Easter Sunday

News and Notes:  Join us next Sunday afternoon, April 3 at 3PM for our observance of Divine Mercy Sunday at OLA.  Thanks to Lynn Walton for her leadership role in organizing this prayer service, which will include Eucharistic Adoration and the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.  We are grateful for the variety of Lenten events that were offered in our two parishes this year, among them: the Collaborative Mission and the presentation of the “Pope Francis Effect” in February at OLA; and the Music Ministry Concert in February, along with a night focused on the Story of St. Maria Goretti’s Life, the Witness Talk evening, and the Jewish-Catholic interactive session on the Seder Supper and the Easter Vigil in March.  Thanks to Donna Delahanty and Donna Hegan for arranging and organizing these formative events for us!  Fr. Tony and I are very grateful for your support of the Clergy Funds Collection this Easter weekend…the proceeds will go to help meet the retirement, medical and financial needs of the priests of the Archdiocese, of whom we are two.  If you wish to make an Easter gift to your parish, please put it in a clearly marked envelope that makes your intention known to us.  Here is a 2016 Catholic Appeal update:  as of March 15, OLA parishioners had pledged $21,970, which is 40% of their goal of $54,938; and SMG parishioners had pledged $14,110, which is 51% of their goal of $27,797.  Many thanks to all who have made a donation to this year’s Appeal, which supports over 50 Central Ministries provided by the Catholic Church in eastern Massachusetts, including the College Campus Ministry, the Pro-Life Ministry and the Pastoral Outreach to the Sick and Homebound.  If you have not yet made a pledge commitment, fill out one of the pledge cards at the entrances of our churches or go to www.bostoncatholicappeal.org and make a pledge.  Our Pastoral Team wishes you a joyous Easter Season!