WASHINGTON, DC - A married couple in their golden years, a couple inspired by their late daughter's legacy, and a salesman who heard Jesus' call to conversion on a stranger's porch, are among the thousands who will be welcomed into the Catholic Church on Easter Vigil, April 15, in parishes across the United States. All have participated in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a process of conversion and study in the Catholic faith for catechumens and candidates coming into full communion with the Church.

During the warm months, you may have seen a group riding their bikes around Buffalo on a slow roll, checking out the scenic city. On Holy Thursday, some of these people will take a "Holy Roll" through the seven Catholic churches of Buffalo's Polonia and Kaisertown districts.

If you re-read the Easter passages in the Gospels through fresh eyes you find people rushing to share their joy in Jesus Christ. Quite simply, that is evangelization. Pope Francis taught about joy in a pithy, powerful morning homily at Casa Santa Marta (May 23, 2016). "A Christian is a man, or a woman, of joy: a man and a woman with joy in their heart. There is no Christian without joy! You may be told that there are many such Christians, they are not Christians! They say they are, but they are not! They are missing something," he said.

Isn't it a curious and concerning thing that so many of our Christian feasts have been overlaid - better, co-opted - by all sorts of customs that, though nice, have little to do with the essence of those feasts. Christmas comes first to mind, which for too many folks seems more a consumer-driven winter wonderland festival than the celebration of our Savior's birthday. And don't get me started on what popular American culture has done to the Vigil of the Solemnity of all Saints ... better known, sadly, as Halloween.

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued the following statement in response to explosions on Palm Sunday at two Coptic Christian churches in Egypt that have killed at least 40 and injured at least 100:

With a congregation of Catholics holding individual palms, Bishop Richard J. Malone officially opened Holy Week in the Diocese of Buffalo with Palm Sunday Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo April 8.

Christmas and Easter mark the birth and death (and resurrection) of Jesus Christ, but Christmas seems to get more attention. Colored lights, a houseful of decorations, even a tree brought indoors fill a house at Christmas. On Easter you might see a lily in the dining room. It even took Charlie Brown nearly nine years after his first Christmas special to introduce the Easter Beagle.

In the Lenten season, the Catholic faith emphasizes the importance of self-denial, discipline and a sense of planning and preparing oneself for the future. However, Father Ryszard Biernat, who serves as secretary to Bishop Richard J. Malone, strives to live these in his life all year long through vigorous workouts, a strong will and devotion to his spiritual life that came from his desire to make sure he is healthier.

This year, St. Mary School in Swormville will continue a parish tradition that enables both students and members of the community to participate in the Stations of the Cross while contributing to a cause. Fifth-graders at St. Mary's will participate in "Pray and Play," a live-action Stations of the Cross, at 7 p.m., Friday, April 7, at St. Mary's parish center gym, followed by a fundraiser for Catholic Charities.

EAST AURORA - Christ the King Seminary invites Western New York Christians and supporters to celebrate Holy Week at the seminary.

The following liturgies are scheduled for Holy Week at St. Joseph Cathedral.

Why do we do the things we do during Lent? Find out the reasons why we fast, abstain from meat and more.

Pope Francis' message this Lent is, "The Word is a Gift. The Other Persons are Gifts." The full message can be found on the Vatican's website.

A few days ago, I met a very little girl who made a big impression on me. Grace and her older brother, Benedict, suffer from a rare genetic disorder that has resulted in serious hearing impairment and limited physical growth. The two come to our home for the elderly each week, with their mother, to pray the rosary with our residents. Watching Grace and Benedict interact with the elderly, I was amazed by their maturity and graciousness. I almost felt that I was in the presence of angels, such was the radiance of these two beautiful little ones in the midst of our frail seniors.

Lent is well known to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. That makes it a great time to share the Gospel. People understand that it is time to get serious about spiritual matters.

WILLIAMSVILLE — Come and give God your time. During Lent, prepare yourself and your families to grow in holiness. Set aside the time and listen for the ways in which God is calling to you to join Him for three nights.

As we enter into the holy season of Lent, let us listen to the words of our Holy Father in his Lenten message for this year: "Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ's victory over death. This season urgently calls us to conversion.

DEPEW — "The Story of Faith," two evenings of powerful and insightful theatrical presentations by Frank Runyeon, will take place next month.

The Harmonia Chamber Singers, a local a cappella group that is one of the most sought-after of its type in Western New York, will have two performances at area parishes this weekend. The group will present two performances of "Into Light: A Concert by Candlelight," its fifth-annual presentation, at 7:30 p.m. on March 11 at St. Peter Church in Lewiston, and 7 p.m., March 12, at Assumption Church in Buffalo.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On the first Sunday of Lent, Pope Francis said if we want to fight against the temptation of sin, we must be familiar with the Word of God - treating the Bible more like how we treat our cellphone.

4 Lancaster-Depew parishes are collaborating on The Story of Faith, a 2-night event featuring nationally-acclaimed actor and Biblical presenter, Frank Runyeon.

Bishop Richard Malone reflects on the meaning of Lent and suggests how to prepare for Easter in the latest "Consider This."

Lent is a season of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline. The six-week period that leads to Easter traditionally is spent sacrificing pleasure and becoming more spiritually inclined.

Catholics across Western New York got ashed March 1 to mark the beginning of Lent. See how people celebrated Ash Wednesday this year in our new photo gallery.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In his message for Lent 2017, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that they should heed the Scriptures and treat each human person they encounter as a gift.

I set out not long ago in a search of the way of traveling what Jesus calls "real life" or "life to the fullest." This nomadic expedition toward a life of joy (which I describe in my book, "Holy Nomad") led me to my own backyard, where I stumbled onto the divine teaching of an apple tree. As Lent approaches, I wish for the world to blossom.

Bishop Richard J. Malone and many other diocesan clergy and laypeople distributed ashes at a packed St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo on March 1, Ash Wednesday.

March 1 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Practicing Catholic are asked to follow these Lenten regulations.

In honor of the solemnity of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn., came up with an idea for a uniquely 21st-century Lenten sacrifice it hopes has already caught on in many dioceses throughout the United States. In February, the archdiocese challenged Catholics with a new campaign, "I Phone Fast! Will u?", to encourage Americans to silence their phones on Ash Wednesday and April 14, Good Friday. Instead, they are asked to pray and focus on the significance of these two holy days.

Bishop Richard J. Malone will distribute ashes at the 12:05 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo, on Wednesday, March 1, Ash Wednesday.

On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 3, St. Pius X Parish in Getzville will be tying a longstanding parish tradition in with the Holy Year of Mercy Pope Francis has declared. The parish will be offering confessions starting at 1:30 p.m., praying of the rosary at 2 p.m. and the Chaplet of Mercy at 2:45 p.m., and regular Mass at 3 p.m.

Holy Week is one of the busiest and most important weeks in the Catholic calendar. From Palm Sunday to the Easter Vigil, take a look at some of our favorite moments in our new photo gallery.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In his Urbi et Orbi message for Easter, Pope Francis encouraged victims of terrorism and Christian persecution to find hope in the Lord's resurrection.

As all the chatter of daily life keeps our minds racing, Good Friday "calls us to stop, learn and listen," Bishop Richard J. Malone said during a Solemn Celebration of the Lord's Passion service at St. Joseph Cathedral.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, washed the feet of twelve men, women, and children at the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper at St. Joseph Cathedral Thursday.

On Easter Sunday, March 27, two programs produced by Daybreak TV Productions of the Diocese of Buffalo will air on WKBW-TV Channel 7.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - After spending previous years washing the feet of inmates and disabled persons on Holy Thursday, this year Pope Francis will celebrate the liturgy in a welcoming center for migrants and refugees.

Dozens of priests from across the Diocese of Buffalo stretched out their hands to join Bishop Richard J. Malone Tuesday evening in a blessing of sacred oils at St. Joseph Cathedral.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Palm Sunday Pope Francis said the path toward salvation can be summed up by humility and service, and encouraged pilgrims to contemplate Jesus' shameful Passion and Death throughout Holy Week.

Whether you were there in downtown Buffalo Sunday afternoon or missed the event, you can now catch up on some of our favorite memories from the 2016 St. Patrick's Day Parade in our new photo gallery.