Cultural Diversity

The Office of Cultural Diversity is committed to serve and address the pastoral and spiritual needs of the various cultural communities of the Diocese of Buffalo. We are focused on bridging the gap between those in the mainstream culture and those who feel marginalized from the church because of ethnic or cultural division. 

We are currently recruiting people to be members of various commissions that are being formed.
To apply, please fill out the following form:
Commissions Application

Upcoming Events

Diocesan Annual Mass in Remembrance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Called by Name to Serve” | Sunday, January 21, 2024

9:45 AM Prelude | 10:00 AM Mass
Ss. Columba – Brigid Catholic Church

Please see flyer for more details.

Diocesan Hispanic Heritage Mass
Misa Diocesana de la Herencia Hispana

Sunday, October 15th at 11:30 am

St. Anthony Church | 306 Ingham Ave., Lackawanna, NY 14218. For more information call 716-847-2212. Downloadable flyer

Revival 2023!

Saturday, October 21st from 10:00 am  to 3:00 pm 
Sunday, October 22nd 9:30 am Mass

St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church | 555 Northamption, Buffalo NY. With dynamic speaker and revivalist Fr. Anthony Bozeman, SSJ. Downloadable Flyer

Our third annual Cultural Diversity Dinner Celebration on Friday, October 13, 2023 starting 6:30 pm at Classics V; 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd. Amherst, NY. RSVP at 716-847-2216.

The Office of Cultural Diversity/Social Justice, Diocese of Buffalo is soliciting sponsors. This is our major fundraiser that we have annually. Proceeds from this event support our cultural diversity outreach projects and activities from the African Commission, Hispanic/Latino Commission, African American Commission, and Asian Commission.

Sponsorship opportunities are:

  • Premier Platinum Sponsorship: $1000.00 includes 8 Dinner/Dance tickets and logo of your business at the entrance of the event, listed in the program, and on our website.
  • Gold Sponsorship: $750.00 includes 5 Dinner/Dance tickets and logo of your business at the entrance of the event, listed in the program, and on our website. 
  • Silver Sponsorship: $ 550.00 includes 3 Dinner/Dance tickets and logo of your business at the entrance of the event, listed in the program, and on our website.
  • Bronze Sponsorship: $350.00 includes 2 Dinner/Dance tickets and logo of your business at the entrance of the event, listed in the program, and on our website.
  • CDC Star Sponsorship: $175.00 includes 1 Dinner Ticket/Dance Ticket and your name listed in the program.
  • Sponsors will also be able to bring promotional giveaways that will be available for guests. We are also seeking donations of theme baskets or gift cards valued at $25.00 or more. Raffling of baskets and cash prizes will occur throughout the evening. Please send your sponsorship, basket donation or gift card to the Office of Cultural Diversity/ Social Justice by September 25, 2023.

We appreciate your consideration and hope you will look favorably upon our request to join our effort and support this community event! For further information please fill out the form at the bottom of the page. (Flyer PDF Downloadable)

African American Commission

To address the social, economic and spiritual concerns of all persons of African and African-American ancestry. To promote leadership, foster evangelization and address issues of racial injustice through the emphasis of family and education programs, and to come up with a Black Pastoral Plan.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship: Awarded to 8th grade students for continuing their education in a Catholic High School. To apply, please fill out this form and return to the Office of Cultural Diversity.

The Albert Lenhard Family Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 through a bequest to the estate of Albert M. Lenhard. The scholarship was developed to assist applicants who wanted to continue their formal education beyond high school at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To apply for the scholarship, please fill out this form and return to the Office of Cultural Diversity.

Commission Members

Sr. Roberta Fulton, SSMN Director of Cultural Diversity
Mary Tepley, Administrative Support
Barbara Breckenridge
Richard E. Clark
Edward Dean
Lanette Jennings

Marjorie Lewis
Althea Porter

Rodney Richardson
Danessia Scott-Warren
Deacon Ron Walker

AAC Newsletter

Fill out a google form to receive a monthly African American Commission Newsletter directly to your email where you can learn about the events, highlights and news from the Office of Cultural Diversity and within the Diocese of Buffalo. 

Hispanic/Latino Commission

The need for a constant pastoral conversation is emphasized that allows the church to respond with more fidelity and enthusiasm to its missionary essence, particularly in its response to the Hispanic/Latino presence in parishes and dioceses. This will empower the Hispanic/Latino people to live their joyful missionary vocation to the whole church more fully.

Staff:

  • Sister Roberta Fulton, SSMN, Director
  • Mary Tepley, Administrative Support
  • Leila Arroyo
  • Dcn. Alejandro Manunta
  • Dcn. Roberto Miranda
  • Irma Muniz
  • Carmen Rivera
  • Dcn. Jorge Silva
  • Esperenza Sierra

African Commission

The National Association of African Catholics in the United States (NAACUS) seeks to engage, support, nurture, build communities of African Catholics, give direction and promote their spiritual well-being while liaising, coordinating and involving all African Catholics to maximize their charisms as a faith and worship community in the United States.

Staff:

  • Sr. Roberta Fulton, SSMN, Director
  • Mary Tepley, Administrative Support
  • Gertrude Jones
  • Benoit Kabayiza
  • Deacon Alejandro Manunta
  • Joseph Musumdu
  • Deacon Miguel Santos

Additional Resources

About the Justice for Immigrants Campaign

The primary objectives of the JFI campaign are:

  • To educate the public, especially the Catholic community, including Catholic public officials, about Church teaching on migration and immigrants
  • To create political will for positive immigration reform
  • To enact legislative and administrative reforms based on the principles articulated by the bishops
  • To organize Catholic networks to assist qualified immigrants obtain the benefits of the reforms

Links to other organizations

Por tu Matrimonio, encuentre recursos para durante la preparación del matrimonio, y durante el matrimonio.
http://www.portumatrimonio.org/



United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.usccb.org/



Resources for Minority Students

Articles, scholarship, agency resources and more all in one place: Doctoral Resourses



Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs -Office of Cultural Diversity/Secretariado para Asuntos Hispanos – Oficina de Diversidad Cultural

CELAM – Consejo Episcopal Latino Americano



National Black Catholic Congress

Questions?

Contact us!

For additional information about any of the Commissions or if you have questions or need help, please reach out to us by filling out the following form and we will do our best to respond promptly.