Dear Parishioners:
We had a great celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Our student speakers at last weekend's Masses were outstanding. I commend them all on a job well done. They demonstrate the good work of OLM School every day in developing our future saints and scholars. We had many people stop and visit the school during the Open House. We have 240 students presently enrolled for this year. Next year's enrollment looks strong as interest in our outstanding school grows. If you want to enroll your child or grandchild at OLM School, contact the school soon.
We thank all our students, faculty, parents, and principal who helped make Catholic Schools Week fun and faith-filled. We also thank all those who generously supported the Annual Saints and Scholars Fund for OLM School last weekend. Pope Benedict XVI once said: "A good school provides a rounded education for the whole person. And a good Catholic school, over and above this, should help all its students to become saints." We do this daily at OLM School: provide a good education and strive to help all our students become saints! Pray for the OLM School faculty and students!
It's hard to believe, but the Season of Lenten will soon be here. It's time to prepare ourselves to once again take up the solemn fast of forty days. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are the pillars of Lent. There is a complete Lenten Schedule in the bulletin this weekend. Also, the bulletin lists Catholic Charities that can use your almsgiving to aid the poor and needy in the world, the state, and our town. Please consider supporting the Catholic Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl, the Annual Catholic Charity Appeal, and OLM Outreach.
If you have any old blessed palm branches collecting dust in your home, bring them to Mass next weekend. We are collecting them, and baskets will be available in church. Drop your palm branches in the baskets, and we will burn them. The palm ashes are used on Ash Wednesday as we take up the Lenten call to "Repent and Believe in the Gospel!" Ash Wednesday is February 14, and it is also Valentine's Day this year. However, it remains an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence.
Fasting is required for Catholics aged 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. So remember it's Ash Wednesday when planning for your Valentine!
I am happy to announce that Mrs. Christiana Caprarelli will serve as our new Cantor at weekend Masses, funerals, and weddings. She has been the music director and Cantor at St. Ambrose Parish in Albion for the past eleven years and previously served as the Cantor at St. Martha's Church in East Providence. Christiana holds degrees in music and theater. She also directs the theatre program at Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School and teaches voice privately. She lives in Cranston with her husband and children. Christiana begins here at OLM on Ash Wednesday, so please give her a warm welcome.
I am also pleased to announce that Miss Julia Anthon will be our new Directress of Faith Formation. She is a native of Portsmouth, RI, and an honors graduate in Theology from Magdalen College. She has worked in the educational field for the last couple of years. We look forward to Julia helping us strengthen and renew our Faith Formation Program at OLM. This includes the RCIA, Adult Education, Family and Youth Ministry, Spiritual Life Programs, and the Sacramental Preparation Programs for Marriage, Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation. Julia will work closely with Fr. Mahoney, me, and Mr. Jeremey Long, who now directs our First Communion and Confirmation Program. She will also aid us in enhancing our parish communications and social media presence. Please give Julia a warm welcome.
Be sure to get your throat blessed this weekend, as it is cold and flu season. May St. Blaise, bishop, and martyr, intercede for us and protect us from all ailments of the throat and every other disease. Be well. Do good. God Bless!