "The Land of the Fields."

Brothers of Mercy will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on the third floor of the Brothers of Mercy Nursing Home, 10570 Bergtold Road, Clarence, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will recognize the philanthropy of Russ Salvatore in donating 45 televisions to the nursing home's rehabilitation center.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Though it has been more than 10 years since the death of Pope John Paul II, the saint's impact can still be seen in those working to uphold Church teaching at the Synod on the Family, said his former secretary.

In September, Pope Francis made headlines when he announced that all priests worldwide will be allowed to hear confessions and forgive women who have had abortions. Cheryl Calire, diocesan director of Pro-Life Activities, discussed this matter and said this will not have a significant effect on Diocese of Buffalo policy, but is an important step toward making the Church more welcoming.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has announced the following new clergy assignments.

Following Pope Francis' lead to simplify the Catholic annulment process, Bishop Richard J. Malone has announced that he has waived the fee for annulments in the Diocese of Buffalo. Now Catholics can learn more about the confusing process with a workshop Thursday night.

Bishop Richard J. Malone referred to Baby Jesse as a "little saint" during a prayer service at St. Mary Cemetery in Dunkirk on Oct. 20.

Sister Nancy Grassia, of the Sisters of St. Francis of Stella Niagara, died Oct. 14, 2015, at Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston. She was 79 years old.

The first Blue Mass in the Diocese of Buffalo will take place on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo. The Mass will honor local EMS, fire and law enforcement departments of all faiths who live and work in the diocese. Bishop Richard J. Malone welcomes everyone, from all counties, paid and volunteer staff, families and friends, to attend this special commemorative Mass to honor and thank these men and women for their service to the common good.

A veteran educator with a wealth of school administration experience has been named principal of St. Benedict School in Eggertsville.

St. Andrew Parish in Sloan has been celebrating a special anniversary this year, with a series of events to commemorate a century since the parish's establishment.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Sunday Pope Francis canonized four new saints, whose greatest legacy he said was their tireless imitation of Jesus in humble service to others, which is something each of us are asked to emulate.

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.

Bishop Richard J. Malone served as the main celebrant at a Mass that honored missionaries from the diocese who are ministering throughout the world.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will preside over a prayer service on Tuesday, Oct. 20, the observance of the National Remembrance Day for the Unborn. The prayer service will be held at 4 p.m. at St. Mary Cemetery, 10880 Bennett Road (Route 60), Dunkirk, at Baby Jesse's grave.

A food pantry that has remained a staple of Buffalo's West Side community for more than a decade received a new designation. In September, Holy Angels Parish in Buffalo formally dedicated its food pantry to its founder, a Missionary Oblate who devoted his life to serving the poor and hungry. It will now be called the Father James C. Erving, OMI, Food Pantry.