Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Sign-ups for Parish Photo-Directory
Be sure to sign up for a time slot to have your picture taken for our parish directory.  You can sign up on-line or there are volunteers in the Narthex to help you after the Masses.  If you have other family or friends (even if they are not parishioners) who would like a picture taken feel free to invite them to sign up.  Everyone gets a free 8x10, and the more people who get their picture taken allows us more options for printing the directory when the time comes.

This Weekend Adoration / Reconciliation and “leaving early?”
This weekend we continue with our post-Communion time of adoration. This will happen for each of our three Masses and includes Solemn Benediction.  In addition, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar from around 9:15-10:15, during which I will be in my confessional available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Last time we did this I received a comment that “Mass was too long.”  Last month the adoration time was a little longer than normal since we chanted the Divine Mercy Chaplet (as it was Divine Mercy Sunday).  On average our adoration times are about 10-15 extra minutes.  Overall people communicate to me their appreciation for the time of adoration on a regular basis after Masses. Furthermore, we are in a time when the Bishops have called for Eucharistic Renewal, which should include extra time of adoration.
Even so, there may be people who are unable to stay the whole time due to other important obligations on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.  It is not a sin if one needs to leave before the final benediction.  One still fulfilled his or her Sunday obligation. 

Ascension “Thursday Sunday”
Forty days after the Resurrection, our Blessed Lord ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father, so that ten days later on Pentecost the Holy Spirit would descend upon the Apostles. This Thursday is normally considered “Ascension Thursday” as it will be 40 days after Easter. However, in our Diocese this liturgical solemnity is moved to Sunday. So, while the math is not as precise, even so, we will rejoice in the great feast of the Ascension and prepare for Pentecost the following weekend.

May Crowning Next Weekend
As May is a month dedicated to our Lady, next weekend we will have a May crowning ceremony of our Mary statue in the Church.  This month I invite everyone to consider extra prayers and devotions to our Mother.

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr