Diocese marks observance of “tragic” Supreme Court decision
1/20/2013 8:38:59 AM by Office of Communications

St. John the Baptist Church in Kenmore was filled to capacity on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, as Bishop Richard J. Malone celebrated the annual diocesan Mass in observance of the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

“We pray for forgiveness and repentance as we continue in our journey to defend life,” Bishop Malone said during his homily. “We continue to try to move the hearts of others to decide in favor of light over darkness, truth over lies, life over death.”  The bishop noted that in the 40 years since Roe v. Wade, a staggering 55 million abortions have been performed in the U.S., “A constant reminder for all Americans, sadly, including many Catholics and Catholics in public office, that abortion has become the default position.” read more...

South Buffalo Catholic School to merge campuses
1/17/2013 10:23:52 PM by Office of Communications

South Buffalo Catholic School (SBCS) will continue its focus on a strong Catholic identity, catechesis and evangelization as three campuses become one next fall when SBCS transitions to a single campus. The South Buffalo Catholic School board recommended that Notre Academy on Abbott Road be the sole campus for students in Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade. Bishop Richard J. Malone approved the recommendation, which takes effect Sept. 1, 2013.

Campuses at Ambrose Catholic Academy on Okell Street and Trinity Catholic Academy on Hayden Street will no longer be used.

In the 2013-14 school year, students will be introduced to a new Study Skills class through an academic intervention course. “They will learn the necessary skills needed to perform better in the classroom, how to manage their study time and how to improve study habits,” Kimberly Suminski, principal of SBCS said. The school will also evaluate the hiring of a guidance counselor.

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Statement from Bishop Malone regarding the flu
1/11/2013 4:12:58 PM by Office of Communications

At Mass, Bishop Richard J. Malone is asking people to use common sense if they have a cold and/or flu symptoms, or are concerned about catching the flu, to please refrain from the option of drinking from the chalice and/or shaking hands at the sign of peace. They can simply nod their head and say, “Peace be with you,” to the people around them if they have a cold or the flu symptoms.

Receiving the Blood of Christ from the chalice is always an option, but reception of it is not required. read more...

An invitation to a new, enthusiastic living of our faith
1/7/2013 1:39:21 PM by Daybreak TV Productions

This 10-minute video of Bishop Malone's homily is from the Mass celebrating the beginning of the Year of Faith in the Diocese of Buffalo. 

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"Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord"
12/25/2012 1:10:11 AM by Office of Commnications

Bishop Richard J. Malone prays before the Nativity scene at the start of Midnight Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo.  As light snow fell outside the cathedral, Bishop Malone celebrated his first Christmas as bishop of Buffalo. 

His Christmas message:  "What marvelous love, that God enters into our lives in the Incarnation of the Word made flesh. Christ came to share in our joys and hopes, our pain and anxiety, like us in all things but sin. He teaches how to live godly, virtuous lives. He gave His life on the cross to save and set us free. He rose from the dead to conquer the power of sin and death. He ascended to His Father, and sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen us for our mission of transforming the world.  The Year of Faith invites us to be stunned again by the shock of the Incarnation, that God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son. And the Year of Faith challenges us to find the passion in our own faith that will impel us to share the meaning of being Catholic with all we meet."
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Bishop Malone's statement on Newtown shootings
12/16/2012 9:14:55 AM by Office of Communications

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, issued the following statement in response to the school shootings in Newtown, Conn.

"Like all Americans, I was shocked at this horrific tragedy and remember in prayer those affected, and send my condolences to those grieving, especially parents and family, school staff and first responders. I offered Mass, privately in my chapel, on Sunday (Dec. 15) for all involved. School security and safety is a priority in our diocese, but we will review our policies and procedures again in light of this terrible slaughter of innocent children and adults." 
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Bishop Malone elected to USCCB committee, re-elected to Catholic Relief board
11/14/2012 4:40:04 PM by United States Conferenceof Catholic Bishops Communications

BALTIMORE – Bishop Richard J. Malone was elected chairman-elect of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth at the Fall General Assembly on Nov. 12. He was also re-elected to the board of Catholic Relief Services.

The committee works to promote what the Catholic Church teaches about many issues that are important to the followers of Christ today, especially in marriage and family life and which resources and programs can be used effectively by laity in leadership and ministerial roles.

Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to serve World War II survivors in Europe. Since then, it has expanded in size to reach more than 100 million people in more than 100 countries on five continents. The mission of CRS is to assist impoverished and disadvantaged people overseas, working in the spirit of Catholic social teaching to promote the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person.
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Special Mass to honor Bishop McLaughlin on 100th birthday
11/13/2012 1:44:49 PM by Office of Communications

Bishop Bernard J. McLaughlin, auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Buffalo, will celebrate his 100th birthday at Noon on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, with a special Mass that will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church in Kenmore, where he served as pastor in the 1970s and is now pastor emeritus.

The principal celebrant of the Mass will be Bishop Richard J. Malone. Bishop Donald W. Trautman, bishop emeritus of Erie and a native of Buffalo, will give the homily. Concelebrants will include Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop emeritus of Buffalo, Bishop Edward M. Grosz, auxiliary bishop of Buffalo, Bishop Robert J. Cunningham, bishop of Syracuse and apostolic administrator of Rochester, Bishop Matthew H. Clark, bishop emeritus of Rochester and priests of the Diocese of Buffalo.

“Bishop McLaughlin’s presence and his holy priesthood have been a blessing to the Church of Buffalo,” Bishop Malone said. “He has always been a beautiful example of selfless, dedicated service to the people of God, and I pray that our Heavenly Father will continue to provide our dear bishop with good health and abundant blessings.” read more...

Need to be informed, active participants in politics
11/2/2012 9:13:30 AM by Bishop Richard J. Malone

Soon we will go to the polls to cast our votes for the president and vice president of the United States, congressional representatives, and state and local officials. When exercising our voting rights, we are not only acting as good citizens. We are also putting our faith into concrete action. Catholics, by virtue of our baptism, are called to be salt to the earth and light to the world. We must not hide our light under a bushel basket, but rather courageously defend our moral principles and promote human dignity and the common good in the public square.

Regardless of claims to the contrary in some media, the Catholic Church is not partisan. We do not promote either the Democrat or Republican party. We do boldly promote fundamental principles that must guide Catholics and others of good will in assessing candidates, evaluating issues and ultimately choose one over another.
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HHS mandate’s coercive nature is fact, not opinion
10/27/2012 9:24:57 AM by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City

During the Oct. 11 debate, Vice President Joseph Biden looked into the camera and emphatically said: “With regard to the assault on the Catholic Church, let me make it absolutely clear. No religious institution — Catholic or otherwise, including Catholic social services, Georgetown hospital, Mercy hospital, any hospital — none has to either refer contraception, none has to pay for contraception, none has to be a vehicle to get contraception in any insurance policy they provide. That is a fact. That is a fact.”

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the next day a statement in response to Vice President Biden’s claim that said in part: “This is not a fact. The HHS [Health and Human Services] mandate contains a narrow, four-part exemption for certain religious employers. That exemption was made final in February and does not extend to Catholic social services, Georgetown hospital, Mercy hospital, any hospital, or any other religious charity that offers its services to all, regardless of the faith of those served.
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