Dear Our Lady of Lourdes parish family, and happy Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus,

January 26th, 4:30 PM.   The Parish Office will be closed tomorrow, as will Arlington County Public Schools.  We will have our usual 6:45 AM and 12:00 PM Masses this week.  If you attend Mass or come on the parish grounds, please be safe and careful!   

The parking lot is mostly clear, but beware of slippery patches of "black ice".  Walkways leading to the church entrance are clear, but also look out for slippery ice patches.  Our snow removal contractor (Melesio Landscape & Maintenance) has been asked to clear the rest of the walkways around the church and the sidewalks around the church property before sundown today, but this has not been done this yet.   23rd Street is clear, and the intersection of  23rd and Hayes is also clear.   But many side street entrances -- and the streets themselves -- are not clear.    You may contribute to support Our Lady of Lourdes here. 

OCIA is cancelled tonight.

If you wish to meditate on the reading of this week's Masses, you can find them on the USCCB website here.

Please note:  "Black ice" -- hard-to-see patches of extremely slippery ice --  can form anywhere at anytime.  Be attentive when walking.   It's best to wear gloves and walk with you hands outside of your pockets.   Be careful when driving or walking anywhere this week, as "black ice" will form from congealed sleet.  The temperature will not top freezing this week, the lows will be in the single-digits.       

THIS WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 

·      The Bishop’s Lenten Appeal (BLA) has begun.  Please make a pledge here to support our diocesan ministries for evangelization and to support the needy in our area.  Click here to learn more about what the BLA supports. 

·      Join us for brunch after the 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Masses on next Sunday, prepared by The Knights of Columbus.

·      St. Paul says to “Rejoice always and pray without ceasing.” Forty Hours Devotionis an opportunity to spend time with Jesus in silent prayer and meditation on the Gospel.  It begins on Thursday, February 5th with Mass at 7:00 PM.   The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for prayer and meditation all day on February 6^th & 7^th.  See “You’re Invited” on our website to sign up for one or more 30-minute prayer slots.   All are encouraged to take time alone in meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. 

·      RSVP for our Dinner Party celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes after the 5:30 Vigil Mass, Saturday, February 7^th.  See “You’re Invited” on our website to RSVP online.

·      Ash Wednesday is on February 18^th.  And our first Lenten Fish Fry, by the Knights of Columbus, is on Friday, February 20^th at 5:30 PM, before our 7:00 PM Confessions and 7:30 PM Stations of the Cross.   See “You’re Invited” on our website for our full Ash Wednesday and Lent schedule. 

God bless….and stay safe and warm!    

In Christ,  Fr. Edlefsen