Msgr. Carroll and his sister will be in Florida visiting their brother and sister in law from 3/21 to 3/28. Fr. Lukasz is in charge.

Kinnelon Library, Saturday, April 8th, 10AM-3PM. Please contact John Ramsden to schedule an appointment at 973-519-3992 or email him at jmram595@optonline.net

Food Drive – Continued collection for Father English, Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women and our local food pantry. Items are due by class on 4/2 and 4/3. We would also encourage the participation of our 9th and 10th grade confirmation students - items are due at the 4/2 class. Any non-perishables are welcomed! There will be collection bins at the school on 4/2 and 4/3. We are always in need of Shop-Rite, Stop and Shop, Staples and Walmart gift cards. Thank you, so much, for your tremendous generosity and support. The families are thankful and truly appreciative of your gifts. God Bless!

Sneaker/Athletic Clothing Drive - please support the Catholic Charities Father English Center! Please consider donating your "like new/gently used" boys, girls, men's and women's athletic shoes/sneakers. The center is in need of all sizes - children to adults. Make sure they are in good condition, rubber band them together and place in a plastic bag. Also, "like new/gently used" athletic branded clothing - t-shirts, shorts, sweatpants, sweatshirts. Please bag clothes separate from the sneakers. The drive is currently underway and items are due by 4/3. There is a box in the rear of the church until 4/2, a box in the school during the 3/26, 3/27, 4/2 and 4/3 CCD classes, a box is also at Kinnelon High School in the lobby until 3/31 and pick up can be arranged by calling 201-486-3236.

Bishop Serratelli has granted a dispensation from the laws of fast and abstinence to all Roman Catholics living in or visiting this diocese on Friday, March 17. This dispensation is given with the strong recommendation that the faithful honor both St. Patrick and this holy season of Lent by some special work of charity or exercise of piety in place of abstinence.

Dear Msgr. Carroll, In response to your email dated Jan. 16, I write to extend your service as Pastor of Our Lady of the Magnificat Parish, Kinnelon, nunc pro tunc. I am grateful for your willingness to assist the diocese by continuing in this assignment. I know this comes from a true concern for the people of OLM and the needs of the diocese. You have continually put the necessities of others before your own. With prayers and best wishes for your continuing assignment, I am sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of Paterson

Commitment Weekend March 11th & 12th This weekend at all Masses we will ask for your commitment to our “Do It for Jesus” Offertory Program. All parishioners are encouraged to increase their offering by 20% to 40% or more if possible. If you didn’t bring the commitment card you received in the mail, another will be provided today in church. We know you will do your best.

While the enthusiasm by the parish for the music ministry is much appreciated, it is important to remember that our choirs are not here to perform a concert. They are here to lift their voices in song to the Lord and in ministry to the parish. Although they do sing an occasional choral selection by themselves, most of the singing is congregational, and all are encouraged to participate. During this solemn season of Lent, we are requesting that parishioners refrain from applauding at the end of Mass.

There have been years when we had 30 singers in our Junior Choir, which sings at the 9:00 Sunday Mass during the school year. This year, because of attrition (many members graduated from the 8th grade last year), and other conflicts the number stands at 16 when all are present. If your child is a singer in grades 4-8, your parish needs them to participate in the Jr. Choir. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30-5:30. The Senior Choir, which regularly sings at the 11:00 Mass, is in need of sopranos and basses, in particular. Experience in choral singing and music reading is not necessary, although it is helpful. Rehearsals are held Thurs. evenings from 7:30-9:00.

Is there someone in your life that you find it hard to forgive? You might be surprised that the most difficult person to learn to forgive maybe yourself. Please join us on Friday, March 24TH at 9:30 am in the Ryan Room as we make a life changing 6-week journey of forgiveness. We will be using a book and study guide called “Everybody needs to forgive somebody”. The book will be provided at the class. Let God’s grace fill you with the gift of forgiveness during this Lenten season. For more information please call Carol Mangani 973-283-2218

Irish Soda Bread kits will be sold at all Masses this weekend for $8 each. Pre-ordered kits can be picked up after Masses. Please make checks payable to R.I.S.E. Thank you for supporting our efforts to help the needy with their homes in New York State this summer!

During these six weeks of Lent we are encouraged to pray harder than ever that the Spirit of God will touch our lives and make them holy. That is, more aware of God’s inspiration.

This week you will receive a brochure detailing the Increased Offertory Program our parish will be participating in over the next few weeks. This informative brochure is intended to communicate the financial needs of our parish and why we are having a dedicated focus on our parish offertory. Commitment Sunday for this Program is March 11 and 12th. We encourage all parishioners to spend time in prayer and discussion with your family reflecting on the parish’s needs and your current level of giving. We look forward to seeing all of our parishioners at Mass next weekend for this very important Commitment Sunday. If you have any questions regarding the Increased Offertory Program please feel free to contact the parish office.

Pilgrimage To The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Fr. Michael Rodak has asked for coordinators from OLM who will act as conduits between Msgr. Carroll and the pilgrimage office and Fr. Rodak, Director of the Diocesan Pilgrimage. If you are interested in helping contact Msgr. Carroll or Lauri at the rectory. The Diocesan Pilgrimage to the national Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC is scheduled for Sat., Oct. 21st. As in the case of previous pilgrimages, we will offer the faithful an opportunity to pray the Rosary and Divine mercy, attend Reconciliation, pray at various shrines and in the blessed Sacramental Chapel. We will end with the Diocesan Mass celebrated by Bishop Serratelli.

First Week of Lent. Encounter Innovation. We encounter the Singh family in India where a mother & father are using innovative farming techniques to feed their family amidst a flood. How is God inviting us to think outside the box in service to others this Lent? Visit crsricebowl.org for more.