Message from the Pastor

Dear Friends,

Happy Easter! Our newly lighted Paschal candle will be burning brightly for the Easter Season. ALLELUIA, Christ is risen! Christ, our light has come! It is a wonderful day to say and sing, Alleluia, Alleluia. This beautiful response has been restored to our Mass. We have been waiting for this day since we began lent on Ash Wednesday. Our fifty days of reflection and reconciliation are over and we can proclaim our Alleluias with all Christians around the globe.

Each of us can celebrate as we join our family and faith community to celebrate the gift of our Risen Lord. We can share Christ’s great victory over sin and death by participating in our liturgies throughout the Easter Season.

We welcome those who come to join us from far and near to celebrate their Easter joy. These days are special days because we establish our identity as Catholic Christians at this the holiest time of the year. All of our Easter day liturgies are offered for our parishioners and their families both living and deceased. Let us pray for one another as a parish family during the beautiful Easter season.

I wish to thank all who led and participated in and made our Holy Week and Easter liturgies so very special and spiritually enriching.
May God’s most abundant blessings be showered on you during this Easter Season!

Father Joe

     4:45 P.M.
     Evening Prayer/Benediction/Closing

Please join this powerhouse of prayer to the Lord.  We need additional members in the early hours of the afternoon.

 RICE BOWL RETURNS

There are containers in the rear of the Church to collect your Rice Bowl offering boxes. This is the annual Lenten Almsgiving offering and it goes to feed the hungry.  We shall send the returns to the diocesan office for distribution to Catholic Relief Services.

2008 Annual Bishop’s Appeal
“Bringing Hope To Those In Need”
The Annual Bishop’s Appeal (ABA), which supports the work of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Norwich, will be conducted in every Parish over the next few weeks.  The ABA is not just another collection.  It is a unified effort in which all Catholics of the Diocese of Norwich join together to further the mission and ministry of the Catholic Church in eastern Connecticut.  The Appeal gives us a chance to share God’s love for us by extending that love to others.   We are one faith, one family.
In the next few weeks you will be receiving a letter, brochure and pledge envelope from Bishop Cote. Please take the time to prayerfully consider what you are able to give in support of our Diocesan Church.

Help is Needed!

See Posters on Bulletin Board regarding the following:
*Position now available – The Diocese of Norwich seeks a full time Director of St. Vincent de Paul Place in Norwich.
*18th Annual White Mass & Brunch for Healthcare Workers & Caregivers of all faiths, Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 9:00 AM at Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich.
Outside the Parish
Easter Sunday Brunch at Immaculata, Willimantic.  After celebrating Easter Sunday Mass at OLPH on March 23, 2008, enjoy a grand buffet at Immaculata Retreat House in their dining room prepared by their own chef Steve.  2 Seatings available by reservation:  11:30 AM and 1:00 PM.  Donations:  Adults $15.00  Children 12 & under $7.00.  Children under 6 – FREE.  For reservations call 860-423-8484.

Spring Polka Dance to Benefit St. Joseph School in Norwich will be held Saturday, April 19th  at Moose Hall in Bozrah.  Doors open at 4 p.m.  Polish dinner buffet with homemade desserts and coffee from 4:30 till 10 p.m.  Dancing to Dennis Polisky & Maestro’s Men.  $25.00 per person.  For info and tickets call Terry at 908-0774.

Thirteenth Annual Secretaries Mass, Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 12:10 p.m., Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich.  Celebrant:  Bishop Cote.  Homilist:  Father Reilly, Secretary to Bishop Cote.  Following the Mass a complimentary luncheon will be served.  For reservations or more information call 887-9294, ext. 234 or call Peggy at the Rectory 443-1875.

Announced Masses

Monday, March 24th      Easter Monday
7:30 A.M. Roseanne Johnson 
                     (Bishop Flanagan Ministry Center Staff)
Tuesday, March 25th      Easter Tuesday
7:30 A.M.  Donna Callicut  (Jane Browne)
Wednesday, March 26th   Easter Wednesday
7:30 A.M. Parishioners of OLPH
Thursday, March 27th    Easter Thursday
 7:30 A.M. Special Intention            
Friday, March 28th    Easter Friday
 7:30 A.M.   Easter Flower Memorials