Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

News and Notes:  If you have not yet celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Lent, join us Monday evening beginning at 6:30PM, when Fr. Tony and I will be available for confession in the respective Reconciliation Rooms of OLA and SMG.  Don’t forget to register your child(ren) for religious education classes next Fall.  You can do so in either Church Hall this weekend.  The discount tuition is $135 per child and is in effect until May 1; afterwards, the regular tuition will be $155. 

As announced last weekend, we are taking up a special second collection at all Masses in both parishes this Palm Sunday weekend; this collection is called the Building Fund and it will help us address some of the many deferred maintenance issues in both parishes.  Thank you for your generosity and stewardship of our parishes!  Here is the latest update on our performance in the 2017 Catholic Appeal:  as of March 28, three weeks into the annual campaign, OLA parishioners had pledged $44,580, which is 75% of their goal; SMG parishioners had pledged $25,760 or 75% of their goal.  Another reminder, if a parish reaches its fair share assessment in the Catholic Appeal this year, it will receive 60% of the funds donated over and above that base figure….a good motivation to make a pledge to the Catholic Appeal  (if you have not already done so ) to support the many vital ministries of our local Church.  A blessed Holy Week to all of you!