Fr. Tom’s Letters

With all the snow and ice, seems like every Sunday we are all cautious about slipping, sliding, and falling on the ice. Just once for me! Not paying attention down I went on my brother’s front walk.

Similarly, I find it’s been a little difficult to get much traction for the season of Lent. So distracted by the weather, off days, and forecasts, these early days of Lent seem to be speeding by. Hopefully with some warmer temperatures, next week’s arrival of daylight saving time, and the long awaited arrival of spring in three weeks, the parish Lenten activities can help us move forward in a Lenten spirit of prayer, penance, fasting, acts of charity and change of heart, mind, and soul.

MARCH MONDAY’S MISSION FOR LENT

Beginning tomorrow, March 2, at 2:30 in the afternoon and 7:00 in the evening, we will begin a series of Monday Lenten activities. The first three March Mondays in the afternoon and evening we will have a 1 ¼ hour time of prayer. The time if prayer will include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, reflection on the coming Sunday’s gospel and conclude with a decade of the Rosary. This Monday, tomorrow March 2, will focus on the following Sunday’s gospel story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well. We will begin at 2:30 and 7:00PM with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, include a prayerful reflection on the gospel, and conclude with a decade of the Rosary. Monday, March 9 will focus on the gospel of the Man Born Blind and Monday, March 16 will focus on the story of the Raising of Lazarus.

On Monday, March 23, we will celebrate two Masses for the Sick and the Intention of Healing at noon and 7:00PM. These Masses will include the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

On Monday, March 30, we will join with all the parishes in the New York area for the celebration of Reconciliation, Confession, Penance. This will be Monday of Holy Week. Confession is a great way to prepare for the celebration of Holy Week and Easter Sunday on April 5.

Please consider making Lenten Mondays a way of sharing this important season with friends and neighbors of St. Anne’s.

In addition to March Mondays, we are having three daily Masses each Lenten weekday at 7:30AM, 9:00AM, and 5:30PM. On Friday evenings we are having the traditional Stations of the Cross at 7:00PM.

On Saturday morning, March 14, we are having a morning Lenten Men’s Retreat time. Fr. Peter Heiskell, S.M., the chaplain of Chaminade High School and a former St. Anne’s parishioner will be the keynote speaker. This could be a great Lenten activity for dads and their sons.

On Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00PM we will have a special presentation from staff members of Commonweal Magazine, a Catholic lay journal. The presentation will include reflections on our welcome this past year of Pope Leo XIV.

Both the Men’s Retreat and the Commonweal presentation will take place in the St. Francis Ministry Center.

SAINT FRANCIS MINISTRY CENTER

We are back to full time use of the St. Francis Ministry Center. After the flooding and resulting damage from a burst pipe, enough clean-up has occurred that we can safely use the building again. Some repair work still remains, mostly flooring and ceiling. Those using the building need to use some caution. Mats are being used to cover damaged flooring.  Those who have difficulty walking should not walk in the building unassisted. Snow piles have complicated parking accessibility. For organizations hosting a meeting in the St. Francis Ministry Center, each group is asked to have a person at the entrance to offer assistance to those arriving. This would include a person to help others navigate the snow and ice; in addition, persons with walking difficulties may need assistance walking on the temporary mats. Please take seriously this request to post a person at the entrance for the duration of the meeting.

In addition to caution regarding walking, some bathrooms cannot be used. Caution tape and signage will indicate which bathrooms are for women and men. Please observe all of the above. No one who uses the building should go around any of the caution tape. It has been carefully placed for the safety of all.

Hopefully, with winter snowstorms behind us, we can move forward with a fruitful Lent as we also welcome spring.

Peace be with you.