Although it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, the annual Chrism Mass during Holy Week is one of the most important dates of the Catholic year, as priests joined Bishop Richard J. Malone at St. Joseph Cathedral Tuesday night to renew themselves.

“It’s one of the most festive, beautiful and meaningful liturgies of the year, both in every diocese and in our own,” Bishop Malone said. “The Chrism Mass is a unique manifestation of who we are and what we are about as Church. It’s just so good that we’re here.”

The Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, provided his second report on the progress of the annual Catholic Charities of Buffalo Appeal today, revealing $8,886,816.65 has been raised to date, as Catholic Charities officials marked the close of Appeal Week 2014.

Today’s total represents 82.3 percent of the final goal, which is trending slightly ahead of last year at this time when 80.2 percent of goal was reached

Daybreak TV Productions of the Diocese of Buffalo has produced the Easter Mass which will air locally on WKBW-TV Channel 7 at 11 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 20. The Mass, a presentation of the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, also will be shown on ABC affiliate stations across the country, from Anchorage to Tampa and from Los Angeles to New York City, as well as dozens of cities in between.

The Easter Mass was pre-recorded on March 8 in St. Joseph Cathedral. Bishop of Buffalo, the Most Rev. Richard J. Malone, Th.D., was the main celebrant and cathedral Rector Msgr. James F. Campbell and Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia Msgr. David S. Slubecky concelebrated. The Mass featured the cathedral’s choir and brass as well as the Nichols Sophomore Handbell Choir, all under the direction of Tim Socha.

The production of the Easter Mass also included volunteers from many diocesan offices as well as other lay people of the Diocese of Buffalo. Hundreds of people were in attendance. Funding was provided by the Vincent and Harriet Palisano Foundation, the John R. Oishei Foundation, the Bishop’s Council of the Laity and the Penfold Family Foundation.

The following liturgies are scheduled for Holy Week at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo.



Saturday, April 12 - Vigil Mass, Palm Sunday



4:30 p.m. - Vigil Mass for Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 13 - Palm Sunday



8 a.m. - Mass for the Passion



10:30 a.m. - Solemn Mass with the blessing of palms; Bishop Richard J. Malone, Th.D., celebrant



Tuesday, April 15 - Chrism Mass



7 p.m. - Bishop Malone, celebrant, will bless three urns of oil, the oil of catechumens, used to bless those who are about to be baptized; the oil of chrism that is used in the Sacrament of Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Orders; and the oil of the sick which is used in the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.  Priests and deacons from throughout the diocese will take the oil to their parishes for use throughout the year.  All priests are invited to concelebrate.