News & Events

DIOCESE OF BUFFALO
OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

Statement on 40 Days for Life
Most Reverend Michael W. Fisher Bishop of Buffalo

The Forty Days for Life Campaign, is an ecumenical pro-life effort which has had several successful Spring and Fall campaigns here in Western New York. They have consistently maintained a prayerful, peaceful presence while evangelizing and witnessing for life.

Pope Francis has expressed his public support for the 40 Days for Life ministry that promotes respect for the lives of all unborn children, and says he greatly ap- preciates the dedicated work that they do in a “Culture of Waste.”

I affirm and encourage all pro-life efforts that attempt to reach the ultimate goal of eliminating abortion in order to build a culture of life using peaceful, prayerful, and charitable approaches, including the 40 Days for Life Campaign as they collaboratively work with our office at the Diocese of Buffalo.

Furthermore, I admire all those devoted to protecting human life and encourage all to continue to support pro-life activities, especially uniting with the many events sponsored by our Diocese, including the St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center. The center actively helps women, children and families supporting their decision to choose life. This fall, as the need has increased, we have added additional services in the Northtown and Southtown areas and we need your continued support of the parishes and the community to continue to support life!

Thank you to all who have dedicated themselves and their time to the cause of life. I am grateful for your pro-life support in our Diocese of Buffalo. Let us continue, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to be untiring in all our various attempts to defend life so that the right to life is enjoyed not just for some, but for all; born and unborn.

Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Michael W. Fisher Bishop of Buffalo

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From the bulletin of September 24, 2023.

The Chaffee Baptist Community Food Pantry is in need of peanut butter, chicken soup and vegetable soup.

If you are able to donate, please place items in the bin in the vestibule.

Thank you!

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Based on the bulletin of September 17, 2023.

The Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community Family of Parishes is looking to hire a part-time Secretary/Receptionist for our family pastoral office.

The individual would assist with phone calls, e-mails, and visitors to the office; schedule Masses, weddings, and funerals; some computer work; and assist the other pastoral staff members.

We are looking for someone to work between 15 to 20 hours per week.

If you, or someone you know, is interested, please contact St. Aloysius rectory at (716) 592-2701 or staloy [at] roadrunner.com for more information or a full job description.

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Based on the bulletin of September 17, 2023.

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Family Logo. Voting closes on September 10, 2023!

We invite you to vote for your favorite Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community family logo!

A few rules:

• One vote per parishioner.
• All ballots must be submitted by September 10, 2023.

There are 3 ways to register your vote:

1. Return the ballot in the collection basket. (Page 1, Page 2)
2. Mail the ballot to St. Aloysius, 190 Franklin St., Springville, NY 14141. (See pages 1 & 2, links above.)
3. Vote online @ Google Forms: Vote online

Thank you!

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Based on information from St. Aloysius parish, and the bulletin of September 10, 2023.

Thank you to all who helped make this year’s Lawn Fete a success!

Thank you to all for helping with set up, working that day, attending that day, with the tear down and putting everything away! We are still waiting for incoming bills before we know our fundraising total.

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Based on the bulletin of August 27, 2023.

DIOCESE OF BUFFALO
OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
August 17, 2023

With the loss of life surpassing 100 and expected to rise much higher, the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii have become the deadliest in the United States in more than 100 years. The devastation in the Town of Lahaina was especially severe with residents and vacationers literally escaping into the Pacific Ocean for their safety. More than 2,200 structures have been completely lost or damaged with most of these buildings being residences. Power and communications have been disrupted, and many residents are in dire need for basic supplies since they have lost nearly all their possessions because of the rapid spread of the fires.

As a community of faith, we are called to come together and provide support to all those in need. Especially now, our sisters and brothers in Hawaii have experienced a generational tragedy that will leave this island paradise scarred for many years to come. I join in solidarity with the Most Reverend Larry Silva, the Bishop of Honolulu, in asking for your help.

In 2008, the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation (HCCF) was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to support Hawaiian parish and school communities. The Diocese of Honolulu has set up a dedicated webpage for donations to go directly to HCCF to support the relief efforts for community members affected by the Maui wildfires. This is an opportunity for the Diocese of Buffalo to show our solidarity as a Catholic faith community and lend a helping hand to those who have lost so much. You can make a tax-deductible contribution by visiting the following link: https://tinyurl.com/MauiCatholic. Thank you for considering a donation to ease their suffering and help to restore their faith in this time of unbelievable adversity. May God bless you and all those who are in need.

Our Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community Faith Formation programs will begin September 17th, 2023 and if you missed the opportunity to register you still have time!

Please call the parish office (716-592-2701, St. Aloysius) or email the parish office (staloy@roadrunner.com) and we will get you signed up!

Thank you!

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Based on the bulletin of August 27, 2023.

The Diocese of Buffalo Find Common Ground as Mediation Continues

Negotiations have been ongoing between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed in the Diocese’s chapter 11 reorganization proceeding. The Committee is comprised of six claimants entrusted to represent the collective interests of all abuse survivors. Details of the
negotiations remain confidential, but the Diocese and the Committee have found common ground on one key issue: they’re searching for more insurance coverage.

The Diocese has robust records of insurance coverage beginning in 1972, but has to this point been largely unsuccessful in locating proof of insurance prior to that time. Nevertheless, the Diocese and the Committee are committed to working together to locate additional policies.

“We know the Diocese owned property before 1972, and that it would have been insured. The question is what companies insured the Diocese in those years,” said Ilan Scharf, an attorney for the Committee.

“We’ve agreed to proceed cooperatively on a number of fronts,” said attorney Steve Donato, who represents the Diocese. “That includes further efforts to find policy evidence in old diocesan records and inquiries to insurance agencies that may have placed the coverage.”

Seeking help from the community

The Diocese and the Committee are also asking the public for help. Their hope is to find someone who worked decades ago at an insurance carrier or agency, or who might otherwise have knowledge or evidence of pre-1972 insurance coverage for the Diocese.

Under New York law, insurance coverage may be available even if a copy of the actual policy is never found. Rather, evidence that a policy was issued can be used to prove coverage. Such evidence might include notes in business records, cancelled checks, accounting ledgers or policy numbers or the memories of people who worked for the Diocese, parishes or insurance companies or brokers.

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Based on the bulletin of August 20, 2023.