Dear Parishioners,
 
Lent....a time for spiritual growth and enrichment!  The word Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning "springtime."  Traditionally during Lent, we are asked to pray, fast, and give to the poor.  "Rice bowls" are available for your contributions to help feed the hungry.  What extra things will you be doing for Lent?  More praying?  Perhaps some spiritual reading? As we journey together toward Easter, let us continue to pray for one another that we will be faithful followers of the Gospel.

Today we celebrate the Rite of Sending and Enrollment for our catechumens who have been learning about our Catholic faith since early Fall.  During this Rite, the catechumens reaffirm their intention to continue with final preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation, and their sponsors attest to their readiness.  After signing their names to our Parish Book of Enrollment, they will travel in the afternoon to the Cathedral to be formally introduced to Bishop Cunningham and the Diocese of Syracuse.  After their names are read aloud to the congregation, they will sign the Diocesan Book of Enrollment and be welcomed to the church by the Bishop.  It is at this point that they will no longer be referred to as catechumens, but rather as the Elect.

A sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU to Dave & Pam Basile, The Central City Crew & Steve Lundberg for providing us with another great spaghetti dinner last week.  This event would not be possible without the assistance of so many parishioners: ticket sellers, student coordinator and student servers, coffee people, set up crew, clean-up crews, dish washing team, ticket takers, and take out assistants.   A special Thank You to DaQuon! 
Elaine Kozub, dinner chairperson.

Our Women’s Morning Retreat will be held on Saturday, March 16^th at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room. The Men’s Spiritual group will also meet on Saturday, March 16^th at 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall.

Our Pastoral Council will meet on Monday, March 18^th at 6:30 p.m.  Any parishioner is welcome to attend.

IGNITE MEN'S CONFERENCE - this annual event brings together about 1,000 men from all over our Diocese for a day of reflection, inspiration, and prayer.  This year it will be held on Saturday, March 30th at the SRC Event Center at Onondaga Community College. For more information and to register, go to www.ignitecatholicmen.org
 
Many thanks. God Bless You, Fr. Paul J. Alciati