A big thank you to our Social Activities Committee for a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day dinner last Saturday night.  About 100 parishioners celebrated the holiday together with good cheer and a bit of blarney mixed in!  Thanks also to those who baked goodies and Irish Bread for the occasion.  Have you bought your ticket for our next event yet?  The “Spring Fling” is just around the corner.
     This weekend our Confirmation candidates are experiencing their annual retreat.  These young men and women will be with us at this week’s 4:00 p.m. Mass and we will have an opportunity to pray over them as they continue their journey towards the sacrament.
     Next weekend we celebrate the beginning of Holy Week with Palm Sunday.  At the 10:00 a.m. Mass we will have the solemn blessing of palms and procession around the church to commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.  Please join us a few minutes before 10:00 a.m. at the front doors of the church where palm will be distributed and our procession will begin.  If the weather is poor we will gather in the church hall.
     While the main procession for Palm Sunday will be at the 10:00 a.m. Mass we will also be blessing the palms at the beginning of the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday.  We ask that everyone gather, with palm in hand in the back section of the church for this rite where the palms will be blessed and we will all process from the back into the front section of the church.
     A few weeks ago our Finance Council presented you with our Annual Financial Report and representatives spoke at the masses.  As you know, our finances are very tight. On the revenue side, weekly donations as well as the Grand Annual Collection have not hit expectations.  As for expenses, we are trying very hard to live within our means.  We need your help to keep us financially stable. 
     To keep the staffing and the quality of ministry where we want it to be we must increase our weekly revenue.  Every ministry that flourishes at St. Matthias is dependant upon your donations. Every penny we receive to pay staff and bills comes from your generosity.   If you are able, please assist us in the work of our parish family by increasing your weekly donation.  If you haven’t given to the Grand Annual Collection there is still time.   The life of our parish depends on your generosity.