Catholic Charities - Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and commemorates the start of a period of preparation for Jesus' Resurrection on Easter Sunday. As you start your own Lenten Journey this week, remember the selfless sacrifice of Jesus. With $3.12 the cost of feeding a family of four one meal through one of our eight food pantries, what can you sacrifice to allow for just a donation of that amount? Remember the love you have for your neighbors in need and give as generously as you can to Catholic Charities' 2016 Appeal, benefitting tens of thousands in Western New York. Find Good Within. Open hearts follow Jesus' lead. Find out more at http://www.ccwny.org or call 716-218-1400.

Mark Twain visits O'Hara. Mike Randall will appear at Cardinal O'Hara Highs School, 39 O'Hara Road, Tonawanda at 1pm on January 15 where he will portray Mark Twain for the entire school, guests and members of the community. Since 1972 this nationally acclaimed one-man Mark Twain stage production has charmed audiences throughout the United States and Canada. Appearing off-Broadway at New York City's Little Hippodrome and on college campuses, at corporate gatherings, dinner theatres, opera houses, churches, schools and in regional theaters, the show bursts forth with all the wit and wisdom that was the trademark of the "great man himself." All are welcome. This is a free event. For more information, contact Renee Orr at 716-695-2600, ext. 312 or email rorr@cardinalohara.com.

Catholic Health and International Institute sponsor Community Discussion on Human Trafficking. Human trafficking is a human rights crisis affecting people around the world and right here in Western New York. Catholic Health, in partnership with the International Institute of Buffalo, will be sponsoring a community discussion on this important topic on January 27 from 6:30-8:30pm at Catholic Health's Administrative Regional Training Center, 144 Genesee Street in downtown Buffalo. Free, onsite parking is available. For more information or to make reservations for this important program, call Catholic Health's Health Connection at 716-447-6205.

O'Hara hosts BBC Band. The Cardinal O'Hara Alumni Association presents a concert by the BBC Band on January 29 at 8pm at Cardinal O'Hara High School, 39 O'Hara Road, Tonawanda. Back by popular demand, the BBC Band features music from The Beatles, Dave Clark Five, The Who, The Kinks, The Bee Gees, The Hollies, The Zombies and more. The concert benefits the renovation of the Performing Arts Center. Doors open at 6:30pm. In addition, James Brucato, '65, a 2015 Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee, will be inducted into the O'Hara Performing Arts Hall of Fame. The alumni also have the "Take a Seat" project of refurbishing each seat in the Performing Arts Center. For more information or for show tickets, call the school Advancement Office at 716-695-2600, ext. 312 or email rorr@cardinalohara.com.

Retrouvaille (Ret-ro-vi) is a program for married couples that feel bored, disillusioned, frustrated, or angry in their marriage and don't know how to change the situation or even communicate with their spouse about it. The next weekend is January 29-31. For a brochure, further information or to register, call 716-474-9371 or visit http://www.marriagesaved.com. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Marriage Encounter. Does your marriage need a "break" in its routine and humdrum lifestyle? Want more "sparkle and glow" in your marriage? Want some of your "original romance" to be felt and seen again? Make a Marriage Encounter. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend is February 5-7 at Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua, NY. For more information, call Rob & Beth Knopf at 585-919-7592 or visit http://www.wwme-wny.org.

Celebrate World Marriage Day. This day honors husband and wife as head of the family and salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice, and joy in daily married life. The second Sunday in February - February 14 - is the date this year. We invite you to view the World Marriage Day packages prepared as suggestions and aids to celebrate. They are available for download from the World Marriage Day website: http://wmd.wwme.org. Please look for the download tab and download WMD: Clergy/Family Life Package and the WMD: Celebration Planning Package.

Bishop Malone to offer Prayer Service with Sacrament of the Sick at Hour of Mercy. On Sunday, February 28 Bishop Malone will offer a prayer service that will include the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at St. Leo the Great, 885 Sweet Home Road, Amherst at the Holy Hour of Mercy at 3pm. St. Leo's has been designated a Station Church for the Year of Mercy by Bishop Malone because it has a blessed Holy Door of Mercy. All are invited and welcome to attend! For more information, contact Dawn Iacono, Adult Faith Formation Director, at diacono@stleothegreatamherst.com.

Mission Lenten Retreat. St. John Paul II Parish celebrates its 28th consecutive Mission Lenten Retreat from Sunday, February 28-Saturday, March 5. The evenings are filled with powerful talks, prayer, liturgy, and song, and completed with a warm fellowship. Each evening begins at 7pm in the parish's Community Room. St. John Paul II Parish is located at 2052 Lakeview Road (between Rts. 5 & 20), Lake View. For more information on Mission, contact this year's Lead Couple, Chuck & Faith Holmes, at 716-627-2147 or the Parish Office at 716-627-2910 or email parish@jp2parish.org. More information can also be found on our website: http://www.jp2parish.org.

"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.

Mercy Matters! Lenten Retreat for Catholic MOMS. Sign up now for Friday, March 18 (feast day of Mary, Mother of Mercy - designated by Pope Francis as the Patroness of the Year of Mercy) at Christ the King Seminary, 711 Knox Road, East Aurora. Events include Lenten Dinner, Spiritual Exercises, Holy Mercy Mass celebrated by Rev. Joseph Gatto (for the vigil of St. Joseph patron saint of the Diocese of Buffalo and the Universal Church), Mothers of Mercy Talk: Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Stations of the Cross-Mary's Way with Catholic singer/songwriter homeschool mother of 8 Laura Boronski, Holy Rosary for the Year of Mercy, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Renew, Refresh, Retreat this Lent and for the Year of Mercy! Limited seating; early bird special. For information and ticket reservations, contact Dawn Iacono at stgregsmoms@gmail.com or 716-207-5172. All Catholic mothers welcome!

Marriage Moment. Does a typical date night in your marriage start with "What do you want to do tonight?" "I don't know. What do you want to do?" "I don't know..." Repeat. Try something besides a dinner and a movie. Google Making Love on a Budget for ideas.

Parenting Perspective. How, in this materialistic, competitive world, can I raise kind children? Begin by being a kind adult. When your child sees you go the extra mile to help a friend, carry someone's groceries, or invite people into your life who aren't exactly like you, your child will see loving kindness as the natural way to live.

Spiritual Uplift Packet. Feeling sad, down, discouraged, "blue?" Looking for healthy, wholesome alternatives to cope? Reach out now. Inner healing and hope are a phone call or email away. For your free packet of practical easy to use resources to provide you with tried and true antidotes or for more information, contact the Office of Family Life Ministries at 716-847-2210 or email familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

USCCB-Word of Life: "Jesus showed us the self-sacrificial nature of love when he laid down His life for us, and we are called to follow in his footsteps. We are called to be his hands and feet, caring for and loving others."

USCCB-Palabra de Vida: "Jesús nos mostró la naturaleza de autosacrificio del amor cuando entregó Su vida por nosotros, y somos llamados a seguir sus pasos. Somos llamados a ser sus manos y sus pies, cuidando y amando a los demás."

*** New Bulletin Announcements will be posted on January 25, 2016.***