 THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE PEOPLE OF HAITI
Last weekend’s special collection on behalf of the people of Haiti amounted
to $35,000. Thanks to all who contributed toward helping alleviate the
suffering of so many people. St. Mary’s is forwarding donations to Catholic
Relief Services, which has already committed five million dollars in
immediate assistance. Donations are still being accepted through our parish
office. Please keep the Haitian people in your prayers.
THANK YOU ROSEMARIE
Our parish Business Manager, Rosemarie Zawacki, is retiring after twenty-
four years of dedicated service to our parish. Rosemarie first worked in our
school library, then served as our parish secretary and has acted as our
Business Manager since 1995. She has very capably served St. Mary’s in
both the daily work of the parish, and helped us through many extra
projects. For all of this, I am grateful to Rosemarie and invite you to join me
in thanking her and wishing her well in her retirement at a reception in the Parish Center on Saturday,
February 13 after the 5:00pm Mass.
CATHOLICS COME HOME
Since the Catholics Come Home media initiative began in December, I have met a number of people who
are now reengaging in the Catholic faith here at St. Mary’s. I encourage those Catholics who are returning to
the active practice of our faith to please pick up a white folder, our parish welcome packet, at the entrances
of our church. Also, our parish will be hosting a series of presentations about the content of the Catholic
faith beginning in Lent. These talks are open to everyone. Please see our parish website or next weeks
bulletin for details.
BLESSING OF THROATS
This weekend our priests will be available after each Mass for the blessing of throats in honor of St. Blaise
Day (February 3). If you would like your throat blessed, please approach one of the priests after Mass this weekend.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
This Tuesday, February 2, we celebrate Candlemas, the last feast in the Christmas-Epiphany cycle that
began with the First Sunday of Advent. Forty days after Christmas, the Church contemplates several
mysteries: the presentation of the Lord in the temple, the purification of Mary his Mother, and the meeting
between the Lord and the faithful people of Israel, represented by Simeon and Anna. I encourage you to join
us for Mass on Tuesday, or to take time and read the Gospel of Luke 2:22-40. May the light of Christ
brighten our lives and may we bring the light of Christ to the whole world.
THE GALA
Our annual fundraiser in support of the School of St. Mary will be held on Saturday, February 6 at the
Botanic Gardens. The festivities include a raffle as well as many impressive auction items. For more details,
visit our parish website and go to the link for the Gala. Thank you.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday this year is on February 17. Mass with the distribution of ashes will be at 6:30, 8:00, 9:00,
Noon, 5:15 and 7:00pm.
In our Lord,
Father Mike McGovern
mmcgovern@churchofstmary.org
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