LACKAWANNA — OLV National Shrine & Basilica celebrated Father Baker Day on Sunday, July 27. The day involved the time-honored tradition of community members dropping pennies and larger coins on the sidewalk of the basilica as part of the Pennies to Heaven collection. This year’s event marked 89 years since Venerable Nelson H. Baker, known […]
June 8 was a special day at OLV National Shrine & Basilica as the community celebrated the dedication of the new Father Baker Shrine and Smith & Gilbert Chancel Organ. The shrine is a masterwork designed and hand-crafted by parishioners Jon Trabucco and his father, Vince. The piece is decorated with religious symbols and imagery, […]
A tradition lost to the Covid pandemic found new life as a special Mass celebrating adoption took place at OLV National Shrine & Basilica on April 6. The Mass honored adoptees, adoptive parents and the parents that allowed their children to be adopted. Catholic Diocese of Buffalo Sound Hub · April 7, 2025 – Our […]
He’s been the Apostle to Ireland, the father of Jesus, and the Padre of the Poor, now Michael Sacilowski is ready to tackle St. Francis of Assisi. The director of discipleship for the Cheektowaga Catholic Family produces one-man plays about saints. He began 12 years ago when he realized St. Patrick’s Day had become more […]
On Saturday, Sept. 21, the Central Niagara Catholic Family will be hosting the one man play about Venerable Nelson H. Baker called “She Did it All!” It’s part biographical, part dramatic, and part fun. The performance by Michael Sacilowski strives to educate, inspire and entertain. Come see “Father Baker” tell his story at St. John […]
The celebration of the 88th anniversary of Venerable Nelson H. Baker’s passing would make the Lackawanna legend proud. Children laughed, families prayed together, and the clergy sacrificed their dignity for others. Things kicked off at 8 a.m. with the tradition of the Pennies to Heaven penny drop, where passersby can leave their change on the […]
He has no super powers. He can’t fly. He doesn’t even have a colorful costume. But Father Baker is the newest comic book hero. OLV Charities has teamed up with Voyage Comics to produce a one-shot issue about the life of Buffalo’s own Venerable Nelson H. Baker. Catholic Diocese of Buffalo Sound Hub · June […]
In honor of Father Nelson Baker’s birthday, the students of OLV School in Lackawanna put together this video to which the founder of their school a happy day. From his ordination in 1876 until his death in 1936, Father Baker served the needy of Buffalo and Lackawanna. He was known at the “Padre of the […]
OLV National Shrine & Basilica is proud to announce WGRZ-TV will air a special Father Nelson Baker episode of “They Might be Saints” on Friday, Feb. 16 (Father Baker’s birthday) at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 18 at 11:30 a.m. The production includes interviews with Msgr. Paul J.E. Burkard, former pastor of OLV; Msgr. David […]
The students of OLV Elementary School learned a few things from a guest speaker – not everyone is as fortunate as them, everyone is different, and even kids can make a difference in someone’s life. On Sept. 26, Matt Campana, founder of Hands of Gratitude, visited the Lackawanna school to explain how he makes prosthetic […]
