When unbaptized adults (or older children) seek to join the Catholic Church, they are "embedded" in their parish community for a time of faith formation called the Catechumenate, which culminates in the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation and full membership in the Church.

This Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis invites us all to not just meditate on this theme but to also get involved, reach out and get others with this gift that we so many times are given undeservingly by our heavenly Father. We are given it practically every single day and may not even realize it.

Bishop Richard Malone's latest "Consider This" reflects on the Year of Mercy, how it relates to young people and the value of attending the 2016 Diocesan Youth Convention

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Wednesday Pope Francis launched a new series of catechesis on mercy for his general audiences, telling pilgrims that the love and forgiveness of God can't be overcome by anything, including our sin.

Buffalo Mass Mob, the popular social media-driven campaign that draws crowds to Buffalo's oldest churches every few months, is set to descend upon St. Luke's Mission of Mercy Sunday afternoon.

During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, the global and local Church will be providing many opportunities to experience, explore and extend mercy. As part of the Jubilee, the two of us will be working on a series of articles for the Western New York Catholic consisting of anonymous interviews with people whose situation in life is a reminder of the greatness of God's mercy and our need to be merciful.

I write this month from Baltimore, where the bishops of the United States are gathered for our annual Fall Plenary Meeting. As we concelebrated the Eucharist early this Sunday morning. I offered Mass for all of you who constitute the community of faith that is the Diocese of Buffalo. (Did you know that diocesan bishops offer one Mass each Sunday and holy day of obligation pro populo, that is, "for the people," just as pastors are required to do weekly for their parishioners?)

On an unusually warm December day, Bishop Richard J. Malone opened the doors of St. Joseph Cathedral and welcomed the Year of Mercy in the Diocese of Buffalo. Opening the "Door of Mercy" symbolizes the welcoming of all to the Church.

In proclaiming an "Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy," Pope Francis has called us all to embrace mercy and recognize it as, "God's loving concern for each one of us." He states emphatically that God's mercy has no limits, and that all of us should strive to follow His example by always being ready to forgive.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis has officially commenced the Jubilee of Mercy, calling those who pass through the newly-opened Holy Door to rediscover God's mercy and experience the mystery of his love.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) - Is it simply having pity for someone or bending the rules? As the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy kicks off, Catholic theologians weigh in on mercy, and its surprising connection to justice.

The opening of the Year of Mercy within the Buffalo Diocese will be take place on Sunday, Dec. 13, with Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard J. Malone at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo. The Holy Door of Mercy will open during this Mass.

WASHINGTON - Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., archbishop of Boston and chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), responded September 1 to Pope Francis' letter allowing all priests worldwide "to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it."

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a new set of pastoral guidelines for the upcoming Holy Year of Mercy Pope Francis has made some significant moves, allowing all priests to forgive the sin of abortion and granting SSPX priests the faculty to forgive sins.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Delivering his weekly Angelus address in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Francis said that while everyone feels shame before going to Confession, this grace helps us to be open to God's forgiveness.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi has said that Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta could be canonized during the upcoming Jubilee for Mercy, although he clarified that no concrete plans have been made.