Dear Parishioners: We had a great turnout for last week’s Lenten Mission. It was good to see so many coming to Confession and staying for the Mission talks each night. We are grateful to Father Mark Spalding from Louisville for preaching the Lenten Mission this year. His powerful and inspiring sermons provided much food for thought for all of us to reflect upon during these final weeks of Lent. I hope you were able to attend at least one night of the Mission.
Last weekend we also celebrated First Confessions for the OLM School First Communion Class. It was a joyous occasion for these children as they s mercy and forgiveness for the first time. Many of their parents also were able to go to Confession and some of them t been able to get to Confession yet this Lent, I encourage you to do so. Pope Francis recently stated about Confession: "Everyone say to t lose another day! Go, the priest will be good. And Jesus, (will be) there, and Jesus is better than the priests - Jesus receives you. He will receive you with so much love! Be courageous, and go to Confession." I pray everyone has the “courage” to go to Confession this Lent!
We have begun the search for a new Principal for OLM School and established a Search Committee to aid us in the s input, we will also survey all of our school parents and faculty about our school and about what they are looking for in a principal. There are currently six of our Catholic elementary schools looking for a new principal so please pray for the members of our Search Committee that they find the best candidate available. Also I am pleased to announce that we are planning a celebration for Sister Jeanne on June 18th at the Quidnessett Country Club. There is a committee overseeing the event and they hope to have tickets available in the coming weeks for any parishioner or school family who wish to join us in celebrating Sister Jeanne and her time at OLM School. Keep your eye on the bulletin for more information on the event.
Next weekend at the 10:30AM Mass we will bless the new Processional Cross which we will use at Mass. I discovered the cross in a basement closet in the Rectory. It was first used on the high altar of the old Our Lady of Mercy Church on Main Street. I had it refurbished and made into a Processional Cross. It is not only a great piece of our parish history but also quite beautiful. After it is blessed at Mass, it will serve as our Processional Cross at all 
Masses. It is available to be memorialized if you would like to donate it in memory of a loved one. I am happy to announce that a new statue is to be placed in our OLM Candle Room. Since we moved good St. Joseph into the main Church there is a space available. So Ive ordered a beautiful statue of Blessed Pope John Paul to be placed there. It is to be blessed on Sunday, April 27th, the very day that Blessed John Paul II is to be canonized a saint. I was notified that it is arriving from Italy next week and soon to be shipped to Rhode Island. This statue is available to be memorialized if you would like to donate it in memory of a loved one.
As we enter the final weeks of the Holy Season of Lent I ask you to please pray for our RCIA candidates who are to be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Their presence in our parish is a great sign of our life and vitality as a faith community and we pray they may continue to grow in the faith and deepen their relationship with Christ. I remind you that next Saturday, April 5th, the evening Mass is moving to 5:00PM and Confessions to 4:00PM on Saturdays. Pray, fast, and give Alms! See you at the Stations of the Cross! God Bless.