PASTOR'S PAGE
Very Reverend John D. Byrnes, JV, JCL
LENT - Please click on the button above for the Calendar for the Season of Lent 2019. As we have entered into this holy season, please refer to it for a schedule of the Lenten prayer, education and service opportunities within our parish!
Our 4th Annual Mission in honor of Our Lady of Loretto will be held from Sunday March 31 – to Friday April 5, the Fourth Week of Lent. Our mission director/homilist will be Father Michael Caridi, from St. Anne Parish, Diocese of Pittsburgh. Father Caridi will preach all the Masses next weekend.
The 2019 Catholic Ministries Drive “Be A Good Shepherd. Give Help. Build Hope”- Commitment Sunday takes place today in parishes throughout our diocese. Through it, your sacrificial gifts of prayer and treasure will make an immediate impact on ministries that care for the poor, strengthen family life, nurture our youth, and provide leadership development for clergy and laity. If you didn't bring your Commitment Card to mass this weekend, please bring it next weekend or you may make an online gift at www.dioceseaj.org . 100% of your gift goes directly to these ministries! . I ask that those families and individuals who have registered recently in the parish join our long-time parishioners in helping support the 2019 Catholic Ministries drive.
Mass with Mission Prayers will be held each evening, Monday through Friday at 7 PM. Eucharistic Adoration will begin each day at 6 PM Monday through Friday. Confessions will be available each evening at 6 PM. Prayer intentions may be placed in the box near the statue of Our Lady of Loretto beginning next Sunday. I encourage your full, active participation in this annual parish Lenten Retreat!
Stations of the Cross - will be celebrated each Friday of Lent at 7 -7:30 PM. Eucharistic Adoration will be offered at 7:30- 8:00 PM. As these are two separate forms of prayer, you are welcome to participate in either Stations, Adoration or both services. They are placed together on Friday evenings for your convenience. I encourage the parents of our Religious Education students to bring your children to these beautiful devotions throughout Lent. Children’s Stations of the Cross will be offered on Friday afternoons of Lent at 2 PM with our St. Michael School Students.
Movie Opportunity- The movie Unplanned will be in theaters in the Altoona area on March 28/29. It will probably have a short run. The movie presents the story of Abby Johnson who worked as a clinical director for Planned Parenthood for many years but had a conversion after witnessing a live fetus as she assisted in abortion during an ultrasound. The experience transformed her into an ardent pro-life advocate. It is a quality production with a strong pro-life theme.
Parish Expenditures - I want to inform you of two major parish improvements/purchases.
First, we must purchase a new commercial lawn mower for maintaining our grounds and cemetery. After years of repairs, a new mower is needed. The maintenance committee has received several bids and we will be purchasing before the mowing season begins. Secondly, we will begin work on our sidewalks around the school property. Our liability insurer has strongly urged replacing them and we must take action this year. The cost of these projects/purchases is expected to exceed $40,000. We are hoping to use profits from the Men’s Turkey Dinner and other regular fund raisers towards this work. We are working with the Finance Council and Maintenance committee for the best possible solutions and are working through bids. If you would like to donate directly to a visible and worthy cause within the parish, please contact the office at 472-8551 or simply send in your donation. Your help is greatly valued and appreciated!
Mass with Mission Prayers will be held each evening, Monday through Friday at 7 PM. Eucharistic Adoration will begin each day at 6 PM Monday through Friday. Confessions will be available each evening at 6 PM. Prayer intentions may be placed in the box near the statue of Our Lady of Loretto beginning next Sunday. I encourage your full, active participation in this annual parish Lenten Retreat!
Stations of the Cross - will be celebrated each Friday of Lent at 7 -7:30 PM. Eucharistic Adoration will be offered at 7:30- 8:00 PM. As these are two separate forms of prayer, you are welcome to participate in either Stations, Adoration or both services. They are placed together on Friday evenings for your convenience. I encourage the parents of our Religious Education students to bring your children to these beautiful devotions throughout Lent. Children’s Stations of the Cross will be offered on Friday afternoons of Lent at 2 PM with our St. Michael School Students.
Movie Opportunity- The movie Unplanned will be in theaters in the Altoona area on March 28/29. It will probably have a short run. The movie presents the story of Abby Johnson who worked as a clinical director for Planned Parenthood for many years but had a conversion after witnessing a live fetus as she assisted in abortion during an ultrasound. The experience transformed her into an ardent pro-life advocate. It is a quality production with a strong pro-life theme.
Parish Expenditures - I want to inform you of two major parish improvements/purchases.
First, we must purchase a new commercial lawn mower for maintaining our grounds and cemetery. After years of repairs, a new mower is needed. The maintenance committee has received several bids and we will be purchasing before the mowing season begins. Secondly, we will begin work on our sidewalks around the school property. Our liability insurer has strongly urged replacing them and we must take action this year. The cost of these projects/purchases is expected to exceed $40,000. We are hoping to use profits from the Men’s Turkey Dinner and other regular fund raisers towards this work. We are working with the Finance Council and Maintenance committee for the best possible solutions and are working through bids. If you would like to donate directly to a visible and worthy cause within the parish, please contact the office at 472-8551 or simply send in your donation. Your help is greatly valued and appreciated!