December 5, 2007

Propagation of Faith office moves to Catholic Charities

The president and director of Catholic Charities of Buffalo has taken on a new role. Bishop Edward U. Kmiec named Father Joseph J. Sicari director of the Office of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in addition to his position at Catholic Charities.

Father Sicari said the Propagation of the Faith is a natural fit for Catholic Charities. “Just as Catholic Charities brings strength and stability on the local diocesan level, the Association for the Propagation of the Faith provides new, young or poor dioceses with the essential support they need on their journey to becoming self-sufficient, sharing from each according to their resources, to each according to their need,” he said.

Named director of Catholic Charities in 2003, Father Sicari oversees the largest human services provider in Western New York. He joined Catholic Charities in 1995 as associate director and had previously served as director of guidance and assistant principal of Cardinal O’Hara High School in Tonawanda. He also was director of development, recruitment, alumni relations and an instructor at Archbishop Walsh High School, Olean. His parish assignments were at Christ the King, Snyder, and St. Anthony, Batavia.

Ordained in 1982, Father Sicari is a graduate of Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, Canisius College and Canisius High School, both in Buffalo.

Msgr. Harold Wagner, former director of the Propagation of the Faith, retired in October after more than 32 years in the position. The office will move from the Catholic Center to Catholic Charities.

The Society of the Propagation of the Faith is responsible for four annual collections: Catholic Home Missions, Latin American Collection, Missionary Cooperative Plan and World Mission Sunday.

Bishop Kmiec also appointed Father Paul S. Salemi, chaplain at St. Mary’s High School, Lancaster, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, Lancaster, for a term of three years. After his ordination in 2000, Father Salemi was assigned to St. Mary of the Angels, Olean; followed by appointments at SS. Peter and Paul, Hamburg; and St. Mary, Swormville. He also had served as chaplain at Cardinal O’Hara High School, Tonawanda. Father Salemi will continue his position as chaplain at St. Mary’s High School.

Two permanent deacons have received new assignments. Deacon John H. Burke has moved from Collins Correctional Facility to St. Martin of Tours Parish, Buffalo, and Deacon David P. McDermott, has been assigned to diaconal ministry at St. Christopher Parish, Tonawanda. He previously served at St. Andrew Parish, Kenmore. Both assignments are for a term of three years.

As a result of the merger of SS. Rita and Patrick, Holy Apostles SS. Peter and Paul, St. Valentine, Precious Blood and St. Stephen parishes, announced on July 1, a new parish has been formed. St. Clare parish will be located at the St. Stephen site. Father James Czerwinski, OFM, former pastor of SS. Rita and Patrick, has been named of St. Clare.

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