ORCHARD PARK — On Wednesday, April 12, families with special needs are invited to an Inclusive Easter Mass at 7 p.m. at St. Bernadette Parish, 5930 S. Abbott Rd., Orchard Park. The church is wheelchair accessible. Father Joseph Wolf, pastor of St. Bernadette’s, will celebrate the Mass. Father Jerry Skrzynski, pastor of St. John the […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Making churches accessible and services understandable is important, but having wheelchair ramps and sign-language interpreters is not enough for a parish to call itself “inclusive,” Pope Francis said. The church also must meet people’s needs for “belonging, relating to others and cultivating their spiritual lives so they experience the fullness and […]
Deacon Lawrence P. Markowski, who served St. Bernadette Parish in Orchard Park for over 20 years, died Nov. 25, 2022. Born to Joseph and Julia (Witka) Markowski on Sept. 9, 1941, the East Aurora native attended Lincoln Elementary School in Orchard Park and Orchard Park High School. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving […]
One hundred men and women profess vows to religious communities every year. One of those women has professed her final vows as a Sister of Mercy of the Americas and will continue to serve the Buffalo Diocese. Sister Colleen O’Toole would make a great poster child for religious sisters because she fits the profile found […]
From April to August 2022, the relics of St. Bernadette will tour the United States for the first time, bringing the grace of Lourdes to parishes across the country. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is organizing the pilgrimage of the relics in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, North American […]
Sister Mary Raymond Heckler died at Mercy Center, Buffalo, on April 29, 2022. She was 79 years old. Born Mary Lou Heckler in South Buffalo, Nov. 10, 1942, to Floyd and Elizabeth (Griffin) Heckler, she attended St. Teresa Elementary School and was taught by the Sisters of Mercy. On Sept. 8, 1961, she entered the […]
ORCHARD PARK — On Tuesday, April 19, families with special needs are invited to an Inclusive Easter Mass at 7 p.m. at St. Bernadette Parish, 5930 S. Abbott Rd., Orchard Park. The church is wheelchair accessible. Father Joseph Wolf will offer the sacrament of reconciliation at 6 p.m. Sister Conchetta LoPresti, OSF, will interpret the […]
Bishop Michael W. Fisher has appointed Father Jay W. McGinnis as parish administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Tonawanda. This was effective Nov. 22. Father McGinnis has officially altered his “retired” status and is again an active priest of the Diocese. Deacon Jerry Hodson will become the temporary parish administrator of Coronation Parish, in addition to […]
Father Peter J. Cronin, who had served as the chaplain at St. Columban on the Lake for over 20 years, died July 10, 2021. He was 91. Born in Buffalo and raised near St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Father Cronin was ordained with the Columban Fathers in 1954. His ministry took him to Korea shortly after […]
Bishop Michael W. Fisher has made the following appointments. Father Robert J. Owczarczak has been given the additional responsibility as temporary parish administrator of St. Bernadette Parish in Orchard Park, effective July 15 until the appointment of a new pastor. Father Owczarczak is currently the parochial vicar at St. Bernadette Parish. Father Josef Dudzik, pastor […]
