For Christopher Emminger, the road to priesthood wasn’t as long and winding as it is for some people, but it did take him to new places. Before entering the seminary, the 31-year-old was content to stick around and serve his Tonawanda home. “I’ve learned essentially to trust in God, that He knows what he’s doing […]
Sister Dorothy M. Smith, a refugee coordinator and educator, died Sept. 7, 2020, in St. Mary of the Angels Regional House, Williamsville. She was 86. Born prematurely on Jan. 26, 1934, during a snowstorm, weighing only 3 pounds, Sister Dorothy remained small in stature, but never small in life and achievements. As a child, […]
Deacon Denning Achidi has wanted to be a part of the long and rich history of the Catholic Church, ever since he realized the depth of the faith at age 12. Born in Cameroon, Deacon Achidi was raised in his father’s Presbyterian church. He admits it had little effect on him. “I just went to […]
Among the remains that were removed from Christ the King Seminary in early August were those of Father Peter McGowan, who served the priesthood a mere 37 days. The 24-year-old Buffalo native was ordained in a conference room at Sister’s Hospital in Buffalo while battling terminal cancer. Bishop James McNulty, who conducted the ordination, allowed […]
The coronavirus is not a punishment from God. It is not a severe chastisement dealt to a world that in so many ways sins against the Almighty – by ignoring his commandments and teachings. Actually, the punishment for sin, that we surely do receive, is self-inflicted. For it has been wisely observed that sin is […]
Bishop Joseph Burke found a new home in a familiar place. The remains of Buffalo’s ninth bishop, now rest, quite fittingly, in St. Joseph Cathedral, where he was baptized, ordained and served as a priest. Bishop Burke had been buried in front of the chapel of Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora since his […]
My great-grandfather worked for the Courier-Express in the same building I work in now. He was a printer by trade, so I have black ink in my veins. As we begin work on our last print issue, I think of how much we have advanced in the 20 odd years I’ve been writing for the […]
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 […]
My great-grandfather worked for the Courier-Express in the same building I work in now. He was a printer by trade, so I have black ink in my veins. As we begin work on our last print issue, I think of how much we have advanced in the 20 odd years I’ve been writing for the […]