Pastor's Column 2-11-2024
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February 11, 2024Dear Parishioners,
You might have noticed a garbage bin outside the parish garage. A few weeks ago during one of the severe storms, tiles from the garage roof were blown clean off. I contacted McKenna Roofing who responded quickly and efficiently to replace the roof. Fortunately, our insurance company was able to cover a small portion of the replacement.
This weekend our seminarian Mr. Joseph Mara introduced himself. Joe is a native of New York who came to Rhode Island for work. While here, attending Mass at our parish and at St. John Paul II parish down the road, he discerned that God was calling him to the priesthood. He entered the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence this past winter to see if someday he would be ordained a priest. Please pray for Joe and for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Incredibly the Season of Lent begins this week. It certainly came quickly. It's time to prepare ourselves to once again take up the solemn fast of forty days. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are the pillars of Lent. Here at the parish we have the usual devotions of Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 6pm. This Lent I have added an additional time for Confessions at 6pm on Mondays. An outside confessor will come and hear confessions for the parish. Please consider supporting the Catholic Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl and the Annual Catholic Charity Appeal.
Ash Wednesday is February 14, and it is also Valentine's Day this year. However, it remains an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence. Fasting is required for Catholics aged 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. So remember it's Ash Wednesday when planning for your Valentine.
Happy Lent!
Fr. Barrow
