Current News

The History of Hispanic Catholic Ministry in the Diocese of Buffalo began in the Steel City in 1949 when Bishop John O'Hara was called to address the spiritual needs of the Spanish speaking people in Lackawanna. The numbers of the Spanish-speaking Mexicans in that area was increasing.

Addiction knows no boundaries. It can happen to anybody.

A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) "confirms the U.S. bishops' longstanding concern about abortion coverage" in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), said Cardinal Seán O'Malley of Boston, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

JERUSALEM—A delegation of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led by Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, visited the Gaza Strip, September 14. The bishops celebrated Mass with the local Christian community, talked to residents and surveyed the destruction of the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas militants. They also met the staff of Catholic Relief Services, the bishops' international relief agency, who have been working to provide disaster relief to those impacted by the violence.

Recently, "Our Daily Bread" host Father Paul D. Seil was joined in the kitchen by Sharon Cavanaugh, director of the Work Appreciation for Youth program of Baker Victory Services. Also in the kitchen was James Stone, a WAY graduate. The day's menu included Italian stuffed peppers, basil pesto pasta and macchiato tiramisu parfaits.

Bishop Richard J. Malone and Catholic Bishops from the United States traveled to the Holy Land for the Prayer Pilgrimage for Peace.

Bishop Richard J. Malone is one of 18 United States bishops traveling through the Holy Land over the next week and a half. Follow their journey through a series of social media platforms, combined here for easy reading.

The Congrega Society, a group honoring the Blessed Mother, celebrated this year's second biannual Mass at St. Lawrence Church in Buffalo on Sept. 6.

The title of this column is borrowed from a fine book on monastic culture and spirituality by Father Jean Leclerq, OSB. While monasticism is a blessed vocation within our Church, it is not, however, my topic this month. The love of learning and the desire for God is.

Bishop Richard J. Malone delivered a keynote address to respect life coordinators that clarified Pope Francis' position on life issues. He also stated his views in no uncertain terms. "I believe that the primal evil in our time is the assault on unborn life," the bishop said during a Sept. 6 inservice held at the Catholic Center in downtown Buffalo.

This month, Bishop Richard J. Malone will be among a group of American bishops embarking on a trip to the Holy Land in hope of encouraging domestic prayer for a land of political unrest. From Sept. 11 until Sept. 19, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has organized the Bishops' Prayer Pilgrimage for Peace in the Holy Land, during which they will pray for an end to conflict.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will be among 18 Catholic bishops from the United States taking part in the Bishops' Prayer Pilgrimage for Peace in the Holy Land, scheduled for Sept. 10-19. Bishop Malone will deliver a prayer at Jacob's Well in Ramallah on Sept. 14, and lead a Muslim-Christian Prayer for Peace with students at Bethlehem University on Sept. 18.

A school that has been a fixture in the Southtowns Catholic community will have a boost in enrollment for the 2014-15 academic year. Queen of Heaven School in West Seneca has doubled its enrollment and faculty and staff welcomed students and parents alike as their children's focus shifts from summer fun to the enrichment of learning.

Young students of SS. Peter & Paul School in Williamsville had a surprise as they got off the bus for the first day of class, Sept. 3. Bishop Richard J. Malone welcomed each of them and promised them an exciting year ahead.

Bishop Richard J. Malone says students returning to school to learn is a good time for all of us to study about our faith.

One of the fondest memories I have of the first day of school, when I was a student (a thousand years ago), was that anticipation of a whole new year, a new teacher, new books, new friends and new things to learn. All things were possible.

America is facing a shortage of scientists and engineers. The diocesan Catholic Education Division hopes to remedy that by introducing STREAM into 10 elementary schools this fall. These schools will focus on science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and math.

Two parishes in the diocese will present Life in the Spirit seminars this fall for those who would like to establish a deeper faith life and gain a better understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

The Permanent Diaconate has been restored in the Church for nearly 50 years, and there is still some confusion as to what a deacon can do.

Members of Stand True Pro-Life Outreach spent the summer traveling across the country dropping information like a gang of Johnny Appleseeds. They swung through Buffalo in mid-August to pray, protest and participate in a pro-life weekend.

On Sunday, Sept. 21, Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston, will be the site of the 34th Annual Rosary Crusade for World Peace. The event, which will take place from 2-3:30 p.m., is sponsored buy the Niagara Council of Catholic Women of the Diocese of Buffalo. This year's theme is "Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, intercedes for all humanity."

After this year's Catholic Charities Appeal exceeded its goal by nearly $200,000, the social service organization was able to open a new location in Franklinville last week to help serve several communities in Southeast Wyoming and Northern Cattaraugus counties.

For a group of local doctors, serving the poor is about improving people's lives by donating costly medical care, time and much-needed surgeries. In May and June, a retired priest of the diocese was among a group that traveled to Ghana and Rome with the Hope for Tomorrow Foundation, an organization of doctors and surgeons based in Williamsville, that provides reconstructive surgeries at no cost.

Eight Catholic elementary schools received a much needed upgrade this summer, as volunteers throughout the Diocese of Buffalo refurbished and installed fresh computers and equipment during the 11th annual Ed Tech Day on Aug. 19.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision in the case of Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby. The Court said that the owners of Hobby Lobby, the Green family - devout Christians - are free to run their business according to their religious beliefs. The Greens had objected to paying for certain kinds of contraception in their employee health insurance plan, specifically, four different kinds of contraception that can cause early abortions.

Five cold snowy days in winter allowed an 83-year-old woman an opportunity to reflect on her life and write it down. Mary Carol Herwood, Ph.D., used those days, snowbound in her Hamburg home, to write her second book, "Psalms of an 83-year-old Woman."

The steeple rises the exact height that the Niagara River falls into the gorge at the American Falls a few blocks away. St. Mary of the Cataract Church in Niagara Falls has embraced its rich metaphors since its early beginnings as a mission parish of St. John Neumann. Ministering within this tradition is Father Jacek Mazur, pastor.

With all the changes in the media landscape over the past decade, it may seem odd to think back to a time when Western New York didn't have its own dedicated Catholic radio station, but this month WLOF 101.7 FM celebrates 15 extraordinary years, and The Station of the Cross is continuing to grow.

Currently, the pastoral council of St. Clare Parish in Buffalo is in the process of establishing parish focus statements and a mission statement to more clearly express the parish goals. Completed drafts of two of these focus statements have been placed in the back of the church to make sure people are aware of how the parish aims to serve the community.

They come across the border, fleeing the situation back home, sometimes brought into the U.S. by "coyotes" - the name for the paid "guides" who transport them. Since last October, there have been more than 60,000 of them who have been apprehended - and many more who have escaped detection. Recent government estimates are that more than 90,000 will come across the border in this fiscal year, and that number is likely to increase to more than 130,000 next year.

There's no place like home for a man with two homes. Father Ryszard Biernat took a trip back to his Polish homeland in July and experienced some sadness and joy with his family. Father Biernat had booked time this fall to spend with his family, but sad news forced him to fly to Poland earlier than planned. He received word that his sister-in-law was losing a battle with cancer.

Corpus Christi's historic restoration took another step forward with the repair and rebuilding of the church's north tower, which began last week. Rebuilding will include removal of the church's copper cupola.

Chet Fery grew up on the East Side of Buffalo, in the Polish/German neighborhood referred to as Kaisertown. He is a product of Catholic education and worked as a teacher for 33 years.

Ever wonder about the purpose of saints, or why a church may have statues of figures other than Jesus and/or Mary? Bishop Richard J. Malone answers these questions in a new episode of his online show, "Consider This."

After more than 20 years as a diocesan-wide event, the service program known as Young Christians at Work has moved to a parish-based version. However, the focus and lessons, remain the same.

The situation of children and families crossing the border is nothing new. It has been taking place for many years, but it's being highlighted now, because the numbers are larger than usual.

It started with a walk up a mountain and for 20 years has continued to be an uphill challenge to those who serve the disadvantaged through St. Luke's Mission of Mercy.

Hard work and a kind character will help send Stephen Weppner to college. The American Legion Post 527 in Hamburg awarded the 18-year-old Hamburg resident with a $1,000 scholarship.

Officials in the Catholic Church spend a lot of time thinking about how to get more people to come to Sunday Mass, but four people in Buffalo have developed a simple campaign that can fill the pews beyond expectations, even if it's just one parish at a time.

Some in Western New York take simple things in life such as three square meals a day, running water, shelter and health for granted. However, the lack of these basic needs for people in nations throughout the world is always a concern for Catholic Relief Services.