A Catholic Community...

February 26, 2020 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of our Lenten season.  While it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, we hope that you will join us at one of the 4 Masses that we are offering.  All Masses will include the distribution of ashes. 7:00 am at Our Lady Queen of Peace 8:00 am at St. Thomas More 12:15 pm at St. Thomas More 7:00 pm at Our Lady Queen of Peace A Prayer for Ash Wednesday: Merciful God, you called us forth from the dust of the earth; you claimed us for Christ in the waters of Baptism. Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the mark of ashes, and bless our journey through the desert of Lent to the font of rebirth. May our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace; our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts. All that we do and pray is in the name of Jesus, for in his Cross you proclaim your love forever and ever. Amen.

Youth Ministry Service – Souper Bowl of Caring Collection Thank you to those who helped with the Feb 1 & 2 Souper Bowl of Caring collection.  We had about 15 grocery bags of soup and soap donations that families delivered to St Andrews Food Pantry.  That was about 150 items. Thanks for your generosity!   Youth will be involved in Lent with the operation Rice Bowl and will host their Bake Sale for Catholic Relief Service on the weekend of Mar 14 & 15 at all Masses. Another upcoming opportunity will be on Mar 15 - International (Refugee) Dinner - 12 Corners Presbyterian Church - cosponsored with our Outreach Ministry.  Volunteers needed to set up from 2:00-3:00 PM, help with children's activities 3:00-4:30 PM, clean up 5:30-6:30 PM [dinner included]   Our Faith in Action Team for Senior High Continues! Other Service coming up for grades 10-12 Foodlink Warehouse Food Sorting - Wed Apr 8 - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Foodlink Warehouse Food Sorting - Sat Apr 19 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM   Youth Ministry Service and Learning Catechist, Volunteers, and Parent Planning Meeting – March 8 6:00-8:00 PM Our Lady Queen of Peace – all welcome.  Dinner Provided.   Confirmation Update Our Parish youth who will be confirmed this year have a day of preparation on March 14th.  We have almost 40 youth.  Please keep them in prayer as they learn about the Holy Spirit, Saints and other mentors in the faith and about their lifelong vocations in the Christian way of life.  Confirmation is on April 2 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.  We welcome your prayers and if any parishioners wish to support the youth by serving as ushers, or in the choir, please let Colleen Trevisani know.

As part of the legacy of Fr. Tony Valente, pastor of OLQP from 1986-1995, each year, on the anniversary of his death, we recall his compassionate care and outreach to the poor.  The impact of his example on our community has been profound.                   In striving to continue Fr. Tony’s care of the needy, in 1995 the parish established an endowment fund which each year disburses to the poor an amount approved by the finance council.  As we mark the 25th anniversary of Fr. Tony’s death on February 4th, once again, we ask that you consider making a donation to Fr. Tony’s Memorial Fund so that those who come knocking at our door may never be turned away empty handed. We thank God  that the love and compassion of our Lord so wonderfully expressed by Fr. Tony continues through your generosity.  

Come and build into your week some time for a shared meal and community, an opportunity to learn about and exzperience a particular kind of prayer/spirituality from our tradition, and engage in reflection together. The topic for February will be: Discerning God's Will: Part I Tuesday, February 11 from 6:30 - 8:15 pm Please RSVP to Meghan at meghan.robinson@dor.org. Babysitting available upon request. Future dates are: Wednesday, March 18th and Wednesday, April 29th.  We hope to see you there!

Every Tuesday morning, from 9 am - 11 am, a group of dedicated women gather at Our Lady Queen of Peace in the Hospitality Room to serve their community with their needles.  These women are active in their community in many different ways, but enjoy spending a few hours together each week to sit down and chat while their fingers make quick work of the graciously donated yarn that they receive.  Everyone seems to have a niche: some knit, some crochet, some love the color purple, and others hate to work with fuzzy yarn.  Some of the women are parishioners at OLQP, others at STM, and still others outside of our own cluster.  These women support each other in the same tender manner that they support the most vulreable among us.  They have seen each other through life's joys and it's sorrows, all the while, yarn in hand. This year, through their generous donation of time and talent, they have made over 395 sets of items between June and November of 2019!  Some of these sets include a child's sized hat, a scarf and mittens for children attending RCSD School # 34 and Mary's Place.  Many sets of warm winter accessories have gone out to the House of Mercy, among others, to help keep the homeless men and women in our community safe and warm.  The women of the knitting group also make baby blankets and hats for the annual Respect Life Baby Shower in October and lap robes for adults who might be homebound or ill.   If you are interested in joining, please either contact Beth Watkins at h.elizabeth.watkins@gmail.com, or just show up!