As we begin this third week of Lent, I want to encourage you in your prayer, fasting and almsgiving; remembering how powerful they are in helping us to grow in our relationship with the Lord and in our ability to love one another.  Please take advantage of the opportunities we have for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as well:  each Wednesday evening of Lent at 7:00pm here at OLPH (and in every other parish as well), each Saturday from 3:00-4:15pm and on Monday, March 15 at 7:00pm, for our parish Lenten Penance Service.

           Please keep praying for our 8th graders, who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, March 21 at our 11:00am and 5:00pm Masses.  As I mentioned last weekend, the main focus for these Masses will be the celebration of Confirmation, with about 60 candidates at each Mass, plus parents, siblings, sponsors and guests - all of which means these Masses will be very crowded.  I want to encourage you to consider attending our 4:30pm, 7:30am and 9:00am Masses on that weekend as a way of balancing out the many people that will be here at OLPH.

           Also, please keep in your prayers our 2nd graders, who are preparing for their First Communion at the beginning of May.  They are excited as they look ahead to Saturday, May 1, when they will receive Jesus for the very first time in the Sacrament of His Body and Blood.  Please pray that their parents and catechists will continue to encourage them by what they teach and by their own example.

           Finally, I want to thank you for your generosity with last Sunday's special snow collection which helps us to keep our budget balanced and pay the bills.  Thank you as well for your response to this year's Archbishop's Annual Appeal - I look forward to seeing how we do in meeting and hopefully exceeding this year's goal, as we have in the past.

God Bless!