Dear Parishioners, this past Wednesday, Bishop Daly came to our parish to confirm eleven of our young people. It was inspiring to witness the outpouring of support for these young people and their families, with nearly 100 attendees at the Confirmation Mass and the dinner reception that followed. In the fall, these eleven will continue their formation during Faith Night to work toward completing the sacraments of initiation and receiving First Eucharist next Spring.

Our parish had planned to relocate St. Mary’s sanctuary to the fellowship hall this coming week. However, that move has been postponed as it’s not yet necessary; we want to minimize the time we will be out of the church as much as possible. We will postpone the move at least a month as work in the sanctuary and sacristy continues. This will also allow the parish to host the scheduled May and June events without disruption, which includes the Youth Barbecue Night, Afternoon Tea with Our Queen, and Vacation Bible School.

Dear Parishioners, this week we enter Holy Week which will culminate with the celebration of the Sacred Triduum, which is Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday. These are the high Holy Days/ Solemnities of our Catholic faith. The Triduum - the Paschal Mystery or the Passover - is the reason why Christ came as the Son of God into this world. To pass over from this world of corruption and death to the new heavens and new earth. Jesus’ Passover is our Passover.

Dear Parishioners, next Sunday with Palm Sunday, we will be beginning Holy Week. This is the most important and solemn week of the Church’s calendar that includes the Paschal Mystery, which culminates with Our Lord’s Resurrection - the definitive saving event of our salvation.

By Shirley Baker, Pastoral Council Chair “Give something, however small, to the one in need, for it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God if we have given what we could.” - St. Gregory Nazianzen (Click for more)

Dear Parishioners, the Catechumens (non-baptized) and Candidates of the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) are on their final approach to receiving the Sacraments of full initiation this Easter Vigil. The little flock has prepared well. We have been meeting for over a year, going through the Catechism and answering questions. They are ready to be presented to the bishop for the Rite of Election (Enrollment of Names) this Sunday afternoon at the Cathedral. At the 10 am Mass this Sunday, we will be doing the Rite of Sending where our Catechumens and Candidates will be sent from our community.

Dear Parishioners, this week, we celebrate our Saint of the Month: St. Francis of Assisi, one of my most beloved saints. I've had the privilege of spending time in Assisi, his birthplace and final resting place, which deepened my appreciation for his extraordinary life.