Catholic Diocese of Buffalo Podcasts

Sister Mary Timothy Howard has used the power of education to help many young people escape the grip of poverty and feel empowered to stand up against racism and injustice, sharing her love of teaching and learning with generations of students of all races, faiths, and backgrounds.

In 1863, when Bishop John Timon sought nuns to form an establishment in Lockport, New York, it was the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, led by Mother Emily Kemen, who answered the call. Under Kemen's leadership, they established schools and spread Catholic faith.

After being told by Saint Mother Teresa to find and serve the “Calcutta” in her own town, Sister Mary Johnice Rzadkiewicz established the Response to Love Center in Buffalo’s East Side, a center which continues today to provide material and spiritual needs for many in the local community.

Mother Colette Hilbert lived by four words: “In All Things, Charity.” Under her leadership, the Sisters taught schoolchildren also worked to help the poor. The Sisters of her order would later set the foundation for what is now Hilbert College.

Sister Karen Klimczak served her community by advocating for non-violence, while providing compassion for families of murder victims, and even offering a chance for many convicts to turn their lives around. She did so, ultimately, at the cost of her own life but, remarkably, forgave her killer - 15 years before meeting him.

The Diocese of Buffalo's Road to Renewal team will host Renewal Conference 2024 at Hilbert College on Friday, March 22, 2024 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Here's a preview of the conference, with comments by Fr. Bryan Zielnieski (Vicar for Renewal & Development) on what will be discussed.

Dozens of men, women and children currently on a journey toward becoming Catholics took an important step Sunday, February 18 when they were introduced to Bishop Michael Fisher at the Rite of Election ceremony in St. Joseph Cathedral.

As Ash Wednesday began, marking the start of Lent, WNY Catholic Audio visited two churches within the Diocese of Buffalo. At one, Bishop Michael Fisher presided over a school Mass. Elsewhere, one parish was holding extended hours to make ashes, prayers, and confessions available for visitors.

Each year, the Diocese of Buffalo celebrates couples marking milestone wedding anniversaries with a special Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo. Bishop Michael Fisher celebrated the latest Sunday, February 11, 2024, coinciding with World Marriage Day.

The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, the independent fundraising entity which supports Catholic ministries within the diocese, hosted its annual Catholic Education Luncheon in Buffalo on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. In addition to award presentations, students were among those who spoke of the impact a Catholic education has made on their lives.

Students at St. Christopher School in Tonawanda, NY participated in a Living Rosary Thursday, February 1, 2024 as part of the school's Catholic Schools Week events.

As Catholic Schools Week was getting underway in the Diocese of Buffalo, Bishop Michael Fisher enjoyed lunch with a small group of students and faculty at St. John the Baptist School in Alden, NY.

The Diocese of Buffalo got Catholic Schools Week 2024 underway Sunday, January 28 with a Mass at St. Benedict Church in Eggertsville. Bishop Michael Fisher was the lead celebrant and spoke during his homily of how education in all subjects honors God.

The Diocese of Buffalo's Road to Renewal program hosted a conference at one of the parishes within the City of Buffalo, "Doing More With Less - The Reality of Urban Ministry," welcoming Monsignor Raymond East from St. Teresa of Avila Church in Washington, D.C. to present his thoughts and insights to local clergy and parish lay representatives.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo has announced a $9.5 million goal for its annual fundraising Appeal, the 100th such campaign in its history.

Priests, deacons, and lay volunteers dressed up in teams of "Magi" and visited more than 70 homes throughout the City of Buffalo on January 6, providing blessings of houses to mark the Feast of the Epiphany, which commemorates the visitation of the Christ Child by the Three Wise Men. The traveling blessings were arranged by Sts. Columba-Brigid Parish in Buffalo.

Ray Geska, a Buffalo-area Catholic, began attending weekday Masses at different churches beyond his hone parish in late summer 2023. He's now on a quest to attend a Mass at every church within the Diocese of Buffalo. And as of New Year's Day 2024, he's more than halfway through the list.

Ever feel overwhelmed by the aggressive commercialization of Christmas? In this episode, one mother whose family does observe Christian traditions cannot help but struggle to find a little spirit amidst the modern marketing which takes focus off the reason for the Season. In comes Sister Justine to remind us of St. Nicholas, the inspiration for that other famous generous guy in the red suit.

A student at Holy Family School has the opportunity to make his song a hit. But to do it, he's told he'll have to reject the friends helping him make the music. Sister Justine steps in, sharing the story of St. Cecelia, the patron saint of musicians, who was martyred after refusing to give up her virtues and love of Christ.

A stray and hurting dog has wandered toward the students of Holy Family School. As they temporarily care for their new furry friend, Sister Justine shares the story of St. Roch, the patron saint of dogs.

A copy of the first hand-written and hand-illustrated Holy Bible in 500 years will be on display at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna, NY during the Advent and Christmas seasons. WNY Catholic was invited to a preview event to see it up close.

The students are about to embark on a field trip to a Holocaust Museum. Before they enter, Sister Justine shares the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic priest and prisoner at Auschwitz who volunteered to take the place of a fellow prisoner condemned to death.

The month of November marks Black Catholic History Month in the United States. While Black and African-American Catholics make up just a very small percentage of the overall Catholic population in the U.S. (est. 3 million, representing 4% of US Catholics), that population is a vibrant, inspired community. In this third episode of the Diocese of Buffalo's celebration of Black Catholic History Month...

St. Philip the Apostle Church in Cheektowaga, New York, held an Inclusive Thanksgiving Mass, one that was designed to lessen many of the stimuli which might cause distress in people with disabilities at regular Masses.

When a student becomes discouraged after her model rocket fails to fly, Sister Justine shares the story of St. Joseph of Cupertino, a saint who was reputed for ecstatic visions and the ability to levitate in prayer, but who as a child just couldn't seem to do anything right.