Current News

KENMORE — State of the art technology upgrades have been the focus of St. John the Baptist School. St. John's has invested more than $45,000 to install interactive SmartBoards into every classroom from kindergarten through eighth grade, as well as the library and art departments. Moreover, they have secured wireless Internet connections throughout the campus and have obtained iPads to complement the teachers' use of the SmartBoards. Some of these funds will also be used to provide additional training to the faculty and staff.

LANCASTER — Lynn Tytka, a math teacher at St. Mary High School, has been named a "Math Hero," one of only two in New York state.

St. Mary of the Angels is looking back as it plans its future. As the Olean parish prepares for the centennial celebration of its church in 2015, the building is being restored to its 1915 look and feel. The parish has also built a chapel dedicated to the children who witnessed the apparition of Fatima in 1917.

December is a busy time as visitors stream into the Gift Shop of Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna. Reopened adjacent to the Father Baker Museum in October 2009 after major remodeling, it features a well-lit sales floor and a wide variety of religious items.

As winter dark envelops and cold gathers us in, the Advent season provides an opportunity to experience moments of devotion and illumination. Father Czeslaw Krysa, diocesan director of the Office of Worship and author, has long considered this in relation to the crèche.

PORTLAND---Pope Francis has appointed the Most Rev. Robert P. Deeley, J.C.D., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston, as the 12th Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.

I have in my files a note passed to me some years ago. It relates to a survey of the words or phrases people most like to hear said to them with sincerity. The most welcomed phrase: "I love you." In second place: "You are forgiven." In third place (are you ready for this?): "Supper is ready." Those three most welcomed phrases are said to us at Christmas.

St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, which has tended to the corporal works of mercy for nearly 20 years, will expand its ministry by creating a gated community for at-risk mothers and children. The first house in Gospa Village is expected to open this spring. The neighborhood will allow mothers and their children to live together with a missionary volunteer, who will serve as a nanny and aid, to allow the mother to work or go to school. A community center will be available for classes on basic home economics and parenting.

Talk to Patrizia De Libero Brown and the concept of making a pilgrimage will never be the same. She believes a pilgrimage should connect to a person's faith and be a life-changing experience.

Christmas is creeping up fast. Your "to do" list seems to be getting longer instead of shorter. You start to feel jumpy, nervous and, yes, even a bit crabby during this jolly, holiday season. And to top it off ... inevitably you miss a holiday television special that you wait all year to watch.

The sound of sleigh bells will be heard inside Blessed Sacrament Parish as Father Bill Quinlivan presents his annual Christmas concert on Friday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., at Father Cotter Hall at the Tonawanda church.

On Dec. 12, many throughout the world will join our Mexican brothers and sisters to celebrate the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe. Pope John Paul II named her Mother of the Americas.

Youth and adults gathered to celebrate youth ministry on Nov. 15 at the third annual Witness the Spirit awards presentation, held at Mount St. Mary Academy in Kenmore. The evening saw people of all ages being recognized for the work and support of youth ministry.

Respect life coordinators across the diocese have asked for more education on life issues and the diocesan Office of Pro-Life Activities has replied. Warriors in the pro-life movement now hold quarterly Vine & Branches meetings to share information and hear from people making decisions that support life.

The great generosity of the people of Western New York was very evident in the 2012 Retirement Fund for Religious appeal. For the first time in the history of this 25-year appeal, the Diocese of Buffalo ranked first in the nation, collecting $884,000. Although this amount includes online donations from throughout the United States, more than $775,000 was contributed locally. Approximately $768,000 of this amount was distributed to congregations of women ($631,222) and men ($137,514) religious that serve in the Diocese of Buffalo.

Among the many retired women religious in the Diocese of Buffalo is Sister Norine Truax, RSM, who helped area Catholics develop ways to help children with special needs.

In its preparation for the October 2014 Extraordinary General Synod of Bishops on the theme "The Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization," the Holy See is asking the world's bishops to consult "widely" among the Catholic faithful. So it is that there is a questionnaire, provided by the Vatican, available on this website.

Stan is a cradle Catholic, from a large family. A doctor by trade, he married and raised two children. Perhaps it comes as no surprise that he stays quite active and healthy. What may be a surprise is that he wears a scapular, and spends more time praying the rosary, attending Mass or adoration, and reading the Bible than he does in recreation or exercise.

A new program at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Athol Springs promotes, safeguards and protects the sanctity of human life and hopes to bring about a change of heart for society.

With Thanksgiving Day approaching, it is an opportune moment for me to say a sincere "Thank you!" to the good people of the Diocese of Buffalo. I am a few months into my second year as your bishop.

The Year of Faith is almost over, and the Diocese of Buffalo came together AT St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo Sunday afternoon to celebrate the theme, as well as move forward with a renewed focus on New Evangelization.

If St. Mark Parish in Buffalo feels more inviting these days, you're not imagining things.

Daybreak TV Productions will present a 30-minute program spotlighting the Year of Faith which will air on WKBW-TV Channel 7 on Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. "Opening Doors of Faith" asks the average and some not so average Catholics about Church, prayer and service.

It is a long journey to become a priest, but following his October ordination as a transitional deacon, the end of Bryan Zielenieski's road is in sight.

I doubt that Pope Francis has heard of Ernie Banks, the Hall of Fame shortstop. But like "Mr. Cub," whose love for baseball led him to exclaim "Let's play two!" before Sunday doubleheaders in the 1950s, the pope from the end of the world seems to think that papal canonizations are better in tandem: hence the recent announcement that Blessed John XXIII and Blessed John Paul II will be canonized together on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014.

Daybreak TV Productions has reached out to local talent for the documentary "Building a Basilica." The 60-minute film tells the story of the priest and architect who built a magnificent church to honor the Blessed Mother Mary and will air on WKBW-TV on Jan. 19, 2014, at noon.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, chairman of the Christ the King Seminary board of trustees, has named the pastor of the largest parish in the Diocese of Buffalo as the next president/rector of the East Aurora seminary.

All Souls Day, and the Fifteenth International Survivors of Suicide Day scheduled in Buffalo for Nov. 23, are reminders of a recent letter that appeared in a newsletter of the Association of Marian Helpers. The author lives in Buffalo and regularly prays for holy souls.

Honor Flight Buffalo provides a special service to veterans as it transports them to Washington, D.C., to see various landmarks and memorials. It made its final flight for the year in October.

This month of Thanksgiving is a time in which we are especially grateful for the Lord's blessings. The blessings come in many ways and remind us of God's love each day.

The fourth-grade students of Notre Dame Academy in Buffalo are spending this Veteran's Day giving thanks and honoring veterans in the local community, as well as outside of Western New York.

Inspired by the tale of a 20th-century Polish saint, St. Luke's Productions brings their nationally touring "Faustina: Messenger of Divine Mercy" one-woman show for three performances in the Diocese of Buffalo in November.

The following statement was posted on the news page of the Archdiocese of Baltimore website on Nov. 7, 2013. The priest who is the subject of the statement, Father Michael Kolodziej, OFM Conv., was a priest of the Diocese of Buffalo from his ordination in 1970 until 1974, and was stationed here by the Franciscan Order from 1979 until 1988.

All gave some, some gave all, and now Catholic Cemeteries are giving back.

November is Black Catholic History Month, as named by the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus. This year the diocesan African and African-American Commissions of the Office of Cultural Diversity kicked off the celebration with a Revival that took place at St. Martin de Porres in October.

Three days of preaching. Three days of singing. Three days of gathering for the Lord. For three days St. Martin de Porres Parish in Buffalo welcomed Father Arthur Cavitt who in turn invited others to "Walk by Faith, Walk in Faith, Walk through Faith."

Bishop Richard J. Malone speaks about the Sacrament of Confirmation in "Consider This."

Bishop Richard J. Malone offers a prayer for Memorial Day in a new "Consider This."

Bishop Richard Malone shares a First Communion story to help encourage parents in a new "Consider This."

During this Year of Faith, it is important to contemplate the scriptures.