Feb 2010
From the Pastor
February/25/2010
We welcome Bishop Barbarito this weekend to our parish to confirm our teens and bring them closer to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. We congratulate our confirmati (Latin for ‘those confirmed’), and pray that they will respond to the promptings of the Spirit in their words and actions! May their parents and sponsors continue to exercise their own special responsibilities in seeing to it that these young men and women stay close to the Lord and demonstrate their loyalty to God and His Church as they continue to develop their Faith.
Our big event of the year is here! The 43rd Annual Parish Festival begins this coming weekend, and I trust you’ll join us on at least one of the days. Bring along your family, neighbors and friends. This event has grown over the years and is a fund-raiser solely for the benefit of our parish school. That’s why we need volunteers (young and not so young) to help us make this another success. The $100 ticket raffle can generate
quite a bit of cash for many winners, including the $25,000 Grand prize! One way to offset the cost of a ticket is to “group purchase” a ticket. Several family members or friends can “chip-in” and buy a $100 ticket. Likewise, there will be various raffle tickets available at a lesser cost. On Thursday, the carnival rides area will be open for a “sneak preview.” This does not include the rest of the festival, but it still benefits the school. Come, join the fun and help support our fine parish school!
This coming Saturday is the First Saturday of the month. Each month we gather at the abortion center in West Palm Beach to pray the Rosary and ask Mary’s intercession to change the minds of those who would snuff out the life of the unborn. We begin at 9:00 am, and the location is next to Wendy’s on 45th St. at Village Blvd. You have permission to park at the Wendy’s lot. We look forward to your sacrificing your time and
joining us for an hour in prayer to end the scourge of the sin of abortion in our society. No amount of political posturing will end it without prayer for God’s help.
As predictable for the past several years, the secular media mostly chose to ignore the largest and longest running march in Washington, DC - this year’s March for Life. Though the media decided not to mention it this year, police estimated some 370,000 to 400,000 Pro-Life protestors descended on our nation’s capital to mourn the 37 years of killing innocent and defenseless unborn babies in the womb! Predictably, our nation’s
Chief Executive had nothing to say to these Pro-Life demonstrators, and even left town rather than be reminded each time he looked out his window and saw well over a quarter-of-a-million people voicing their displeasure at his own administration’s lack of respect for unborn human life, that he would have to someday reconcile his conscience with God’s teaching on human life. What a sad commentary on the situation!
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus and the members of our EDGE Middle School program for their help in putting on successful Fish Fry Dinners on Fridays of Lent. These wonderful organizations will split the profits so as to help each of them run the programs that they do.
In this week’s Gospel, we read about Jesus’ Transfiguration and His conversation with Moses and Elijah concerning His exodus to take place in Jerusalem. Our Lenten journey to the renewal of our baptism on Holy Saturday evening and Easter Sunday is meant to be a rather prayerful experience that prefigures our own transfiguration, and helps us enter into and try to understand Christ’s Paschal mystery. It begins with our celebration of Mass and continues with our own transformation, so that we can go out and witness for Christ in our everyday world. As we approach the days of our upcoming Parish Mission and Retreat (March 14-17), we pray that the time we spend during Lent will bring us to a closer glimpse of God’s glory, and prepare us for the day when we will be able to experience Him in the fullness of that glory.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
Our big event of the year is here! The 43rd Annual Parish Festival begins this coming weekend, and I trust you’ll join us on at least one of the days. Bring along your family, neighbors and friends. This event has grown over the years and is a fund-raiser solely for the benefit of our parish school. That’s why we need volunteers (young and not so young) to help us make this another success. The $100 ticket raffle can generate
quite a bit of cash for many winners, including the $25,000 Grand prize! One way to offset the cost of a ticket is to “group purchase” a ticket. Several family members or friends can “chip-in” and buy a $100 ticket. Likewise, there will be various raffle tickets available at a lesser cost. On Thursday, the carnival rides area will be open for a “sneak preview.” This does not include the rest of the festival, but it still benefits the school. Come, join the fun and help support our fine parish school!
This coming Saturday is the First Saturday of the month. Each month we gather at the abortion center in West Palm Beach to pray the Rosary and ask Mary’s intercession to change the minds of those who would snuff out the life of the unborn. We begin at 9:00 am, and the location is next to Wendy’s on 45th St. at Village Blvd. You have permission to park at the Wendy’s lot. We look forward to your sacrificing your time and
joining us for an hour in prayer to end the scourge of the sin of abortion in our society. No amount of political posturing will end it without prayer for God’s help.
As predictable for the past several years, the secular media mostly chose to ignore the largest and longest running march in Washington, DC - this year’s March for Life. Though the media decided not to mention it this year, police estimated some 370,000 to 400,000 Pro-Life protestors descended on our nation’s capital to mourn the 37 years of killing innocent and defenseless unborn babies in the womb! Predictably, our nation’s
Chief Executive had nothing to say to these Pro-Life demonstrators, and even left town rather than be reminded each time he looked out his window and saw well over a quarter-of-a-million people voicing their displeasure at his own administration’s lack of respect for unborn human life, that he would have to someday reconcile his conscience with God’s teaching on human life. What a sad commentary on the situation!
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus and the members of our EDGE Middle School program for their help in putting on successful Fish Fry Dinners on Fridays of Lent. These wonderful organizations will split the profits so as to help each of them run the programs that they do.
In this week’s Gospel, we read about Jesus’ Transfiguration and His conversation with Moses and Elijah concerning His exodus to take place in Jerusalem. Our Lenten journey to the renewal of our baptism on Holy Saturday evening and Easter Sunday is meant to be a rather prayerful experience that prefigures our own transfiguration, and helps us enter into and try to understand Christ’s Paschal mystery. It begins with our celebration of Mass and continues with our own transformation, so that we can go out and witness for Christ in our everyday world. As we approach the days of our upcoming Parish Mission and Retreat (March 14-17), we pray that the time we spend during Lent will bring us to a closer glimpse of God’s glory, and prepare us for the day when we will be able to experience Him in the fullness of that glory.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
From the Pastor
February/18/2010
Some of our foreign visitors had stopped me to chat after Mass, and inquired whether the rather noticeable early departure right after receiving Holy Communion at Masses here is a custom in our parish. They don’t see that in their country.
Sad to say, it seems to have become one, having a long tradition from the very first Mass at the Last
Supper, when Judas was the first one to leave Mass early. He missed out on the Lord’s blessing (and, obviously, so do many adherents of that same custom). What does it say about our failure to take a few more minutes to express our gratitude for the great gift of the Eucharist? What has become so important in our lives than spending just one hour with Jesus?
Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked Peter and the Apostles, “Could you not watch just one hour with Me?” Did the Scriptures ever record Judas as expressing his thanks for anything that Jesus did for him? Judas had a false concern for the poor, and Jesus’ reply was that “you will always have the poor with you, but Me, you will not have.” I guess the embarrassing answer to our visitors is this: that for some, God’s final blessing is not as important to them as trying to get out of the parking lot early; or getting a place in line earlier for the “early bird special” at the restaurant. What message does this send to the young people? If adults get their priorities messed up, what will follow this bad example? Maybe if we take the time for some deeper reflection upon this during Lent, we might realize that if God is not first in our life, we might be in violation of the very First Commandment: “I am the Lord, your God; you shall not have other gods before me!
Our Forty Hours Eucharistic devotion concludes this Sunday afternoon with a procession of the Most Blessed
Sacrament from the Adoration Chapel to the Church, followed by Benediction just before the 5:30 p.m. Mass.
Thank you for spending time with Jesus in this awesome way!
This week, we will have First Penance and Reconciliation for our little children preparing for their May 8th reception of their First Holy Communion. This first confession of sins demonstrates that, even from a relatively early age, we all need to take responsibility for our faults against the Lord and His commands, and express our sorrow in the Sacrament of Penance, and then fulfill the penance as satisfaction for our sins. In no way should we approach the Eucharist if we are aware of any serious sin until we have been reconciled with the Lord and His people. Otherwise, we would be deepening our sinfulness by sacrilege through unworthy reception of Communion. A further understanding of this teaching was explained in my column in last week’s bulletin.
Several of our younger teens will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at this coming Saturday afternoon’s 5:30 p.m. Mass, when Bishop Barbarito visits us again and prays for the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon them. May that strength given them in this special Sacrament enable them to live out their faith well, especially in view of today’s temptations that pervade our very materialistic society. May they also become good examples of living out the faith by weekly (and not weakly) participation at Mass and the worthy reception of the Eucharist.
We note, with a tinge of sadness, the passing, last weekend, of P. Rose Venezia, a long-time occasional parishioner, the mother of Father Arthur Venezia, Deacon Richard, and most recent parishioner, Robert (wife, Rosemary). Rose was just six weeks shy of her 100th birthday! Please keep her and her family in your sympathetic thoughts and commendatory prayers.
Our Annual Parish Festival is less than 2 weeks away! It is such a major activity of our parish and the Delray
Beach community. If you have not yet purchased your tickets, bought any of the several raffle tickets, or volunteered to serve in some capacity, or donated in some way your time and service, I urge you to consider doing so as quickly as possible.
The festival is our largest fund-raising activity of the year and produces a sizeable income to benefit out parish school. Your support is greatly appreciated by 270 students, several full and part-time teachers and staff, and a lot of parents who are hoping to keep the family part of the tuition as low as possible.
Set your calendars for one more important series of dates: March 14th-17th for our annual Parish Spiritual Retreat. Father John Phelps is grateful for the many responses you gave him during his recent visit to prepare us for his team presentation. It sounds like it will be well worth the time and effort to partake of this Lenten movement closer to the Lord. Make sure that you invite all our family members and Catholic neighbors and friends to join you for that mission.
May God bless you and your families with an abundance of grace during this holy and joyful season of Lent!
Very Rev. Canon Tom
Sad to say, it seems to have become one, having a long tradition from the very first Mass at the Last
Supper, when Judas was the first one to leave Mass early. He missed out on the Lord’s blessing (and, obviously, so do many adherents of that same custom). What does it say about our failure to take a few more minutes to express our gratitude for the great gift of the Eucharist? What has become so important in our lives than spending just one hour with Jesus?
Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked Peter and the Apostles, “Could you not watch just one hour with Me?” Did the Scriptures ever record Judas as expressing his thanks for anything that Jesus did for him? Judas had a false concern for the poor, and Jesus’ reply was that “you will always have the poor with you, but Me, you will not have.” I guess the embarrassing answer to our visitors is this: that for some, God’s final blessing is not as important to them as trying to get out of the parking lot early; or getting a place in line earlier for the “early bird special” at the restaurant. What message does this send to the young people? If adults get their priorities messed up, what will follow this bad example? Maybe if we take the time for some deeper reflection upon this during Lent, we might realize that if God is not first in our life, we might be in violation of the very First Commandment: “I am the Lord, your God; you shall not have other gods before me!
Our Forty Hours Eucharistic devotion concludes this Sunday afternoon with a procession of the Most Blessed
Sacrament from the Adoration Chapel to the Church, followed by Benediction just before the 5:30 p.m. Mass.
Thank you for spending time with Jesus in this awesome way!
This week, we will have First Penance and Reconciliation for our little children preparing for their May 8th reception of their First Holy Communion. This first confession of sins demonstrates that, even from a relatively early age, we all need to take responsibility for our faults against the Lord and His commands, and express our sorrow in the Sacrament of Penance, and then fulfill the penance as satisfaction for our sins. In no way should we approach the Eucharist if we are aware of any serious sin until we have been reconciled with the Lord and His people. Otherwise, we would be deepening our sinfulness by sacrilege through unworthy reception of Communion. A further understanding of this teaching was explained in my column in last week’s bulletin.
Several of our younger teens will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at this coming Saturday afternoon’s 5:30 p.m. Mass, when Bishop Barbarito visits us again and prays for the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon them. May that strength given them in this special Sacrament enable them to live out their faith well, especially in view of today’s temptations that pervade our very materialistic society. May they also become good examples of living out the faith by weekly (and not weakly) participation at Mass and the worthy reception of the Eucharist.
We note, with a tinge of sadness, the passing, last weekend, of P. Rose Venezia, a long-time occasional parishioner, the mother of Father Arthur Venezia, Deacon Richard, and most recent parishioner, Robert (wife, Rosemary). Rose was just six weeks shy of her 100th birthday! Please keep her and her family in your sympathetic thoughts and commendatory prayers.
Our Annual Parish Festival is less than 2 weeks away! It is such a major activity of our parish and the Delray
Beach community. If you have not yet purchased your tickets, bought any of the several raffle tickets, or volunteered to serve in some capacity, or donated in some way your time and service, I urge you to consider doing so as quickly as possible.
The festival is our largest fund-raising activity of the year and produces a sizeable income to benefit out parish school. Your support is greatly appreciated by 270 students, several full and part-time teachers and staff, and a lot of parents who are hoping to keep the family part of the tuition as low as possible.
Set your calendars for one more important series of dates: March 14th-17th for our annual Parish Spiritual Retreat. Father John Phelps is grateful for the many responses you gave him during his recent visit to prepare us for his team presentation. It sounds like it will be well worth the time and effort to partake of this Lenten movement closer to the Lord. Make sure that you invite all our family members and Catholic neighbors and friends to join you for that mission.
May God bless you and your families with an abundance of grace during this holy and joyful season of Lent!
Very Rev. Canon Tom
From the Pastor
February/12/2010
This weekend marks the beginning of the annual FORTY HOURS Eucharistic Devotion in our parish. Introduced into the USA by St. John Neumann, 4th Bishop of Philadelphia, in the 19th century, the devotion rapidly spread throughout the country; but it the South it didn’t take hold until more recently. We will have the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the jeweled monstrance in the Adoration Chapel each day this weekend after the 8:30 A.M. Mass, beginning with Friday morning and ending Sunday evening with solemn Benediction just before the Life Teen Mass. May I encourage you and your family to spend some quality time with Jesus in the Eucharist.
A big and hearty “Thank You” to those Knights of Columbus members, who volunteered the last two Saturdays under the leadership of Grand Knight Chris Grant, to trim the hedges and trees around the church and rectory; they really made a big difference in the way that area looks. We also thank the men and women of our school family, led by Tim & Danielle Marten, who worked so well in putting
on the Spaghetti Dinner last Saturday, at the close of last week’s Catholic Schools Week.
What a wonderful way, combined with the Talent Show our youngsters put on, to bring that celebration to a close. Thank you, too, to David Valdez of Carrabba’s, for donating the makings of that great meal! Don’t forget to patronize his business, too!
Now, we enter the holy season of Lent, beginning this Ash Wednesday (which is not a Holy Day of Obligation). Stations of the Cross will be conducted twice weekly, on Tuesdays at 7 P.M. and on Fridays at 9 A.M.
It might be good to familiarize ourselves again with the regulations and guidelines of the Catholic Church on fasting, abstaining, the Holy Eucharist and Penance, so that we might better plan our observances during this great spiritual season:
Fasting and Abstinence Regulations for Lent Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast (one full meal) and abstinence (from meat). Fasting is observed by all 18 years through age 59. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids (including
milk and juices) are allowed. Two other meals may be taken these days, but should not equal a full meal.
Abstinence is observed by all, once they have reached 14 years of age. Ash Wednesday, ALL Fridays of Lent and Good Friday are days of abstinence. On these days, NO meat/meat products is allowed. Note that when health issues or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. When in doubt, consult your parish priest. Fasting, almsgiving and prayer are the three spiritual disciplines of Lent. All the faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of Baptism at Easter.
Regulations Regarding Eucharistic Fasting and Frequent Reception of Holy Communion Catholics who have made their First Communion are obliged to receive the Eucharist at least once during the Lenten- Easter season. That season extends from Ash Wednesday to Trinity Sunday. Though frequent reception of the Sacrament
Penance is encouraged, it is not obligatory during this season unless a person has committed serious sin.
A person who is to receive the Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception of water and medication, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion. The time of the fast is computed from the time of the completion of the consumption of the food or drink until the reception of Holy Communion.
A person who has received the Holy Eucharist may receive it a second time on the same day only during the celebration of a Mass in which he/she participates. A person may not, under normal circumstances, receive Holy Communion a third time on the same day. The exception would be on a Saturday, if a person receives in the regular morning Mass, then he/she may do so at a Nuptial or Funeral Mass, and again at the Vigil Mass of Sunday. Likewise the custom of receiving Holy Communion at three Masses on Christmas or All Souls Day is not abrogated.
Eucharistic Regulations and Prohibitions In order to be properly disposed to receive Holy Communion, a Catholic who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive
the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental Confession (unless a grave reason is present and there is no opportunity of Confession beforehand). In this instance, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an Act of Perfect Contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible.
We also welcome to our celebration of the Mass those who do not share in the fullness of our faith in Jesus Christ. However, because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life and worship, members of Christian churches with whom we are not yet fully united cannot be admitted to Holy Communion. Yet, we encourage them to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and one another at that time (a spiritual Communion).
Very Rev. Canon Tom
A big and hearty “Thank You” to those Knights of Columbus members, who volunteered the last two Saturdays under the leadership of Grand Knight Chris Grant, to trim the hedges and trees around the church and rectory; they really made a big difference in the way that area looks. We also thank the men and women of our school family, led by Tim & Danielle Marten, who worked so well in putting
on the Spaghetti Dinner last Saturday, at the close of last week’s Catholic Schools Week.
What a wonderful way, combined with the Talent Show our youngsters put on, to bring that celebration to a close. Thank you, too, to David Valdez of Carrabba’s, for donating the makings of that great meal! Don’t forget to patronize his business, too!
Now, we enter the holy season of Lent, beginning this Ash Wednesday (which is not a Holy Day of Obligation). Stations of the Cross will be conducted twice weekly, on Tuesdays at 7 P.M. and on Fridays at 9 A.M.
It might be good to familiarize ourselves again with the regulations and guidelines of the Catholic Church on fasting, abstaining, the Holy Eucharist and Penance, so that we might better plan our observances during this great spiritual season:
Fasting and Abstinence Regulations for Lent Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast (one full meal) and abstinence (from meat). Fasting is observed by all 18 years through age 59. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids (including
milk and juices) are allowed. Two other meals may be taken these days, but should not equal a full meal.
Abstinence is observed by all, once they have reached 14 years of age. Ash Wednesday, ALL Fridays of Lent and Good Friday are days of abstinence. On these days, NO meat/meat products is allowed. Note that when health issues or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. When in doubt, consult your parish priest. Fasting, almsgiving and prayer are the three spiritual disciplines of Lent. All the faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of Baptism at Easter.
Regulations Regarding Eucharistic Fasting and Frequent Reception of Holy Communion Catholics who have made their First Communion are obliged to receive the Eucharist at least once during the Lenten- Easter season. That season extends from Ash Wednesday to Trinity Sunday. Though frequent reception of the Sacrament
Penance is encouraged, it is not obligatory during this season unless a person has committed serious sin.
A person who is to receive the Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception of water and medication, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion. The time of the fast is computed from the time of the completion of the consumption of the food or drink until the reception of Holy Communion.
A person who has received the Holy Eucharist may receive it a second time on the same day only during the celebration of a Mass in which he/she participates. A person may not, under normal circumstances, receive Holy Communion a third time on the same day. The exception would be on a Saturday, if a person receives in the regular morning Mass, then he/she may do so at a Nuptial or Funeral Mass, and again at the Vigil Mass of Sunday. Likewise the custom of receiving Holy Communion at three Masses on Christmas or All Souls Day is not abrogated.
Eucharistic Regulations and Prohibitions In order to be properly disposed to receive Holy Communion, a Catholic who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive
the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental Confession (unless a grave reason is present and there is no opportunity of Confession beforehand). In this instance, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an Act of Perfect Contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible.
We also welcome to our celebration of the Mass those who do not share in the fullness of our faith in Jesus Christ. However, because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life and worship, members of Christian churches with whom we are not yet fully united cannot be admitted to Holy Communion. Yet, we encourage them to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and one another at that time (a spiritual Communion).
Very Rev. Canon Tom
From the Pastor
February/05/2010
Thank you for your support of our Catholic Schools Week programs and the wonderful ways in which we were able to observe it here, in our excellent parish school. The School Open House, Spaghetti Dinner, Spelling Bees, and the various Appreciation Days really set a delightful tone to the entire celebration. Above all, we appreciate your continued support of our special children in such a fine Catholic educational setting. It’s not an easy task to provide for a Catholic institution in this age, so we take great pride in our parish school, its leadership and staff, and all the parents and other parishioners who maintain it. May God bless and prosper our St. Vincent Family!
We are getting close to Lent, and the Lenten observances will include our annual parish retreat, held from March 14th through the 17th. Our parish retreat team, under the direction of Deacon Bruce and Karen Turnbull, is preparing to assist the retreat masters in putting on an outstanding spiritual program during that time. This weekend, Father John Phelps, CSSR, will be speaking at all the Masses to help us make the best use of our time and energy in observing the retreat. I hope that you’ll listen to his preparatory message and schedule those retreat days on your family calendar. I think you’ll enjoy the manner and schema of the program he has set up, especially as he teams up with another priest associate and members of our own parish. This coming Friday, February 12th, through the weekend conclusion on February 14th, we will begin our annual parish observance of the Forty Hours Eucharistic Adoration. It was first introduced to America by St. John Neumann, 4th Bishop of Philadelphia. This devotion gives us a special opportunity to come to pray before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Each morning, after the first Mass of the day, the Holy Eucharist will be brought to the Adoration Chapel in a special monstrance from the main church for you to adore, thanking Our Lord for His blessings upon our families and family life, asking Him to hear our special needs, and asking His pardon for slipping away from the true practices of our Catholic Faith. Each evening, during this time, the Holy Eucharist then will be reposed in the tabernacle of the church. Do you have something special you’d like to bring before the Lord in the Eucharist? This will be the chance!
Congratulations to our high school students who have achieved academic honors this past semester. From Pope John Paul II High School: (Principal’s List: “A” in all subjects) Lindsay Brammer, Hannah Brammer, Hunter Maxwell, Emily Sama; (1st Honors) Claire Brinkman. John Churey, Marrissa LaFontant, Bianca Loreti, Julian Loreti, Nicholas McNamara, Christina Richardson, Michael Scanlan, Stephanie Schappert, Alyssa Skehan, Holly Stryjek, Collin Transleau, Gerald Williston, Katherine Williston, Katherine Youngross; (2nd Honors) Katherine Roussin. From Cardinal Newman High School: (1st Honors) Christine Delgado, Jennifer Grant, Justin Hey, Nicolyn Rohrer, Alec Therien and Lacey Zuccala; (2nd Honors) Allison Swank. We congratulate all of our scholars and encourage those who “almost made the list” to continue in their good efforts to do so the next time!
We’re drawing closer to the parish’s biggest fund-raiser of the year, the 3-day extravaganza we know as the Annual Parish Festival. The proceeds benefit our St. Vincent Ferrer School, and make possible some great Catholic educational possibilities for Delray Beach area families. Our parents and students will be outside the church doors these next few weekends selling the $100 raffle tickets. While it may seem steep for some people, you can consider grouping a few family members or friends together to purchase a ticket. The payoffs start at $25,000, one of the best bargain prizes in this entire area. Won’t you consider helping the cause of Catholic education at our school? It’s deductible on your income tax filing, and you’ll be benefitting so many children.
Thank you for your pledge to the DSA (Diocesan Services Appeal) last week. If you happen to have forgotten your pledge envelope, you can always put it in with the regular collection. We will sort and credit your account with the diocese. Let’s try to reach our goal again this year; you can make it happen! God bless you!
Very Rev. Canon Tom
We are getting close to Lent, and the Lenten observances will include our annual parish retreat, held from March 14th through the 17th. Our parish retreat team, under the direction of Deacon Bruce and Karen Turnbull, is preparing to assist the retreat masters in putting on an outstanding spiritual program during that time. This weekend, Father John Phelps, CSSR, will be speaking at all the Masses to help us make the best use of our time and energy in observing the retreat. I hope that you’ll listen to his preparatory message and schedule those retreat days on your family calendar. I think you’ll enjoy the manner and schema of the program he has set up, especially as he teams up with another priest associate and members of our own parish. This coming Friday, February 12th, through the weekend conclusion on February 14th, we will begin our annual parish observance of the Forty Hours Eucharistic Adoration. It was first introduced to America by St. John Neumann, 4th Bishop of Philadelphia. This devotion gives us a special opportunity to come to pray before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Each morning, after the first Mass of the day, the Holy Eucharist will be brought to the Adoration Chapel in a special monstrance from the main church for you to adore, thanking Our Lord for His blessings upon our families and family life, asking Him to hear our special needs, and asking His pardon for slipping away from the true practices of our Catholic Faith. Each evening, during this time, the Holy Eucharist then will be reposed in the tabernacle of the church. Do you have something special you’d like to bring before the Lord in the Eucharist? This will be the chance!
Congratulations to our high school students who have achieved academic honors this past semester. From Pope John Paul II High School: (Principal’s List: “A” in all subjects) Lindsay Brammer, Hannah Brammer, Hunter Maxwell, Emily Sama; (1st Honors) Claire Brinkman. John Churey, Marrissa LaFontant, Bianca Loreti, Julian Loreti, Nicholas McNamara, Christina Richardson, Michael Scanlan, Stephanie Schappert, Alyssa Skehan, Holly Stryjek, Collin Transleau, Gerald Williston, Katherine Williston, Katherine Youngross; (2nd Honors) Katherine Roussin. From Cardinal Newman High School: (1st Honors) Christine Delgado, Jennifer Grant, Justin Hey, Nicolyn Rohrer, Alec Therien and Lacey Zuccala; (2nd Honors) Allison Swank. We congratulate all of our scholars and encourage those who “almost made the list” to continue in their good efforts to do so the next time!
We’re drawing closer to the parish’s biggest fund-raiser of the year, the 3-day extravaganza we know as the Annual Parish Festival. The proceeds benefit our St. Vincent Ferrer School, and make possible some great Catholic educational possibilities for Delray Beach area families. Our parents and students will be outside the church doors these next few weekends selling the $100 raffle tickets. While it may seem steep for some people, you can consider grouping a few family members or friends together to purchase a ticket. The payoffs start at $25,000, one of the best bargain prizes in this entire area. Won’t you consider helping the cause of Catholic education at our school? It’s deductible on your income tax filing, and you’ll be benefitting so many children.
Thank you for your pledge to the DSA (Diocesan Services Appeal) last week. If you happen to have forgotten your pledge envelope, you can always put it in with the regular collection. We will sort and credit your account with the diocese. Let’s try to reach our goal again this year; you can make it happen! God bless you!
Very Rev. Canon Tom