Those who have visited the website at www.wnycatholic.org recently, may have noticed a few changes. A lot of changes. A whole new website.

For the past six months, staff members have been working with a new web development company to upgrade the site, not only for a 2015 audience, but to create a foundation to keep it adaptable in the future. A lot has changed since the last redesign of the site more than five years ago. There is now an online presence that meets the needs of readers. When we debuted the new look early last month, it was with the goal that the online Western New York Catholic site will be a one-stop shop for all the Good News readers need to know.

Here are some of the new and upgraded features at the new website:

• A revised top-quality multimedia section that includes several image galleries and videos. Photographer Patrick McPartland takes photos all over the diocese, and the new website will include his best work with regularly updated image galleries. Currently, there are galleries of the recent diocesan youth convention, as well as archival material about Bishop Bernard McLaughlin and Bishop Edward Grosz.

In addition, the work of Daybreak TV Productions is being highlighted, including the entire run of "Consider This ...," the weekly YouTube program with Bishop Richard J. Malone's commentary. Looking ahead to the future, additional and unique video content and podcasts will be added to the site in 2015.

• Not only will visitors to the new site  find every news story published in the print edition, but also news releases from the diocese, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, area colleges and schools, and more ... all day, every day.

The new website expands on its previous category system so it will be even easier to find information of most interest, whether it's stories about Bishop Malone or issues related to the pro-life movement.  Also being looked into are ways to bring even more essential Catholic news.

• There has been a significant upgrade to the social media functionality.  It is now easier to share the Good News on your Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Pinterest, Google +, Tumblr and email. Visitors to the new website can use the new comment section to share about any other social media app that the new website is not using. The new site, powered by Disqus software, can easily add a new social media tool.

• The new site is mobile friendly, so check it out on a smartphone or tablet and access all the content without needing a magnifying glass and a map to navigate the site.

• What are the hottest stories of the week? Just look to the upper right to see the top three most popular stories.

• The new website has streamlined its online advertising functionality so no one will miss any business notices when they visit the site. Contact Darryl Tills at dtills@buffalodiocese.org or 716-847-8736 to inquire about some advertising opportunities.

• Much of the the content and popular features from the old site remains, including the ability to download the current issue of the print edition to your computer or mobile device.

Visitors and readers may share their thoughts on the new website either through Facebook or Twitter platforms, or at wnycatholic@buffalodiocese.org.