Praying with St. Stephen in Buffalo

Wednesday night, those of us attending the Catholic Media Conference gathered for Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, a short walk from our hotel. I couldn’t help but notice that the sign outside has ordinary of the diocese listed as the pastor for the church.

Mass was celebrated by Buffalo Bishop Richard J. Malone, who offered warm and inspiring words to Catholic communicators on a particularly apt occasion: the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist.

Of particular interest: a beautiful stained glass window in the cathedral, depicting the martyrdom of St. Stephen.

The stained glass windows behind the altar, meantime, show the birth, death and resurrection of Christ.

The organ up in the choir loft is a work of art unto itself.

After Mass, Bishop Malone greeted us as we left. I couldn’t help but feel that Buffalo is doubly blessed in both its cathedral and its shepherd.