Dear Parishioners,

I am thankful for the priests who have been helping me out over the past few weeks both at daily Mass and Sunday Mass while Fr. Joseph has been in India. In particular: Fr. Fabio Garzon (our Vicar General of the Diocese) and Fr. Creagan and Fr. Andrew Schmidt at the Cathedral. Unfortunately, it’s another situation that reminds us how we don’t have any priests in “reserve” anymore. Our local priests have to help out each other as much as we can for any penance services, anointings, and other things that prevent us from being in two places at the same time. (Sorry, none of us have the special gift that Padre Pio had). Of course, it just gives me another opportunity to ask for continued prayers for vocations! Remember it’s been quite a few years since St. Catherine has offered a vocation to the priesthood and maybe the Lord has someone from this parish that we could send to the seminary?  

Speaking of a number of priests gathering in one spot, it’s our turn this Wednesday evening, March 19th (the feast of St. Joseph) to gather for our Lenten Penance Service. It will begin with prayer at 6:30 PM, followed by an opportunity for individual confessions. If this is not convenient, please check the schedule for area penances services as there will be several coming up soon. Or you could always stop by on Saturday mornings here from 11 AM to 12:00 PM for an individual confession.

Please continue to keep our Catechumens and Candidates in your prayers as they continue their final weeks of preparation for receiving the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil.

Thanks for reading! 

Fr. Mark