Prayers are working. Our 88 year old Holy Father who just celebrated his 12th anniversary as Pope last Tuesday is recovering from double pneumonia.  After more than a month in the hospital, things are beginning to look up, but could change at any moment due to the delicate nature of Pope Francis’ age and overall health.  Please continue to lift him up in prayer.

Lord Mighty God, bestow healing and strength upon our Holy Father Pope Francis that he may continue to guide and govern the Church according to Your holy will. 

Confirmation students will be having their second mini-retreat this Sunday, March 16 from 12-2pm at St. Mary’s in Star Hall, which is directly below the Church.  The meeting begins with lunch. 

Here is the Lenten Regional Penance Service Schedule:

FATIMA:               Thurs April 3, 7pm

ST. RITA:              Mon April 7, 7pm

QUEENS:             Wed April 9, 7pm

ST. JOHN:            Thurs April 10, 7pm

ST. MARY:            Sat April 12, 10am

Confessions are available every Saturday morning at St Mary from 10 – 11am and every Saturday afternoon at Queens from 3:30 – 4:30pm.  Or by appointment. 

Join us for Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 7pm.  All are welcome to pray the stations with the school children at 2:15pm on Friday March 7 and 14 and April 4 and 11. For those looking to do something extra this Lent, you might consider spending more time praying in church or the chapel or perhaps attend a daily Mass during the week in addition to Sunday.

Wednesday Night Soup Suppers in the school cafeteria occur on March 19, 26 and April 2.  With the Pope’s health being so much in the news as of late this year’s focus will be on the Papacy.

March 19:  Notable popes in history (Cheeseburger Soup)

March 26:  The conclave and how a pope is chosen (Beach Bar Tomato Soup)

April 2:  My memories of being in Rome for the 2005 conclave (Gnocchi Soup)

THE 2025 DIOCESAN SERVICES APPEAL is underway.

Here is a DSA pledge total update as of March 14th:

Pledged:  $119,877 (54% of goal)

Donors:  281 (18% of parishioners)

Average gift:  $430

Amount left to goal:  $100,337

DSA accounts for 2/3 of the diocesan operating budget and funds 100 programs and ministries that are vital to the ongoing work of the church across the Diocese.  Queens’ goal is $220,214 to help the Diocese reach its goal of $5,750,000.  Anything we raise over goal is split 50/50 with the Diocese. 

DSA helps Catholic Charities achieve its mission to life up the least among us.  It pays for the care of our future priests and senior priests, prison and jail ministry, outreach to the elderly and the homebound, pro life, marriage and family ministry, and so much more.  

May our Lenten Pilgrimage lead us through the sufferings of Calvary to the glories of Easter and the promises of Heaven and Happiness.  

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching” (Heb 13:8-9).

Fr. Tim MacDonald

Pastor