This October marks the Year of Faith as proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI. The Diocese of Buffalo will celebrate the beginning of this special year at the noon Mass at Our Lady of Victory Basilica, South Park Ave. at Ridge Road, Lackawanna, on Sunday, Oct. 14.

The Vatican has developed a logo and website, as well as planned numerous events to celebrate the Year of Faith which runs through Nov. 24, 2013. The beginning date, Oct. 11, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council.

The main focus of the Year of Faith is to re-introduce, re-energize and re-new peoples’ Catholic faith. The Apostles’ Creed, therefore, will play a significant role.

Representatives from each parish in the diocese have been invited to attend the kick-off Mass to receive mission passports on behalf of their parish. In turn, the parish representatives will bring those mission passports back to their parishes for their own parish communities. The mission passports are tailored to fit everyone’s status in life – parents, godparents, teens, children, couples without children, grandparents, singles, etc. The passports will have suggestions on how people can grow in their faith.

For more information on how the Diocese of Buffalo is observing the Year of Faith, visit www.evangelizebuffalo.org or call the Office of Parish Life at 847-5531. To learn more about the Vatican’s activities during the Year of Faith, visit their website at www.annusfidei.va where information is available in Italian, English and Spanish.