The Fifth Sunday in Lent

Thoughts from Fr. Bill…….

Dear friends, welcome to a very exciting week! Saint Patrick’s
Day, Saint Joseph’s Day and the arrival of the first day of Spring
are all celebrated this week! And, in the spirit of today’s Gospel
about forgiveness our Region begins our Lenten Penance Services
at 2:00 PM today here at Holy Cross. Make plans in your Lenten
preparation to attend one of the Regional Lenten Penance Services
this week. The schedule can be found in today’s bulletin.
Thank you for Generous response to the DLA. We currently are
over $40,000 from close to 150 families. Perhaps the remaining
550 families can help us reach our Parish Goal of $65,000!

Next Sunday is PALM SUNDAY and weather permitting we will
begin the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass outside on the sidewalk of 8th
Street with the blessing of Palms and procession into Church.
Please plan on joining your Church Family for a very special Palm
Sunday Celebration beginning at 3:30 PM on Sunday March 24.
Help our Parish and Diocese identify spiritual needs by taking a
short survey. This survey will help parish and diocesan evangelization
and faith formation leaders move forward in developing spiritual,
formational, and educational opportunities. You can either
take the survey on-line at www.surveymonkey.com/
s.spiritualneeds or a “hardcopy” that can be found at the Doors of
the Church. The survey can be completed anonymously, and
March 31 is the deadline. Thank you for your participation in this
very important endeavor!

In honor of Saint Patrick (March 17) let us pray: Loving God, your
servant Patrick brought the Christian faith to the people of Ireland
in the 5th Century, through Patrick’s prayers, O God, drive from
our hearts all that comes between us and yourself, as Patrick once
drove all the snakes from Ireland. Saint Patrick pray for us! Dia
Dhuit! Slainte, La Fheile Padraig! (God be with you! Cheers,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!)

In honor of Saint Joseph (March 19) let us pray: Loving God, you
chose Joseph to be the husband of Mary and to be the one to serve
as your Son’s foster father in this world. Joseph was completely
open to all that God wanted him to do. He was a risk-taker and a
man of deep faith. Through Joseph’s prayers, O God, help us to
seek and follow your will. St. Joseph, pray for us!

This week’s Psalm Response, The Lord has done great things for
us; we are filled with joy, reminds us to give thanks for the wonders
God has worked in our lives.

LET’S GO PENS!

Fr. Bill

Peace

Trying to live a full life in the service of the Lord,
failing frequently and falling on the mercy of God each time….