Dear Fellow Parishioners, I am seeking your prayers for me and the other priests of our Diocese who will be on the annual priest’s retreat May 7th to May 12th. We will be on a Guided Retreat presented by Dominican Father Jim Sullivan. Send your prayers toward the Notre Dame Spirituality Center in Ipswich, Massachusetts. A reminder too, that retreats are not just for priests and religious. Taking extended time from our busy schedules to spend time in quiet prayer and reflection is a gift not just to ourselves, but to all the people around us. It is important for all of us to make the time to deepen our relationship with God. The Easter Season goes by so quickly and I often forget to alert you to join me and the universal church in praying the Novena to the Holy Spirit. A Novena is nine days of prayer and can be done as individuals or praying together as a household. It always begins nine days before the Feast of Pentecost, so this year the novena begins on Friday May 19th and will end on Pentecost Sunday May28th. Some of you have copies of the Novena that I have given out in past years. For those of you who do not have a copy you can find it online using this link: https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/novena-to-the-holy-spirit/ Traditionally, the month of May is dedicated to our Blessed Mother. I am encouraging you make an effort to pray the rosary each day if you can. Praying the rosary together as a family really builds strong faith relationships. If you need a rosary for you or family members, let me know and we can make them available. I am looking forward to my retreat and thank you in advance for your prayers for me and my brothers who will be together in prayer. Happy Easter, Fr. Bill