Dear parishioners,
A few updates for you:
Our celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday went very well! Thank you to all who came and participated in some or all of the events. I was encouraged by the turnout; after the fact, some parishioners informed me that they thought this was the most people we have had in attendance in a few years. I was also encouraged by how many people wanted to approach the sacrament of Reconciliation. In addition to the scheduled 1:00-2:30 time slot, I continued to hear confessions for about 30 or 40 minutes after the services. On this note, I want to thank everyone for their patience if they had to stay after the services for confessions.
As you noticed in last week’s bulletin, we have now well surpassed our goal for the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal. Thank you to everyone who made contributions and pledges to make this happen. Please note that for whatever amount our parish donates beyond our goal, fifty percent of that amount will be returned to our parish.
As usual, First Communion will be taking place at all Masses on May 1 and 2. Pews will be reserved for each of the First Communicants and their families. As such, we will likely need to use the overflow seating at all of the Masses. Thank you in advance for your patience as we make this special day happen during the COVID restrictions. Please be advised that, of the entire group making their First Communion that weekend, we will have a larger group at the 10:30 Mass on May 2. Please pray for the children as they prepare to receive the Eucharist that they may always treasure the most important gift of this sacrament!
As has been our custom, May Crowning will also take place on the weekend of May 1 and 2.
Our next Latin Mass will be this coming Saturday, May 1, at 8:00, with confessions starting at 7:15.
Our 6th grade “graduation” will take place at the 4:00 Mass on Saturday, May 8. Please pray for these students that what they learned in our school will remain with them for many years to come!
Lastly, you likely have already noticed that I have returned holy water to the all of the fonts at the entrances of our churches. I did this with the same reasoning by which I felt comfortable placing the hymnals back in the pews. That is, if anyone is not comfortable using the holy water because of COVID concerns they are certainly welcome to abstain from using it. In fact, there is nothing that necessitates that one use holy water upon entering a church. However, for those who would like to use it, it will be refreshing to have it available again so as to recall our baptism and to ask the Lord’s protection whenever we enter.
God bless you all!
Fr. Ammanniti
