Currently, we have a lot happening at the Parish. Yet there are two opportunities that I’d like to profile this week.
Our Women’s Cornerstone Retreat begins tonight (Friday evening, February 23, 2024 into Saturday, February 24, 2024) and the Men’s Cornerstone Retreat will take place Friday evening, March 8, 2024 into Saturday, March 9, 2024. You have probably seen some information on Cornerstone Retreat on the screens, in the bulletin and email blast. I want to be sure you know that it is not too late to sign up for Men’s Cornerstone.
While the Cornerstone retreat provides an opportunity to focus on your faith development, it has also been a wonderful way for both new parishioners and long-time parishioners to come together to deepen their faith and build a strong relationships. This is where some real grace happens.
This can be a stand-alone weekend retreat as well as a place to develop friendships…friendship with the Lord and each other. During the retreat you will hear about the faith journeys from the team who have been planning the retreat during the past year. It is a very down-to earth atmosphere where you can participate as much or as little as you want. To sign up, check our website or stop by reception in the Parish Center.
Among one of our most longstanding Outreach Programs is our Service Auction, where parishioners donate personal services or gifts to be auctioned off. The profits from this auction help fund transitional housing for families who are transitioning from homelessness to living independently.
The funds raised are used to support the Saint Helen House in Elizabeth that we have entrusted to the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless to support homes for low-income individuals trying to get “back on their feet”.
You can play a role by either donating a gift (that is either tangible or expertise-based) that can be auctioned off, by making a donation so that we can purchase prizes, and/or by attending the auction to bid on some of the gifts that have been donated.
The Auction which will be held on Saturday night, April 13, 2024 will be held in our Meaney Parish Center.
These are two opportunities, among the many others here at Saint Helen, to truly enter Lent and make it the best ever.
God Bless You,
Msgr. Tom