Father Herman (Robert) Benedict Czaster, OFM Conv., 86, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, died peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Enfield, Connecticut. Born in Buffalo, on Sept. 7, 1938, he was the only child of the late Benedict and Stella (Karas) Czaster, who owned a restaurant together in Buffalo. […]
Volunteers have been the backbone of Little Portion Friary since its inception in 1982. The emergency homeless shelter serving downtown Buffalo offers a roof, meals and counseling to help those in need get back on their feet. Greetings, intake, cooking, laundry and cleaning are all done by generous people donating their time. The center has […]
Father Francis Lombardo, OFM Conv., a Franciscan Friar of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, died peacefully on Tuesday, Apr. 8, 2025. Born in Buffalo on Dec. 24, 1934, he was one of the five children of the late Joseph and Mary (Carriero) Lombardo. He is survived by his brothers, Fred and Thomas, and […]
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis canonized 14 new saints on Sunday, including a father of eight and Franciscan friars killed in Syria for refusing to renounce their faith and convert to Islam. In a Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 20, the pope declared three 19th-century founders of religious orders and the 11 “Martyrs […]
Friar Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv., a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, died unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Kensington, Connecticut. Born on Feb. 29, 1960, in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Walter and Theresa (Niemczyk) Benicewicz. He was predeceased by his brother, Walter Jr. He is survived […]
On Aug. 1, three Franciscans serving in Family 21 at SS. Columba-Brigid on Hickory Street in Buffalo, will leave Buffalo for new assignments. In May, Brother Lawrence Hayes, OFM, provincial minister of the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, communicated with the diocese that Father William “Jud” Weiksnar, OFM, Father Aaron […]
ST. BONAVENTURE — Father Dan Riley, OFM, founder and animator of Mt. Irenaeus and one of the most beloved friars in the history of St. Bonaventure University, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024. He was 81 years old. A professed Franciscan friar for 58 years and a priest for 53 years, Father Riley was a […]
Father Joachim Anthony Giermek, OFM Conv., 80, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at Ellicott City, Maryland. Born in Buffalo, on Apr. 2, 1943, he was a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Kowalczyk) Giermek. He was predeceased by his sister, Anne Holmes, […]
(Part 2 of a 2 part story) Deacon Matt had thought about a religious vocation in his mid-20s and visited various religious groups, but also had a deep desire to have a family. While finishing his master’s in psychology, he met his future wife, Mary. “Whenever we were together, we would pray together with the […]
Friar Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv., who grew up in Olean and was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish there, will be ordained to the priesthood at OLV National Shrine & Basilica in Lackawanna on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 2 p.m. He is a member of Our Lady of the Angels Province Franciscan Friars […]
