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 […]
Former Brothers of Mercy chaplain Father John J. Sardina died April 30, 2025, just three days shy of his 93rd birthday. Born May 3, 1932, the son of Pasquale and Maria (Provenzano) Sardina, attended Buffalo public schools before entering the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary, and later Christ the King Seminary in Olean. He was ordained March […]
Father Raymond J. Mahar, a retired priest of the Diocese of Buffalo, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024. The son of Raymond and Frances Mahar was born April 27, 1932, in North Tonawanda. He attended St Francis of Assisi School in Tonawanda, Canisius High School in Buffalo and Canisius College in Buffalo. He furthered […]
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 […]
Father James F. Hassett, a retired priest who had served the Diocese of Buffalo for 48 years, died Oct. 16, 2023. Born June 21, 1948, in Buffalo, the son of Francis and Grace (Seymour) Hassett attended St. Andrew School in Kenmore, and the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary in Buffalo. He went on to attend St. John […]
“Challenging times call for challenging approaches.” That’s what motivates the men’s ministry group known as Quo Vadis. These men look to strengthen the traditional role of men. Feeling masculinity has been under attack and portrayed in a false light, Quo Vadis examines the role of men in today’s society. “It’s a ministry for men, by […]
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 […]
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 […]
Sister Julie Uhrich, who served as regional director of religious education of the Southern Tier for over two decades, died Nov. 21, 2022. She was 80. Born Carol Uhrich on Jan. 3, 1942, to Mildred (Knab) and Julien Uhrich, Sister was introduced to the Sisters of St. Francis in Williamsville when she attended Bishop O’Hern […]
