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

January 26th, 11:00 AM.   The Parish Office is closed today, but the 12:00 PM Mass will take place.   The parking lot has been cleared of most of the icy sleet cover, but conditions on the lot are still slippery with lots of "black ice" potential.  The walkways leading to the church entrance are cleaered as well, but be careful as slippery patches are likely to form here as well.  Our snow removal contrator will be here later to day to clear the rest of the walkways and the sidewalks around the church property.  23rd Street is clear, but the entrances to the side streets -- and the streets themselves -- are often not clear.    You may contribute to support Our Lady of Lourdes here. 

Stay tuned for the info pertaining to Scouts and OCIA. 

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", or hard-to-see patches of extremely slippery ice, can form anywhere at anytime, even after the snow/sleet have stopped falling and passage ways are cleared.  Be very careful and attentive when walking.   It's best to wear gloves and walk with you hands outside of your pockets.   Be very careful when driving or walking anywhere this week, as "black ice" is likely to form in some places, especially as the sleet congeals.  The temperature will not top freezing this week.       

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