ADVOCATING FOR LIFE
Respect Life
Respect Life
This office implements the four legs of the U.S. Catholic Bishops Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Ministry through education, legislation, pastoral care, and prayer.
This office advocates for the sacredness of all human life from conception until natural death, and responds to threats to life. It is our hope to build a “Culture of Life” that respects and protects all life, particularly the most vulnerable – the unborn, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and the terminally ill.
Emergency Pregnancy Services
Post-Abortion Healing
End of Life
Miscarriage
Suicide & Depression
TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES FOR
WASHINGTON D.C. | JANUARY 2026
Please note: the Diocese of Buffalo is not sponsoring a trip to the March for Life in Washington this year. If you are attending and would like to connect with others from Buffalo at the March, please contact the Respect Life Office at (716) 847-2205 or pro-lifeoffice@buffalodiocese.org
Pray together for the Unborn and Dignity of All Life!
The Respect Life Office and the Diocese of Buffalo invite you to join us in prayer on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026, the eve of the national March for Life in Washington. D.C. This is an opportunity for those who cannot travel to Washington to gather and pray locally for an end to abortion and a changing of hearts to recognize the dignity of ALL life. Masses and prayer services will take place throughout the vicariates of our diocese. For questions or more information contact our office at (716) 847-2205 or pro-lifeoffice@buffalodiocese.org
- 6:30 pm Mass | Our Lady of Czestochowa, Cheektowaga
- 6:30 pm Mass | Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 1023 Swann Rd., Youngstown
- 8:00 am Pro-Life Mass | Immaculate Conception, 520 Oakwood Ave., E. Aurora
- 6:30 pm Mass | St. John the Baptist, 1085 Englewood Ave., Buffalo
- 6:00pm Pro-Life Mass | St. Vincent de Paul, 6441 Seneca St., Spring Brook
- 6:00pm Mass | St. Hyacinth Site, 295 Lake Shore Dr. E., Dunkirk
- 6:30pm Vespers & Pro-Life Prayers, preceded by Adoration | Our Lady of Mercy, 44 Lake St., Le Roy
- 6:00pm Mass | Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, 202 S. Union St., Olean
Join the Buffalo Diocese and hundreds of thousands of Catholics and others in solidarity for a pilgrimage of public witness, penance and prayer in Washington, D.C. With Roe v. Wade being overturned, the necessary work to build a culture of life in the United States is not finished; rather, it is focused differently. The goal of the national March for Life is to not only change laws at the state and federal level, but to change the culture to ultimately make abortion unthinkable.
For our records, please provide the contact information on the form regarding the name of the Respect Life Coordinator who is currently serving as the chairperson of your Respect Life Committee at your parish. If you do not have one assigned, PLEASE appoint a new Respect Life Coordinator by filling out the form and returning it to the Office of Respect Life by Friday, August 25, so that your parish is recognized and represented appropriately.
The Commissioning Mass will take place starting at 9:00 am with Bishop Mike Fisher on Saturday, September 23rd at St. Louis Church, Buffalo, as he recertifies the current Coordinators and installs all newly appointed Respect Life Coordinator/s leading the pro-life ministries in our parishes. We hope to see you on the altar supporting your pro-life volunteer in this vital ministry to support them as they take on this most important role.
Pro-Life Events
Friday, November 14 at 7:00 pm
Saint John Paul II Parish | 2052 Lakeview Rd. Lake View, NY 14085
The Lakeshore Catholic Faith Community Respect Life Committee invites you to a viewing of the movie UNPLANNED. Many have seen – but many have NOT yet seen – this true story of the event in the life of ABBY JOHNSON that set the stage for the formation of the national ministry that is dedicated to “the beginning of the end of abortion”
For questions or more information contact Delphine at (716) 868-2049 or dollyverdi@gmail.com (Please note: This movie is rated “R” due to the graphic nature of abortion-related content)
Wednesday, November 19th at OLV Basilica
767 Ridge Rd., Lackawanna, in the Community Room in the Lower Level, following the 12:10pm Mass.
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. OLV Basilica invites you to an information session presented by Lynn Riker, Director of Community Outreach for Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo. This session will include understanding the difference between Hospice and Palliative Care, when it’s appropriate, benefits to the patient and family, the conversation about how loved ones want to live in their las months, weeks & days, and much more. “KNOW US BEFORE YOU NEED US” Wednesday, November 19th at OLV Basilica, 767 Ridge Rd., Lackawanna, in the Community Room in the Lower Level, following the 12:10pm Mass. RSVPs are appreciated but not required by emailing slindstrom@olvcharities.org or leaving a message at 716-828-9654.
Project Rachel
A Post-Abortion Reconciliation Program offering forgiveness, healing, and hope to anyone suffering from the effects of an abortion.
We care. Let us help you. Call our confidential helpline today at 716-847-2211.
Pro-Life Ministries in the Diocese
The following are ministries not run by the Respect Life Office but are still collaborating or supporting in other ways:
St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Outreach Center
St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center is now under the sponsorship of OLV Charities. Please click on the button below to be redirected to the new website:
Mother Teresa Home
The pastoral mission of the Mother Teresa Home is to promote safety, stability, and well-being for people who have experienced or been exposed to pressure in regards to their pregnancy. The Mother Teresa Home will achieve this through providing programs that provide shelter, community service, and education referral services for all young mothers in need. For more information please download our brochure.
MOTHER TERESA HOME MATERIAL DONATION GUIDELINES:
- Donations are accepted by appointment ONLY. PLEASE call to make an appointment; should you need to reschedule, be sure to contact us. Appointments are necessary to ensure we are available to accept your donations.
- All clothing and washable fabric items MUST be freshly laundered and free of pet hair, odors, and stains. We are UNABLE to accept or to distribute any items that do not meet these guidelines.
- For bouncers, highchairs, strollers, etc. – anything with a washable surface – please clean and use disinfectant wipes BEFORE your donation, ensuring items are ready for use by families.
- All items must be of recent manufacture, meet current safety standards and not be under recall.
- These precautions help ensure to the best of our ability that families we serve stay safe and healthy!
- For Monetary Donations: Payable to Mother Teresa Home (208 Stanislaus Street, Buffalo, NY 14212) Donations online also available, see link below.
We appreciate your support and generosity!
RESPECT LIFE
Pro-Life Events
12th Annual St. Gianna Benefit Banquet
St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center 12th Annual Benefit Banquet will be on April 27th at Classics V on 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, NY at 6:00 pm. The keynote speaker will be Tony McFadden, a pro-life advocate and international speaker on abortion. She is the author of the book, Redeemed: My Journey after Abortion. Special Guest: Honorable Shannon Filbert First Woman Justice/Town of West Seneca
Why attend? We give over 4,300 reasons. That is the number of babies lost to abortion in the eight counties of WNY (last statistics reported in NYS). This is your opportunity to help us in our mission.
$80 per person | Reserved Table or Open Seating (No tickets issued) Deadline is Monday, April 17. | Gift Baskets/Raffle | Cash Bar
Download the brochure here or make your reservation today.
Donate Today
Make a donation to any of our Pro-Life ministries by clicking the link below:
