Fifth Sunday of Lent

News and Notes:  Bravo to Jayson Cote and our leaders of song (Holly Cameron, Jim Dennis, Grace Ferri, Andrea Gagnon, and Stephanie Scarcella) along with our guest musicians all of whom presented a marvelous concert on Sunday, February 21 at St. Maria Goretti Church.  This talented ensemble performed an amazing variety of music, from Rachmaninoff and German Opera selections to pop music favorites by the Beatles, Sting and Eric Clapton.  Next weekend, during which we will celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, we will have registration for the 2016-2017 Religious Education classes in both parishes.  I encourage all parents with children entering first grade through tenth grade to register their sons and daughters after Mass.  The SMG and OLA Finance Councils have approved the registration tuition of $135 per child, and $350 max per family for the coming year.  This figure is slightly higher than last year, but still only pays a portion of the total cost of our program (salaries of coordinators, books, supplies, utilities, etc.), a program which provides excellent faith formation for our younger children and teens.  The 2016 Catholic Appeal is underway.   We are off to a very good start in both parishes:  as of March 1, SMG parishioners had pledged $8,945, which is 32% of their goal of $27,797; and OLA parishioners had pledged $17,875, which is 33% of their goal of $54,938.  If you have not made a pledge already, you can pick up a pledge envelope available at the entrances of our churches or go to our website and click on Catholic Appeal.  Thanks to all those who have donated to the 2016 Catholic Appeal thus far and blessings to all of you in the Lenten week ahead!