Things I Love About this Parish

02-07-2021From Fr. Antony's DeskFr. John Barbella

I want to begin by thanking everyone for their cooperation while we have been celebrating Holy Mass in Mercy Hall. While it is not the ideal situation, it is working out fine because so many of you are following directions and doing all you can to make it work. Thanks!

This kind of cooperation is one of the things I really love about our parish. We tend to be very good at adapting when we have to, whether it’s things like social distancing and calling ahead for Mass or having to temporarily worship in Mercy Hall while the Church is being painted. I truly believe this spirit of cooperation is born of a real sense of community among our parishioners, who do what they can to make our parish all it can be!

Speaking of the Church painting project – it is moving along quite nicely. While we still have a few weeks to go, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Fr. Gilbert and I met with some members of the parish Buildings and Grounds Commission to take a look at the progress last Saturday. It was good to see it and get a sense of what is going on.

In addition to repairing the peeling plaster and repainting much of the Church, the old ceiling fans will be replaced with newer, more effective ones. While the Church will not look all that different, it will be a bit brighter, which I know many of you will welcome. Thanks to everyone whose gifts to the Capital Campaign made this work, and a lot of other projects possible.

Another thing I love about this parish is the way people turn out to celebrate the various devotions we have. One such devotion is adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament. I am happy to announce that we are restarting Adoration on Friday afternoons in Mercy Hall. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration on Fridays from the conclusion of the 12:10 PM Mass until 4 PM. When we move back into Church, we will expand those hours once more. We are blessed to have so many people whosedevotion to our Lord’s Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament inspires them to spend time with Him in adoration. Thanks to each and every one of you.

Another devotion that will be here soon is Ash Wednesday. While it is still two weeks off, I wanted to assure you that we will indeed have several Masses on Ash Wednesday, and a period of time when some priests and deacons will be available simply to impose ashes on those who want to receive them. As of now, our Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule will be: 6:45 and 8 AM, 12:10, 5, and 7 PM in Mercy Hall.