Current News

TONAWANDA — A silver anniversary is an occasion to celebrate. At Cardinal O'Hara High School, this year's Hawk-tion, held on Nov. 9, celebrated its 25th year of the school's most successful fundraiser.

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

HAMBURG — Dr. Michael S. Brophy, former president of Benedictine University (Chicago and Phoenix) and Marymount California University (Los Angeles), has been named the fourth president of Hilbert College. Brophy, who was born and raised in New York state, is the first male president in the College's 61-year history. He will take office Jan. 15, 2019.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has named Father Bryan J. Zielenieski pastor of Our Lady of Charity Parish, Buffalo, for a term of six years.

Teenagers and adults from over 10 parishes gathered at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Cheektowaga on Friday, Nov. 9, to reflect on The Call: Sainthood is Now. The evening began with praise and worship led by The Anointed music group. The opening prayer focused on First Samuel where the young boy finally realizes it is God who is calling him. He responds, "Speak for your servant is listening." A sung litany of saints concluded the prayer.

Perhaps you caught some of the recent Plenary Assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, held in Baltimore from Nov. 12 through Nov. 15.

Sister Mary Helen Buscarino, OSF, has come a long distance from her Italian birthplace, and she has met a lot of people along the way. Her life as a Franciscan sister has given her opportunities to help others, and she used every one of those chances to make someone else's world better.

The 29th Annual Night of Prayer will be observed Saturday, Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, at 9 p.m. to Sunday, Dec. 9, feast of St. Juan Diego, at 1 a.m.

The Response To Love Center is collecting everyday cleaning supplies that will be distributed to the people in need during our Christmas Eve dinner.

Retirement for Sister Joan Sherry means working four days a week rather than seven. There are also no more late night meetings, and "a lot less pressure."

Prayer is one of the most important things a Christian can do. It is a way of communicating with God. Prayer does not have to be complicated or difficult. It can be as easy as a conversation with a good friend.

Teachers know they have made an impact on their students when those students attend their birthday parties. When Sister Mary Fidelma Kakol turned 100 in October, her former students packed the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center to wish her well.

The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 8-9 in the Diocese of Buffalo. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) in Washington, the appeal benefits 31,000 elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests.

DENVER, COLO. (CNA) - "Insincerity was an evil which sprang up within the Church from the first," wrote Blessed John Henry Newman in 1839. "Ananias and Simon were not open opposers of the Apostles, but false brethren."

Officials and staff of Catholic Charities Workforce and Education Services celebrated the grand opening of its newest location at 1001 E. Delavan Ave., Buffalo, Friday, Nov. 16, with an open house, blessing and dedication and tours of the facility.

Wondering just how Catholics can live as missionary disciples? Pope Francis' suggests that we do it by visiting with those at the margins. In other words, we learn to be missionaries by spending time in the company of those with whom church insiders can find it most difficult. If we want our parishes to thrive and not merely survive, we need to pay attention to those who we find hardest to understand. Why? Because that is where many of God's people are. Our purpose is to connect, welcome and engage them.

Sister Ruth Haselbauer, a Sister of St. Joseph for 65 years and an administrator and faculty member at Medaille College for 35 years, died Nov. 19, 2018, at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence in Clarence, after an extended illness. She was 84.

Sister Mary Rosalma Pawlak, 98, a Felician Sister for 76 years, died in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in Buffalo on Nov. 28, 2018. The former Josephine Pawlak was born on Feb. 22, 1920, in Morris Run, Pa. She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters on Oct. 25, 1942, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 6, 1950. She was a member of St. Casimir Parish in Elmira, and graduated from Elmira Free Academy. She earned a bachelor's degree from Mount St. Joseph Teachers (now Medaille) College in Buffalo. She also received a diploma from Rochester Dental Dispensary and a New York state license as a dental hygienist.

Sister Mary Janet Mazierski, 89, a Felician Sister for 69 years, died in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in Buffalo on Nov. 28, 2018. The former Lucille Mazierski was born Sept. 18, 1929, in Buffalo. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on Sept. 17, 1949, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 13, 1957. She graduated from Riverside High School in Buffalo and furthered her education at Canisius College of Buffalo earning a bachelor's degree and at Medaille College, Buffalo, with a master of arts degree.

The name of the Serra Club of Buffalo may have changed to Mary, Mother of Vocations Ministry but its mission remains the same; to foster and affirm vocations to the ordained priesthood, vowed religious life and permanent diaconate and through this ministry, affirm its members' common Catholic Faith. The Serra Club of Buffalo was connected to the larger Serra USA and Serra International organizations.

The longer I have reflected the clearer it has become to me that all of the vocations in the Church exist in relation to one another, and that none exist in isolation. Over the years, our diocese has been blessed with the ministry and support of several communities of religious orders.

The Western New York community is invited to begin the Advent and Christmas seasons by participating in the annual vespers service, a holiday tradition at Christ the King Seminary, on Sunday, Dec. 2. The service will begin at 4 p.m. in the seminary's St. John Vianney Chapel.

The Felician Sisters of North America's recent installation of 774 solar panels on their property in Buffalo, is part of the Felician Sisters of North America's nationwide solar power project that includes a series of such solar installations at six Felician Sisters' sites across the country.

TONAWANDA — Students at Cardinal O'Hara High School are experiencing a new opportunity to join theater. The comedy, "Anne Arky" by Lindsay Price scheduled Nov. 29 and 30, will be the first fall play performed in the school's history and will join the annual spring musical, expanding the drama and performance opportunities for students.

My name is Rebecca Young and I am a senior at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart. My time on Youth Board so far this year has had a meaningful impact on my life already.

Two very different men, facing different sets of dire challenges with prophetic courage, faithfully journeyed along two different paths to the same destination: sainthood!

Father David Richards, administrator of Our Lady of Pompeii Parish in Lancaster, received recognition for channeling his abundant energy into advocacy for youth.

In 587 BC, the Babylonians destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem and many Israelites were exiled to Babylonia or they fled to Egypt. Just as the people were referred to as the "House of David," they were also considered the "House of God" - both the building and the community were in ruins. Eventually, the Persians, under Cyrus, defeated the Babylonians, and the Israelites in Babylonia were allowed to return to the environs of Jerusalem. The task of those returnees was to rebuild their lives, their economy and their society, as well as their religious practice and the Temple of their God.

It was a proud moment for the Diocese of Buffalo when 15 deacons were ordained this past September at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna. Upon entering this sacred space the awareness and immensity of God's presence is captivating. Those gathered to celebrate the ordination struggled to recall a time in recent memory when there were so many prepared and ready to serve the Lord and his Church.

The chancery announced several clergy appointments during the month of November 2018.

After receiving a complaint of sexual misconduct with an adult female, Bishop Richard J. Malone has placed Father Samuel T. Giangreco Jr. on administrative leave as an investigation continues.

The Diocese of Buffalo has announced four new members of the Diocesan Review Board (DRB) - Lee Coppola, John F. Coyne, M.D., Hon. Salvatore R. Martoche and Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF. The DRB advises Bishop Richard J. Malone in his assessment of allegations of child or vulnerable adult sexual abuse.

After enduring several months of controversy and anger over his decisions about handling sexual abuse cases within the Diocese of Buffalo, Bishop Richard J. Malone responded to a recent story by WKBW-TV about his history in his former diocese in Portland, Maine.

The Diocese of Buffalo takes pride in its rich cultural heritage. Masses are celebrated in 10 different languages throughout the eight counties, as well as signed English and the traditional Latin.

An old Irish proverb says, "It is in the shelter of each other that the people live." Indeed, we are created to depend upon one another and walk together in suffering. But when family members or friends approach life's end, we may not know how best to "shelter" them. Here are some concrete ways we can compassionately care for them. Invite God In: Pope Francis has said that "praying in difficult situations is like opening the door to the Lord, in order that he might enter." The dying process is a sacred time - a final season to seek closure in this life and prepare for the next in the hope of sharing in Christ's Resurrection. As you enter into this season with your friend or family member, ask God to accompany both of you.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY — Niagara University officially dedicated the Statler Foundation Hospitality House, a residential living and learning community for students studying event management at the university College of HosGifted Students Recognized at St. Francis High School.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo is pleased to announce the appointment of Timothy J. Sember, lifetime Catholic and Buffalonian, to the newly created position of Chief Development Officer. Dennis C. Walczyk, chief executive officer and diocesan director, made the announcement.

The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates of Buffalo, dedicated a new Peace Pole at the Sisters property in Clarence. Sister of St. Joseph Associate Audrey Mang's welcome set the tone for the dedication of a Peace Pole by saying, "Today we celebrate diversity - the gift of our country. Diversity - all of us - is what makes our country great."

Some people may think school buildings are lifeless and boring. That is not the case at South Buffalo Catholic Notre Dame Academy. A mural was recently created for the cafeteria in the Abbott Road building, whose premise is a box of crayons, which is a perfect theme for this pre-K - fourth-grade campus.

Trocaire College's board of trustees has elected six new members to three-year terms on the board.