The Baptism of the Lord

News and Notes:  I want to announce that Sister Josephine Harty, OSF, has decided to retire as of this past Monday after more than three decades of teaching the 3^rd grade at Our Lady of the Assumption School.  Sr. Josephine has returned to the motherhouse of her religious community in Philadelphia to begin the next chapter of her life and vocation.  As you recall, Sister celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a member of the Franciscan Order in 2014 and just six weeks ago was presented with the Cheverus Award by Cardinal Sean O’Malley for her many years of unassuming and dedicated service to OLA School and Parish.  Hundreds of boys and girls have benefitted from her teaching and example during her ministry, most of them current OLA students and graduates.  We are so grateful to God for her steadfast presence and generous service to our Catholic community.  Join me in offering Sr. Josephine our profound thanks and wishing her good health, much happiness and abundant blessings in the years ahead!   Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Deacon Ed Elibero and his wife Kathy on the death of their son Eddie, who passed away on Christmas Eve…our prayers continue to be with the Elibero family.

If you have not filled out a postcard (located at the entrances of our two churches) with your current contact information, please do so as soon as possible.  Whether you are a longtime or a new parishioner of St. Maria’s or Our Lady’s, we ask that you take a few moments to complete the card and place it in the collection basket or mail it to our Collaborative Office Building, 17 Grove Street in Lynnfield.  Your cooperation with this census project will enhance our capacity to communicate with all the members of our Catholic community.  Also, thanks to all parishioners who have sent in their pledge cards in our ongoing Development Campaign!  If you have not yet made a commitment to the Offertory and Capital Improvement needs of your respective parish, we invite you to do so in the near future so we can plan our budget accordingly.  Both parishes have operating expenses to pay and maintenance needs to address, bills which will only get more expensive as the months and years go by.  Thank you for your generous stewardship of your parish family and spiritual home.  Blessings to all of you in the week ahead!