Following the recent update in Covid guidelines, Bishop Michael Fisher, along with the bishops of Rochester, Ogdensburg and Syracuse, have restored the obligation to attend Mass. The following is a copy of the official statement signed by all four bishops. Mass guidelines for the Diocese of Buffalo can be found at https://buffalodiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/05-17-2021-COVID-19-Update.pdf A Statement on […]
The Office of Worship, in conjunction with the diocesan Covid task force, has updated the guidelines for Mass and church gatherings during the ongoing pandemic. The new guidelines are based on what has been set by the Center for Disease Control and the unique needs of the parish congregation. “Guided by the Spirit, we must […]
Sister Ursuline Hilinski, CSSF, receives her second shot of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine from Roberta Murray, RN, with Catholic Health’s LIFE. The April 1 date coincided with Sister Ursuline’s 100th birthday. Photo courtesy of Catholic Health. Sister Ursuline Hilinski marked her 100th birthday on April 1 with a something very special. The Felician sister received […]
Concerns over the moral acceptability of taking the new Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine have been addressed by the USCCB. Many members of the Catholic Church questioned if the vaccine, made from abortion-derived cell lines, could be received. On March 2, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of […]
Dr. Dennis R. DePerro, 21st president of St. Bonaventure University, died March 1, as a result of complications from Covid-19. He was 62. “Words simply can’t convey the level of devastation our campus community feels right now,” said Dr. Joseph Zimmer, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, who was named acting president late last […]
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Even with many recent hopeful signs on vaccinations and the reduction in the number of Covid-19 cases, there is no date certain at which the coronavirus pandemic will be declared over. That should not stop parishes from planning now to welcome back parishioners to Mass in the future. “You can’t be thinking, […]
Pallbearers in San Felipe, Texas, carry the casket of Gregory Blanks, 50, Jan. 26, who died of Covid-19. (CNS photo/Callaghan O’Hare, Reuters) WASHINGTON (CNS) — Since childhood, the typical U.S. Catholic’s response to Lent is giving up, as in “What are you giving up for Lent?” If you haven’t been keeping track, Catholics in the […]
Talia Kalisiak, a 20-year-old North Tonawanda woman hospitalized with COVID-19 since November 11 finally made her way home on February 3 thanks to the Medical Rehabilitation team at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. While the elderly are particularly vulnerable to serious complications from the illness, younger adults like Kalisiak, are far from immune. She urges young people […]
Father Peter Santandreu suits up with personal protective equipment before entering the Covid Ward of St. Joseph Post-Acute Center in Orchard Park. Father Santandreu is one of several priests who have taken on the role of chaplain for patients of Covid-19. Courtesy of Father Peter Santandreu When the Covid pandemic hit last March, hospitals were […]
Catholic Health will welcome visitors back to its hospitals starting Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Visiting hours will resume from 2 pm to 6 pm daily at Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, and Sisters of Charity Hospital, Main St. Campus only. Visitation is not available at Sisters Hospital, St. Joseph Campus; the St. […]