Dear Brothers and Sisters,

February is a very active month in our Cathedral Parish as we close in to the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 6^th. We begin celebrating women and men in Consecrated Life such as our Religious Sisters (Sisters of Christian Charity: Sister Mary Elizabeth, Sister Maria Lan, Sister Bridget and Sister Mathilde, and Felician Sisters: Sister Michaelita and Sister Lynn Marie). We offer our prayers for their vocations at the Noon Mass on Sunday, February 3^rd.

We are, of course, continuing our diocesan Year of Consecration through Our Lady of Guadalupe by reciting our prayer to her at each Mass and by taking part in the various activities leading up to December 12, 2019 when Bishop Checchio will close the year. (Click the image to the right to learn more).  We encourage our families to welcome the Travel Kit into your homes. A schedule of availability will be announced for you to volunteer. All of this will hopefully rededicate ourselves to closeness with our Lord and his Church. 

Bishop Checchio will also solemnly observe the Respect for Human Life on Sunday, February 10^th at the Noon Mass when he will also present the distinguished Pro Vita Awards to people throughout our diocese who have heroically distinguished themselves defending and promoting the respect for human life. On the same day from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M., our Music Director Thom DeLessio will provide a demonstration of our newly restored pipe organ.

Our children will receive their First Penance on February 22^nd and 23^rd. We should keep them and their families in our prayers. It also affords us the opportunity to renew our gratitude to our Lord for this most merciful Sacrament by receiving it ourselves and to resolve to celebrate this holy Sacrament at least monthly. There is none of us not in need of God’s mercy, and there is nowhere else we can experience so much love from our Lord. Let us not turn our backs on so beautiful a gesture and on the opportunity to receive the Sanctifying Grace.

Please bring your children to Mass and to visit the Blessed Sacrament other times. They are always most welcome at Saint Francis. We pray for them to grow in an appreciation that our parish is their spiritual home.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

In Christ’s service,

                                                              
Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Zamorski
Rector