Catholic Charities - Palm Sunday is the second weekend of the 2015 Appeal Week! It's a perfect time to give if you haven't already done so. To all societies and other parish organizations - don't forget to support Catholic Charities with your contribution to the Appeal, too. All day, every day, whenever someone is in need, Catholic Charities is "finding good within" helping to protect, strengthen and empower our neighbors across Western New York. Find Good Within. Share God's Goodness. Please give to the 2015 Catholic Charities Appeal. Find out more at http://www.ccwny.org or call 716-218-1400.

CANCELLED: The Organ Recital previously scheduled for March 22 at Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora has been cancelled.

The Thirteenth Annual Catholic Men's Conference is scheduled for Saturday, March 21. The speakers for the conference include: Deacon Allen Tatara from the Archdiocese of Chicago; evangelist Mark Price; and Mark Houck, co-founder of "The King's Men." The conference will be held at Cardinal O'Hara High School, 39 O'Hara Road, Tonawanda (off the I-290). You can register online at http://www.spiritiscalling.org or pick up a brochure and registration form in your parish. The registration fee includes the conference, donuts and coffee before the conference and at morning break, and lunch. Come join us as we celebrate this year's conference theme, "Be strong and courageous."

Magnificat, A Ministry to Catholic Women presents a morning of prayer, testimony and praise! Join Magnificat ministry as we welcome Rita Galante as an honored speaker at a breakfast on March 21 at the Holiday Inn-Airport, 4600 Genesee Street, Cheektowaga. Registration begins at 9:30am, program begins at 10am. Prepaid reservations must be mailed to Christine Holden, 5191 Hillcrest Drive, Clarence, NY 14031 no later than March 14. For more information, call Chris at 716-759-8135 or Cindy at 716-773-5976.

Holy Day of Prayer for the Unborn Child on Wednesday, March 25, 11am-7pm at St. Amelia Church, 2999 Eggert Road, Tonawanda. Eucharistic Adoration from 11am-6:30pm; Mass will be celebrated at 6:30pm.

Mass for the Unborn on Wednesday, March 25 at St. Aloysius Gonzaga, 157 Cleveland Drive, Cheektowaga. 6:30pm Rosary for the Unborn; 7pm Mass. For more information, contact 716-833-1715.

Evening Hour of Eucharistic Adoration. As we prepare for Holy Week, we are invited to a special evening hour of Eucharistic Adoration on Thursday, March 26 from 6-7pm at St. Andrew Church, 1525 Sheridan Drive, Kenmore. Come and experience the restorative and transformative power of prayer while in the presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

"Who and What Are You Looking For?" - Writings from the time "Between the Testaments" presented by Father Leslie Hoppe, OFM on Saturday, March 28 from 8:30am-3pm at the Millennium Airport Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga. The portrait of Jesus given us in the Gospels is shaped by the rich language and concepts of the Old Testament. This adds to our understanding of the meaning of the life, mission and the saving death of Jesus. There are many other writings (like the Dead Sea Scrolls) that were written "Between the Testaments," that influence our understanding of the New Testament and give background for the Gospel portrait of Jesus. Father Hoppe will open the pages of some of these writings outside the Bible that give insight to our search for Jesus in the world of the New Testament. For registration information, please contact The Catholic Biblical Studies Program at 716-871-9180, email info@cbstudies.org or visit http://www.cbstudies.org.

Thomas Merton: His Pre-Monastic Years in New York presented by Jan Sheridan on Saturday, March 28 from 9:30-11am. at St. Joseph Center for Spirituality, 4975 Strickler Road, Clarence. An intriguing PowerPoint presentation of photos taken of scenes in New York that correspond to key events in Merton's life. He describes these in his classic autobiography, "The Seven Storey Mountain (1948)." Reflection questions connect Merton's spiritual journey to your own. For reservations, call 716-759-6893 ext. 175.

9th Annual Palm Sunday Buffet Brunch. Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 1023 Swann Road (off Rt. 18), Lewiston will be hosting its Palm Sunday Buffet Brunch on Sunday, March 29 from 10am-3pm. Tickets are available in advance by calling 716-754-7489 or at the door. Come join us for a spirit-filled day with great home-cooked food, Easter bake sale, and 50/50 split. Proceeds to benefit Our Lady's Shrine.

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 2015? 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 tool box of ideas, contact the Office of Family Life Ministries at 716-847-2210 or email familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

A weekend away for a LIFETIME of change. The Beginning Experience is a weekend program meant for persons who have worked through the initial anger and despair which occurs in the first stages of grief after the death or separation or divorce of one's spouse. One can turn the pain of loss to an experience of positive growth. Beginning Experience is a Christian based non-denominational program under the auspices of the Diocese of Rochester. The program takes place at Camp Stella Maris, 4395 East Lake Road, Livonia, NY on Conesus Lake. Open to all. The next weekend is April 24-26. For more information or reservations, call the Beginning Experience hotline 585-987-1750, Barb at 716-534-4428 or email beofrochester@gmail.com.

World Meeting of Families - The world's largest Catholic gathering of families, will be held in Philadelphia from September 22-27. This event is held every three years and is sponsored by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family. The theme for this gathering is "Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive," emphasizing the impact of love and life of families on our society. Families and individuals from the Diocese of Buffalo interested in attending this event are encouraged to contact St. Gemma's Catholic Pilgrimages in Buffalo, toll free at 855-710-7663, visit http://www.takeapilgrimage.com or email rome@takeapilgrimage.com. Pope Francis will attend the closing ceremonies.

Good News Gets Around... Each month, the Western New York Catholic features an article on cultural diversity, faith building stories, and an Arts and Entertainment section. Some of this year's special supplements include "Healthy Living," "Parish Festivals" and "Respect for Life." Pick up a paper in your parish or visit the paper's website at http://www.wnycatholic.org. The new Western New York Catholic website has been greatly expanded and is more user-friendly. Get regular updates from the Western New York Catholic on Facebook and Twitter. The Western New York Catholic is funded in part by your generous donation to the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC).

Facing Divorce? You are not alone. Hundreds of people have turned to DivorceLINK for help during the pain and confusion of their marriage breakup. DivorceLINK is a volunteer organization offering support and healing help to men and women of all ages who are going through separation or divorce. You are invited to our open forum "RAP group" which meets twice a month. Divorce recovery courses are also available. For more information or a DivorceLINK packet filled with information and resources, call the Office of Family Life Ministries at 716-847-2210.

Marriage Moment. Three steps to apologizing well: 1. I'm sorry. 2. Please forgive me. 3. Try to make an amend. To check yourself, avoid the word "but" when apologizing. For example, "I'm sorry, but if you had only..."

Parenting Perspective. If you are blessed to have children, no matter how aggravating they may be at times, remember those who have lost a child through miscarriage or abortion. Pray for couples trying to conceive. Fertility is a daunting responsibility. Do you know someone who has had an abortion? Do they know about Project Rachel (http://hopeafterabortion.com/)?

USCCB - Word of Life: Lord, you are good and forgiving, most merciful to all who call on you. Lord, hear my prayer; listen to my cry for help. On the day of my distress I call to you, for you will answer me (Psalm 86:5-7).

USCCB - Palabra de Vida: Tú, Señor, eres bueno y clemente, rico en misericordia con los que te invocan (Salmo 86: 5-7).