Continuing its efforts to embrace new technology, the Diocese of Buffalo has begun publishing a regular podcast for people who are interested in listening to diocesan programming on their computer or on the go.

 A small group of women sat in the middle of the jungle in Haiti waiting for their chance at self-empowerment as Kathy Mang, parishioner at St. Joseph University Parish in Buffalo entered with hope in hand.  As the people of America sit with their  iPhones, Macbooks and flat screen TVs sighing over the state of the economy, many women in Haiti and in other disadvantaged countries are working just to survive and are waiting for a chance at a better life. Mang and the others of Mothers Clubs try to provide the education, the resources and the hope these women need to climb out of hopeless destitution into the dream of a new tomorrow.

The Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and the newly formed Disciples of Divine Mercy in the Holy Face of Jesus are sponsoring Divine Mercy Conference: Buffalo 2010. The theme of the conference is “Living the Message of Divine Mercy.”

Our Lady of Pompeii Parish in Lancaster has almost doubled its membership in the last five years and now offers more than 50 ministries and programs.  When asked about the reasons behind the rapid growth, pastor of the parish, Father Leon Biernat gave several answers.

People have been buzzing about Father Ryszard Biernat’s unique hobby. Since his childhood growing up in Poland, the 29-year-old priest has been an apiarist, or beekeeper. He has rekindled his passion for the craft during his assignment at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Orchard Park. Establishing and maintaining 34 hives, he has been an interesting analogy to the dynamics of parish life.

God takes each individual on many different paths during the course of his or her lifetime.  Some paths lead to new beginnings and the ending of old vocations.  God has led music director Bridget Dick of Blessed Trinity Parish in Buffalo into the vocation of marriage, an exciting new beginning.  In order to give her new vocation her best effort, she has decided to retire from her position as music director.

In her first column for the Western New York Catholic as director of the diocesan Office of Cultural Diversity, Milagros Ramos described the newly formed office as a marriage of cultural ministry. The office was the result of a merger of the Hispanic Apostolate and the Office of Black Ministry, with an expanded reach into the African immigrant, and Asian and Native American populations. To help communicate and plan events, Ramos organized commissions consisting of about 10 people who represent those communities.

The revolution of smart phones like the Droid and the iPhone have made it possible for people to perform everyday tasks through their mobile devices, such as check their e-mail, search for nearby stores, play games or listen to music. Now many Catholics are working on ways to include their own faith on their smart phone.

Crowds gather on the bleachers of Island Park’s baseball diamond in Wellsville on a warm day in September.  The competitors pace at the starting lines ready for the race.  The signal is given, and the racers begin their run.  The spectators dissolve into laughter and raucous cheering as the tiny daschunds furiously pump their little legs advancing towards their goal.  Some make it, some don’t.  But the pleasure they bring to so many with their efforts is priceless.

Fore! It’s that time of the year again, time for the annual Bagley Open. The fourth annual Bagley Open golf tournament will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at Deerwood Golf Course in North Tonawanda and Classics V Banquet Hall.