Current News

In the early months of his papacy, Pope Francis felt the urgent need to courageously preach on the actual existence of the devil, and the grave dangers of not taking his existence seriously (see: 1 Peter 5:8-9).

George Richert has decided to step down as diocesan Director of Communications, effective Friday, Sept. 7.

For the past 25 plus years St Michael Jesuit Church in Buffalo has offered the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola in Daily Life.

In the coming months the Lifelong Faith Formation Department is updating the catechist formation requirements in order to create a solid, robust formation process for adult catechists.

The word Discipleship does not appear in the Bible, yet it is often used to mean a follower of Christ. Nearly two-dozen high school teens began their journey on the road to discipleship during a weeklong program of education and self-discovery.

The middle section of Mark's Gospel, 8:32-10:52, presents Jesus and His disciples journeying to Jerusalem. Three times in this section Jesus predicts his coming suffering and death. Each time the disciples misunderstand Jesus and the meaning of the cross. The second prediction 9:30-31, and the subsequent misunderstandings include two passages involving children.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Abortion in the United States is usually thought of as a deeply partisan issue. The majority of Republicans in Congress support restrictions on abortion, and the Democratic Party has included support and public funding for abortion in its most recent official party platform.

Sister Mary Agnes Czarnecki, 98, a Felician Sister for 79 years, died in Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in Buffalo Aug. 28, 2018.

After receiving a new abuse complaint against Father Robert Yetter, Bishop Richard J. Malone has asked for and received the resignation of Father Yetter as pastor of St Mary's of Swormville. Father Yetter has also been placed on administrative leave as an investigation continues. Please note that this administrative leave is for the purpose of investigation and does not imply any determination as to the truth or falsity of the complaint.

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued the following statement.

On Sunday afternoon Bishop Richard J. Malone outlined new actions to handle cases of clerical sexual abuse against both children and adults.

The following is a statement from Bishop Richard J. Malone which was read to the faith community of St. Mary of Swormville:

Catholic Charities of Buffalo has begun the process to phase out current foster care and adoption services under a contract with the Erie County Department of Social Services (DSS). The contract is set to expire in March 2019.

Grammy-nominated musician David Haas will lead a workshop/retreat at Sacred Heart Parish in Lakewood, followed by a concert. With him will be Lori True, associate director of Music Ministry Alive, a national liturgical music formation program.

There is a thirst for truth and authenticity in our culture, the likes of which has never been seen before in the history of our country. The extreme polarization of thought and opinion has given rise to some of the most intense debate of which people are capable.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has named Father Mark J. Noonan pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Orchard Park for a term of six years, effective Sept. 1. Father Noonan had been serving since May as vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Buffalo after leaving St. Mary Parish in Holley and St. Mark Parish in Kendall where he had been pastor since 2010. Since his ordination in 2007, he has also served as parochial vicar at St. Amelia, Tonawanda, and Nativity of Our Lord, Orchard Park.

An incident of vandalism against a Catholic Church statue of Mary received a happy ending, as the St. John Kanty Parish community in Buffalo raised more than $1,000 to buy a replacement statue over the summer. Bishop Richard J. Malone blessed the new statue during a parish visit Aug. 14.

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued the following statement in response to Pope Francis's Letter to the People of God, issued earlier today. In his letter addressed to the whole People of God, the Pope calls on the Church to join in acts of prayer and fasting in "combatting all forms of abuse of power, sexual abuse and the abuse of conscience."

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis called Monday for every member of the Catholic Church to pray and fast in penance for the evil of clerical sex abuse, and to be involved in needed change within the Church.

I hope you read Bishop Richard J. Malone's column in the July issue that talked about "building bridges instead of walls." He ended his powerful reflection with this observation: "Do all you can to learn about these issues ... Study them through the lenses of sacred Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching. And then ... act!

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo released this statement pertaining to the Pennsylvania grand jury report: "The Diocese of Buffalo is committed to learning from the sins and crimes of the past and from the ways they were handled. I share in the sense of horror at the magnitude of damage wrought on victims by ministers of the church who, of all people, should be eminently trustworthy. It's a different church now in the way we respond to any claims of abuse."

WASHINGTON, DC — Abortion in the United States is usually thought of as a deeply partisan issue. The majority of Republicans in Congress support restrictions on abortion, and the Democratic Party has included support and public funding for abortion in its most recent official party platform.

This past year has seen much change for St. John the Baptist Alden; a new principal, teachers and a pastoral administrator. All of these changes have positively affected their school, but the most fun transformation was the addition of STREAM Academies.

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities today announced that they have signed a purchase and sale agreement (PSA) for the property known as St. Mary of the Angels in Williamsville to The Tzetzo Companies LLC of Buffalo. In addition to owning the property, Tzetzo will operate the region house as a New York State-licensed senior assisted living facility. The purchase price was not disclosed and final closing on the sale is not expected until sometime in November.

"As a body of bishops, we are shamed by and sorry for the sins and omissions by Catholic priests and Catholic Bishops," Says President of U.S. Bishops' Conference in Joint Statement with Committee Chairman for the Protection of Children and Young People

For the first time ever, Buffalo will play host to Catholic Charities USA's Annual Gathering. Catholic Charities of Buffalo was the catalyst for bringing the Sept. 12-14 conference to the Nickel City and has been involved in the planning as well.

"Go out and be missionary disciples, witnesses of God's love to the world," is what 300 delegates were called to do June 22-24. Thirteen delegates along with Bishop Richard J. Malone and Father Ryszard S. Biernat went to Albany for the Regional V Encuentro. Delegates came together from New York, Rochester, Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Ogdensburg, Rockville Center and Syracuse. Those from our diocese are all very grateful to the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo who made it possible for them to attend.

Students in the Kenmore area should get used to the name Principal Spillman. St. Joseph Collegiate Institute has hired James Spillman as its new principal. At the same time, Mount St. Mary Academy welcomed his wife, Katherine, as its new head of school. The Spillmans are natives of Western New York. Katherine hails from Rochester and James from Tonawanda.

Are painful, arthritic joints preventing you from doing daily activities or the things you enjoy? If everyday tasks leave you in agony, and the inability to swing a golf club or stroll the beach is interfering with your summer plans, there is help available.

Clarence has been home to Joan Baez, Joyce Carol Oates and Bishop John Neumann. Now it is home to the Bowen sisters, who form a close sorority in the Brothers of Mercy's Senior Apartments. The five sisters, who come from a family of 15 children born in Mount Jewett, Pa., gather every Tuesday to play cards, which usually turns into an afternoon of laughs.

The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy also known as the Mercedarian Friars, the religious community that staffs the parishes of Our Lady of Mercy in Le Roy and St. Brigid's in Bergen, celebrates its 800th Anniversary this year.

"The diversity of topics and ability to reach a broad audience and offer something for practically everyone are what makes this newspaper stand out." This is what the judges for the Catholic Press Association had to say about the Diocese of Buffalo's own Western New York Catholic. The paper won first place in the category of Newspaper of the Year for non-weekly diocesan newspaper with a circulation of 25,001 or more.

VATICAN CITY (CNA) - By most accounts, Pope Francis was elected with a mandate to reform the Roman Curia- the complex network of dicasteries, commissions, and councils charged with the central administrative work of the Catholic Church- a network that, even to insiders and experts, more often resembles a rabbit warren than a well-defined system of governable offices with clear responsibilities.

Sister Eileen Rynne, who served throughout the Northeast, died Aug. 6, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany.

WILLIAMSVILLE — The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities will host their third annual "Burgers, Brews and Blues" summer fundraiser on Tuesday, Aug. 14 at St. Mary of the Angels, 201 Reist St., in Williamsville. Event proceeds will benefit the sisters' important ministries throughout Western New York and beyond.

Food service ambassador Gloria Peay is delivering a special patient experience as she serenades the individuals she meets during her job at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Her story has gone viral on social media after a video of her singing was posted by a patient on Aug. 1.

Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity board of directors proudly announces the appointment of David J. Kersten as chief executive officer. Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity is the fundraising and support services arm of Our Lady of Victory Organizations/Father Baker's.

As I write this column, I'm just home from some restful days back in Massachusetts, where I lived for 58 of my 72 years until I was called to Maine and then Western New York. It is always a grace to reconnect with cherished people and places, and to enjoy for a few days the beautiful and calming sight, sound and smells of the Atlantic Ocean.

Emily Kwiatkowski returned to CLI 12 years after first learning the skills of a Christian leader. Now, a leader in her own right, she wants the young people of her parish to experience the learning, the challenge and the friendship she did.

Have you ever had an encounter with Jesus outside a 5 and dime store? A crew from St. Vincent Parish in Springbrook hopes you will.