Catholic Difference: John Paul II: A life of miracles and openness to God's grace
2/23/2011 8:52:00 AM by GEORGE WEIGEL

The otherwise inexplicable cure of a French nun suffering from Parkinson’s disease was accepted in early January by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and Pope Benedict XVI as the confirming miracle that clears the way for the beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 1, Divine Mercy Sunday.

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Directory mixes old and new to bring useful information to all
2/22/2011 9:46:00 AM by Patrick Buechi

The 2011 Catholic Directory is hot off the press and full of important information. In the age of Google searches, the directory aims to be an easy low-tech source of addresses, phone numbers and leadership of diocesan parishes, Catholic hospitals and organizations. Having trouble finding baptismal records? Pages 72-77 list the record locations of all merged and renamed parishes. Feel a calling to the priesthood? Turn to page 162 for vocations and seminary contacts.

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Bishop Kmiec closes convention
2/20/2011 7:14:00 PM by Patrick Buechi

After three days of prayerful learning, two fire drills and one big dance, the 59th diocesan Youth Convention closed. The Adam’s Mark grand ballroom filled with over 700 teenagers, their families and their parish friends to celebrate the efforts of both young and not so young with the presentation of key awards. read more...

Keynote gives simple advice ‘Don't be stupid’
2/19/2011 9:25:00 PM by Patrick Buechi

“As a priest it is not my job to get you to heaven, I just point the way,” said Father Tony Ricard, keynote speaker at the 59th annual diocesan Youth Convention, early on Saturday morning. read more...

Youth convention begins; teens asked to take a risk
2/18/2011 10:34:00 PM by Patrick Buechi

The 59th annual diocesan Youth Convention asks, encourages and dares teens to do “Whatever it Takes.” It is an empowering theme designed to lead the 700 participating teens to take the risks that will make them better people and the world a better place. read more...

Sound Board: Youth groups build faith display at convention
2/18/2011 8:58:00 AM by KRISTA DEAN

It’s that time of year again; Convention time! A time for celebrating, learning and worshiping. It’s also a time for many of the diocese’s God-loving local Catholic youth to come together for a wonderful weekend beginning today to share our faith of the same belief in Jesus Christ. As this approaches, I reflect on how we as young people came to this point, and how we got so involved in our faith.

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Roman Missal Third Edition - why and why now?
2/17/2011 8:41:00 AM by Kathleen Johnson

The first use of the new text of the Roman Missal Third Edition will be on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011. Many Catholics are asking two very relevant questions, “Why?” and “Why now?”

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Editorial: Opening doors, hearts and minds
2/16/2011 9:01:00 AM by EDITORIAL

When the Catholic bishops of the United States issued their pastoral statement on People with Disabilities in 1978, they wrote, “Jesus … calls us, His followers, to embrace our responsibility to our own disabled brothers and sisters in the United States.”  Thirty-three years later, those words continue to resonate.

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Youth convention to offer second parent track
2/14/2011 4:17:00 PM by Patrick Buechi

The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry has expanded its service to include strengthening parents in their role as the prime faith formers of their children. For the second year the office will hold a Parent Track for adults during the annual diocesan Youth Convention. The Parent Track will take place Sunday, Feb. 20, at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo, beginning at 9:30 a.m., and will include brunch.

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Pathways for Parish Vitality takes 'the e-word' in a new direction
2/14/2011 8:52:00 AM by MARK CIEMCIOCH

As Catholic parishes begin to settle into a routine following the Journey in Faith and Grace restructuring campaign, the diocesan offices of Parish Life and Lifelong Faith Formation are hoping a new program will help parishes find the path to vitality.

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