Christ's resurrection ushers in a new world - one of peace, love and fraternity, Pope Francis said on Easter Sunday, as he prayed for the many people who are suffering throughout the world.

My parents and I have recently watched the Catholic Charities' "Help Your Neighbor Find Hope 2019 Appeal Video" and we had many thoughts about it.

During the Easter season, I always find myself going back to the things that I fasted from during Lent. Why do we fast from something and then just quit once Easter comes?

Faculty professional development days are routine for most elementary and high schools, and provide the opportunity to refocus on aspects of a school's mission, gather in departmental cohorts, and develop or sharpen skills necessary for managing students.

Eggs weren't the only things St. Teresa's parishioners had to color this Easter. The Buffalo parish has produced coloring books, with drawings of the 122-year-old church and its artwork, as a gift to its parishioners.

As concern for the environment continues to be a talking point in the world, the celebration of Earth Day in April is one reminder that one of the most prominent Catholic social teachings is care fore creation. Pope Francis made it the topic of his encyclical "Laudato Si," writing, "We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth; our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters."

A full house of 400 people packed the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga on Feb. 26 to hear from those who work and live behind the front lines of abortion.

St. Francis Park, Catholic Health's new senior living community in Hamburg, is hosting a series of special events in May. These events are free and open to the public as well as residents of St. Francis Park.

More than 600 high school students from all across the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo gathered for the 67th Annual Diocesan Youth Convention as they participated and got to "Power Up" their faith and relationship with God and others at the Buffalo Grand Hotel March 1-3.

"Unplanned" is a movie you probably wouldn't find unless you knew what to look for, but it is a movie you will tell others about. The low-budget film from Pure Flix tells the true story of Abby Johnson a Planned Parenthood clinic manager who made a 180-degree turn to be a pro-life advocate.

Through life's journey, all people in time will reach the end of the road in one state or another. In many cultures the elders of the community are treasured, protected and well cared for by family, friends and colleagues.

The Catholic Center is in the process of throwing out Styrofoam food containers for the last time. In an effort to be more ecologically friendly, the downtown office has decided to replace Styrofoam with compostable paper products in the cafeteria.

As the Hispanic/Latino Commission began planning for the Lenten Retreat that the Office of Cultural Diversity sponsors every year in Spanish, the first Gospel of the Lenten season, Mark 1:12-15 became the theme for the retreat this year.

With a Southern Hey y'all, author, speaker and podcast host Sonja Corbitt took to the stage to speak to other Catholic women about their role as a human monstrance. Corbitt, along with Father David Richards, served as special guests for the annual Catholic Women's Conference hosted by Catholic Women of Buffalo Inc.

Team Pierogi, a diversified group of committed pierogi artisans, that gather for fellowship, fun and pierogi.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page." That proverb, attributed to St. Augustine, the great fifth-century philosopher and theologian, holds much truth. Travel is often an eye-opening, mind-expanding experience that cannot be duplicated. For those who have been blessed with the opportunities to visit foreign lands and cultures, their journeys end up changing them for the better and increasing their understanding of the beauty and diversity of the world and the Church.

The Society of Our Lady of Divine Mercy is sponsoring their seventh bus pilgrimage to the Divine Mercy Shrine for Oct. 4, 5 and 6 for St. Faustina Day.

When crisis hits, how do you hold on? What role does faith play when suffering?

Getting excited about God is a good way to spend the Lenten season. As the years go by, our faith can grow dull. We may need a new infusion of grace.

Two local parishes made a generous gift to Trocaire's food pantry this past December, donating $2,000 to help assist in its mission to alleviate food insecurity among students.

When I had my first birthday, my parents thought that I would need a companion in the form of a dog. So for my first birthday present, I got a little beagle puppy and we ended up naming him Oscar.

Eleven members of the St. Mary's Junior Ladies of Charity volunteered at Ronald McDonald House, Buffalo, preparing dinner for the residents there on Dec. 27. The young women prepared a full taco bar with Spanish rice, fried corn, beans, cornbread and desserts including brownies and pineapple upside down cake.

Over the last eight decades, there haven't been many who've given back to Western New York's Catholic community like Robert H. Chambers, both in length of service and number of lives touched.

Our Church today in the Diocese of Buffalo and throughout the United States is becoming more and more diverse every day. The diversity that we see in our city is gradually becoming the diversity that we will see in our suburbs. Are we ready to embrace these cultures? Are we ready to forgive some of the hurts that may have taken place so that together we can move forward in peace and harmony?

Many years ago as a young man born and raised in Baltimore, I spent a very different week getting a taste of life in Appalachia.

As we continue this Christmas season and begin the calendar year, the faculty, staff and students of Christ the King Seminary would like to offer you a blessed season of hope and joyous New Year of encounters with the Lord. We also believe this start to the new year is the perfect opportunity to give you a brief description of seminary life today as compared to around 50 years ago, as well as offer you a glimpse into changes that will be forthcoming.

Rooted in a Catholic mission to honor Christ by serving those most in need, the Brothers of Mercy was founded in Hadamar, Germany in 1856. For over 160 years, professed brothers have dedicated their lives to serving the sick and elderly all over the world. One such brother carrying on this legacy of compassionate care is Brother Xavier O'Neill.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Harris Hill and St. Stephen Church on Grand Island are two of the parishes that host healing Masses.

A tearful reunion took place in Buffalo this past month. Lynn Stephens met the woman she calls her second mother, Sister Dorothy Feltz. It had been over 40 years since they last saw each other. When Sister Dorothy saw Stephens safe and sound with her adopted family, she faded away.

The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates of Buffalo, dedicated a new Peace Pole at the Sisters property in Clarence. Sister of St. Joseph Associate Audrey Mang's welcome set the tone for the dedication of a Peace Pole by saying, "Today we celebrate diversity - the gift of our country. Diversity - all of us - is what makes our country great."

After graduating from Hutchinson Central High School in 1941, with plans on attending college, Russel Bracco began working at Curtiss-Wright aircraft plant in Cheektowaga building P-40 Warhawk fighter planes as part of the war effort.

Just as mothers made lunches for their children and buttoned their coats when they were sent off to school, Blue Star Mothers are still making sure their children have a healthy snack and warm clothes even when the children are deployed around the world. Blue Star Mothers are the mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who support their children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or are veterans. They also care for each other and promote patriotism.

ST. BONAVENTURE — When most freshmen are taking the year to get adjusted to new class schedules and college life, Rachel Hoag accomplished all that and still found time to establish a new club on campus with a very important focus — helping service dogs in training for veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Queen City Farm is a slice of rural goodness nestled in the heart of Buffalo. Once a property whose only feature was a dilapidated house, is now an urban farm generating produce for neighbors in need. For students of Catholic Charities Workforce and Education Department, the farm serves as a mechanism to learn new skills and hone ones they already have.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY — In January 2016, Justin Crawford received a jolt that would make a Scott Stevens check feel like a mosquito bite: His father, Gary, had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Travelers from St. John XXIII Parish eagerly awaited and planned for their first ever Mystery Trip. The day they all anticipated finally arrived on Thursday, Aug. 9 as 55 brave parishioners boarded a luxury coach at the parish to an unknown destination. Father John Stanton, pastor of St. John XXIII Parish, planned a special day to a secret destination. He wanted to build community, enjoy time together, and celebrate summer in the parish.

For 38 years, faithful Catholics have been gathering at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston for the annual Rosary Crusade for World Peace. This year's crusade will be held on Sunday, Oct. 7, from 2-3:30 p.m. The shrine is located at 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston. "Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, intercedes for all humanity" is this year's chosen theme.

Christ the King Seminary will host its annual Curé of Ars awards dinner on Thursday, Oct. 4 at The Atrium @ Rich's in Buffalo. This year's event will honor Father Gregory J. Dobson and Joseph A. Stoeckl, Esq.

The 13th annual diocesan catechetical convocation is slated for Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the Grapevines Banquet Center, 333 Dick Road in Depew. Nationally known speaker and author, Julianne Stanz will give the keynote, Missionary Discipleship and Transforming Leadership. Stanz is currently the director of discipleship and leadership development for the Diocese of Green Bay and a consultant on the USCCB's committee for evangelization and catechesis.

If all goes well, by the time you read this, Danielle Arthur will be adding Esq. to her business cards. The Williamsville native earned top honors in school from kindergarten all the way up to her recent graduation from Columbia Law School. She credits her success to a foundation in Catholic education.