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In its next commercial for the Ford Escape, Ford Motor Corporation might want to consider making Father Dennis Mancuso the spokesman for the small sport utility vehicle. It's the vehicle he uses to cover 400 square miles of Allegany County on a regular basis.

Retrouvaille, an international Catholic ministry that has worked with couples in troubled marriages for four decades, will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Retrouvaille's International Council Meeting, a major ministry event that is held in a different location each year, will take place at Sheraton on the Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, from Oct. 13-15. It will be hosted by Region 11, which includes Retrouvaille Buffalo and 10 other American and Canadian communities.

Sister Anna Kessen, SSJ, died March 18, 2017, in the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence in Clarence.

Pope Francis' message this Lent is, "The Word is a Gift. The Other Persons are Gifts." The full message can be found on the Vatican's website.

Sister Francesca Garvey, a Missionary Sister of St. Columban, died March 12, 2017, at St. Columban's-on-the-Lake Retirement Home in Silver Creek.

Sister Mary Dennis Buziak, CSSF, died March 22, 2017, in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo. She was 94.

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.

The Pre-Theology program at Christ the King Seminary.

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.

A few days ago, I met a very little girl who made a big impression on me. Grace and her older brother, Benedict, suffer from a rare genetic disorder that has resulted in serious hearing impairment and limited physical growth. The two come to our home for the elderly each week, with their mother, to pray the rosary with our residents. Watching Grace and Benedict interact with the elderly, I was amazed by their maturity and graciousness. I almost felt that I was in the presence of angels, such was the radiance of these two beautiful little ones in the midst of our frail seniors.

A little bit of money is paying big, heartwarming dividends at the only Catholic school in Chautauqua County. "It's a huge blessing for a little school," said Beth Quattrone, a trustee for Northern Chautauqua Catholic School in Dunkirk, which received a grant from the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo for the current school year.

New instructions published by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith reaffirm teaching that the Church is not opposed to cremation, while continuing to recommend that the cremated remains of the deceased be buried in Catholic cemeteries or other sacred spaces.

Disadvantaged people across the country will benefit from the hobby of one young man from Hamburg. James Lyon, a junior at Canisius High School in Buffalo, has a passion for making one-decade rosaries, which he sold to raise funds to send himself and fellow students on a series of service immersion trips.

"We call upon all the Catholic faithful to join us as we unite our voices with all who speak in defense of human dignity."

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.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY — It's that time of year again. For the 36th straight year, accounting students from Niagara University's College of Business Administration are providing free tax preparation assistance to members of the Niagara Falls community this tax season.

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.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - The judge nominated to replace Antonin Scalia at the Supreme Court answered questions on abortion and religious freedom jurisprudence on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Administrative Committee has issued the following pastoral reflection in solidarity with those who have been forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict or fear in their native lands. In the statement, the bishops encourage each of us to do what we can to accompany migrants and refugees who seek a better life in the United States.

Lent is well known to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. That makes it a great time to share the Gospel. People understand that it is time to get serious about spiritual matters.

The good work at the Catholic Center doesn't slow down during lunchtime. A group of volunteers uses that time to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty through Meals on Wheels.

Sister Mary Christina Dineen, RSM, died March 20, 2017, in Mercy Center's health care unit. She was 93.

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything," Plato once said. Holding true to that philosophy, the Church Musicians' Guild of Buffalo will present a Children's Choir Festival on Sunday, March 26, at 5 p.m. at SS. Peter & Paul Church in Williamsville.

Sister Susanne Humpe, OSF, died March 15, 2017, at the Sisters of St. Francis' health center in Stella Niagara.

Thousands of people capped off a week filled with snow, basketball and corned beef by attending the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Buffalo. We were there and captured some of the sights in our new photo gallery.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - The United States mustn't cut foreign aid while conflicts, famines, and a worldwide refugee crisis rage, Catholic leaders are insisting.

WASHINGTON, DC - In a letter sent to the U.S. House of Representatives, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida notes that, while the recently introduced American Health Care Act (AHCA) commendably contains key provisions in defense of life, the proposed legislation also creates "grave challenges for poor and vulnerable people that must be addressed" by Congress before passage.

As part of the Church's mission to administer service to migrants in need, representatives of the Diocese of Buffalo will be hosting an informational refugee convocation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 25 at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora.

WILLIAMSVILLE — Come and give God your time. During Lent, prepare yourself and your families to grow in holiness. Set aside the time and listen for the ways in which God is calling to you to join Him for three nights.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, will be the main celebrant at the 10:30 a.m. Mass Sunday preceding the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

Bishop Richard J. Malone shares the official Catholic Church teaching regarding the Muslim faith, in an effort to help eradicate Islamophobia in our hearts

Pope Francis has bestowed the title of "basilica" on St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean. This marks only the ninth time in his papacy that the Holy Father has granted this rare honor to a site in the United States.

WASHINGTON, DC - Bishop Frank J. Dewaneand Bishop Oscar Cantú welcomed a new resolution introduced in Congress yesterday, March 15, by a group of Republican legislators.

As we enter into the holy season of Lent, let us listen to the words of our Holy Father in his Lenten message for this year: "Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ's victory over death. This season urgently calls us to conversion.

DEPEW — "The Story of Faith," two evenings of powerful and insightful theatrical presentations by Frank Runyeon, will take place next month.

Father Dave Richards from the Diocese of Buffalo talks about how to deal with anxiety in the latest episode of the Catholic teen series, "In a Word."

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 2017 Catholic Charities Appeal, with Diocesan Director, Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF, and co-chair, Barbara Mazurkiewicz.

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.

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.