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Seventeen teenage boys heard a call to visit Christ the King Seminary, and they answered. They gathered at the East Aurora education facility to learn about the priesthood and get to know the men who have already answered their vocational call.

Bishop Richard J. Malone describes a calling to the priesthood and offers suggestions for discernment in "Consider This: A Priest's Heart."

It was a wintry day last March 12, with snow was piled high. The parking lot was icy as moving vans and cars approached the new building on Lafayette Avenue in Buffalo. The building stood impressive but silent as 27 Sisters of St. Mary of Namur approached.

As New York state voters prepare to head to the polls to help decide the most heated and contested presidential primary in recent memory, the New York Catholic bishops are reminding the faithful of their political responsibility in staying true to Catholic doctrine.

Who has time for a retreat? You do, for by taking a definite break from your regular routines, you actually afford time for your mind, body, emotional and spiritual sides to regenerate, recuperate, refresh and renew. And the Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara is the perfect retreat location right here in Western New York. This tranquil 93-bed facility is located on 100 acres at Stella Niagara, in the town of Lewiston, only 10 miles north of Niagara Falls on the Lower Niagara River.

Since California legalized physician-assisted suicide late last year, the proponents of such laws have set their sights on New York, with paid lobbyists, consultants and public relations firms endlessly recounting the story of Brittany Maynard.

When one hears the word "pilgrimage," the first image to come to mind is that of a long journey to a sacred place to offer prayers to God. In Catholic tradition, those prayers are often offered as penance for sins, as petition for special blessings and favors, or simply out of devotion to honor God.

It was a picture perfect day for flying Thursday afternoon, when four United States Army Blackhawk helicopters touched down on the rugby pitch of Niagara University. They came to pick up 80 ROTC cadets and bring them to a Joint Leadership Field Exercise at Fort Drum, NY.

April 14 marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Sister Karen Klimczak, SSJ, a religious sister who preached non-violence to the ex-convicts she devoted her ministry to. Take a look back on her life and her legacy in our new photo gallery.

"The single most powerful word in our democracy is 'We.'" That was how U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez opened his speech to the hundreds gathered to hear him last month. He was quoting President Obama's remarks made at the 50th anniversary celebration of the events at Selma, Ala., last year.

Msgr. John I. Ducette, known for his longtime work with the Apostleship of the Sea, died April 12, 2016, just eight days before his 80th birthday.

Beyond strengthening Catholic identity, Carol Kostyniak says she is most proud of applying sound business practice to the Department of Catholic Schools over the past 10 years. The secretary for Catholic Education will retire in May from her position with the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, but the road that led her to it was a winding one.

The committee for Consecrated Life of the Diocese of Buffalo is again assembling a collection of work to exhibit the talents of religious sisters, brothers, and priests.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis has appointed French-born Archbishop Christophe Pierre as the Vatican ambassador to the U.S., replacing Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the Holy See press office announced Tuesday.

Father John J. Mitka will observe his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood at St. Gabriel Parish in Elma where he has served as senior parochial vicar since 2006.

ERBIL, IRAQ (CNA/EWTN News) - After spending his first full day in Erbil, Iraq, Cardinal Timothy Dolan gave a special message to men studying in Iraq's only remaining seminary for diocesan priests.

BUFFALO - Catholic Charities of Buffalo today reported the 2016 Appeal has surpassed $9 million in cash and pledges. As a result, volunteers and campaign leadership must raise close to $2 million between now and June 30 in order to reach this year's $11 million goal.

Things have not changed much since Father Baker's day. Back in the 1880s, the Padre of the Poor reached out to Catholics across the country via a direct mail campaign. Now, the Father Baker Guild does much the same thing.

CHEEKTOWAGA — Villa Maria College is responding to the ever-increasing role emerging technology has taken in traditional communication by announcing it will offer a bachelor of science degree program in Digital Media and Communication beginning with the fall 2016 semester. Students can begin registering for the program immediately.

Bishop Richard J. Malone uses the story of St. Martin of Tours to discuss the third Corporal Work of Mercy, "clothe the naked," in "Consider This."

Today, churches of all kinds are discovering that by expecting more of their members they get more, and the members grow more. This growth is evident in church attendance, financial support, participation in ministries, as well as enthusiasm for service performed outside the congregation.

Chancery bulletin announcements for the week of April 11, 2016.

Bishop Richard J. Malone was in Washington, DC, Friday morning to respond to the long anticipated exhortation by Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia, or The Joy of Love.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Catholics who have divorced-and-remarried need the fullness of Church teaching. They also need a wise pastoral and community response to their difficulties that can help them grow in the Christian life, Pope Francis said on Friday in his new document on love in the family.

In the month of April, the SSJ Sister Karen Center for Nonviolence, SS. Columba-Brigid Parish in Buffalo and the Diocese of Buffalo are honoring Sister Karen Klimczak, SSJ, who was murdered 10 years ago on April 14, 2006.

ST. BONAVENTURE - St. Bonaventure University will observe Holocaust Remembrance Day with a memorial service at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, in the University Chapel, Doyle Hall. The public is invited.

WASHINGTON - Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, welcomed Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, on love in the family. Pope Francis' "love letter to families" invites everyone to grow as members of the family of God, Archbishop Kurtz said April 8.

"We welcome this teaching from Pope Francis as the fruit of the synodal process started by him more than two years ago—a process that has inspired in our Church, and indeed all over the world, a renewed attention to the importance of marriage and the family for all of society," said Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, chairman of the Committee.

Bishop Richard J. Malone is one of three who have been chosen to go to Washington, DC, and respond to the Pope's Exhortation on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bishop Malone is the Chairman of USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - When Lizzy Myers was diagnosed with a condition that could result in complete blindness, her parents, Steve and Christine, went to work on a "visual bucket list" for their daughter.

About a hundred employees of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo spent the day at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora on Wednesday. It was the second annual 'Day of Reflection', initiated by Bishop Richard J. Malone as a way to bring employees closer together in prayer and reflection as a reminder of how they are indeed working for God and the Church.

The first episode of "Our Daily Bread" aired in 1996 and featured the St. Vincent de Paul dining room on Main Street in Buffalo. During that time, the show was hosted by two women religious: Sister Bernadette O'Kulicz, FSSJ; and Sister Barbara Cirico, RSM. These two spirited women religious cooked in kitchens all over our diocese. They visited the Tuscarora Indian Reservation, St. Mary of the Angels Parish in Olean, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Dunkirk, St. Mary's in Cattaraugus and many parishes in between.

KENMORE — Rosary making was recently taught to third-graders at St. John the Baptist School. The ornamental prayer beads, which emerged during the Middle Ages, continue to be a beloved, sacred tradition in honor of Jesus' mother, Mary, among Catholics.

World Youth Day pilgrims explored their personal past, present and future at a daylong retreat on Divine Mercy Sunday. "Mercy Awakens" paid homage to the theme of WYD 2016, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

In honor of Earth Day, the diocesan Care for Creation Committee will host prayer gatherings and events to honor Mother Earth and Sister Water to follow the example the pope set for Catholics to care for the planet. The facilitators of the events include sisters who are members of the Franciscan congregations in Western New York.

If you walked into St. Joseph Cathedral on Monday afternoon, you would see very little evidence that there was a fire inside just days before. Masses went on as scheduled over the weekend and the smell of smoke has dissipated.

If you would know the radical meaning of Easter, think of Melanie. Think of the thousands of new Catholics who were baptized around the world at the recent Easter Vigil, along with the many others, already Christian, who were received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Mary Queen of Angels School said hello to the doctors, designers and dancers of the future on March 30. The Cheektowaga school held its first career fair with students presenting on the jobs they might want when they become adults.

Bishop Richard J. Malone explains why the Church exists and the role of believers in "Consider This: Why We Exist."

Director of Radio Ministry Gregg Prince recalls his meeting and interview with Mother Angelica 15 years ago.