“I arise today through/God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me/God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to see before me/God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me/God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me/God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to secure me…” – from the Breastplate of St. Patrick

I know, Saint Patrick’s Day isn’t until tomorrow, but if you really thought I was going to let that one slip by without making mention of it, then you really don’t know me.  Besides, the Breastplate of Saint Patrick is, in many ways, a great prayer for Lent.  Each stanza of the prayer begins with the same phrase, which can be translated from Gaelic as “I arise today through” or “I bind unto myself today”.  The prayer then goes on to list all the different things the Apostle of Ireland is calling to his aid: the Trinity, Christ, the Divine attributes, the angels, martyrs, patriarchs, and saints, to name a few.  He then lists what it is he needs protection against: anything that would lead him into sin.  The prayer concludes my once more invoking the Trinity.

Isn’t that what Lent should be about?  Ridding ourselves of attachment to anything other than God, and making ourselves wholly reliant on Him and His grace?  Aren’t we to be arming ourselves with prayer and schooling ourselves through the disciplines of fasting and almsgiving so that we can avoid whatever leads us into sin?  As we get into these final weeks of Lent, may Saint Patrick, Saint Richard, and all our holy patrons intercede for us, that we may celebrate worthily the sacred paschal feasts to come.

Some news and notes…

ADORATION:  We need help covering the 2 PM hour today and we need someone to cover the midnight hour tonight.

PRAYERS:  Please keep in your prayers Georgene Brander-Mion, whose funeral will be celebrated tomorrow.  Also, pray for Al and Thelma Weigand, who celebrate their 60^th wedding anniversary tomorrow, as well.

LENT:  So many good things.  CONFESSION today from 3:00-4:00 PM and again after Stations; CONFESSION tomorrow 3:00-4:30 PM; CONFESSION next Wednesday, 6:00-9:00 PM.  STATIONS tonight at 7:00 PM, with Bishop Zubik presiding.

FISH FRY:  Our world-famous fish fry continues this week.  Lunch available for take-out from 11-2, and dinner is served 4-7.  This week we welcome the bishop and seminarians for dinner.

SEVEN CHURCH PILGRIMAGE:  Spots are still available for the 7 Church tour on Holy Thursday.  Call the office to sign up.

APPALACHIA FUNDRAISER:  Help our Appalachia Mission team with their important ministry and have fun while you do it.  Join us for our first-ever wine and spirits tasting at Greystone fields on Saturday, March 24^th.  Tickets and info are available at: https://goo.gl/PdxvQZ

RUN ACROSS GUATEMALA:  Or, run through North Park.  This 5k run helps raise much-needed funds for the orphanage in Patzun, Guatemala.  The run will be on Saturday, April 14.  There is also a 1 mile walk available.  Registration is at https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/PA/AllisonPark/RunAcrossGuatemala5K

LANDSCAPING:  Boy Scout Troop #344 and The Farbacher Family are looking for a landscape architect or landscaper to help design and install landscaping around the Pavilion that Ryan Farbacher constructed as his Eagle Project.  The landscaping will be funded by donations that were made to Boy Scout Troop in memory of Jeff Farbacher.  The goal is to have the work completed in time for a dedication ceremony in late May or early June as the Scouts before the scouts end their meetings for the summer.  If you are interested, please contact Beth Farbacher at efarbacher@consolidated.net or at 412-327-9820.

BULLETIN:  As usual, the bulletin has even more information that what I’m including here, so be sure to check that out.

I know I’m leaving stuff out.  It’s been that kind of morning.  At any rate, have a great weekend and know that you are loved.  See you at Mass!

Peace,

Fr. Mike