Catholic Charities - By contributing to Catholic Charities' 2016 Appeal, you provide support to some of Western New York's most vulnerable youth. In early 2014, Heather, now 16, began to self-harm and suffered from depression, fearing she would take her own life. Her mother, Barb, admitted her to the hospital, and after she was released was referred to Catholic Charities' Monsignor Carr Institute Children's Mental Health Clinic in Niagara Falls. Through counseling with her therapist Shelli, Heather learned how to cope with certain situations and better handle stress. She is now happy, healthy and has built a better relationship with her mother. Find Good Within. Open hearts follow Jesus' lead. Join us as we provide care and support to all who need it. Find out more at www.ccwny.org or call 716-218-1400.

Daily TV Mass. Do you know someone who misses going to Daily Mass because of an illness or injury? The Diocese of Buffalo provides Mass from the Our Lady Chapel at St. Joseph Cathedral Monday-Friday. The Mass airs on Time Warner cable Ch. 20 at 12:05pm (city) and at 12:05pm and 6pm (suburbs).

Spring Musical & Dinner. Cardinal O'Hara High School, 39 O'Hara Road, Tonawanda will present its spring musical, "Anything Goes," on Friday, March 4 at 7pm, on Saturday, March 5 at 2pm and on Sunday, March 6 at 6pm. In addition, a fish fry dinner will precede the Friday, March 4 show from 5-7pm with curbside take out also available; catering by Banchetti by Rizzo. For tickets or information, call the school at 716-695-2600, ext. 312 or go online at http://www.cardinalohara.com.

For Your Family: Lent 2016. "For Your Family" is an adult education program that will introduce you to Family Systems Theory, a new way of thinking about all your relationships. No matter what your state in life - married, single, divorced, a grandparent or a single parent - each lecture will teach an invaluable lesson that applies to everyday experience. The presenter is the Rev. Dr. Robert J. Perelli, founder of The Center for Family Systems Theory. The series will be held in the sanctuary of St. Joseph University Church, 3269 Main Street, Buffalo (next to UB Main St. campus) on the following Monday evenings: February 22 & 29, March 7 & 14 from 7-8pm, followed by an optional 30 minute Q&A. For more information visit http://www.familysystemstheory.org.

Evening Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Hour for the Year of Mercy on Thursday, February 25 from 6-7:30pm at St. Andrew Church, 1525 Sheridan Drive, Kenmore. All are welcome to join us for this special Lenten evening of adoration and Holy Hour for the Year of Mercy. Come to be in the presence of our Lord and Savior for as long as you are able - for a few minutes or for the entire time. Chaplet of Divine Mercy beginning at 6pm; Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament afterwards until 7:30pm. Lowell and Elmwood Avenue doors will be open.

Fish Fry. All are welcome to St. Gregory the Great Parish Faith Community for our dine-in or drive-up Fish Fry Fridays during Lent. Fried fish or breaded shrimp dinner includes potato salad, coleslaw, roll and butter. Continuing this year...baked fish with rice, green beans, roll and butter. Drinks and homemade desserts are also included. Pizza will be available for children. Join us February 26, March 4, March 11, and March 18 from 4-7pm in our school gym. Advance tickets can be purchased in the Parish Office. For more information, call 716-688-5678.

The Department of Lifelong Faith Formation would like to invite all catechists, catechetical leaders, and adult volunteers who work with adolescent youth to attend a workshop that should not be missed! Join us as national Catholic speaker Stephanie Clouatre Davis leads us in "Leading Teens to Mercy: The Role of the Adult Catechist with Young Disciples." The free workshop (including free lunch and free parking) will be held on Saturday, February 27 at the Adam's Mark Hotel from 8:45am to 3pm during the Diocesan Youth Convention. While there is no cost, we ask that you register for the event by filling out the registration form on our website - http://www.officeoflifelongfaithformation.org - and mailing it back to the Department of Lifelong Faith Formation. Hope to see you there.

The Canisius College Chorale, under the direction of Frank Scinta, will continue its 2015-16 Sacred Spaces concert series with a program on Sunday, February 28 at 7pm in St. Louis Church, Main and Edward Streets, Buffalo. For more information, call the Canisius College Music Office at 716-888-2536 or email scintaf@canisius.edu.

24 Hours for the Lord: Eucharistic Adoration at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 1023 Swann Rd (off Rt. 18E), Lewiston on March 4-5. Opening Mass on Friday, March 4 at 11:30am, followed by Stations of the Cross and Adoration; Mass at 4:00pm, followed by all-night Adoration. On Saturday, March 5, Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary at 11:00am, followed by 11:30am Solemn Closing Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard Malone. Call 716-754-7489 to sign up for an hour with Our Lord.

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.

Lenten Parish Mission. Our Lady of Mercy & St. Brigid parishes will host a parish mission on March 7, 8 & 9 at 7pm at the St. Peter's worship site, 44 Lake Street, LeRoy. Our Lenten Parish Mission will be conducted by Fr. Mark Yavarone, an Oblate of the Virgin Mary. Each evening will consist of a proclamation of the Word, quiet reflection, singing and praying together as one family. A mission is an important time to concentrate on the ultimate meaning of our lives, and a graced moment because Jesus is at the heart of it. Everyone is welcome! For more information, call the parish at 585-768-6543.

XLT (or Exult) is an opportunity for Middle School and High School students to experience Christ and community during a time of adoration, praise & worship music, relevant talks, refreshments, and social time. Our next event will be held on Friday, March 11 from 7-9pm at Christ the King Seminary Chapel, 711 Knox Road, East Aurora. Our speaker will be Anna Saltarelli. This event is a multi-parish effort offered by "ENCOUNTER," whose mission is to help teens Encounter Christ. Parents are welcome to stay. For additional information, go to facebook.com/encounterBuffalo, Twitter and Instagram @encounterBuf, or call 716-835-8905, ext. 14.

Fish Fry - The Voices of Mercy (from St. Luke's Mission of Mercy) and Fish Fry on Friday, March 11 at St. Francis of Assisi, 4263 St. Francis Drive, Athol Springs. Fish Fry from 4-7pm; Voices of Mercy at 7pm. Children's pizza meal available. For more information, call 716-627-3357.

Walking the Way of the Cross: Biblical Reflections on the Land, presented by Sister Laurie Brink, OP, on Saturday, March 12 from 8:30am-3pm at the Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga. To register or for further information, please contact the Catholic Biblical Studies Program at 716-871-9180, email info@cbstudies.org, or visit http://www.cbstudies.org.

Spiritual Companionship presented by Dr. Cynthia Widmer on Saturday, March 12 from 9:30-11am at St. Joseph Center for Spirituality, 4975 Strickler Road, Clarence. A look at Christian friendship - from Aelred of Rievaulx to the Inklings - as an avenue of growth toward God. For reservations, call 716-759-6893, ext. 175.

Spring Raffle. Good Shepherd Church, 5442 Tonawanda Creek Road, North Tonawanda will hold their annual Spring Raffle on Saturday, March 12 at 5:30pm in the Pendleton Parish Hall. The Parish Hall is handicapped accessible. Music, Chinese Auction, Grande Prize Raffle $1000.00 and more. Call the Parish Office at 716-625-8594 to reserve a table for 8.

Finding a Calm Space Within will be the topic of the Kenmore Mercy Hospital Stroke Support Group meeting being held on Tuesday, March 15 at 3pm in the Medical Rehabilitation Unit on the second floor of the hospital, 2950 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore. Rev. Nancy Faery, MDiv, BCC, hospital chaplain, will discuss the need to address the changes and stress that come when you or someone you care about has a stroke. For more information, call 716-447-6205.

The Way of the Cross presented by the Franciscan Mystery Players on Friday, March 18 at 7:30pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 4263 St. Francis Drive, Athol Springs. Free will offering. For more information, contact 716-627-3357.

Lenten Fish Fry. St. Margaret's Parish will host its 3rd annual Lenten Fish Fry on Friday, March 18 from 4-6:30pm. This event will be held in the Holy Spirit Church Hall (beneath the church located at 85 Dakota Street, Buffalo). Catered by Krolick's. Dine-in or carry-out available. Tickets can be purchased following all St. Margaret's weekend Masses and also in the rectory during normal business hours. Contact Pam at 716-876-5318 for further information or to purchase tickets.

Sister Karen Klimczak's 10th Anniversary Commemorative Good Friday Stations will be held at 12pm on Good Friday, March 25 at SS. Columba-Brigid Church, 75 Hickory Street, Buffalo where Sister served. Sister Karen was taken from us in 2006 soon after completing the Way of the Cross, the Good Friday Stations in downtown Buffalo, reflect the people for whom she dedicated her life, the poor, the incarcerated and the victims of violence. For more information, contact Tom Casey at 716-492-9172.

USCCB-Word of Life: February 28 (Third Sunday of Lent). "Chastity also includes much more than just waiting until marriage to have sex. ...It means loving the way we're created to love - respecting our sexuality and living it out as we're meant to."

USCCB-Palabra de Vida: 28 de febrero (Tercer Domingo de Cuaresma). "La castidad también supone mucho más que solo esperar hasta el matrimonio para tener relaciones sexuales. ...Supone amar de la forma para la que hemos sido creados, respetando nuestra sexualidad y viviéndola según el propósito de Dios."

Marriage Moment. February 29 is Leap Day. In matters of courtship, historically men took the lead and pursued women. Of course our society is now more egalitarian. Women are more assertive, ask men out for dates, and even propose. Is it a leap for you to accept this change or does it seem natural?

Parenting Perspective. Assuming that everyone in your family has enough clothes, have each person pick one piece of clothing that you wear indoors to give away.

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 e-mail familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans of many comforting words. During times of loss, loneliness and grief, we may not feel or recognize God's presence in our lives. Though we can't imagine all the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing right now, we do understand a bit about grieving and that, first of all, it is a process. The Office of Family Life Ministries has a free bereavement packet of materials designed to provide support, especially during the initial stages of grief. For a bereavement packet, call 716-847-2210 or email familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

*** New Bulletin Announcements will be posted on February 29, 2016.***