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Thanks for your prompt response to our 2016 ANNUAL Catholic Appeal. Our goal is $146,724. When we reach our goal, all monies will come back to the Parish. Many of you have made your pledge already, I thank you very much! I will leave the envelopes on the tables in the back of the Church so you can make your pledge if you decide to do so.

Also, a reminder that the first row in the front of the Church will be roped off for anyone with mobility issues. Anyone who has a hard time making their way down the main aisle of the Church to receive Holy Communion is strongly encouraged to sit in the front row that will be reserved each week.

Next weekend is My Easter Gift to my Church Collection. Please be as generous as you can. Our budget really does depend on this collection.

Also, next weekend is Palm Sunday. Weather permitting, we are going to try to have a procession at 5pm and 10:30am Mass starting in the front of the Church. More information will be given around the start of these Masses. Bishop Vitold, one of our recent auxiliary Bishops for the Diocese of Brooklyn will be the celebrant at the 10:30am Mass on Palm Sunday.

Rev. Kevin P. Abels
Pastor

Many of our children in our school and religious education program are in the process of celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation over the next couple of Saturdays. I am very proud of their willingness to receive the Lord’s Mercy and Forgiveness in their lives.

A special thank you to our teachers and catechists for their example and help in preparing our children. Our young people are a good reminder of how we should always be taking advantage of this beautiful sacrament of God’s Mercy.

Looking ahead: On Thursday March 17, we will have a special concert in the Church at 9:30am followed by a special Mass at 10:15am in honor of St. Patrick. Please make every effort to attend. Also, I would like to have some kind of hospitality after in the Lobby of the Church. I need our parishioners to volunteer in making or donating Irish Soda Bread. If you are willing to do so, please call and leave your name, number and the number of Soda Breads you will be baking or donating!

Thanks for your support!

Rev. Kevin P. Abels
Pastor

Please note: any parishioners with mobility issues are asked to sit up front in the Church. There are rows reserved in the front. Also, anyone needing mobile assistance into the Church are asked to follow our new handicap signs that will guide you into the church.

I just want to give you the heads up that next weekend you will be hearing about the 2016 ACA. It seems like we just finished working hard on the Generations of Faith Campaign and we did, thanks to your support and generosity.

The Annual Catholic Appeal is different from the Generation of Faith Campaign. The Annual Catholic Appeal helps the Bishop carry out the great work of our Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens. The Bishop needs our help in funding the many offices and programs that will help so many people in difficult situations to have an encounter with our Risen Lord. Its not easy asking for money but, all I can do is ask and trust that we will continue to be open to God’s will and help the Bishop to continue the work of Jesus in Brooklyn and Queens,

I hope you will once again be opened to helping the Bishop reach out to so many in need.

Thanks for you support!

Rev. Kevin P. Abels
Pastor

Lent has gotten off to a wonderful start! I encourage you to check the bulletin for the many spiritual opportunities we have to deepen our relationship with the Lord! Lent is a time of returning back to God and coming home to the church. This must be our mission! As we focus on our journey with the Lord, we cant forget about others that we meet on the way. In my humble option, the challenge of Lent is two fold: 1) to deepen our relationship with Christ in whatever way possible and 2) to encourage others to do the same, and if need be to help them to come home to the Church. Many people have wondered away from the Church for many reasons. Our response is not to judge, but to help them to return home. Isn’t this the message of the Church’s Jubilee Year of Mercy? Not to judge, but to be merciful and to help people on their journey. We have a wonderful landings program in the parish that helps people to find their home again in the Church. All who come to landings are welcomed back with no question asked and there is no judging others. I cant tell you how many people have benefited from landings and are once again connected to their Church. Please, if you are away and are looking to come home or if you know of someone in your family or anyone else who needs help in coming back I strongly encourage you to consider Landings by reaching to our Pastoral Out Reach Office.

Finally I have put together a new parish committee named Parish Disability Advocates . We have already met a number of times to discuss ways we can make our Parish more handicap accessible to our parishioners and those who will visiting our parish. To start, on the 1st Weekend of March we will be reserving the first pew in front of the ambo for those who mobility issues. Some may find it difficult to make their way down the center aisle of the Church to receive Holy Communion. Those with mobility issues will be invited to sit in the first pew in the front that will be roped off permanently. I will share more of what we are planning in the weeks ahead.

Thanks for your support.

Rev. Kevin P. Abels
Pastor