March 7-8, 2026
Dear parishioners,
I would like to offer a word of thanks to all who donated toward our school technology replacements and the new basketball backboard for our school playground. At this time, we have received all the funds needed to make these purchases. Regarding the backboard, I would like to clarify one item. Originally, I mentioned that the cost for this would be $2,500. However, thanks to a few of our school dads who offered to do the installation, we were able to bring the cost down to $2,000. Again, thank you all for your support of our school!
Next, I would like to highlight some of the events happening throughout the rest of Lent. Firstly, I should mention that today (Sunday), our 7th and 8th grade parishioners are being confirmed by Bishop Thomas at the cathedral this afternoon. Please say some prayers for them!
Secondly, next Sunday, March 15, our parish will be hosting a deanery-wide hour of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:00 in Paulding. Last year, the Defiance parishes hosted a deanery-wide event based on the Jubilee year of Hope. With the goal of holding an event every year, rotating the location each year, it is now our turn to host an event of our choosing. There is no particular theme for this year’s event, the purpose of the event is simply to provide an extra opportunity for prayer during the Lenten season. As a wonderful bonus, Jessica Schuster’s Ecce young adult choir will be providing sacred music throughout the period of adoration. The event is open to everyone, including anyone outside of the deanery. So, please come to pray and to prepare yourself for the most sacred days that lie ahead. The sacred music will help us do both!
Another item is our annual days of grace. The first one will be on March 18 (Paulding), and the second one will be on March 25 (Payne).
Next, I would just like to inform everyone that our next adoration for vocations Sunday will be on March 22. This deviates from our normal 5th Sunday routine because, of course, the 5th Sunday this month is Palm Sunday, and the schedule will be a little too tight to make it happen that day.
Speaking of Palm Sunday, this is a friendly reminder that we will once again be doing our Palm Sunday procession before the 10:30 Mass. The prayers before the procession will begin at 10:20 in the Paulding Ed Center. We will then process to the church from there. Please consider joining us for the procession! The children’s choir will be leading the music for the procession, as they have done so well over the last few years.
There will be no Mass on Tuesday of Holy Week, March 31. This is because I will be away at the cathedral for the Chrism Mass.
On Wednesday of Holy Week, April 1, Bishop Thomas will be celebrating a Tenebrae Service at Rosary Cathedral in Toledo at 7:30pm. Tenebrae is a Latin term, which means “darkness.” The reference is to the darkness that came upon the earth when the Lord died on the cross and the darkness held in the heart of the Church during the days and hours of our Lord’s passion and death. Somber in nature, the Tenebrae service is perfect for entering into the events of the Triduum. The service includes chanted Psalms, beautiful hymns, and chanted portions of the book of Lamentations. Please consider coming; the event is open to the public and you do not need to sign up in advance. If you attend, you will see me there, as I will be chanting one of the lamentations!
Blessings,
Fr. Ammanniti
