"America" interview with Pope Francis-Bishop Malone remarks

Bishop Richard J. Malone
Diocese of Buffalo, NY

Bishop Richard J. Malone talked to reporters on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, at Holy Cross Church in Buffalo, about the interview with Pope Francis published this week by "America" magazine (www.americamagazine.org/pope-interview). The bishop was at the parish to celebrate Mass for Hispanic Heritage month.

You can listen to the bishop’s full remarks through this link:  http://snd.sc/1aWF4yN

The bishop would also like you to be aware of this Catholic News Service story which was published on Sept. 21, 2013:

Pope condemns abortion as product of 'throwaway culture'
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1303991.htm

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In his strongest public words to date on the subject of abortion, Pope Francis affirmed the sacredness of unborn human life and linked its defense to the pursuit of social justice.

"In all its phases and at every age, human life is always sacred and always of quality. And not as a matter of faith, but of reason and science!" the pope said Sept. 20 to a gathering of Catholic gynecologists.

Pope Francis characterized abortion as a product of a "widespread mentality of profit, the 'throwaway culture,' which has today enslaved the hearts and minds of so many."

That mentality, he said, "calls for the elimination of human beings, above all if they are physically or socially weaker. Our response to that mentality is a decisive and unhesitating 'yes' to life."

The pope grouped together unborn children, the aged and the poor as among the most vulnerable people whom Christians are called especially to love.

"In the fragile human being each one of us is invited to recognize the face of the Lord, who in his human flesh experienced the indifference and solitude to which we often condemn the poorest, whether in developing countries or in wealthy societies," he said.

"Every unborn child, though unjustly condemned to be aborted, has the face of the Lord, who even before his birth, and then as soon as he was born, experienced the rejection of the world," he said. "And every old person, even if infirm and at the end of his days, carries with him the face of Christ. They must not be thrown away!"

Quoting "Caritas in Veritate" the social encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis connected the protection of unborn life with the promotion of social justice.

"Openness to life is at the center of true development," he said. "If personal and social sensitivity in welcoming a new life is lost, other forms of welcome useful to social life will dry up. Welcoming life tempers moral energies and makes people capable of helping each other."

Pope Francis told the physicians that they faced a "paradoxical situation" in their professional lives, because even as medical science discovers new cures for disease, the "health care professions are sometimes induced not to respect life itself."

The pope characterized this paradox as part of a more widespread "cultural disorientation" in which rising individualism parallels a growing disrespect for life.

"Even as persons are accorded new rights, at times only presumed rights, life as the primary value and primordial right of every man is not always protected," he said.

The pope told the gynecologists that they had a responsibility to make known the "transcendent dimension, the imprint of God's creative work, in human life from the first instant of conception. And this is a commitment of new evangelization that often requires going against the tide, paying a personal price. The Lord counts on you, too, to spread the Gospel of life."

Pope Francis' remarks came one day after the publication of an interview in which he warned that focusing on certain moral teachings, including abortion, could undermine the church's efforts to preach the Gospel.

"We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods," the pope said in the interview, noting that he had been "reprimanded" for failing to speak often about those topics. "It is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.

"The dogmatic and moral teachings of the church are not all equivalent," the pope added. "The church's pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently.

"Proclamation in a missionary style focuses on the essentials, on the necessary things," he said. "We have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel."

Preparing for the future! The Pastoral Administrator

The Pastoral Administrator:

A development in parish ministry

7/1/2013     9:15 AM  

[This article is from http://www.buffalodiocese.org/News/Blogs/tabid/1000/EntryId/179/The-Pastoral-Administrator-A-development-in-parish-ministry.aspx ]

In recent decades, there has been a renewed emphasis grounding Church ministry, both ordained and lay, in the sacrament of baptism. The Church teaches that there is an essential difference between the priesthood of the faithful and the ordained priesthood, and yet, there is a special way in which ordained and laity, including lay ecclesial (Church) ministers, share in the one priesthood of Jesus Christ.

As envisioned by the Second Vatican Council, we trust that the Holy Spirit is leading our diocese toward the more collaborative form of ministry witnessed in the Church’s foundational missionary days. As St. Paul reminds us, “There are different gifts but the same Spirit; there are different ministries but the same Lord … You, then, are the body of Christ.God has set up in the Church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, healers, assistants, administrators.” (1 Cor. 12: 4-5; 27-28).

As noted in the Journey in Faith and Grace, our diocese has experienced, and is projected to continue to experience, a significant decline in the number of priests available to serve as pastors in the parishes of our diocese. In the next five years, according to current policy, 78 priests will be eligible for retirement.

To replace these priests would require 15 or more ordinations per year. In light of this challenge, promotion of priestly vocations remains a priority for this diocese. I am fully committed to that goal. We are also looking to invite more priests from overseas to serve in Western New York.

In light of these considerations, and after consultation with the vicars forane, the Presbyteral Council, the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Chancery staff and others, I have decided to formally introduce into our diocese the ministry of the pastoral administrator. In doing so, I appointed a task force to assist in the full implementation of this ministry in some parishes of our diocese.

The role of the pastoral administrator, whether a permanent deacon, religious, or lay person, ensures that the ministries of Word, worship and service are functioning well.

The pastoral administrator is in charge of a parish and is accountable to the diocesan bishop through the priest moderator, and works collaboratively with the priest moderator, the sacramental minister, and parish staff.

As we look to alternative types of staffing for pastoral leadership in our parishes throughout the eight counties of Western New York, may the ministry of the pastoral administrator in our diocese, in close collaboration with our clergy, assure that our parishes can and will continue to be vital communities of faith, ministry and evangelization.


The pastoral administrator is a professional minister, appointed by the diocesan bishop and installed by a vicar forane, to lead and officially administer a parish community without a resident pastor. The primary relationships of the pastoral administrator are to the diocesan bishop through the priest moderator, sacramental minister, staff, pastoral and finance councils and parish community.

October - Respect Life Month 2013

My Dear Diocesan Family,

"Open your hearts to life" has been a favorite theme of Pope Francis and one that has particular urgency today. This year’s theme for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Respect Life Program fills us with encouragement and hope and calls us to love, defend and celebrate all human life. It calls us to joyfully follow the example of Christ, to love without limits, and further, to act on that sense of true Christian charity.

We know that we live in a world full of threats to the sanctity and dignity of human life. However we also know that through prayer, education, responsible citizenship and pastoral care of all human life, especially the most vulnerable and in need of our love, we transform our society into a culture of life; we know that all things are possible in Christ. We can protect the unborn, serve those faced with disabilities, care for the sick and dying, and stand against violence, and we can do so with compassion, charity and justice.

We celebrate October as Respect Life Month, but we are reminded all year round of the sacredness of life and the joy of love. Our Office of Pro-Life Activities and the St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center, along with our pastors and parish Respect Life Coordinators, stand ready to implement this program and partner with each of you in defending and celebrating human life. Together we commit ourselves to the sanctity and dignity of all human life.

Through prayer and through the celebration of Mass and the Sacraments, we can know and love God better and open our hearts to all human life. In the Year of Faith, the focus on the New Evangelization is not only on learning doctrines; it is about learning to live our Christian life fully and bringing Christ’s love alive within us to all we meet.

I invite each of you to join me on Respect Life Sunday, October 6, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral as we celebrate the Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. It will be signed for the hearing impaired and I look forward to the opportunity to bless babies, expectant mothers and families immediately after Mass. This will be followed by a small socialwith light refreshments.

Be assured of my prayerful and grateful best wishes as together we work to promote all life through love.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Richard J. Malone

Bishop of Buffalo

Gov. Cuomo - expanding abortion in NYS

June 8-9, 2013

My dear diocesan family,

            In New York State, where one in every three pregnancies ends in abortion, it’s clear that we, as a state, have lost sight of these most vulnerable babies.

 

            Governor Andrew Cuomo has introduced a Women’s Rights Bill.  The Catholic Church supports nine out of ten points in this bill. However, one of the points contains  language that would ease restrictions in state law on late-term abortion and runs the risk of broadly expanding abortion access at all stages of pregnancy,  including any child who is not “viable “as viability is defined by the abortionist. It also allows the State Health Department to decide who may perform abortions, which does not limit it to health care professionals.

            This legislation would add a broad and undefined “health” exception for late-term abortion.  It would repeal the portion of the penal law that governs abortion policy such as the criminal prosecution of a person who tries to directly cause the death of an unborn child, as found in cases of domestic violence against pregnant women. This lack of clarity also means that medical and non- medical institutions, such as Catholic Schools and charities, could be compelled by state regulators to counsel or refer people for abortion, or risk losing state contracts and licenses that are necessary for them to continue to operate.  

 

            The position of the Catholic Church through every age is clear:  Life is sacred. Our focus is to enhance and promote the life and dignity of all human beings from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.

 

            Please join me and all the bishops of New York in fully opposing this radical measure. Let’s stand together with the leaders in Albany who share our conviction that we have no need for such a bill to become law.  We must defeat this serious attempt to expand abortion. We need to respect women and protect the child in the womb.

 

            New Yorkers need to stand together with the leadership in Albany who share our conviction.  We cannot stand idle.  We must protect our children.  We must act now!

 

            Please contact the Governor and your state legislators today, and tell them not to expand abortion in New York.  You can send your message through the Catholic Action Network website:  N Y S Catholic dot org

 

            Thank you.

                                                                                    Yours sincerely in Christ,

                                                                                                 

                                                                                    Most Reverend Richard J. Malone 

                                                                                    Bishop of Buffalo                             

RJM:mh                                                                              

 

 

   

Bishop Malone's Letter - Call to Prayer

 

May 17, 2013

My Dear Friends in Christ,

In December, when the bishops announced the Call to Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty, they also announced a second Fortnight for Freedom.  As last year, the Fortnight will take place from June 21 (the vigil of the feasts of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher) to July 4 (Independence Day).

There are three reasons why this year’s Fortnight is so important:

·         First, the Supreme Court’s rulings on marriage redefinition, which could have grave implications for religious freedom, will almost certainly be issued during the Fortnight.

·         Second, by the time of the Fortnight, the effective date of the HHS mandate-August 1, 2013 will be scarcely a month away, and the Administration’s decision on the shape of a final rule will likely be imminent.   We are still far from receiving the relief we need through the regulatory process.  So it will be very important to keep the public pressure on.

·         Third, the success of a second Fortnight is essential to perpetuating a new movement for life, marriage and religious liberty, highlighting the full range of ongoing religious freedom issues, here and abroad, and in so many other areas of law, such as immigration, adoption, and disaster relief.  Similarly, it is important to show that it is not tied to any election year, but to the broader principle of religious freedom. 

During the fortnight, I ask you to call on your parishioners and other constituents to join me in prayer for religious freedom.  As we all know, prayer can be very powerful and every day during the fourteen day fortnight, I am asking that in every parish, during every Mass, a special Prayer of the Faithful be said.  You are also encouraged to sponsor adoration, special devotions and catechetical sessions as part of this national religious liberty campaign.

Attached you will find suggested prayers that you may wish to use during the fortnight.  Additional resources are available on the HHS Mandate page of the diocesan website (www.buffalodiocese.org) and USCCB Fortnight resources are available at www.Fortnight4Freedom.org.

I will begin the Fortnight of Prayer on Saturday, June 22 at 8:00 a.m. Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church, corner of Parkside and Parker Avenues, Buffalo, where I will be celebrating the Rosary Novena for Life Mass and then later that same day at 4:30 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral.  Both of these Masses are open for anyone in the Diocese who would like to come and pray with me for the intentions of the Fortnight.

The Fortnight of Prayer will conclude on Wednesday, July 3 at 3:00 pm with a Holy Hour and Benediction at the Dominican Monastery.  Bishop Grosz will preside at this celebration.

Catholics in the United States have long advocated for religious liberty, and it is our solemn duty to continue those efforts today.  Please join me and our fellow Catholics as we pray for a new birth of freedom in this great land!

Be assured of my grateful prayers and best wishes,

 

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Richard J. Malone

Bishop of Buffalo

9th and 10th Graders - Christian Leadership

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR NINTH AND TENTH GRADE STUDENTS

For some years our Diocese has had a summer gathering for our young people. This experience equips them for ministry with their peers, offers practical skills, and develops leadership potential. It also offers an opportunity to meet other young people from all over our diocese.

Our parish will sponsor, and underwrite the cost, for ten (10) ninth and tenth grade students for the Christian Leadership Institute which will be held at the Saint Columban Renewal Center on the Lake Shore in Derby from Sunday, June 23—Saturday, June 29.

Father Mock and Mr. Matt Smith, our Director of Youth Ministry and Faith Formation, will be sending letters of invitation to each of these students. Since space is limited to ten, please let us know of your desire to attend as soon as possible. Registrations need to be completed by the middle of May.

Prayer for the Church awaiting a new pope

 

Most Reverend Richard J. Malone,

Bishop of Buffalo, NY

Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Portland, ME.

Prayer for the Church

(courtesy of the Knights of Columbus - www.KofC.org)

O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Pastor of Your Church,
we thank you for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI
and the selfless care with which he has led us
as Successor of Peter, and Your Vicar on earth.

Good Shepherd, who founded Your Church
on the rock of Peter’s faith
and have never left Your flock untended,
look with love upon us now,
and sustain Your Church in faith, hope, and charity.

Grant, Lord Jesus, in Your boundless love for us,
a new Pope for Your Church
who will please You by his holiness
and lead us faithfully to You,
who are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Amen.

Bishop Malone's Statement on Pope's resignation

Bishop Malone’s statement on resignation of Pope Benedict XVI: [CLICK HERE FOR POPE BENEDICT'S DECLARATION - FULL TEXT.]


This morning’s announcement from the Holy Father that he would be resigning at the end of the month certainly came as a surprise.When I met with the pope in November 2011 at the Vatican, he did seem rather frail.  I wish to express my gratitude for his faithful ministry as Successor of St. Peter, his life of scholarship and his faithful leadership of the Catholic Church. 

One hallmarks of Pope Benedict XVI is his humility and pastoral concern in putting the good of the Church first in his discernment.  I cherish the pectoral cross he gave to me and other bishops who met with him during our Ad Limina visit.  During his nearly eight year papacy, we have been witness to his keen intellect through his marvelous encyclicals:  God is Love, In Hope We Are Saved and Charity in Truth.  His Jesus of Nazareth book series is inspirational.

With the pending resignation of Pope Benedict, the same process by which he was elected in 2005 will be followed as soon as he steps down, with a conclave of the College of Cardinals, guided by Holy Spirit, electing the next pope.

I ask all Catholics in the Diocese of Buffalo to join me in prayer for Pope Benedict XVI, giving thanks to our Heavenly Father for the pope’s lifetime of dedicated, selfless service to the Church.

Politics - need to be informed, active participants

  Need to be informed,

active participants in politics

by MOST REVEREND RICHARD J.MALONE

Bishop of Buffalo

Soon we will go to the polls to cast our votes for the president and vice president of the United States, congressional representatives, and state and local officials. When exercising our voting rights, we are not only acting as good citizens. We are also putting our faith into concrete action. Catholics, by virtue of our baptism, are called to be salt to the earth and light to the world. We must not hide our light under a bushel basket, but rather courageously defend our moral principles and promote human dignity and the common good in the public square.

Regardless of claims to the contrary in some media, the Catholic Church is not partisan. We do not promote either the Democrat or Republican party. We do boldly promote fundamental principles that must guide Catholics and others of good will in assessing candidates, evaluating issues and ultimately choose one over another. 

"Let me again emphasize the importance of Catholics becoming informed, active participants in the affairs of politics. Voting conscientiously is not simply an American privilege. It is our responsibility, both as good citizens and as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ."

The U.S. Bishops, in our publication, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," have provided the faithful with a reliable guide for understanding our responsibilities relative to voting. In this resource we outline how respect for the life and dignity of every person, from conception to natural death and at every moment in between, must be the guiding principle underpinning every political agenda. We are called in a special way to protect the weak, vulnerable and voiceless, to defend religious freedom and conscience rights and to share our blessings with those in need.

The only way we can make sound, morally correct decisions about issues impacting our society and informed decisions about candidates for office is to rely on a well-informed conscience. A well-informed conscience does not allow us to justify doing whatever we want, nor is it a "feeling" about what is right and wrong. Rather, conscience is the voice of God speaking to our hearts, calling us to do what is good and to reject what is evil. We inform our consciences by becoming knowledgeable about God’s revealed truth as we find it in sacred scripture and Church teaching, and, very importantly, by praying for guidance.

We recognize that there can be proposals for addressing some pressing social concerns, such as the economy, immigration reform, or retirement security, on which people of good will can reach different conclusions. This is the exercise of prudential judgment, which demands that we never justify an immoral means to achieve a good end.

Prudential judgment does not come into play with every issue that confronts us. Not every course of action is morally acceptable. There are situations in which what is being proposed is an intrinsic evil. Intrinsic evils are actions that must always be opposed because they are always, by their nature, gravely opposed to the will of God. Examples of intrinsic evils are abortion, euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, embryonic stem cell research and human cloning, genocide, torture and racism. Intrinsic evils undercut the dignity of the human person. If we think about it for a moment, we can see how all of the life issues are connected. Erosion of respect for the life of any person or group in society necessarily diminishes respect for all life.

Without a doubt, the conscientious Catholic faces many complex and difficult decisions in preparing to vote. That is why an informed conscience, and confidence in the moral wisdom of our Church, is so important. A Catholic may never vote for a candidate who supports an intrinsic evil if, in voting for her or him, one is doing so in support of that immoral position. Conversely, a Catholic cannot justify voting for a candidate who opposes an intrinsic evil if that candidate is known to be indifferent to other serious moral issues involving human life.

There may be times when we find it necessary to vote for a candidate who holds an unacceptable position on a grave moral issue for other grave moral reasons.

We may sometimes find ourselves in the dilemma of being unable to find any candidate who is fully acceptable if all candidates hold one or more morally unacceptable positions. In cases such as this, the voter may decide to choose the candidate who is least likely to do the most harm, or even to take the extraordinary measure of not voting for any candidate.

Let me again emphasize the importance of Catholics becoming informed, active participants in the affairs of politics. Voting conscientiously is not simply an American privilege. It is our responsibility, both as good citizens and as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

© Western New York Catholic, November 2012

Media Coverage of Bishop Malone's Installation

Television, radio, the Internet and social media outlets will provide extensive, live coverage of Bishop Richard J. Malone’s installation as 14th bishop of Buffalo, on Friday, Aug. 10, at 2:30 p.m. For information on the Installation Mass, see our previous post - http://stbenedictsamherstnyblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/bishop-malones-arrival-and-installation.html

            YNN-TV in Buffalo will air the Mass live on Time Warner Cable, with Father Robert Reed, president of Boston Catholic Television (BCTV), providing in-studio commentary.   WGRZ-TV will stream the Mass on their website with commentary from Father Joseph Gatto, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish (Williamsville).  WIVB-TV will also stream the Mass on their website.
 
           BCTV and EWTN will broadcast the Mass to a national audience.

            On radio, WLOF-FM and WWKB-AM will air the Mass live in Western New York, while EWTN Radio will air the Mass nationwide.  WBFO-FM and WNED-AM will stream the Mass.  Four Catholic radio stations in Maine and one in Boston, Mass., will also air the Mass.

            “We are extremely pleased with the extensive coverage of Bishop Malone’s installation Mass,” said Kristina Connell, manager of the Office of Communications for the Diocese of Buffalo.”  “With limited seating in St. Joseph Cathedral, these broadcast and social media options will allow people throughout the diocese and across the country to be part of this historic event.”

“This will also be the first time that social media will be used to cover the installation of the bishop of Buffalo, with coverage on diocesan Twitter and Facebook feeds,” Connell said.  “Our social media outlets will provide followers a unique perspective before and during the Mass.”

            Complete broadcast and social media information follows.

Television

YNN-TV (Buffalo)
Full live broadcast on Time Warner Cable.  Father Robert Reed, president of Boston Catholic Television (BCTV), will provide commentary.

WGRZ-TV (Buffalo)
Streaming live on www.wgrz.com and live cut-ins on WGRZ-TV
Father Joseph Gatto, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish (Williamsville), will provide commentary on the WGRZ broadcast.

WIVB-TV (Buffalo) – online at www.wivb.com

BCTV (Boston Catholic Television)
Live on-air broadcast
http://www.catholictv.com/home.aspx 

EWTN Global Catholic Television Network
Live on-air broadcast
http://www.ewtn.com/  

Radio

WLOF Radio/101.7 FM (Catholic Radio, Buffalo)
Broadcast from EWTN Radio will air at 9 p.m. on Aug. 10
http://www.wlof.net/index.php 

WBFO 88.7 FM & WNED AM 970 (Buffalo)
Streaming online at http://www.wbfo.org 

WWKB Radio/1520 AM (Buffalo)
Live on-air broadcast

The Presence Radio Network, Maine
WXTP 106.7 FM (North Windham, Maine)
WXBP 90.3 FM (Corinth, Maine)
WWTP 89.5 FM (Augusta, Maine)

WTBP 89.7 FM (Bath, Maine)
The Presence Radio Network will air the installation Mass live at 2:30 p.m. and rebroadcast the installation at 9 p.m.; the installation will be streaming on their website, www.thepresence.fm 

WQOM/1060 AM (Catholic Radio, Boston, Mass.)
Broadcast from EWTN Radio will air at 9 p.m. on Aug. 10
http://www.wqom.org/index.php 

EWTN Radio
The installation will be re-broadcast nationwide on Friday, Aug. 10, at 9 p.m. to all EWTN Radio affiliates
http://www.ewtn.com/radio/ 

Social Media

Twitter

@buffalodiocese
@wnycatholic 
#bishopmalone

Bishop Malone's arrival and installation

A Mass of Installation for Bishop Richard J. Malone will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., in Buffalo, N.Y. 

Since my appointment, I have learned a great deal about the faithful of the diocese, their incredible compassion and generosity to those in need and the countless ministries that make a positive difference in peoples’ lives on a daily basis, Bishop Malone said.  I look forward to joining this effort as we continue to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people of Western New York.

Bishop Malone will be the principal celebrant of the Mass as he becomes the 14th bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo.  He succeeds Bishop Kmiec, who has led the diocese since Oct. 28, 2004.  Pope Benedict XVI accepted Bishop Kmiec’s letter of resignation on May 29, 2012.  Upon his retirement, Bishop Kmiec will become bishop emeritus of Buffalo.
           
Presiding at the installation will be Cardinal Timothy J. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, archbishop of Boston, and Cardinal Edward M. Egan, archbishop emeritus of New York. 
Archbishop Carlo M. Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States, will read the letter from the pope, naming Bishop Malone as the new spiritual leader of the Diocese of Buffalo. 
           
More than two dozen bishops from the United States and Canada are scheduled to concelebrate the installation Mass, including Archbishop Henry J. Mansell, archbishop of Hartford and former bishop of Buffalo, Bishop Robert J. Cunningham, bishop of Syracuse and native of Kenmore, and Bishop Donald W. Trautman, bishop of Erie and a native of Buffalo.  Priests and deacons from the Diocese of Buffalo, Diocese of Portland and Archdiocese of Boston will also participate.
           
More than 70 singers and musicians will take part in the installation Mass.  The Diocesan Festival Chorus will be under the direction of Alan Lukas, director of music for the diocese, who will also be principal organist.  Tim Socha will direct the Cathedral Choir for the prelude music and will assist Lukas as an organist.  There will be five cantors and five additional instrumentalists.

During the Mass, petitions will be read in several different languages, including Spanish, Burmese, Vietnamese, Korean, Polish and Italian.  The Knights of St. Gregory, Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, Knights of Columbus and Knights of St. John will serve as the honor guard.  Members of the Diocesan Youth Board will be banner bearers.

Bishop Malone will welcome leaders from a number of other religious faith communities in Western New York.  Because of limited seating, the cathedral capacity is 1,200, the installation Mass is a ticketed event, with more than 2,100 invitations sent out. A reception at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo will immediately follow the installation Mass.
           
In the weeks following his installation, Bishop Malone will be traveling throughout Western New York as he continues to familiarize himself with the diocese, its people and its ministries.  On Monday, Aug. 13, at 5 p.m., at Our Lady of Peace Church in Clarence, Bishop Malone will celebrate Mass and attend a reception for the women and men religious of the diocese.  On Saturday, Aug.18, Bishop Malone will celebrate Mass and attend a reception at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora with permanent deacons, their wives, candidates to the permanent diaconate and their wives.

Broadcast and social media coverage of the installation Mass will be provided the week of Aug. 6.

EWTN coverage

MASS (SPECIAL - CATHEDRALS ACROSS AMERICA)

Wednesday  08/10/2012  at 2:30 PM

AND repeated

Thursday  08/11/2012 at 12:00 AM

We need baby stuff!! 28/29 July

St. Gianna Molla Diaper & Donation Drive Information

UPDATE 2 August 2012 -

from the St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Center, a "sincere thank you" to all who contributed to the success of the diaper and donation drive held on July 28-29, 2012. Items collected included 408 diapers, 500 wipes, an assortment of baby clothing, receiving blankets, infant formula and a free will donation of $698.00. If anyone has additional items that you wish to donate please call Gene & Arlene Mendrysa at 634-8997.

*****

On the weekend of July 28 and 29th, St. Benedict's is participating in a collection of baby items for the St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Outreach Center (76 Church Street in Buffalo). 

We sure could use your help on this important project!

Items needed are essentials, such as, newborn diapers, wipes, lotions, onesies, pajamas, receiving blankets, etc, and free will donations.  Please bring what you can to Mass with you July 28/29.

Items to avoid are those which are subject to safety codes like bassinettes, strollers, car seats, etc.

THANK YOU SO MUCH

FOR HELPING THE NEWLY BORN!

St. Gianna, pray for us, new parents and new babies everywhere.

For the wikipedia article on St. Gianna, click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianna_Beretta_Molla

Information about St. Joseph - Patron of Buffalo NY

St. Joseph is the "principal patron" of the Diocese of Buffalo! Everything you need to know about St. Joseph, whose Solemnity we celebrate on 19 March, is available at http://www.churchyear.net/stjoseph.html.

For those who want to go deeper into the theology of St. Joseph, we highly recommend Blessed John Paul the Great's "Redemptoris Custos" http://bit.ly/xwJhld





Here is a short video highlighting the beauty of St. Joseph's Cathedral of the Diocese of Buffalo:

Tech & Religious Ed. Workshop here

TECHNOLOGY & RELIGIOUS EDUCATION WORKSHOP

St. Benedict's is hosting a special Diocesan workshop on Tuesday, March 13th from 6:30 to 8:00 on using technology to tell the Story of Christ. The workshop is being led by Tim Welch who is the author of Technology Tools for Your Ministry. Tim is a consultant for the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota. The workshop is open to everyone, but would be very valuable for anyone interested in teaching religious education. Please Call 847-5501 to register or email esantini@buffalodiocese.org. This workshop is free due to a grant from Our Sunday Visitor.

HHS news - parish website

We encourage all our readers to visit our homepage - www.saintbenedicts.com - daily for the latest news on the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate. Look for the picture of Bishop Edward Kmiec and the Statue of Liberty.

Join us for the Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally in Buffalo as we participate with over 50 other cities nationally to oppose the recent HHS Mandate. This HHS mandate, including President Obama's so-called "compromise," violates our first amendment right to free exercise of religion. Let’s tell our federal representatives that we want our religious freedom protected and the HHS mandate stopped!

Rally Date: Friday, March 23^rd 2012

Time: 12 Noon

Location: Federal Building (Sen. Schumer’s Office)

130 South Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202

*For more information email: Buffalo@StandUpForReligiousFreedom.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For Catholics, for all religious people, and for people of good will, this is a serious religious liberty issue. As it currently stands, this mandate is an unprecedented infringement on our God-given rights, enshrined in the Free Exercise clause of the First Amendment.

Our website homepage has links to the Diocese of Buffalo's new website on religious freedom. We ask that all our parishioners and friends do their part to protect religious liberty in the United States by remaining informed and taking action as necessary.

Please share our website address - www.saintbenedicts.com - with your friends on facebook, twitter, email, etc.

The Church needs your help!  So does America.

St. John Neumann - WNY's Saint

St. John Nepomucene Neumann ministered in Western New York from 1836 to 1840; in fact, two of our neighboring parishes - Ss. Peter & Paul (Williamsville) and St. John the Baptist (Kenmore) - were founded by him.  John Neumann walked or rode horses between these two mission parishes often during his time in Western New York. Although St. Benedict's Parish was founded in 1920, long after Neumann's time, Fr. Neumann would have known our parish area well as he served the spiritual needs of the small, but growing, Catholic community in the Amherst area. Click here for more information on his local contributions.

St. John Neumann was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1977. January 5th is his feast day. It is a "Special Observance" Memorial here in the Diocese of Buffalo, NY.

Click here for information on the life and legacy of this great American canonized saint.

Statue of St. John Neumann outside of
Ss. Peter & Paul Church, Williamsville NY

CANONIZATION OF JOHN NEPOMUCENE NEUMANN

HOMILY OF PAUL VI

Sunday, 19 June 1977

Greetings to you, Brethren, and sons and daughters of the United States of America! We welcome you in the name of the Lord!

The entire Catholic Church, here, at the tomb of the Apostle Peter, welcomes you with festive joy. And together with you, the entire Catholic Church sings a hymn of heavenly victory to Saint John Nepomucene Neumann, who receives the honor of one who lives in the glory of Christ.
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We ask ourselves today: what is the meaning of this extraordinary event, the meaning of this canonization? It is the celebration of holiness. And what is holiness? It is human perfection, human love raised up to its highest level in Christ, in God.
...
At the time of John Neumann, America represented new values and new hopes. Bishop Neumann saw these in their relationship to the ultimate, supreme possession to which humanity is destined. With Saint Paul he could testify that “all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” (1 Cor. 3, 22). And with Augustine he knew that our hearts are restless, until they rest in the Lord (S. AUGUSTINI Confessiones, 1, 1).

His love for people was authentic brotherly love. It was real charity: missionary and pastoral charity. It meant that he gave himself to others. Like Jesus the Good Shepherd, he lay down his life for the sheep, for Christ’s flock: to provide for their needs, to lead them to salvation. And today, with the Evangelist, we solemnly proclaim : “There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15, 13).

John Neumann’s pastoral zeal was manifested in many ways. Through faithful and persevering service, he brought to completion the generosity of his initial act of missionary dedication. He helped children to satisfy their need for truth, their need for Christian doctrine, for the teaching of Jesus in their lives. He did this both by catechetical instruction and by promoting, with relentless energy, the Catholic school system in the United States. And we still remember the words of our late Apostolic Delegate in Washington, the beloved Cardinal Amleto Cicognani: “You Americans”, he said, “possess two great treasures: the Catholic school and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Guard them like the apple of your eye” (Cfr. Epistola 2 iunii 1963).

And who can fail to admire all the loving concern that John Neumann showed for God’s people, through his priestly ministry and his pastoral visitations as a Bishop? He deeply loved the Sacramental of Reconciliation: and like a worthy son of Saint Alphonsus he transmitted the pardon and the healing power of the Redeemer into the lives of innumerable sons and daughters of the Church. He was close to the sick; he was at home with the poor; he was a friend to sinners. And today he is the honor of all immigrants, and from the viewpoint of the Beatitudes the symbol of Christian success.

John Neumann bore the image of Christ. He experienced, in his innermost being, the need to proclaim by word and example the wisdom and power of God, and to preach the crucified Christ. And in the Passion of the Lord he found strength and the inspiration of his ministry: Passio Christi conforta me!

The Eucharistic Sacrifice was the center of his life, and constituted for him what the Second Vatican Council would later call “the source and summit of all evangelization” (Presbiterorum Ordinis, 5). With great effectiveness, through the Forty Hours Devotion he helped his parishes become communities of faith and service.

But to accomplish his task, love was necessary. And love meant giving; love meant effort; love meant sacrifice. And in his sacrifice, Bishop Neumann’s service was complete. He led his people along the paths of holiness. He was indeed an effective witness, in his generation, to God’s love for his Church and the world.

There are many who have lived and are still living the divine command of generous love. For love still means giving oneself for others, because Love has come down to humanity; and from humanity love goes back to its divine source! How many men and women make this plan of God the program of their lives! Our praise goes to the clergy, religious and Catholic laity of America who, in following the Gospel, live according to this plan of sacrifice and service. Saint John Neumann is a true example for all of us in this regard. It is not enough to acquire the good things of the earth, for these can even be dangerous, if they stop or impede our love from rising to its source and reaching its goal. Let us always remember that the greatest and the first commandment is this: “You shall love the Lord your God” (Matth. 22, 36).

True humanism in Christianity. True Christianity-we repeat- is the sacrifice of self for others, because of Christ, because of God. It is shown by signs; it is manifested in deeds. Christianity is sensitive to the suffering and oppression and sorrow of others, to poverty, to all human needs, the first of which is truth.

Our ceremony today is indeed the celebration of holiness. At the same time, it is a prophetic anticipation-for the Church, for the United States, for the world-of a renewal in love: love for God, love for neighbor.
And in this vital charity, beloved sons and daughters, let us go forward together, to build up a real civilization of love.

Saint John Neumann, by the living power of your example and by the intercession of your prayers, help us today and for ever.



Neumann's body in his National Shrine, Philadelphia

March for Life 2012

March for Life Pilgrimage - January 22-23, 2012

 

MARCH FOR LIFE 2012 LETTER

update - Dear Marchers, If you made your reservation at the Washington Plaza Hotel and are traveling on the bus with us please make sure that you submit your bus reservation. Let us (the Diocesan Office) know if you are traveling by bus, plane, or driving.  Buses are filling up, make sure that you have submitted your reservation. Have a nice weekend and God bless, Miriam

St. Benedict's Parishioners - if you made arrangements to attend on your own, please let us know. Some reimbursements are available through our Respect Life Ministry. Save your proof of payment.  rectory@saintbenedicts.com or call 716.834-1041.

The March for Life Pilgrimage
Monday, January 23, 2012
Buses depart on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Guest Speaker:  Christina King   BROCHURE

Now accepting reservations! 

Join the Office of Pro-Life Activities from the Buffalo Diocese and hundreds of Catholics, as well as all people of good will, who will gather together to pray and publicly intercede on behalf of the unborn, their parents, families, our communities, our nation and its leaders. We hope that this prayerful presence may open hearts, minds, souls to the fullness of the Gospel of Life in our lives and laws, healing the wounds of abortion.  Seminarians, religious, and youth all seek sponsorships to attend this event and need your support. 

For details and on-line reservations - http://www.buffalodiocese.org/Evangelization/ProLife/YearlyCalendar.aspx

Youth Ministry Leadership Training

Youth Ministry Leadership Training Program

Are you new?  Maybe you're looking for help and direction as you get started in youth ministry.

Or maybe you're not new.  Maybe you've been around long enough to begin to know what you don't know yet - and you're anxious for some answers to the important questions you've run into.

No matter which category you're in, you are invited to

Level I of the Youth Ministry Leadership Training Program. 


Level I covers the topics of:
Introduction to Catholic Youth Ministry
(including an overview of the vision of youth ministry, plus legal and liability issues) 

Who Are Adolescents Today?
(and how do they develop - physically, emotionally, morally, spiritually?) 

Relating to Youth
(how to connect with youth and still set appropriate boundaries) 

Building Community with Youth
(it's not just about the newest icebreaker!) 

Praying with Youth
(they'll go deep if we help lead them or let them!) 

Join us! 

Level I is presented in three sessions:
Thursday, October 27 - 6:30 to 9:00 PM (Intro to Catholic Youth Ministry)
Thursday, November 3 - 6:30 to 9:00 PM (Who are Adolescents?)
Saturday, November 5 - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (remaining topics)

All sessions take place at:
St. Benedict's Parish
1317 Eggert Road
Amherst, New York 14226
(use the Westfield parking lot)

Download a registration form or contact Heather Hoffman for more details.