As Upon This Rock moves into its public phase we get another update from Rick Suchan, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.

ROME, ITALY (CNA/EWTN News) - While a lot has changed since Mary's appearances at Fatima 100 years ago, we can't stop heeding Our Lady's request to pray and offer sacrifices for the world, an expert on Marian theology has said.

On Saturday, May 13, Pope Francis will travel to Fatima, Portugal, to bestow sainthood on Francisco and Jacinta Marto. They were two of the three shepherd children who captured the world's attention 100 years ago by witnessing appearances from the Blessed Mother six times, on the 13th of each month from May to October of 1917, each time exhorting them to "Pray, pray, pray."

For 15 years, men from all over the Diocese of Buffalo have gathered together to celebrate their spirituality at the Catholic Men's Fellowship of Western New York Conference. For those 15 years, Deacon Jim Jaworski has led from a place where he is least visible among those involved, but after serving dutifully for years, he has decided to quietly step down.

YOUNGSTOWN — One hundred years ago, on Oct. 13, 1917, an estimated 70,000 pilgrims travelled to the Cova da Iria, of Fatima, Portugal, to witness the miracle promised by the Blessed Mother. Our Lady appeared six times to three shepherd children, on the 13th of each month from May to October of 1917, each time exhorting them to "Pray, pray, pray."

One of my favorite sayings is, "Every expert was once a beginner," and I can honestly say there are now many experts who enjoy making retreats quite frequently. Allow me to take this opportunity to briefly describe a retreat experience through actual questions and comments received from individuals who had never been on a retreat until their visit to the Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara. Happily, those who decided to try it out have been pleasantly surprised and renewed.

Carmen Colao, director of Catholic Cemeteries for the Diocese of Buffalo, discusses their upcoming open houses as well as special remembrances for Mother's Day and Memorial Day.

The Bishop's Committee for Christian Home and Family invites everyone to an inspirational Day of Reflection. The Bishop's Committee will host the day on Thursday, May 11, at St. Philip the Apostle Parish, 950 Losson Road in Cheektowaga, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

BOWMANSVILLE — Sacred Heart Parish will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady's appearance to three shepherd children, Lúcia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto, in Fatima, Portugal, as she pleaded with them to pray for peace and "poor souls who have no one to pray for them."

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - When it comes to religious persecution, Christians are the most widely targeted community, said a new report released this week.

For those interested in forming and participating in a local parish committee or team to promote helping the environment, the diocesan Care for Creation Committee will host an informational workshop at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, at Villa Maria College in Buffalo. The committee has been reaching out to pastors to see if their parishioners would be interested in having such a group in their parish, as well as seeking feedback from people in diocesan parishes that have them and would like to share their experiences.

To commemorate the centenary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima, Portugal, a novena to Our Lady of Fatima will take place on May 5-13 at the Dominican Nuns' Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary, located at 335 Doat St. in Buffalo.

Bishop Richard J. Malone invites you to attend an information session about his upcoming pilgrimage to Ireland, A Journey of Faith, which will take place from Oct. 20-29. The session will be held on Sunday, April 30, at 3 p.m. in the Msgr. Britt Room at St. Joseph Cathedral (50 Franklin St., Buffalo, 14202). Whether you have already signed up as a pilgrim or are simply interested in learning more about the trip, everyone is very welcome to attend. Enjoy complimentary refreshments while learning more about the trip itinerary and what you can expect to see and do while you're traversing the Emerald Isle. You will also be given information on what to wear, what to pack and what the weather will be like during your 10-day trip.

BUFFALO, N.Y.- Bishop Richard J. Malone reported on the progress of the annual Catholic Charities of Buffalo Appeal, announcing $7,890,544.24 has been raised to date, as Catholic Charities officials marked the close of Appeal Week 2017 which ran from April 2-9 in parishes throughout the diocese.

On Friday, April 7 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at St. Gregory the Great Ministry Center, the MOMS ministry will be holding a mini retreat open to all, entitled, "Lighting the Way in Lent." Laura Boronski, a singer, songwriter, Catholic wife of 25 years and mother of eight, will be singing songs she wrote and recorded, including her famous "Stations of the Cross," which can be heard on local Catholic radio WLOF 101.7FM, the Station of the Cross.

On the first Saturday of each month from September through June, a faith formation program for people with disabilities and their families meets at Baker Victory Services' Baker Hall School in Buffalo from noon until 2:30 p.m. This ministry, called God's Family, allows individuals to connect with other families who have experienced similar life circumstances while also learning more about their Catholic faith.

The 500 years of animosity between the Catholics and Lutherans were washed away for an hour, when Bishop Richard J. Malone joined Bishop John Macholz for an evening prayer service.

All of the parish restructuring in the Diocese of Buffalo has been completed for years now, but some local Catholics still wonder what happens to the physical presence of a church when it closes its doors. Through a variety of methods, the diocese has worked with several partners to find reuse for these religious facilities, both inside and out.

In observance of the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses in Wittenberg, Germany, marking the start of the Protestant Reformation, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and the Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be holding an evening prayer service, at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 26, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Main Street in Buffalo.

Following the great Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2016, the Legion of Mary will assemble as a body to renew its dedication to Mary in order to receive strength and blessing for yet another year's battle with the forces of evil at its central function the Acies.

Catholic Women of Buffalo is proud to present the second annual Women's Conference, Saturday, March 18 at Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

The Society of Our Lady of Divine Mercy is sponsoring its fifth bus pilgrimage to the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Mass., from Oct. 4-6 for St. Faustina Day. The purpose of this pilgrimage is to spread the Divine Mercy Devotion and to engage pilgrims in performing works of mercy and richly living out their faith.

On Dec. 10, 2016, nearly 300 guests celebrated the 20th anniversary of Magnificat's Gentle Woman, Mother of Mercy Chapter in the Diocese of Buffalo. Attendees shared a morning of prayer, testimony and fellowship at the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga. Father Jacek Mazur, pastor of Divine Mercy and St. Mary of the Cataract parishes in Niagara Falls, was the honored speaker, who urged guests to become "on fire" for their faith within their communities.

St. Bonaventure University professor of Theology Chris Stanley will present "On the Edge of Violence and Nonviolence: The Challenging Words of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam" at SS. Columba-Brigid Church, 75 Hickory St., Buffalo, at 3 p.m. April 2.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On the first Sunday of Lent, Pope Francis said if we want to fight against the temptation of sin, we must be familiar with the Word of God - treating the Bible more like how we treat our cellphone.

4 Lancaster-Depew parishes are collaborating on The Story of Faith, a 2-night event featuring nationally-acclaimed actor and Biblical presenter, Frank Runyeon.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - The U.S. bishops are responding with solidarity and concern for the Jewish community, following a surge in anti-Semitic actions in recent weeks.

The reasons people choose to be Catholic are many. Some join the faith for a spouse. Others join after years of seeking a fill for a void. Many find comfort in the sacraments.

Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion: Sunday, March 5, 3:30 p.m., St. Joseph Cathedral. At the Rite of Election, catechumens are "elected," or chosen by God through the ministry of the bishop, for the sacraments of initiation

DEPEW — The Foundation for Inclusive Catholic Education will hold its third-annual Taking Flight Dinner on March 2, from 6-9 p.m., at Salvatore's Italian Gardens on Transit Road. Funds from the dinner are used for training and resources to enable Catholic schoolteachers and administrators to provide children with special needs an inclusive Catholic education experience.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Anti-Semitic incidents in the United States must be prosecuted and condemned by the government to curb their rise, a religious freedom expert insists.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Even her friend of more than 30 years, Father Sebastian Vazhakala, did not know Mother Teresa had conversations with and visions of Jesus before forming the Missionaries of Charity.

DALLAS, TEXAS (CNA/EWTN News) - Citing legal and community changes, the Boy Scouts of America have said self-declared gender identity now determines youth eligibility for its scouting programs. The move could add new difficulties for Catholic sponsors of scout troops trying to adapt to the organization's relatively new policy on homosexuality.

TONAWANDA — Callum Antonio, a freshman at Cardinal O'Hara High School, and his family were on hand at a historic event during a weeklong visit to Italy, when Pope Francis closed St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on Nov. 20 to conclude the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year of Mercy, which began Dec. 8, 2015.

The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo will recognize Polly Lougen as the Sister Lucille Socciarelli/Father John Sturm Making a Difference Award recipient when it celebrates GALA 22:6 on Jan. 19. It will be held at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in downtown Buffalo, beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Last month, an East Aurora man and parishioner of nearby Immaculate Conception Parish recalled his family's experience walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, in honor of apostle St. James the Great, in Spain. Known by the English name of the Way of St. James, multiple routes all lead to the shrine of the apostle at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia, where his remains are believed to be.

Christmas projects from Daybreak TV Productions, including Come Let Us Adore Him, Christmas Mass on ABC, and an Our Daily Bread Christmas special.

A young woman from Peru traveled nearly four thousand miles to profess her perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in the congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. The Eucharistic liturgy took place in the St. Mary of the Angels convent chapel in Williamsville on Saturday, December 10.

Father Bill Quinlivan, newly appointed Pastor of St. Martin of Tours and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes in South Buffalo, talks about his new book, Coming Home to Christmas Through Advent.

NIAGARA FALLS — Since 2014, Niagara Falls has had a local unit of the Federation of North American Explorers, a Catholic outdoor adventure movement for youth that works to promote faith, develop character, and train young people in outdoor skills.