Current News

If you follow the diocese on social media, you may have noticed Bishop Richard J. Malone attending a number of confirmation Masses throughout the area. In a new "Consider This," the bishop talks about why it has become one of his favorite seasons of the year.

Since making its digital debut, the Catholic Directory has provided an updated list of the names, numbers and addresses of all things Catholic in the Diocese of Buffalo. The online version of the Directory can be viewed from computer, tablet or smartphones, making it convenient for people on the go. It can also be downloaded and saved, so it can be read when a Wi-Fi hotspot is nowhere to be found.

The Western New York Catholic is an important part of the Catholic Communication Campaign which will take place in parishes on the weekend of June 7-8.

The last time the Diocese of Buffalo embarked on a complete revamp of its website - along with many of the departments that work in the Catholic Center - was 2009. That is a generation ago in Internet timelines.

Few would argue the power of the media today and the emergence and influence of social media can hardly be denied. Like most things in life, there are pros and cons to this. But everyone can agree that by using some form of media, one can get the word out.

Transitional Deacon Bryan Zielenieski's personal journey in faith began as a youth on a dairy farm in Arcade. Now, as he prepares to be ordained into the priesthood on June 7, he is able to reflect on what brought him to this stage, and how he farms and harvests his faith in God by serving others.

Coming back to school at the age of 50 was not a problem for John W. Adams, who just completed six years of study at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora. "Since I've been here it's very clear that we're all lifelong learners. That's how I feel," he said.

One of the missions Catholics are called to is to feed the hungry. "One of the best ways we can do that here in Western New York is Catholic Charities," Bishop Richard J. Malone says in a new episode of "Consider This."

Carrying signs and chanting "Governor Cuomo, keep your word," 300 students, parents and educators gathered at Niagara Square in downtown Buffalo on May 28 to make Gov. Andrew Cuomo hold a promise he made to Catholic schools.

It is important that our voices are heard not only on this public square, but we must, we must be heard all the way to the halls of the State capitol in Albany: the time for approval of the Education Investment Tax Credit is NOW - it's that simple.

Father Leon Biernat can remember years back, when he was director of Vocations for the Diocese of Buffalo, attending a workshop on communications. He learned to communicate one idea to one group of people in 10 different ways.

As the country prepares to celebrate Memorial Day, Catholic Cemeteries of Buffalo will join thousands of Catholic cemeteries across the United States in a national celebration, "Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes." Developed by the Catholic Cemetery Conference, the national program will honor those men and women who have served our country.

As we prepare for Memorial Day weekend, Bishop Richard J. Malone recalls how his family celebrated the day and offers a prayer in a encore episode of Daybreak's online series, "Consider This."

Charismatic Renewal of the diocese will offer a Vigil Mass at Our Lady of Pompeii Church at 158 Laverack Ave., Lancaster, on Saturday, June 7, at 6:30 p.m. Charismatic Renewal will team up with Hispanic Charismatic Renewal and the Buffalo Chapter of Magnificat for this event. St. Luke's "Voices of Mercy" will provide the music for the celebration. All are invited to attend this charismatic style Mass and celebration of Pentecost.

One of the changes over the past year is that there is a new pope. Who would have guessed the cardinals had gone almost to the end of the earth to get him? This humble and well-planted leader has refreshing words for us daily, along with an unassuming style. Pope Francis asks us to love one another and not to judge others in their situation. He says, "Gossip can also kill" and not to spread it.

Things have gotten turned around at Mount St. Mary Academy in Kenmore. Students are doing homework in school and learning their lessons at home. It's all part of a new teaching technique known as the Flipped Classroom.

For many in the area, both Niagara University and Niagara Catholic Jr./Sr. High School have established themselves as key facets of Catholic education in Western New York. Now, the two organizations have signed an agreement to work together with one another on a more extensive basis, with a mission to make Niagara Falls a better place for young people to academically excel and develop their faith.

The guilt and pain of having an abortion can last for years. For some it leads to depression and anxiety. Others may develop an inability to connect with children. Catholic dioceses across the country offer healing through Project Rachel Ministries, the Catholic Church's outreach to women and men affected by abortion.

Kenmore Mercy Hospital has gone through many changes over the past year, as the Catholic Health hospital continues its development as an Orthope­dic Campus of Excellence in Western New York. From pre-surgical education to post-hospital rehabilitation, Kenmore Mercy offers orthopedic patients a complete continuum of care all in one location.

One of my philosophy professors often reminded the class that in reading philosophy - or anything, really - there is no text apart from the context. What is the larger context when it comes to the painful subject of fewer Catholic schools?

Some may have noticed the Catholic Directory now lists representatives from the dozen diocesan vicariates as vicars forane, instead of episcopal vicars as they have been known for nearly 20 years.

The Diocese of Buffalo will take up a special collection this month for the Latin American Missions. Bishop Richard J. Malone has asked all parishes to hold a second collection on a weekend of the pastor's choosing, for Catholics in Latin America and the Caribbean.

On this episode of "Our Daily Bread," host Father Paul D. Seil is joined in the kitchen by his classmate Father Michael Burzynski, pastor of St. John Gualbert Parish in Cheektowaga. On the menu: bones.

Bishop Richard Malone shares memories of his mother and reminds us of the many wonderful things mothers do for their children on "Consider This."

Dawn Curazzato faced every grandmother's nightmare in 1996. Her granddaughter Katelin was born with serious health problems. She was unable to eat or breathe on her own. After prayers and a visit to Audrey Santo, who some consider an intercessor for miracles, Katelin's condition improved. Curazzato then set out to fulfill her promise to make the Lord's true presence known.

This past Lent my office together with the parishes offered a three-day retreat with lay evangelist Richard Lane on evangelization. He challenged us in the pews to be enthusiastic about our faith. Be happy. Be enthusiastic. Share your stories.

The first few days of May have brought a Pro-Life focus to the Diocese of Buffalo with a series of events that began Sunday with the second annual Blessing of the Child in the Womb Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo.

The month of May brings the promise of warmer weather, spring flowers and sunshine to Western New Yorkers, but did you know it is also a month devoted to Mary? Bishop Richard J. Malone explains why in a new episode of his YouTube series, "Consider This."

Saints John XXIII and John Paul II prophetically raised their voices on behalf of the suffering masses. They spoke truth to power, and challenged all of us to advance the kingdom of God - a kingdom of love, justice and peace.

At the end of World Youth Day 2013, Pope Francis invited the world to celebrate their faith in Krakow, Poland, in 2016, for the next international WYD experience. The Diocese of Buffalo plans to be a part of that event.

As a half million people flooded St. Peter's Square in Rome for the canonization of two popes on the morning of April 27, much smaller celebrations took place in the Diocese of Buffalo. Both St. John Paul Parish in Lake View and Blessed John XXIII Parish in West Seneca carried the spirit of sainthood throughout the weekend.

As the Catholic world prepares for a historic Divine Mercy Sunday with the duo canonizations of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II, Bishop Richard J. Malone remembers their mark in history, and how they continue to inspire us today, in a new "Consider This."

Bishop Richard J. Malone was in familiar territory Friday as he appeared on CatholicTV's "This is the Day" to discuss his concern about the growing problem of online pornography.

Involvement and creativity are signature words for Rosanne Saccoccia. A parishioner of St. Mary Parish in Swormville, she is a prayer group member, serves as a lector and teaches a teen Scripture class. She also enjoys working with faith images slowly and deliberately, taking brush to canvas.

An article in The New York Times a few weeks ago caught my attention. It was about an effort to legalize commercial surrogacy in New York state, the process whereby people who wish to be parents pay a woman to rent out her womb to grow a baby.

Blessed John Paul II Parish in Lake View will observe a rare occasion April 27, when its patron is canonized. In honor of the much-loved pope, the parish will celebrate with prayer, music and fireworks.

Bishop Richard J. Malone closed Holy Week with a Mass emphasizing the true meaning of Easter, echoing his recent newspaper column, on Sunday at St. Joseph Cathedral.

In a special Easter episode of "Consider This," Bishop Richard J. Malone recalls his visit to the chapel dedicated to the late Archbishop Oscar Romero, and how it relates to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

There may not be any butter lambs, kielbasa or horseradish involved, but the nation will see a Buffalo flavor in a televised Easter Mass this month. Daybreak TV Productions taped an Easter Mass, celebrated by Bishop Richard J. Malone at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo on March 8, set to air nationally on ABC affiliate stations on April 20.

Isn't it a curious and concerning thing that so many of our Christian feasts have been overlaid - better, co-opted - by all sorts of customs that, though nice, have little to do with the essence of those feasts? Christmas comes first to mind, which for too many folks seems more a consumer-driven winter wonderland festival than the celebration of our Savior's birthday. And don't let me get me started on what popular American culture has done to the vigil of the Solemnity of all Saints ... better known, sadly, as Halloween.