As we begin this Lenten Season, I want to take some time to reflect and to update you on happenings in the parish. First of all, a long overdue thank you to everyone who made our Advent and Christmas season a truly lifegiving experience of prayer, song, and beauty. Our choir concert was spectacular, uplifting, and drew one of the largest crowds ever! Thank you Dr. John Michniewicz, Nancy Leville, our children’s and adult choirs, soloists, instrumentalists, and our wonderful music patrons who helped us to celebrate the Newborn King on that day and all of our December days of worship together. To our Knights of Columbus and other volunteers who put up our creche in its new (temporary?) location: thank you for always stepping up these many years, no matter what the weather. What a crowd we had for the living nativity! Our Confirmation candidates did a great job of drawing us into the peaceful scene in Bethlehem. The church Christmas decorations were very special this year, and we received so many compliments. John, Judy, and Gregg Strba of Gregg’s Landscaping created an environment of wonder and awe that evoked so much joy. Thanks also to Trisha Albus and her merry and dedicated band of helpers who fashion flower arrangements, tend to the watering and trimming, and ensure that our altar coverings are adjusted to the proper season, cleaned and pressed. As you can tell, it takes a bit of a village to maintain a sanctuary!

Ash Wednesday saw very large crowds all day long. My apologies if you encountered parking challenges; the company that manages the commuter parking in our lot experienced a glitch and did not inform the customers that the lot was not available. We have a guarantee that the lot will be all ours on Good Friday. In case you didn’t know, “Boxcar” manages commuter parking in our lot and it is a good source of income for the parish. When we have a large funeral or other event, we can “turn off” the parking so the lot is for parish use exclusively.

If you haven’t picked up your copy of “Ashes to Easter” (our parish guide to all that is going on in our parish and nearby to draw us more deeply into the suffering dying, and rising of Jesus), read it online or grab a copy from the back of the church. The “Little Black Books” daily devotionals were very popular and we ran out. We ordered an additional 250 copies, and they should be here in about a week.

The campus project is on schedule. Some of the steel framing will arrive next week and concrete pouring will begin the week after. It will be wonderful to see the buildings going up! We have raised $19.8 million toward our goal of $26 million. If you haven’t had a chance to participate in this exciting endeavor, send me a message directly (frrob@starcc.com), and I’ll supply all the info you need. Please continue to pray for the success of the project.

The Saint Aloysius Catholic Preschool will become a reality in 2025. When you receive a questionnaire about preschool needs, please respond; you’ll be contributing to the success of a thorough and essential feasibility study. The preschool study committee is a group of knowledgeable, experienced, and energetic parishioners. They will provide the guidance I need to make the preschool a true success that does the best job possible of bringing Christ to very young hearts and their parents.

That’s enough for now, except to say that Father Bob, Father Dave Franklin, Father Flavian, and I pray for you every day. May the Lord bless you throughout the grace-filled Season of Lent!