Dear Parishioners,
 
We are coming up to a very strange anniversary.  On the 16^th of March last year, we had our big shut-down and our lives were changed in so many ways.  However, through grace, prayer, courage and modern medicine, we are now beginning to regain
a sense of normal life.  For those of us who have been vaccinated, while taking precautions, we can live without the fear of severe illness or death.  For those who have not been vaccinated, we hold them in prayer.  I hope that very quickly all teachers and those who work in education can be vaccinated so that soon our schools can be open five days a week and the lives of children and young people can return to normalcy. 
 
Last year as with this year, all of our parades were cancelled for St. Patrick’s Day but, of course, our high holy day is an important day for those who are Irish and for all those who are Irish by association!  If you are free, please join us for mass at
9 am and please God, next year we will be able to have an Irish coffee toast after mass.  To cheer everybody up, I purchased
a cute enormous Irish hat.  For those of you who watch mass virtually, you will be able to see it in the bulletin this week. 
Just to cheer us all up that the pandemic is on the way out and Spring is on its way!
 
This coming Friday, we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mother.  We will celebrate Mass of St. Joseph at
9 am and 7 pm.  We invite you to write in an intention for a living or deceased loved one for these special masses.  You will have seen the information in the bulletin last week.  This information is also in the narthex and online on the Home page.  Please hand in your intentions no later than Monday evening, March 15^th.  During this year of St. Joseph, we celebrate his life as a husband, father and role model.  In the coming months, I will explain how we can learn from St. Joseph as a man of faith, a role model for men of all ages, families and as patron of the universal church.  During this month and the month of May, we look forward to encountering this holy man, St. Joseph, who trusted in the Father and helped raise the Son under the direction of God the Father.  The son, Jesus, who grew from babyhood to boyhood to adulthood under the direction of St. Joseph.  
 
As I write this article on Monday, I am hoping that the confessions planned for Wednesday will be well attended. 
Do remember, Monday confessions continue on March 15^th and 22^nd and Saturday confessions continue on
March 20^th and 27^th and April 10^th.  On March 29^th, we, the priests of our diocese will concelebrate the Chrism Mass with Bishop Kevin at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson.
 
Many people have asked when I will resume Prison Ministry.  I began last Tuesday celebrating mass virtually for the inmates
of Morristown prison.  Fr. Alex and I look forward to the day when we will again be allowed physically in the building.  Please keep prisoners in your prayers these days as the isolation they feel from their priests and church is both lonely and difficult.
 
I am happy to welcome our girl scouts to be leaders of prayer at the 11:30 am mass and thanks to Mrs. Meehan and all of the scout leaders who helped to facilitate this.
 
I am thrilled to welcome Fr. Mike to preside at the 11:30 am mass on this Sunday, March 14^th.  Fr. Mike celebrates his 77^th birthday on March 13^th.  Happy Birthday, Fr. Mike.  I look forward to taking him to lunch after mass and to raise a glass to his health.
 
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Happy St. Joseph’s Day!

Fr. Owen