First Sunday of Lent

News and Notes:  Many thanks to Donna Hegan, Patty Glennon, Michelle Cullinane, Marie Lagman and all those individuals who contributed in any way to organizing the Wine Tasting social at St. Maria Goretti Church Hall on February 7.  The Hall was beautifully decorated, the six course meal served Tapas style (small servings) was delicious and the accompanying wine was flowing that night!  Thanks also to JJ Kenney and Dan Whelan, our Collaborative Facilities Team, for tending to leaks in the Hall, hanging lights, and in general, readying the space for this festive occasion.  Thanks as well to Brandi Foods of Danvers for catering what was truly a wonderful event.  In addition, Donna Delahanty, Steve Gannon, Caterina Benitez and Francis Pham contributed to this adult social by providing a simultaneous babysitting service in the OLA Church Hall.  Staying on the topic of dining, at the invitation of Sosio Cristofaro, the new General Manager of the Ship Restaurant on Route 1, I went to bless this eatery recently.  Francis Pham, our seminarian intern, accompanied and assisted me.  If you would like one of the priests or deacon to bless your home or office, contact us and we would be happy to oblige, depending on our schedules.  I encourage you to offer your response to the six questions posed on the Summary Sheet concerning the Synod of Bishops’ deliberations on the topic of Marriage and Family Life.  You can email them to Donna Delahanty at [email protected] by this Wednesday 2/25.   Don’t forget to join us on March 1-3 for our Collaborative Mission, a good way to enter more deeply into our observance of Lent.  Blessings to all of you in the Lenten days ahead!