Catholic Charities food pantries received an extra helping from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Sept. 16, to mark their 200th anniversary, the LDS church donated food to 200 locations across New York state. Catholic Charities’ Russell J. Salvatore Food Pantry and Outreach in Lackawanna received 10 pallets of beans and pasta. “On […]
Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, apostolic administrator of the diocese, has made the following appointments: Robert Grinewich has been appointed temporary administrator of SS. Peter & Paul Parish in Williamsville, beginning July 1, and continuing until the arrival of a new pastor. Father Edward J. Sheedy will serve as the priest moderator to supervise pastoral care […]
As the print edition of the Western New York Catholic draws to a close, I wanted to express gratitude in print for the “virtual” support which in reality accompanied me leading up to my recent living liver donor transplantation surgery at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and the recovery to follow. Much of this support […]
Challenging times call for creative methods. In response to the COVID-19 health crisis, Catholic Charities’ Department of Workforce and Education transitioned its high school equivalency preparatory classes to distance learning, as on-site classes were suspended. To gear up for the change, Catholic Charities’ educators assembled and delivered distance learning packets to each student, along with […]
Sir Thomas More: You threaten like a dockside bully.Thomas Cromwell: How should I threaten?More: Like a minister of state, with justice. Cromwell: Oh, justice is what you’re threatened with.More: Then I am not threatened. This memorable exchange from the movie “A Man for All Seasons” (1966) between St. Thomas More and a henchman from the […]
This issue of the Western New York Catholic will be the last printed copy produced by the diocesan Office of Communications. Although we will lose the hardcopy of the paper that traditionally has been read on the ride back home after church, or before Mass, maybe during; the same news will continue to be delivered […]
Just like St. Therese of Lisieux, who defied her illness to practice her faith, the Diocese of Buffalo is finding a way to break free of COVID-19 restraints to carry out the sacraments of the Catholic faith. Parishes across the diocese have found new methods to prepare students for confirmation. Confirmation is one of the […]
With churches opening up for Mass, many parishes are assigning crews to wipe down pews and door handles between Masses to fight the coronavirus. St. Bernadette Parish in Orchard Park has taken an alternate approach. Along with chemical cleansers, the parish is using special hospital-grade UVC lights that kill 99.99 percent of germs. Father Robert […]
Russell “Rusty” Browning finally went home after 101 days of hospitalization and quite the tour of Catholic Health’s facilities. First diagnosed with COVID-19 in late March at Mercy Hospital, he survived 67 days on a ventilator at the Catholic Health COVID-19 Treatment Facility at St. Joseph Campus in Cheektowaga. Browning spent the longest time on […]
Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has announced the following appointments for the Diocese of Buffalo. Father Robert Wozniak has been appointed administrator of St. Pius X Parish in Getzville for a six-year term, effective Aug. 9. Father Wozniak’s has been serving on the faculty of Christ the King Seminary since 2015. Robert Grinewich, who has been […]