Father Gary R. Kibler, who had served throughout the Diocese of Buffalo, died Dec. 9, 2021, at the age of 76. Born Aug. 16, 1945, in Buffalo to Roy and Lorraine Kibler, Father Kibler attended Blessed Trinity School in Buffalo, Mother of Divine Grace School in Cheektowaga, and the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary in Buffalo. He […]
Educator, administrator and advocate for justice and the poor, Sister Beatrice Leising passed away Nov. 18, 2021. Sister Beatrice, also known in religious life as Sister Jean Elizabeth, entered the Sisters of St. Francis on Sept. 8, 1963, and made final profession on July 3, 1971. Sister Bea and her twin sister, Elizabeth, were born […]
LANCASTER — Kaitlin Scirri of Depew has been named Communications and Faith Formation coordinator at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, effective Dec. 1. Scirri has been working as an administrative assistant in the parish’s Faith Formation office since fall 2020. In this role, she works behind the scenes to keep multiple faith formation and […]
Father Ryan Keating receives an honorary chalice from John Stockman, faithful navigator of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. (Photo courtesy of St. Mary Parish, Swormville) SWORMVILLE — Father Ryan Keating, newly ordained in June and assigned to St. Mary Parish in July, received an honorary chalice by the Fourth Degree Assembly of the Knights […]
LANCASTER — Becky Hoag of Bowmansville has been named director of Faith Formation at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish. Her appointment was effective July 1. Hoag is also director of Faith Formation at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, Lancaster. She has been middle school religion teacher, campus minister and coordinator of the STREAM (science, […]
Father Richard J. Cilano, who came to the priesthood after 30 years of marriage, died June 30, 2021. He was 75 years old. Born Sept. 26, 1945, to Alphonse and Louise (Gombetto) Cilano in Rochester. He attended St. Andrew School and St. Bernard Seminary & College in Rochester where he earned a bachelor’s in Philosophy […]
SWORMVILLE –St. Mary’s welcomes all as the annual parish picnic returns. The fun begins on Saturday, July 17 with an outdoor Mass at 5:30 p.m., followed by a food court, games, I GOT IT booth, with children’s activities available until dark. The Wine & Beer Tent opens at 6:30 p.m. with clams from Stockman’s Tavern […]
Bishop Michael Fisher has made the following assignments to the priests ordained June 5. Father Charles E. Johnson Jr. will serve as parochial vicar at St. Amelia Parish, Tonawanda. Father Michael J. Johnson will serve as parochial vicar at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Orchard Park. Father Ryan Keating was named parochial vicar at St. […]
Bishop Michael W. Fisher poses with newly ordained priest Father Ryan Keating following the ordination Mass of four local men at at St. Joseph Cathedral. Photo by Dan Cappellazzo A priest must be equal parts educator, spiritual guide and evangelizer. Ryan Keating fits the bill. The Buffalo native joined Teach for America, a teacher corps […]
Sister Mary Elaine Hecker, a Sister of St. Mary of Namur for 63 years, died May 24, 2021. She was 81 years old. The daughter of Sheldon and Eunice Hecker, she entered the order in 1958 and made her perpetual vows in 1967. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from D’Youville College and further […]
