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The Diocese of Buffalo welcomed three new permanent deacons on May 23, when Bishop Richard J. Malone ordained David C. Armstrong, Peter J. Donnelly and John A. Owczarczak at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo

At an early 8 a.m. on May 16, a contingent from Newfane began a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fatima Shine in Lewiston, 15 miles away. The journey was to prepare, both physically and spiritually, for the welcoming of the graces of World Youth Day.

David C. Armstrong's ordination to the Permanent Diaconate will allow him to continue serving God's people after already having done this most of his entire life as a teacher.

When Peter Donnelly turns 48 later this month, his birthday celebration will include one of the most unique gifts he's ever received in his life, and it's a spiritual one.

On May 23, John A. Owczarczak will answer a call he first received 50 years ago. His love and work for the Church will become official when he is ordained a permanent deacon.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for all Americans. It does not discriminate. It takes life without regard to age, income, ability, race, or gender. In the U.S., someone attempts suicide every 32 seconds, and someone completes a suicide every 14 minutes

A dozen educators, parents and students marched around the office of New York State Assemblymember Sean Ryan on May 20 chanting those slogans and carrying signs to let him know that as voters, they wanted him to pass the Parental Choice in Education Act.

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.

For most practicing Catholics in Western New York, going to Mass involves a short walk to the church on their corner, or a brief drive to a neighboring town or city. For Daniel Gangi, a parishioner of St. Joseph Parish in LeRoy and a grand knight of the Knights of Columbus' Edward Powers Council in LeRoy, going to church involved attending Mass in every church in the eight-county Diocese of Buffalo.

Three men, with eight children among them, will be ordained at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo, on Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. Through the imposition of hands by Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, these men will become permanent deacons, joining more than 130 other deacons in the diocese.

Father John J. Fox died May 14, 2015, at Kenmore Mercy Hospital, at age 81.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis canonized the Church's four newest saints on Sunday, praising their loving witness to Jesus Christ's Resurrection.

Care for the dying, advocates against the death penalty, an encounter with Pope Francis and the superhero in all of us. Here's our weekly roundup of interesting Catholic links from around the web to get you started for the week.

Buffalo will greet journalists and editors from across the country as host of the 2015 Catholic Media Conference this June.

Catholic Cemeteries of Buffalo will again participate in, "Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes," the annual Memorial Day program developed by the Catholic Cemetery Conference.

Sister David Mary Tyrell died May 12, 2015, in the health care center of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany. She was 87 years old.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - The Holy See and the State of Palestine have agreed on the text of a treaty regarding the life and activity of the Church in Palestine, which is expected to be signed soon by both parties.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for their annual Spring General Assembly, June 10-12, in St. Louis. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, USCCB president, will present a summary to the bishops on the consultation of U.S. dioceses for the 2015 Synod on the Family. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap., will give an update on the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, which Pope Francis will attend on his September Apostolic Journey to the United States.

With only seven weeks remaining before the close of the 2015 Appeal in support of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, the annual campaign has raised $10,532,335.48 in cash and pledges, representing 96.6 percent of its $10.9 million goal. Appeal leaders are asking the community for their help in raising the remaining $367,663.52 still needed to reach the final goal by June 30.

St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute has scheduled this year's Collegiate Summer! for June 29 through July 24. The a four-week program is designed exclusively for students entering eighth grade. The program takes place at St. Joe's (845 Kenmore Avenue) and aims to help young men get ready for high school - and have some fun too.

Bishop Richard Malone offers a brief lesson about the Ascension of the Lord into heaven in a special episode of "Consider This."

For many priests, ordination and serving God's people can be a long and complicated process. However, for international priests, such as Father Joseph Nguyen, a native of Vietnam, it involved much more of a learning process, including leaving a country where he could not freely practice his faith. This led him on a path to where he now serves as parochial vicar of St. Andrew Parish in Kenmore.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Christian share of the U.S. population is declining, while the number of U.S. adults who do not identify with any organized religion is growing, according to an extensive new survey by the Pew Research Center. Moreover, these changes are taking place across the religious landscape, affecting all regions of the country and many demographic groups. While the drop in Christian affiliation is particularly pronounced among young adults, it is occurring among Americans of all ages. The same trends are seen among whites, blacks and Latinos; among both college graduates and adults with only a high school education; and among women as well as men.

Parish success might come down to the answer to a simple question: Why aren't we growing? I am convinced that the next evangelization can start with this answer. Why?

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan and Bishop Richard J. Malone joined together today to introduce the Parental Choice in Education Act, a revised version of the Education Tax Credit bill. Educators and students alike gathered together at Eggertsville Youth and Community Center to hear of the common goal of religion and government.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - This question was part of a special question and answer session with the Bishop of Rome touching on a wide range of themes - from the link between greed and war, to arguments with siblings, and the role of religion in promoting peace in the world.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Speaking from retirement, Benedict XVI has underscored the need for the Church to extend its pastoral care to non-believers and to share "the questions of the times" in its continuing efforts to announce the gospel to the world.

A group of dedicated young Catholic women in the diocese aspire to be part of a new religious order they hope will be recognized by the Vatican. Members of the Marian Franciscans have spoken with Bishop Richard J. Malone about the path to becoming a formal community.

Chancery bulletin announcements for the week of May 11, 2015.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Following a private meeting at the Vatican with Pope Francis, who has helped to broker improved relations between Cuba and the United States, the president of the Caribbean nation suggested he could return to the Church in the future.

Did that title get your attention? I could have titled my column "Francis Is Coming," in anticipation of our Holy Father's visit to the United States September 22-27 of this year. The Holy Father has also just confirmed that he will make a pastoral visit to Cuba just prior to his arrival in the U.S. This will be a significant follow up to St. John Paul II's visit in 1998, in which I was privileged to participate.

Catching up on all the news from the weekend? We've rounded up a couple of interesting Catholic stories and columns for you.

Since the 13th century, the month of May has been especially dedicated to Our Blessed Lady, Mother Mary. This is often seen as a dedication to new life. Especially after our cold winter, everyone is hoping that spring will finally roll around - that the classic saying "April showers bring May flowers" will come true. May is also the culmination of a long decision-making process for many seniors that brings a sort of new life - where to attend college.

More than $850,000 was collected in the Diocese of Buffalo 2014 Appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious. A report of the funds, which will be given to women and men religious in the Diocese of Buffalo from the total National Campaign, will be issued in the early summer of 2015.

The first weekend of May was a special time for many of our men and women religious, as several communities came to St. Joseph Cathedral to celebrate anniversaries during a Jubilee Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard J. Malone Saturday.

Just as a standard calendar has seasons, 365 days and numerous celebrations, so too does a Liturgical Year calendar. In a Liturgical Year, the special seasons are Advent, Christmas, Lent, the Triduum, Easter and Ordinary Time.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) - Prayer is sorely needed as existential threats face faith, the family, and religious liberty in the U.S., Catholic leaders insisted at a prayer breakfast held in the nation's capital on Thursday.

BALTIMORE - A short video featuring the work of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Nepal following the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake is now available online. The video captures the arrival of a supply truck to a mountainous village in Nepal and the distribution of emergency shelter kits by staff from Catholic Relief Services.

Bishop Richard J. Malone announced the following changes in parish leadership. Father James W. Kirkpatrick has been appointed pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in North Tonawanda; Father Marius Dymek, OSPPE, has been appointed pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish, Buffalo; Father Michael Czyzewski, OSPPE, has been appointed administrator of Corpus Christi, Buffalo; and Father Thaddeus M. Bocianowski has been appointed temporary administrator of St. Padre Pio Parish, Oakfield.

One day during the month of May is set aside in our country to celebrate mothers, to honor and give thanks for all that they do for us. Many other countries will celebrate Mother's Day with us on May 10.