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Like most parents, when my kids were growing up I read my share of Dr. Seuss books to them, and one of my favorites was "The Lorax." It is the story of the Once-ler who discovers that he can make a garment called a Thneed from the beautiful Truffula trees - and creates an entire industry that decimates the Truffula trees, pollutes the air and water, and forces the animals to migrate in order to survive.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY — A new research grant will allow a Niagara University senior to determine why Niagara Falls may lag behind comparable stateside tourist destinations when it comes to eradicating poverty and growing its tourism economy.

WASHINGTON—In a letter to President Donald J. Trump, thirty-five Jewish, Christian and Muslim national religious leaders agree that Israeli-Palestinian peace is possible. They believe, "based on the legitimate, long-standing aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians for national self-determination and security, a two-state solution still represents the most realistic way to meet essential interests of both peoples and to resolve the conflict."

WASHINGTON—In light of uncertainty about how the Senate will proceed on health care in the coming days, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, called on the Senate to fix problems with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in a more narrow way, rather than repeal it without an adequate replacement.

Earlier this year, an inquiry from a Southern Tier resident led to the rediscovery of, and renewed interest in, a piece of diocesan history: a quilt that parishioners from all existing diocesan parishes, as of 1997, contributed to that year for the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Buffalo. For a few years after this, the completed quilt, consisting of four large, separate panels, traveled from parish to parish. Since then, it has remained safety stored in the Catholic Center in downtown Buffalo.

The gift of a building from a Youngstown businessman will allow the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to resume retail operations in Niagara Falls.

Bishop John Timon, ordained as a Vincentian priest, was immersed in the order's charisms reflecting social justice and the Gospel values of care for the poor, sick, widowed and orphaned, and he lived by the motto of the order: Evangelizare pauperibus misit me - "He has sent me to preach the Gospel to the poor." Soon after his arrival, the bishop discovered the immediate need for an orphanage and hospital. Writing in his diary years later he believed that the purpose of the Catholic Church in Buffalo was to: "satisfy their worldly and spiritual needs."

A family from Congo, Africa received many helping hands from the students, parents, and faculty of St. John the Baptist School in Kenmore. Under the guidance of James Werick, the school's Dean of Discipline, students collected furniture, household items, clothing, and food to help settle the family of four. "Our students performed a wonderful act of kindness for a young family who has nothing and is fleeing unimaginable hardship, desperately seeking a new life in our country," states Werick. "This project helped in a very substantial way—working to create a welcoming home for our family."

Canisius College hosted a weeklong immersion experience for high school students to expose them to the wonders of faith and tragedies of injustice in the city of Buffalo. The Be the Light Youth Theology Institute welcomed 10 students from July 10-15.

DENVER, COLO. (CNA/EWTN News) - In the last 24 hours more than twenty Catholic pages, some with millions of followers, have been blocked by Facebook for unknown reasons.

As jubilarians, we welcome and thank all who come to celebrate with us today: Bishop Richard J. Malone, our family and friends, priests concelebrating, and all who have supported us along our way to this day.

Although they have long histories, many Catholic parishes in the United States has become plagued by an issue many pastors have noticed, one that could lead to a shorter history than they would like. With many millennials, or young adults born during an ill-defined time period that usually includes the 1980s to late 1990s, not attending Church or participating in religion in general, parishes have been put in a bind.

WASHINGTON— Over 750,000 youth have received protection from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) since its inception by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2012. While DACA provides no legal status, it does provide recipients with a temporary reprieve from deportation and employment authorization for legal work opportunities in the United States.

St. John Kanty Parish celebrated a new beginning as it prepares to commemorate the past. Bishop Richard J. Malone installed Father Michael H. Burzynski as administrator of the Buffalo church, which will hold its 125th anniversary later this year.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo's In-School Social Work Program was the recent recipient of a $411,000 grant from Fidelis Care, the New York State Catholic Health Plan.

ORCHARD PARK — A 5K race, food truck rally, classic car show and entertainment by Hit n Run and Eric Van Houten are among the highlights of the 25th annual St. John Vianney Lawn Fete, taking place July 20-23.

Teams of Our Lady invites married couples to an indoor-outdoor picnic, preceded by the 4:30 p.m. Mass, on Saturday, July 22, at SS. Peter & Paul Church, Williamsville. The north and south sectors for the region invite children to this event, to be held in the school cafeteria, with access to the gym. Look in the parish activity book for more information on Teams of Our Lady.

LEWISTON — Thanks to the funds provided by a donation from Catherine DiMino of Niagara Falls, Mount St. Mary's Hospital has acquired the latest vein visualization technology to assist in the placement of IVs and blood draws. The newly acquired system was unveiled in May at a luncheon as part of the hospital's celebration of National Nurses Week.

KENMORE — The Briana Talty Memorial Scholarship was recently awarded at St. John the Baptist School in honor of Briana Talty, the school's Spanish teacher, who passed away earlier this year. Families and friends of both St. John's and Talty established a memorial scholarship to honor the beloved teacher. Talty's parents and members of her family joined St. John the Baptist's principal, Cynthia Jacobs, at the ceremony to present the scholarship awards to the recipients, eighth-grader Alyssa Barnum and seventh-grader Colin Richey.

A Mass in honor of divine mercy and Hymn to St. Michael the Archangel, composed by David Butler, were premiered at the noon Mass on Pentecost Sunday at St. Michael Church in Buffalo. Butler, a well known Western New York musician and teacher, arranged and conducted the scores of his original works for voice, strings, piano and congregation. He was assisted by Jim McNeill, Colleen Mazella and the Burnett String Ensemble. Father Benjamin Fiore, SJ, pastor, presided and preached at the Mass.

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), along with Bishop Oscar Cantú, of Las Cruces, Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Bishop Mitchell Rozanski, of Springfield, Chair of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, have issued the following statement on today's attack in the Old City of Jerusalem. The deadly attack took place early this morning by the Lions' Gate in the Old City walls, next to what Muslims call the Noble Sanctuary and Jews call the Temple Mount.

WASHINGTON—Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, reacted strongly to the revised Senate health reform bill, the "Better Care Reconciliation Act" (BCRA).

"Jesus knows how hard life can be," Pope Francis said.

On Independence Day weekend, Bishop Richard Malone, along with 18 other representatives from the Diocese of Buffalo, participated in the Convocation of Catholic Leaders in Orlando, Florida. The four-day event brought together a diverse group of over 3,000 Catholics who joined more than 150 bishops from across the United States to respond to Pope Francis's call, in Evangelii Guadium, "to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by the Joy of the Gospel, to become ever more, and to form others as missionary disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ."

PERRY - Catholic Charities of Buffalo began a new chapter on June 12 as the agency celebrated the grand opening of its Wyoming County office on the campus of Community Action for Wyoming County in Building #1, 6470 State Rt. 20A, Perry. About 25 guests attended the event, including Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF, Catholic Charities' diocesan director, and Father Richard Blazejewski of St. Isidore Parish in Perry, who blessed the office.

Reverend Monsignor David S. Slubecky, vicar general and moderator of the curia of the Diocese of Buffalo, announced this morning the 2017 Appeal in support of Catholic Charities of Buffalo met and exceeded its $11 million goal. After a very challenging Appeal, officials expressed gratitude for the incredible parish, community and corporate support, especially last-minute gifts, which brought the campaign total to $11,069,168.36.

WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has named Bishop Nelson Perez, up until now Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre, as the new bishop of Cleveland. Pope Francis has also named Father Andrew Bellisario as the new bishop of Juneau, Alaska.

The parishioners of St. Bernadette's have put their money where their mouths are. To support the Orchard Park parish's youth ministry, parishioners bought $1,300 worth of the luncheon meat at the May 20 Baloneyfest. The fundraising idea came from Father Paul Seil, pastor and friend of the Wardynski family of Wardynski Meats fame, who donated 16 logs of baloney to the parish.

Several diocesan priests, including the four men who were ordained in June, have received new assignments from Bishop Richard J. Malone.

The Catholic League for Religious Assistance to the Church in Poland continues the good work envisioned 74 years ago and continues to reflect, develoop and expand its present needs. Much has changed in the last seven decades, but love and fidelity to our faith, the mission of the Church and heritage remain steadfast. "For on the shoulders of the giants of the past (clergy and laity), we stand to build the present and influence the future," is a phrase I have heard, and it describes that spirit well.

The need for blood doesn't end with a particular season. By contributing to the community blood supply donors can show their commitment to a better quality of life. While one unit may not seem important at this moment, it could mean the difference between life and death to the patient who needs a particular blood type.

Two priests walk into a kitchen. One has a mallet, and one has a cutting board. No, this is not the beginning of a joke. It's a description of this month's encore episode of "Our Daily Bread."

Sister Patricia Burkard, OSF updates us on happenings with the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities in Williamsville and Cindy Munschauer gives the details of this year's Burgers, Brews & Blues event.

WASHINGTON, DC - A joint declaration issued today by U.S. and European Catholic bishops calls for all nations to work together to develop a "credible, verifiable and enforceable strategy for the total elimination of nuclear weapons."

In commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, the Diocese of Buffalo has been collaborating with the Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America throughout the calendar year. Although the Reformation began after Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses in 1517, the goal in 2017 is to foster unity. On May 19, they joined for an ecumenical study day at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, with Sister Susan K. Wood, SCL, Ph.D. as keynote speaker.

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities in Williamsville have now entered Phase II of their property study and are pursuing a senior care provider owner/operator for the community living center and region house at 201 Reist St. for the 62 sisters currently in residence as well as for any additional future sisters currently residing in local mission houses in Western New York.

The theme for the National Black Catholic Congress, which will be taking place from July 7-9 in the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., is "The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me: Act Justly, Love Goodness, and Walk Humbly with Your God."

For 70 years, Mary Queen of Angels Regional Catholic School served Cheektowaga and surrounding municipalities of Western New York, most of this time under its former name, Queen of Martyrs School. However, as the 2016-17 school year came to a close, the MQA community recognized the end of its era with a special field day of activities on June 2 and a Mass celebrating the school's history on June 21.

For the past seven years, Theresa Zielinski has watched her parish teens grow into leaders of the Wyoming County Association of Catholic Youth. They learn how to grab the reins of a problem and steer it into a positive outcome by attending the Christian Leadership Institute, a program that teachers young people to be servant leaders in the mold of Jesus Christ.

Do you sometimes wonder, though, why so many people, maybe even beloved relatives or friends, can't seem to find that joy that comes from knowing Jesus? Do you worry that they may perhaps have never truly encountered Him?