Our guest speak today is the principal of St. Lawrence of Brindisi parish school in Watts. Lilliam Paetzold-Costanzo is a living example of those helped by the Together in Mission appeal. Her school could not survive without the support of others. So today being Commitment Sunday for Together in Mission, I ask you to do your best with your pledge. We all value education and since a quality Catholic education in a poor neighborhood is a life changing experience for so many, it deserves our support. I expect our guest will make the case for quality education in Watts far better that I ever could. Throughout our diocese there are 61 schools and 35 parishes that will be helped by this appeal. 

The goal for each parish is ten percent of the previous year’s income. In the brochure in last week’s bulletin, for all the parishes of the diocese both goals were listed, this years and last years. You may have noticed that a great many of the parishes had lower goals this year compared to last year. Obviously the current economic situation is impacting our church and the pain is greater in the poorer parishes. Our goal this year is $115,814.40. With all of us working together we will reach our goal. However, since some of our parishioners are affected by the economic downturn, I urge those who are financially able, to do more. Generosity must be part of our faith life. A little or a lot, whatever you give, I am deeply grateful.  

Naturally you may need more time to think about this. Take home the commitment card and bring it back when you are ready. Typically, pledges are made over five months so pray, decide and commit.

God bless you all.
                                                                                             Fr. McNamara

Coming up at St. B's

Reading the Book of Genesis - Part 2: next session Tuesday February 9 at 7pm. Click here for details.

The Book of Jonah: Rabbi Arthur Rosenberg speaks on the Book of Jonah, February 11 at 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall. Click here for details.

ASH WEDNESDAY: February 17. Masses at 6:30, 8:30am, and 7:30 pm.

LENT: Prayer Workshop  Thursday, February 18, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Click here for details.

 Click here for
Parish Forms.

Next Food Gathering:
February 20-21
Please bring your non-perishable items to benefit the Guadalupe Center food pantry.

On Dec. 29, 2009, CFCA President and Co-founder Bob Hentzen launched a 16-month walk from Guatemala to Chile. The trek is called Walk2gether. Hentzen, 73, will walk an estimated 8,140 miles through 12 countries in Central and South America where CFCA sponsors children, youth and the aging. He will be joined on the walk at various points by sponsored members and their families, sponsors and CFCA staff. Walk2gether will help to counterbalance the isolation of people living in poverty, and show them that someone cares.

CFCA is a Kansas City-based international movement serving people living in poverty in 24 developing countries. The organization helps families put food on the table, send their children to school and have a decent place to live so that together, we can end the cycle of poverty. Founded by lay Catholics acting on the call to serve the poor, CFCA serves people of all faiths. To learn more, or to sponsor a child, visit www.cfcausa.org