One firefighter lost his life battling a four-alarm fire on Main Street in downtown Buffalo just yards away from the Catholic Center. Gray and white smoke billowed from 745 Main Street beginning around 10 a.m. Bursts of flames shot out of the building as fire trucks and passersby gathered to watch the fire that gutted […]
An impressive number of people have taken a big step in their journey to become Catholic. Over 70 catechumens and candidates entered St. Joseph Cathedral on Feb. 26, the first Sunday of Lent, to be welcomed into the Catholic faith. Father Sean Paul Fleming, director of the Office of Worship and rector of St. Joseph […]
Bishop Michael W. Fisher has made the following appointments. Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, longtime pastor of St. Leo the Great in Amherst, and St. Benedict in Eggertsville, is now the temporary administrator of those parishes. This is in addition to his responsibilities as vicar forane of the Northern Erie Vicariate. Father William J. Weiksnar, OFM, […]
Perhaps you’ve been asked this question: if you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be? To celebrate its 175th anniversary, the Diocese of Buffalo is creating imagined one-on-one dinners with some of those who have left a continuing impact on the diocese in the audio play miniseries, “Dinners With Our Founders.” […]
The United Irish-American Association of Erie County has asked Bishop Michael W. Fisher to lead the St. Patrick’s Day Mass and appear in the annual parade. The bishop replied, “Absolutely.” “My Irish mother would not allow me not to say yes,” Bishop Fisher said. The UIAA announced the St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place […]
The Diocese of Buffalo has received a child sexual abuse complaint regarding a retired priest in the diocese. As a result, Bishop Michael W. Fisher has placed Father Joseph Vatter on administrative leave as an investigation continues. Prior to being placed on leave, Father Vatter was occasionally celebrating Masses at various diocesan churches. Please note […]
People from Attica, Darien Center, East Bethany, Oakfield and Strykersville filled the small Ascension Church in Batavia for the Genesee-Wyoming Vicariate Mass that marked the Diocese of Buffalo’s 175 anniversary. This was just one in a series of Masses taking place around the eight counties of the diocese in the past year. The Feb. 19 […]
Catholic Health celebrated 25 years of serving Western New York and made the promise to “always be there in the future.” Doctors, nurses and health care executives all gathered at St. Leo the Great Church in Amherst on Feb. 17 for a special Mass with Bishop Michael W. Fisher to mark the silver jubilee of […]
Bishop Michael W. Fisher has received recommendations from the Independent Review Board regarding allegations of abuse against two priests. The bishop’s determination, following the investigation and report of the review board, is that allegations of sexual abuse of a minor have been substantiated against Father Daniel Palys and Msgr. Ronald Sciera. Both priests are retired. […]
Catholic Charities of Buffalo is currently in the midst of its 2023 appeal. This year’s goal is $9.5 million, the same goal met and exceeded last year. As Catholic Charities seeks support for this year’s campaign, leaders are showcasing just some of the 57 programs they facilitate in 80 locations throughout the Diocese of Buffalo. […]
