Following are my remarks from the Catholic Charities Appeal Erie County Workshop.  We gathered at Salvatore's Italian Gardens in Cheektowaga on Jan. 24.

Here we are - another year, and another Appeal. It’s wonderful to see all of you here once again in support of Catholic Charities. It’s always great to see so many familiar faces, and new faces too!

On behalf of the tens of thousands of people who benefit each year from the programs and services of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, I want to thank you for your support as we start our journey towards a successful 2010 Appeal.

These were my comments before a news conference on Jan. 13, 2010, announcing this year's Catholic Charities Appeal goal and theme:

I thought I would take advantage of this public opportunity, to offer our condolences and prayers, as the Catholic Church of Western New York, to our brothers and sisters in Haiti, who have suffered a devastating earthquake this day. News reports tell and show great destruction, loss of life and extensive injuries. According to reports, among the thousands feared to have perished is the Archbishop of Port-Au-Prince, the Bishop of Haiti.

“God is with us”

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.”

One of the most inspired recent actions of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and inspirational as well, was his declaration proclaiming the time between June 2009 and June 2010 as the Year for Priests. Interestingly and I believe intentionally, the Holy Father did not say the Year OF the Priests, but rather the Year FOR Priests. I read into that as the Pope’s desire to give highlight to the great Sacrament of the priesthood as the sublime vocation that gives man the unique privilege of sharing the Priesthood of Christ, the Eternal High Priest. But secondarily, I believe that the Holy Father also wanted to affirm priests everywhere in their ministry and service in the Church, which also calls on the People of God for their recognition of the pastoral work rendered by priests, and offer appreciation and support of them. Surely, the Holy Father would also intend a stimulus for vocations to the priesthood.

"To whom much is given, much is expected".  We have all heard this phrase and countless people in the diocese live it in a conscientioius manner.

We see this generosity played out every day, and  more so during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.  I am extremely grateful for this abundnance of generosity.  I see it in our parishes, in our schools and in a most visible way, through the support of Catholic Charities.  That generosity allows others to share in the joy that so many take for granted at this time of year.

My brother bishop, Bishop Bernard McLaughlin, (auxiliary bishop emeritus of the diocese) celebrates his 97th birthday today (Nov. 19).  Bishop McLaughlin has been a tremendous gift to the Diocese of Buffalo, and we are blessed by his presence.
 

A few weeks ago, on Nov. 8, he was on the altar at St. Joseph Cathedral for Solemn Vespers.  When I introduced him at the start of the service, he was warmly received by the congregation, receiving a lengthy ovation.

Hello friends, and welcome to my blog page!

I think it is very important for the Catholic Church to be present on the Internet, and this is one more way that I can communicate with members of the Diocese of Buffalo and other followers of the Church, as well as those who are interested in our mission of building the Kingdom of God here in Western New York.