Diocese of Buffalo News

From: Office of Communications

The television production company of the Diocese of Buffalo, Daybreak TV Productions, has several programs that will air on various stations in Western New York during the month of December, including the Christmas Day Mass.

Saturday, Dec. 13, 5:30 a.m. and noon, WKBW-TV Channel 7 – “Our Daily Bread: Devotions” – Father Paul Seil, host, will talk about devotions, what they are and how they help the Catholic faith. Recipes for the day include salted caramel pound cake, chicken stock and pasta fagioli.

Sunday, Dec. 14, 3 p.m., WKBW-TV Channel 7 – “Building a Basilica” – In 1921, at the age of 79, Msgr. Nelson Baker contacted Architect Emile Uhlrich with plans to build a church in Lackawanna dedicated to the Blessed Mother. It was to be a place of wondrous beauty and radiating hope to all who enter its doors. Today, Our Lady of Victory Basilica carries the title of “national shrine” and “minor basilica.” It is considered to be Uhlrich’s pinnacle work. For the priest who started it all, Father Baker, he has been named “Venerable,” on his journey toward sainthood.

“Building a Basilica,” an award-winning 60-minute documentary produced by Daybreak TV Productions, tells the story of this national shrine through vast archival materials including drawings and hundreds of letters from Father Baker, Emile Uhlrich, builders, artists and contractors.

Saturday, Dec. 20, noon, WKBW-TV Channel 7 – “The First Christmas” – Bishop Richard J. Malone introduces “The First Christmas” and will close this Claymation program by offering a Christmas blessing. “The First Christmas” is a tale of the timeless Nativity story written in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. This presentation, narrated by Christopher Plummer, was produced by The Christophers in association with Billy Budd Films and funded by the Catholic Communication Campaign.

Sunday, Dec. 21, 7:30 a.m., WUTV-TV FOX 29 Channel – 4th Sunday of Advent Mass – Msgr. David Slubecky, vicar general and moderator of the Curia, is the celebrant for this Mass.

Wednesday, Dec. 24, Time Warner Cable Channel 20– Re-broadcast of 4th Sunday of Advent Mass – Msgr. David Slubecky celebrates this Mass which will air at noon in the City of Buffalo and at noon and 6:05 p.m. in Erie County/Suburbs.

Thursday, Dec. 25, 1 a.m., 5 a.m. and 11 a.m., WGRZ-TV Channel 2 – “Joy to the World, Christmas Mass” – Daybreak TV Productions presents, “Joy to the World, Christmas Mass” with Bishop Richard J. Malone. The Mass is celebrated at the Mercy Center Chapel of the Sisters of Mercy in South Buffalo. This Gothic structure was styled after the House of Mercy on Baggot Street, Ireland, where foundress Catherine McAuley provided shelter and education for poor women and girls.

The Sisters of Mercy open the doors to their traditional monastic chapel to Bishop Malone and high school students from all over the Diocese of Buffalo. It is through the students energetic faith-filled spirit that they become the gift of Christmas joy for all those who watch this Mass.