Police officers, firefighters and first responders who put their lives on the line and sacrifice to keep the community safe received recognition at a special Blue Mass, held Nov. 6, at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo, coincidently next to the former police station. An honor guard marched through the cathedral, flags in hand, as […]
Bishop Michael W. Fisher stopped by the Response to Love Center in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood to bless a clothing store dedicated to Philip Friona. “Phil Friona was blessed with a heart filled with loving kindness, goodness and compassion for those in need,” said Father Fred Betti, SJ, chaplain of the multi-faceted social service center. “My […]
Out of the 12 vicariate Masses being held to mark the 175th anniversary of the Diocese of Buffalo, the Chautauqua site has to be the most unusual. Instead of a church, more than 100 people gathered at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater on Sept. 25 to hear from Bishop Michael W. Fisher and the clergy from […]
“Black love matters.” That lesson came from Father Donald Watkins Jr., who reminded those that attended a Revival Mass, that Black lives still struggle. The Revival, which took place at St. Martin de Porres Parish on Sept. 17, carried the theme of “God is Reviving Our Spirit” and was meant to reawaken the faith of […]
The diocesan African Commission, African American Commission and Hispanic/Latino Commission invite everyone to join the second annual Cultural Diversity Celebration. “An Enchanted Evening With The Stars” will take place Friday, Oct. 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Classics V, 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst. Tickets are $50 and includes dinner, dancing and a cash bar, […]
I’m sorry if this seems rushed, but I’ve been so busy covering the ordinations and prayer services the past few weeks that I haven’t had time to sit and think about what I want to say about the Office of Communications. I thought things would get easier when we became a digital-only publication and didn’t […]
One hundred men and women profess vows to religious communities every year. One of those women has professed her final vows as a Sister of Mercy of the Americas and will continue to serve the Buffalo Diocese. Sister Colleen O’Toole would make a great poster child for religious sisters because she fits the profile found […]
Proclaiming it a joyful day for the Church, Bishop Michael W. Fisher opened remarks during his homily during the Mass for the Ordination to the Holy Order of Deacon. Jeffrey Donovan became a transitional deacon in the diocese during the Mass at OLV National Shrine & Basilica on May 27. Bishop Fisher thanked Msgr. David […]
Music, the great outdoors, and of course faith, mingled together to lead Joseph Tokasz to the priesthood. Father Tokasz, who was ordained June 4, always let what was dear to his heart drive him. Born in West Seneca and raised in Elma, the oldest of three kids in a tightknit family, received the music gene […]
Father Joseph Franz can point to two life-changing moments for leading him to the priesthood – his father’s death and his divorce. “It was difficult,” he says of his father’s death 25 years ago. Gerald Franz died after a six-month battle with cancer. Father Joseph, the fifth of six kids born and raised in East Eden, […]
