Just the thought of Mass is very moving for many, but music is one of the many ways to give everything to God. Just closing your eyes and listening to the melody, listening to the lyrics and praying the song can make you at peace and aware that God is with you.

If you are a young person, the parent of young people or a ministry leader, your thoughts are wanted.

Teenagers and adults from over 10 parishes gathered at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Cheektowaga on Friday, Nov. 9, to reflect on The Call: Sainthood is Now. The evening began with praise and worship led by The Anointed music group. The opening prayer focused on First Samuel where the young boy finally realizes it is God who is calling him. He responds, "Speak for your servant is listening." A sung litany of saints concluded the prayer.

TONAWANDA — Students at Cardinal O'Hara High School are experiencing a new opportunity to join theater. The comedy, "Anne Arky" by Lindsay Price scheduled Nov. 29 and 30, will be the first fall play performed in the school's history and will join the annual spring musical, expanding the drama and performance opportunities for students.

My name is Rebecca Young and I am a senior at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart. My time on Youth Board so far this year has had a meaningful impact on my life already.

Father David Richards, administrator of Our Lady of Pompeii Parish in Lancaster, received recognition for channeling his abundant energy into advocacy for youth.

St. Mary's High School took a field trip south of the border this summer as three students and their Spanish teacher traveled to Puebla, Mexico to teach English. They ended up learning more than they ever expected.

One second; that's how long it takes for a injury to occur. In my case, that is exactly how long it took for me to be out of sports for six months. I am now in my fourth month of recovery from surgery to replace my torn ACL, lateral meniscus, and medial meniscus and I can say that while the experience definitely wasn't fun, it wasn't entirely bad either.

EAST AURORA — Young people from Immaculate Conception Parish spent a week of their summer, July 15-20, serving others in the Appalachia area of Pennsylvania. This was the Immaculate Conception Youth's third Mission Trip with Young People Who Care in Frenchville, Pa. Each day the teens picked blueberries at YPWC's blueberry patch and then went to various work sites. Roofing, yard work, painting, pouring concrete and various building projects were among the tasks they completed for residents in the area. The blueberries are sold to raise funds for YPWC.

Teenage years begin a time of self-discovery, when people learn their likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. It's a period that never really ends. Personal growth leads to new skills and the development of existing strengths. To aid this process, the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministry offered a half-day workshop entitled, "Play to Your Strengths," where participants learned how to develop what they were already good at.

"The covering of the head with a veil symbolizes the reality of woman sheltered in the side of her Source and becoming one with Him. She becomes covered and hidden in her Divine Spouse." - St. John Chrysostom

The word Discipleship does not appear in the Bible, yet it is often used to mean a follower of Christ. Nearly two-dozen high school teens began their journey on the road to discipleship during a weeklong program of education and self-discovery.

Emily Kwiatkowski returned to CLI 12 years after first learning the skills of a Christian leader. Now, a leader in her own right, she wants the young people of her parish to experience the learning, the challenge and the friendship she did.

In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI wrote his encyclical "Deus Caritas Est" which was a reminder of God's unfathomable love for humanity. His goal was to remind the world of the love God has for each individual and how limitless it really is.

"The seed sown in rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold." This line from the Gospel of Matthew defines the purpose of the diocesan Youth Board, allowing the seeds of youth to grow in the rich soil of faith.

The Diocese of Buffalo is inviting teenagers to begin their journey to discipleship.

What started as a scary event for a 100-year-old sister, turned out to have a heroic happy ending.

KENMORE — By late June, students, and sometimes faculty, are anxious for that final bell to ring on the last day before summer recess. But just a few days later, the St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute campus comes alive again as summer programs begin for boys of all ages. The school prides itself on the quality of the programs it offers each year, and all are led by St. Joe's faculty and coaches.

LEWISTON — Niagara University's recreation department is now accepting registrations for its popular Summer Youth Camp. Camp will be held on campus from June 25-Aug. 10.

A local company has purchased the former summer camp operated for nearly 90 years by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

I spend my summers in the woods. I wake up at 6:30 every morning with six hours of sleep after countless middle-of-the-night bathroom trips and at least one counseling session with a homesick 10-year-old. I live in a hot, humid cabin with no air conditioning. I spend the day scorching under the sun and under persistent bug attacks. I'm cut off from my family and friends for seven weeks, with no cell phone service. Many wonder why anyone would willingly do this all summer long.

On Jan. 22, 1973, the Supreme Court legalized abortion in the United States. Since then, the lives of 60 million innocent babies have been taken by abortion. This is a tremendously horrible crime against humanity. It is the killing of the most helpless and innocent of all human life.

The 2018 Diocesan Youth Convention is in the books, but for many of the more than 800 teens who attended the three-day event March 1-3, the memories will last a long time. Relive some of our favorite moments from the Con in our new photo gallery.

Over this past weekend, 800 teenagers encountered and lived for Jesus Christ. On Sunday, March 4, they shared Him through a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard J. Malone.

The second day of the 66th annual Diocesan Youth Convention saw the teenage participants still had the energy and enthusiasm they showed on opening night. The bulk of the learning took place on this day, with a variety of large and small speaker sessions on Saturday, March 3.

This is a true story. Over 800 Catholic teenagers gathered at the Adam's Mark looking for a way to better understand their faith. The foot of snow that fell the night before could not deter them from attending the 66th annual Diocesan Youth Convention, held over the weekend of March 2-4 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo.

In this era of 24-hour access to news and information, it is sometimes a challenge to find the true story amid fake news and alternative facts. Next weekend, more than 700 youth and adult chaperones will explore and discover who is the truth and the truth about Jesus' love at the 66th annual Diocesan Youth Convention. "True Story" is this year's theme. The weekend convention will be held March 2-4 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo.

Someone should name an energy drink after Murphy McDermott. The 14-year-old spends her days studying, singing and taking care of her pets, all 19 of them. Her hard work is paying off as she will perform at Carnegie Hall this month.

If there were an award for the Canisius student involved in the most extracurricular activities, Matthew Sullivan would certainly be a top contender. He has embraced the Ignatian concept of magis by taking the lead on several projects to help children in Buffalo and around the world. "My mom always says that nothing you have matters if you can't share it," said Sullivan.

The New Year is a great way to find oneself closer to God. There is always the common question of "How am I going to start this New Year with a good resolution?" The answer is simple; find your resolution in God. It is great to cut back on sweets and go to the gym more, but oftentimes I find myself slipping up on those resolutions. Finding a goal in strengthening your relationship with God can be tough as we all live busy lives, but there is always time for God.

The diocesan Youth Board wants you to know the "True Story" of Jesus Christ and is inviting everyone to the Youth Convention to hear it.

A group of 45 teenagers from the Diocese of Buffalo swam in a sea of 23,000 new friends of faith at the National Catholic Youth Conference. Held Nov. 15-18 in Indianapolis, with events at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indy Convention Center, the event is a national conference similar to the local diocesan Youth Convention, with a series of keynote speakers, music, breakout sessions, prayer and fun.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has offered to celebrate two Confirmation Masses at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Orchard Park; one at 1:15 p.m. for those who prefer to stick to the original plan, and another at the 10:30 a.m. Mass for those who wish to get home in time for the big game.

KENMORE — Mount St. Mary Academy celebrated the Advent season by sharing with those in need. Led by the student volunteer organization, Z-Club, students collected over 10,000 food items, which were donated to local shelters.

TONAWANDA — Adam Gorski plans to make his mark in the world through his sports writing.

The word "brotherhood" is used a lot around St. Francis High School. The Athol Springs institution, steeped deep into Franciscan values, uses the term to describe the all-male student body. Where the teachers provide the education and the friars imbue the Franciscan values, it is up to the students themselves to support one another.

Father Jerome E. Kopec, pastor of SS. Peter & Paul Parish in Williamsville, received the Venerable Nelson H. Baker Award during the diocesan Youth Ministry Awards Banquet held Nov. 3. The evening saw both teens and adults receive recognition for their role in guiding young people through their faith journey.

Adults and teens, families and friends filled Lucarelli's Banquet Center on Nov. 3 to honor the dedication of those working in youth ministry. The diocesan Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministry sponsored the annual youth awards banquet, which recognizes both teens and adults.

Hope and Hudson. They are two of the most important words in my life.

The St. Mary's High School travel softball team hit a grand slam this summer. They won the Msgr. Martin League Championship, toured Italy and tagged the pope outside the Vatican.