They’ve been called the Magnificent Seven. The diaconate class of 2023 is comprised of men who will collaborate with the bishop and the priests in ministry to parishioners and others to spread the Word of God, calling all to conversion and holiness. The May 20 ordination saw St. Joseph Cathedral filled with family and friends […]
Proclaiming it a joyful day for the Church, Bishop Michael W. Fisher opened remarks during his homily during the Mass for the Ordination to the Holy Order of Deacon. Jeffrey Donovan became a transitional deacon in the diocese during the Mass at OLV National Shrine & Basilica on May 27. Bishop Fisher thanked Msgr. David […]
Music, the great outdoors, and of course faith, mingled together to lead Joseph Tokasz to the priesthood. Father Tokasz, who was ordained June 4, always let what was dear to his heart drive him. Born in West Seneca and raised in Elma, the oldest of three kids in a tightknit family, received the music gene […]
Father Joseph Franz can point to two life-changing moments for leading him to the priesthood – his father’s death and his divorce. “It was difficult,” he says of his father’s death 25 years ago. Gerald Franz died after a six-month battle with cancer. Father Joseph, the fifth of six kids born and raised in East Eden, […]
It seemed very appropriate that on the 175th anniversary of the diocese’s founding that two men named Joseph were ordained at St. Joseph Cathedral. Joseph Franz and Joseph Tokasz celebrated the rite of commissioning a minister on June 4 in the downtown church. “As we know St. Joseph, who is our patron of the diocese; […]
Pope Francis holds his crosier during the ordination Mass for nine new priests for the Diocese of Rome in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 25. CNS photo/Donatella Giagnori, pool VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The priesthood “is not a career, it is a service,” Pope Francis told nine men just before ordaining them to […]
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 […]
