As we are very much at the heart of Lent (literally one month away from Easter as I am writing this on Friday morning, March 5th!) a number of people have said that this already has been a unique Lent. In a way, it’s kind of been like a yearlong Lent since mid-March last year, with so many moments of hope and frustration. With the number of hospitalizations of patients with COVID in Ohio down to 1,009, in the ICUs down to 270, and on ventilators down to 196 as of March 4th, Lord willing this yearlong “odyssey” is closer to its conclusion or at least to a Holy Week and Easter a little closer to normal!
Thank you to all who “tried something new this year” by participating in this year’s St. Benedict School Annual Auction online. Thank you to the many, many parishioners who have dedicated countless hours over the 30+ years that the auction has been developing. From the Social Hall to the Armory to the Gym and now to the internet: thank you for helping to develop this annual event to be an enjoyable social event and substantial fundraiser for our school.
Please note that we still need a few more Lenten Vocations Crucifix participants, especially from the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass and our 12:15 p.m. Mass at Sts. Peter & Paul. As noted before, you would receive the Vocations Crucifix at the conclusion of the Mass, place it in a place of prayer in your house and offer the prayers in the enclosed booklet each day of that week. Please see the sign-up sheet in the Marian Room or on the back table at the Oratory.
Again, the Diocese of Steubenville is planning for a day of introduction for prospective new candidates for the permanent diaconate, on Saturday, March 27th. We will be hosting that event at Sts. Peter & Paul in Lore City. Please keep that event in prayer and ask our Lord to clarify that potential calling for members of our parish here in Guernsey County.
Please note the Pro-Life convention being held next weekend in the Cleveland area, on March 12th and 13th. You can participate online by going to their website at bringingamericabacktolife.org. It looks like an interesting conference with “speakers from around the world.”
I had mentioned a couple of weeks ago about planning for a new picture directory and that we were hoping for photo sessions in April. We received a vigorous reply that for most parishioners this April is too soon for them to feel comfortable to participate in the photo sessions. So, we have moved those dates to the first and second full weeks of September! Lord willing, we will be at a much better place for something like that. More on that as we get into August.
I will have more information on this year’s Diocesan/Parish Share Campaign in next week’s bulletin. You probably have received the first mailing. Thank you for your generosity to this annual campaign.
May the Lord continue to bless us with joy and peace as disciples of Jesus and to help us to be always ready for the gift of eternal life in Heaven!