Catholic Charities - You or an organization you belong to have been asked by Catholic Charities to become part of the 2016 Appeal. Please respond with your donation or pledge as soon as possible. Join the thousands of others throughout the diocese who stand together in support of the mission of Catholic Charities and to "find good within" serving others in Jesus' name. Find inspiration in the example of charity and sacrifice set by our Appeal Patron Saint Nicholas and share your blessings, offering comfort and relief to those who are suffering. Find Good Within. Open hearts follow Jesus' lead. Please give to the 2016 Catholic Charities Appeal. Find our more at http://www.ccwny.org or call 716-218-1400.

New Movie about Mary for Lent. On Friday, February 12, Immaculate Conception Parish of East Aurora is hosting an Evening of Reflection and screening of the new movie Full of Grace. It tells the story of the Blessed Mother's final days on earth and is one of the most unique Catholic films ever produced. Fr. Peter John Cameron, OP, Editor-in-Chief of Magnificat describes it as "a breathtaking film and celebration of faith." The film has been screened in eight dioceses across the country. This will be the first screening in our diocese. Please join us on Friday, February 12 from 7-9:30pm at Christ the King Seminary's Auditorium, 711 Knox Road, East Aurora. Visit the parish website at http://www.icchurchea.org to view a trailer of the film. We hope you'll make this part of your Lenten journey!

Local Artist to Display Work. Henry Schmidt, a prominent local artist, has graciously allowed the Buffalo State Newman Center, 1219 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo to display his work, a unique perspective on the crucifixion, during the Season of Lent, February 10 through March 23. Henry will be at the Newman Center on Wednesday, February 17 at 7pm for a wine and cheese "Gallery Talk" about this work, an oil paint and charcoal on canvas, as well as some of his other paintings and sculptures, including the American Civil War Memorial at the Naval and Military Park in Buffalo. Join us for an interactive experience!

For Your Family: Lent 2016. Lent is an opportunity to reflect on the quality of our relationships with God and each other. To that end, please consider attending For Your Family: Lent 2016 at St. Joseph University Church, 3269 Main Street, Buffalo (next to UB Main Street campus). Based on the principles of Family Systems Theory, For Your Family: Lent 2016 is designed to strengthen your relationships with family, colleagues, and friends. The four-part lecture series is scheduled on the following Monday evenings: February 22 and 29, March 7 and 14 from 7-8pm, followed by an optional 30 minute Q&A. Come to just one or come to all four of the presentations. The speaker is Rev. Dr. Robert Perelli, founder of The Center for Family Systems Theory, Inc. For more information, visit http://www.familysystemstheory.org. Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend.

The Foundation for Inclusive Catholic Education (FICE) is holding their second annual Taking Flight dinner and basket raffle at Salvatore's Italian Gardens Restaurant on Thursday, February 25 from 6-9pm. Ticket includes a sit down dinner. Tickets may be purchased at www.fice-program.org. Basket donations are also appreciated and can be arranged for pickup by calling Kathryn Schultz at 716-824-3819. All proceeds benefit children who receive special education services throughout the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Buffalo.

In honor of the Feast of St. Joseph, Bing's Restaurant will provide a wonderful 8-course family style meal to benefit The Joe Lang Foundation and Catholic Charities. The event will be held on Sunday, February 28 from 3-7pm at Christ the King Parish Mooney Hall, 30 Lamarck Drive, Snyder. The St. Joseph's Table will feature entertainment by Steve Balesteri, hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, theme basket raffles, 50/50 split club, dinner and desserts. To donate a basket or purchase event tickets, call Melissa Schaefer at 716-839-1430. Tickets not sold at the door.

"Marriage & Mercy" talk at St. Leo the Great, 885 Sweet Home Road, Amherst on Wednesday, March 2 at 7pm. Rev. Robert Zilliox, JCL from the Office of the Tribunal of the Diocese of Buffalo will speak about the Essence of Canon Law and the Sacrament of Marriage, and he will explain the new procedures for annulments recently announced by Pope Francis. Pope Francis' annulment reforms are helping many Catholics experience the love and mercy of God. The annulment process is a way to find peace and healing in the arms of a loving and merciful God. Prior to the talk, the Sacrament of Confession will be offered at 6pm, followed by Mass at 6:30pm. Bishop Malone has designated St. Leo as a Station Church with a blessed Holy Door for the Year of Mercy. All are welcome! For more information, contact Dawn Iacono, Adult Faith Formation Director, at 716-835-8905, ext. 12 or diacono@stleothegreatamherst.com.

Mission to Mercy: Journey with Jesus at St. Benedict Parish, 1317 Eggert Road, Amherst from Sunday, March 6 to Wednesday, March 9 from 7-8:30pm in the church. Light refreshments to follow. All are welcome; bring a friend! Children will have age appropriate learning in the cafeteria. More information can be found on our website at http://www.saintbenedicts.com or by calling the Faith Formation Office at 716-836-6444.

Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School's Drama Club presents "Cheaper By The Dozen." Performances will be Thursday, March 3 through Sunday, March 6 evenings with a curtain time of 7:30pm. There will be a 2:30pm matinee on Sunday. For tickets and further information, contact Maureen Burns at 716-826-3610. Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School is located at 601 McKinley Parkway, Buffalo.

Praying with Masterpieces of Art presented by Jan Sheridan, M.A., on Saturday, March 5 from 9:30-11am at St. Joseph Center for Spirituality, 4975 Strickler Road, Clarence. To unmask our inner eyes, we look at slides of the life of Christ and Mary in masterpieces of art through history and learn about how the artist draws us into the joys and sorrows of Jesus and Mary. Through discussion, we will then relate these images to ourselves and our spiritual journeys. For reservations, call 716-759-6893, ext. 175.

Do you feel God is calling you to be a Permanent Deacon? 135 men had this same feeling and are now serving as deacons in our diocese. If you are feeling this desire, God may be calling you to find out more about the Permanent Diaconate! We are currently forming an Inquiry Class for Fall 2016 and attendance at an information session is required to apply. Information sessions are scheduled for the following dates at Christ the King Seminary (classroom building), 711 Knox Road, East Aurora: Saturday, March 5 at 9am, Saturday, April 2 at 9am, and Saturday, April 30 at 9am. Attendance at an information session is required for both the interested man and his wife to be considered for the inquiry class being formed to begin in the Fall of 2016. Contact Deacon Rick Stachura at 716-542-4233 or rstachura@rochester.rr.com to register and/or for further information.

Franciscan Mystery Players Passion Presentation. All Saints Parish in Lockport will host the Franciscan Mystery Players as they dramatize the Passion of Christ in a special Lenten prayer service on Friday, March 11 at 7:30pm. This moving service will take place in the church located at 76 Church Street, Lockport. This is appropriate for all ages and families are encouraged to attend. There is no charge but a free-will offering will be accepted. For more information call 716-433-3707 or visit http://www.allsaintslockport.org.

La Feast Di San Giuseppe. St. Anthony of Padua Church, 160 Court Street, Buffalo, celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph, "La Feast Di San Giuseppe," on Sunday, March 13 with Mass at 11am followed by a traditional St. Joseph Day Table. For tickets and information, call the rectory at 716-854-2563.

Sunday TV Mass. Do you know someone who misses going to Mass because of an illness or injury? The Diocese of Buffalo provides televised Mass from the Our Lady Chapel at St. Joseph Cathedral that airs each Sunday on WUTV-Fox channel at 7:30am.
* March 13: celebrant Fr. Joseph Croglio - Catholic Charities Mass
* March 20: celebrant Fr. Peter Karalus with Deacon Neal Linnan - Palm Sunday
* March 27: celebrant Bishop Richard Malone - Easter Sunday
* April 3: celebrant Msgr. Frederick Leising - Divine Mercy Sunday
* April 10: celebrant Fr. Ron Sajdak with students from NativityMiguel Middle School
* April 17: celebrant Fr. Richard Zajac

Canisius College Chorale. The Canisius College Chorale will present a Lenten concert on Monday, March 14 at All Saints Parish in Lockport at 7:30pm. The Chorale is directed by Frank Scinta. A free-will offering will be accepted. The concert will take place in the church located at 76 Church Street, Lockport. For more information call 716-433-3707 or visit http://www.allsaintslockport.org.

Journey into Love. The Office of Family Life Ministries is looking for married couples to assist with the monthly diocesan marriage preparation program, Journey Into Love. Married couples help by giving a 20-minute talk once or twice a year on essential topics and issues that engaged and newly married couples face. Married couples that support this ministry find it beneficial to their own marriage, and their efforts contribute to the strengthening of family life as couples prepare for their marriage. If you are interested in finding out more about this very successful diocesan marriage program, please call the Office of Family Life Ministries at 716-847-2210.

Family Lenten / Easter Packet Available. Looking for ways to keep your children interested and have a positive experience of the Church's annual retreat for 2016? With a little creativity and time you can provide your family with a unique journey together with Jesus. Your free packet includes realistic ideas and practical activities, designed to discover the riches of Lent and Easter together. For your spirituality toolbox of ideas, contact the Office of Family Life Ministries at 716-847-2210 or email familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

God Knows Parenting is a Wild Ride! If you ever wished for practical tools, resources, skill-building techniques, and lots more, one of these free parenting packets is designed just for you. Parenting Packet I: addresses the basic tough tasks of raising children in today's world. Parenting Packet II: is for those separated or divorced; focuses on positive ways to co-parent well in order to help children of all ages who are profoundly affected by their parents' divorce deal with the pain and upheaval in their lives. Parenting Packet III: death and grief are inescapable. If you feel ill-prepared to discuss death with a child, you are not alone. This packet offers useful tools from preschool through teens. For your free packet, please call the Office of Family Life Ministries at 716-847-2210 or e-mail familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

Marriage Moment. It's Lent - a time of taking stock, self-sacrifice, and penance. Take stock of your marriage this week. Is there a sacrifice you can make for your beloved? Anything it's time to forgive?

Parenting Perspective. Letting go of stuff I don't need to fill another's need is a foundational Christian virtue. Is there one toy or amusement that I'm willing to pass onto someone who would appreciate it (a younger sibling, a neighbor, a stranger...)?

USCCB-Word of Life. February 14 (First Sunday of Lent), "Jesus is with us every step of the way, giving us the grace we need. God invites us to embrace the lives we have been given, for as long as they are given. Every life is worth living."

USCCB-Palabra de Vida. 14 de febrero (Primer Domingo de Cuaresma), "Jesús está con nosotros en cada paso del camino, dándonos la gracia que necesitamos. Dios nos invita a abrazar la vida que se nos ha dado, por el tiempo que se nos da. Cada vida merece vivir."

*** New Bulletin Announcements will be posted on February 22, 2016.***