Greetings from Fr. Dave,

Happy Catholic School’s Week!  Each year at the end of January all our parishes take special note of our Catholic Schools and the mission they have.  Over the years I have been a priest this is the 6th Catholic School that I have had the privilege of supporting.  I have become a firm believer in the value of our schools.  Growing up I went to all public schools and was quite skeptical about the purpose and value of Catholic schools as a result.  Seeing first-hand the kind of character building, faith formation, and evangelization that takes place in our schools has made me a BIG believer.  Please look carefully at the bulletin insert this week on our own school here.  Any support you can give will be much appreciated.  Also, note that the annual school auction is coming up in February this year.  This looks like our best auction ever, so get your tickets early!

Please read my “State of the Parish” address.  A lot has been happening and this is my annual letter describing it.  We have quite a parish here and have every reason to be proud of it!  Every week I hear comments from visitors how impressed they are with the vitality of the community.  Amen!

Our Small Faith Communities ministry is hosting a pre-Lent preparation session on Monday evening, January 28 beginning at 7:00pm in the Fireside Room.  It will include a  dessert potluck followed by an opportunity to explore small group possibilities for the Lent season.  All are welcome to participate.  The materials we will be using for the Small Faith Groups during lent are especially good this year.  I strongly encourage you to try out this opportunity for faith growth.  It will help you in having a meaningful and fruitful Lent!

MEN’S RETREAT is this coming Saturday, February 2 beginning with breakfast at 8:00am and concluding with mass at 11:00.  This is an opportunity for men to come and explore ways we can truly be “Men of God”.  Pat Berg and I will be leading the sessions—one on the sanctity of work, and one on the process of balancing out the priorities in our lives.  Come and let the spirit work!  All are welcome (if you are male!).

Congratulations to a number of our Boy and Girl Scouts who receive their Religious Emblems Awards this weekend from Bishop Steiner:  Zoey Anderegg, Erin Crawford, Monica David, Hanna Howard, Meagan Howard, Kathleen Kerbo, Natalie Kochanowski, Salina Long, Lily Nistler, Sydney Ortiz, Beth Ray, and Emily Szekely.

This week funeral services were held for Daniel Zarr.  May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.

The following children were baptized:  Violet Lieu, Xzavier Udasco, Adelaide Coakley, and Kiara Udasco.  Congratulations!!!

Saturday: 5:30 pm
Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:15 am
T, Th, Fr: 8:15 main the chapel
W: 8:45 am school mass in the church

Holy Days: 9:00 am, 7:00 pm

Reconciliation
saturday: 4-5 pm