Dear Parishioners:
Kenan, the Blizzard of 2022, has come and gone! What a snowstorm! Last Saturday, it shut down the state with its high winds, never-ending snow, and cold temperatures! In light of the severe winter weather, Bishop Tobin granted a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass for the Diocese.
However, Mass at OLM went on as scheduled! After all, Fr. Mahoney and I only have to walk down the hall to get to Mass!! In fact, besides Father Mahony, myself, and our good Franciscan Sisters, three brave souls trudged through the wicked weather to be at the 4:00 pm Mass on Saturday. It was certainly nice to have a Lector, an Altar Server, and one lone parishioner in the pews at Mass! Kudos to them for braving the Blizzard to worship God and attend Mass!
Sunday Masses saw few parishioners in attendance as many were snowed in from the storm. Sunday evening, the 5:00 pm Mass attendance was also very light. Either people were snowed in or perhaps at home watching NFL Football in the warmth of their homes!
In any case, please know that Masses at OLM are never canceled, and we offer Masses during blizzards, hurricanes, and beautiful weather! In addition, our Sunday Masses are typically intentioned for deceased loved ones of parishioners, so we ensure that those souls are prayed for during Holy Mass. After all, as Padre Pio said: "It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass!"
I want to commend our excellent OLM Maintenance Staff for the great work during the Blizzard of '22! They plowed, shoveled, and sanded for almost thirty hours! They worked all night and day with occasional breaks for naps and nourishment. The storm was never-ending as the wind caused snowdrifts. They kept covering over what had been already shoveled and plowed. So if you see them around OLM, please be sure to say thank you.
The walkways and parking lots were clear for Sunday Masses, and the School was ready for Monday classes! But, of course, the maintenance problems only seem to increase with such a large amount of snow and frigid temperatures. The School had some leaks due to snow build-up, and the flat roof above the Church Boiler Room had to be shoveled too!
Maintenance is a daily endeavor at OLM, whether it's shoveling snow, fixing leaks, or keeping the buildings and property neat and clean. We are lucky to have such a talented and hard-working staff who take great pride in their work.
Of course, such maintenance is also a costly endeavor, and we are grateful for your generous support of the Monthly Building and Grounds Collection that helps defray maintenance costs. This vital second collection is taken up on the first weekend of every month, and I thank you for your support.
We postponed our Catholic Schools Week Open House at OLM School last week with the bad weather. It takes place this Sunday from 10:00 am until Noon. I encourage you to stop by for a visit and meet our budding saints and scholars.
Have you read the new monthly bulletin column by Fr. Mahoney? Each month, he profiles a Saint and offers a recipe to celebrate the Saint's feast day. As you may know, Fr. Mahoney was a Professional Chef for several years before entering the seminary to pursue his priestly vocation.
It is a very new experience in the OLM Rectory to have an Associate Pastor who can cook! While Fr. Connors and Fr. Barrow have many talents, cooking is certainly not one of them. And I confess I can barely boil an egg!
So during the Blizzard, it was especially nice to have Fr. Mahoney here! On the cold and snowy Saturday, he made a delicious pot of Chili complete with homemade cornbread. It was a great source of comfort during the cold and snowy weather! So be sure to read his column and follow his recipes. He knows what he's doing!
On Friday, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Church marks World Day of the Sick. In a special way, we pray for all the sick especially the ill and infirm of our parish. We also pray for all healthcare workers and caretakers. We turn to Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Mercy, to intercede for them. May they experience the Lord’s healing, consolation, and compassion.
Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless.