Hello everyone! It has been cold and I hope that you’ve been able to stay warm this week. Hang in there as it looks like some warmth is coming (at least it will be above freezing!). Any bets on how long the big piles of snow will last? I’m betting on May 1^st. When I was in my first year of theology at Pope St. John XXIII seminary in Boston, we had 10 feet of snow that winter and the mounds of snow were still there in the summer! 

Below, you will see my old truck covered in snow, the windows of my room at the seminary, and outside my windows as I dug my way out (for the fun of it). 

This week, we pray for the repose of the soul of Philip Quattrocchi, long-time parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes, who lived in the house across the street from the church until he passed away this past Wednesday, February 17^th. The funeral liturgy will be outside of Mass (the change was made after the obituary was published). The following is his obituary: https://www.hansonneelyallison.com/obituary/philip-quattrocchi

Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Stations of the Cross are taking place at both parishes each Friday beginning this evening during Lent at 6pm. 

We are honored to have Bishop Brennan come say Mass at ICC this Sunday for the 9am Mass. I was asked this past Wednesday if he could come. I am not sure if this is part of his regular Sunday rotation visiting different parishes or if this is because we are taking part in the 40 Days of Adoration initiative with the diocese. Since our day is on Sunday, he may want to be here to help kick it off. The 40 Days of Adoration started on Ash Wednesday. We give him a warm welcome as he arrives. 

We will still end Mass with Exposition according to the plan. Immediately after the prayer after communion, we should kneel as he exposes the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance upon the altar. There is no final blessing at the end of Mass. The Bishop will come down to incense the Blessed Sacrament and we will sing O Salutaris Hostia. The hymn sheet will have that listed as the final hymn so we can all sing together. After the singing and incense, the Bishop (and the deacon and I) will then proceed to the sacristy and then you are free to leave quietly. You are welcome to stay to pray, however. Any conversations should be delayed until you are outside the church. 

Please sanitize your pew before you leave because others who come in to pray later might sit in your seat. The best way is to use the sanitizing wipes that will be available near the entrance of the church. Be attentive to sanitizing anywhere that your hands may have touched – the back of the pew in front of you and your seat. 

As you leave, a respectful and reverential gesture towards the Blessed Sacrament is to get on one’s knees and bow before getting up and leaving. Some may only be able to remain standing and give a head nod. Whatever one can do to acknowledge the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament fosters love and devotion towards Him. Perhaps a prayer of “I love you.” or “Thank you.” or “My Lord and My God.” could be a good offering to Him as well. 

Some keys were found in the parking lot of OLL after the Ash Wednesday evening Mass. It has a medal of Our Lady on it. Please email me or the office to get your keys back!

I sent a Flocknote out a couple of weeks ago about fake emails, but I wanted to give an example of what the emails might say so that you can be on alert to not respond to them and to just delete the emails. I said the email address name might say “Fr. Ed Shikina” but the email address will not be from eshikina@columbuscatholic.org. However, you might not be able to see the fake email address so here is an example of what the email itself might say based on a real phishing email: 

“May the Lord Almighty be with you.
 Hello
 How are you doing today?
 Do you have a moment I have a request I need you to handle discreetly.
 I am going into a meeting now with limited phone calls,so just reply to my email.
 Let me know when you are available
 i will be glad if you reply to this email as soon as it gets to you.
 Blessing”

Please note that I would never speak in such a vague manner, or ask for gift cards or money in this way. If you have any questions about an email, you may email me separately or call the office to verify that it really came from me. 

Every parish in the diocese has been asked to survey their parishioners. Please see the Flocknote from this past Wednesday explaining the parish survey. It takes 10-15 minutes to complete and we ask everyone to please take the survey (all adults in the household who are engaged with the parish should take the survey). The surveys are confidential and the easiest way to take the survey is online at: https://www.catholicleaders.org/columbusdmi and then select the parish. Please call the office if you need a paper survey.

As part of our almsgiving practice, each parish will donate $520 to the Love Luggage project in Lima which gives children items that they need if they are removed from their homes and put into foster care. Items that are given to them are such things as toiletries, books, and toys. For the last 15 years, Allen Lima Leadership has been putting together the “luggage” (backpacks) for these children with around $40 worth of items. Each parish will be helping with backpacks for 13 children to help fill the need for 120 children. 

One of the precepts (laws) of the Church is that we should go to confession at least once a year. Please make every effort to go at least once a year to confession. Remember that the Sacraments themselves are given to us by Jesus as a way to give graces to help us. That means he wants us to receive the Sacraments and to receive them often if we can. The Church’s precept on this is an encouragement to us rather than a burden. 

The weekend of February 20-21 is the Black and Indian Missions Collection. This collection helps impoverished communities among the Black, Indian, Inuit, and Aleut peoples in our country. These communities exist in almost every archdiocese and diocese in the United States. Missionary priests, religious brothers and sisters, catechists, and devoted lay people work tirelessly in parishes, missions, and reservations to bring the light of Christ to these communities. You may also donate through our website's giving page. Click here for the flyer (Eng & Spanish). 

Attached is this weekend’s worship aid, the bulletins, Men’s and Women’s Conference, 40 Days of Adoration, Sharing Our Story.   

The live-stream of the Mass will take place this weekend from ICC at 9am.  

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!      

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us!   

God bless!      

Fr. Ed