The call to priesthood continues to grow in C.J. Wild even as he receives his first holy orders as a transitional deacon. The Lancaster native made his promise to serve the Church on May 17 at his family parish of Our Lady of Pompeii. He will be ordained a priest next year. Christopher Jordan Wild […]
More than 400 of C.J. Wild’s extended family and friends from Our Lady of Pompeii Parish packed into the Lancaster church for their native son’s diaconal ordination. The May 17 event saw the beginning of Deacon Wild’s clerical ministry. Catholic Diocese of Buffalo Sound Hub · May 19, 2025 – Diocese ordains Christopher "CJ" Wild […]
LANCASTER — St. Mary of the Assumption Parish is inviting everyone to its “Senior” Prom, on Sunday, March 30 from 2-4 p.m. in the parish center at 2 St. Mary’s Hill. This special event will bring together elderly singles for a delightful afternoon of dancing, mingling and light refreshments. Generations of families are also welcome […]
Firefighter, navy chaplain, seminarian. Western New Yorker Christopher Jordan (C.J.) Wild is all of these. Each role is defined by service; and each offers a different perspective in his journey to the priesthood. C.J. attends St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore where he is studying to become a Catholic priest. He describes it as […]
Deacon David C. Rotterman died unexpectedly on Aug. 9, 2023, at the age of 59. The Lancaster resident had been serving at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish for the past 10 years. He is remembered as a gentle person with a positive attitude and smile. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Dawn […]
Many parishes celebrated Holy Week for the first time as a family this year, and found the blessings to be bountiful. The Beloved Disciples of Christ the Lord, which has parishes in Lancaster, Depew, Cheektowaga and Bowmansville knew some adjustments would have to be made as they had three priests serving six parishes. “There was […]
It’s known as Tenebrae, the Latin phrase for “the service of shadows.” While many Western New York parishes commemorate Good Friday by hosting Stations of the Cross or Veneration of the Cross services, a few parishes also host this nighttime service which puts emphasis on the darkness, just as the world went dark upon the […]
Trocaire College’s board of trustees recently elected Lisa M. Kirisits, CPA, to chair for a one-year term effective June 1. She has served on Trocaire’s board of trustees since 2019 and also previously served from 2005-2014, serving as chair from 2010-2013. Kirisits is managing director of Kirisits & Associates, CPAs, PLLC, a full-service public accounting firm providing […]
LANCASTER — Glenn Olejniczak has been named principal of St. Mary’s Elementary School. Olejniczak has 15 years of experience in education. He has taught many subjects including English, religion, social studies and Spanish. He also brings experience as an assistant principal and principal. Olejniczak has been serving as interim principal at St. Mary’s Elementary since […]
LANCASTER — Nearly 700 of the available 1,250 tickets for Mega Raffle to benefit St. Mary of the Assumption Parish have been sold as of today. This year’s drawing will again be held virtually on Friday, June 10. Each ticket offers many chances to win, as all tickets are entered into all drawings. In addition […]