IN YOUR CHARITY PLEASE PRAY FOR The sick, homebound and hospitalized . . .

Marianne Brewer, Laura Callan, Louis DePetris, Diana Dunn, Eric Ern, Pat Kass, Carlito Lalicon, Barbara Lazaro, Tara Lockwood,

Richard Marini, Dorothy Rondash, MaryBeth Marini Ruff, Kathy Turso, John Varrone, Laura Velez, Robert Webb All Our Faithful Departed Loved Ones . . .

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017

First Sunday of Lent

Sunday, March 5, 2017 8:00AM Adrian Fernandes 9:30AM People of the Parish Family Mass Girl Scout Blessing 11:00AM Collective Mass Offered For:

Peggy Coughlin-7th Anniversary, Diana Bobadilla, Robert Gaglin, Renee Williams, Marie Elyse Millus,

John Strein, Frank Tench, Joseph Sarlo, Shelia Davidson, Bobby Jacobs

12:30PM Charles F. Harms Rite of Election 5:30PM Steven Joseph - Living

Monday, March 6, 2017 9:00AM Leo Campbell 11:30AM Rosary Society 12:00PM Carmen Campisi

Tuesday, March 7, 2017 9:00AM Helen Dubalan 12Noon Patrick & Mary O’Boyle & Family 4:00PM First Penance Rehearsal

Wednesday, March 8, 2017 9:00AM Rosemarie Ruckel 12Noon Al Alaggia

Thursday, March 9, 2017 9:00AM Edna Grisaitis 12Noon Fred Striffler 12:30PM Adoration until 4 PM

Friday, March 10, 2017 9:00AM Philip Mannooparambil 12Noon Deacon Hank Smith - Living

Saturday, March 11, 2017 9:00AM Rose Kane - 15th Anniversary 9:30AM Stations of the Cross 11:30AM First Penance 1:30PM First Penance 5:00PM Purgatorial Mass 6:30PM Latin Rite Catholic Mass in Malayalam

Sunday, March 12, 2017 8:00AM Caroline Dorsch - 1st Anniversary 9:30AM James Scahill First Communion Preparation Mass 11:00AM Collective Mass Offered For:

William Brown, Jasmine Joseph, Robert Woltman, Kochuthresia Thomas-Birthday Remembrance, Shelia Davidson, John Sullivan, Linda Meyer,

Erlinda Torres, Brendan J. Dugan, Sister Marie Mahony, C.S.J.

12:30PM People of the Parish 1:30PM Respect Life/Rosary 5:30PM Selwyn Henry Marakacherry Birthday Celebration

THIS WEEK AT OLS

Sunday, March 5 - Food Pantry Sunday 7:00AM .......... Blood Drive Set-Up................................................. WR 9:00AM .......... Blood Drive ............................................................. WR 10:30AM ........ Faith Formation Classes Pre-K-8............... School.GR 10:30AM ........ Faith Formation Confession Grade 7 ..................... PO Monday, March 6 12:30PM ........ Rosary Society ....................................................... GR 7:30PM .......... Parish Pastoral Council ........................................ PMR Tuesday, March 7 7:40AM .......... Children’s Choir ................................................ Church 9:30AM .......... Bereavement ........................................................ PMR 4:00PM .......... First Penance Rehearsal .................................. Church 6:30PM .......... Girl Scout Troop 4045 ............................................ WR 7:00PM .......... HAA Executive Board Meeting ..........................School 7:30PM .......... Evangelization Committee ................................... PMR Wednesday, March 8 9:00AM .......... Confirmation Retreat .............................................. GR 7:30PM .......... Irish Breakfast Preparation................................... PMR 7:30PM .......... R. C. I. A. ...........................................................School 7:45PM .......... Baptism Preparation Class............................... Church Thursday, March 9 6:45PM .......... Handbell Choir .................................................. Church 8:00PM .......... Adult Choir ........................................................ Church Friday, March 10 7:40AM .......... Children’s Choir ................................................ Church 7:30PM .......... OLSAM Catholic Youth Group ............................. Gym Saturday, March 11 10:00AM ........ Irish Breakfast Set-Up ............................................ WR 11:30AM ........ First Penance ................................................... Church 1:30PM .......... First Penance ................................................... Church 2:00PM .......... Himig At Alay Choir ................................................ GR 5:00PM .......... Indian Latin Apostolate Set-Up .............................. GR 7:30PM .......... Indian Latin Apostolate ........................................... GR

OLS Sunday Collection Report Sunday, February 26th…………….$12,000.00

We have been Called and Gifted! Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents

here in our parish community.

THE ALTAR BREADS for the week were donated in Loving Honor of

JAKE CASPER - BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION requested by

The Casper Family

THE ALTAR WINES for the week were donated in Loving Honor of

ERIC CASPER - BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION requested by

The Casper Family

SATURDAY CONFESSIONS. This Saturday, March 11th confessions will be heard at 2:00 PM in the church following First Penance. There will be a number of priests available for confessions.

FIRST PENANCE will be celebrated this Saturday, March 11th. Let us keep in our prayers this week our boys and girls who celebrate for the first time God’s forgiveness through this sacrament of healing and peace. We thank their teachers and catechists for preparing the children for this special occasion in their young lives.

Dear Parishioners,

I want to thank the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) for its inception of a wonderful Lenten self-sacrifice for everyone in the parish to share. Today at Mass we listened to a PPC member, Ms. Kathy McAlister, speak about the good work of Sister Tesa Fitzgerald CSJ and her staff at Hour Children in Astoria and Long Island City. Every year at

Advent we help Hour Children with the Giving Tree so that many single mothers and their children can have a bright Christmas.

Throughout the rest of the year there are many necessities still at hand. One of the necessities for infants and toddlers is diapers and so the PPC is sponsoring a DIAPER DERBY for the whole month of March.

On March 25th we celebrate the joyful mystery of the Annunciation when the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary she would become the Mother of God. “May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38.) These words spoken by Mary declared her willingness to do whatever God asked of her and she was filled with joy and thanksgiving.

Please join us this month by purchasing baby diapers and baby wipes to help Hour Children. Please place your gift(s) in the playpen located in the Gathering Space and imagine the joy and gladness on the faces of the mothers and especially their infants and toddlers because we are willing to help. Without a doubt, these children will be well prepared and feel comfortable as they crawl around having their own Diaper Derby Fun!

Lastly, be sure to take home a wooden medallion located in the baskets in the Gathering Space. The medallion, “The Cross in my Pocket,’ list the name of our parish as well as the following words: “I carry this cross in my pocket to remind me of who I can be if I take up my cross and I follow wherever my Savior leads me.”

Keep this prayer in your pocket throughout Lent. Treasure it like your house keys or wallet. Each time you touch or hold the medallion may it lead you and all of us at Our Lady of the Snows Parish to walk willingly with Jesus during this holy season of prayer, self-denial and good will.

“As we solemnly offer the annual sacrifice for the beginning of Lent, we entreat you, O Lord, that, through works of penance and charity, we may turn away from harmful pleasures and cleansed from our sins, may become worthy to celebrate devoutly the Passion of your Son. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.” (Prayer over the Offerings, Ash Wednesday)

COMMUNITY NEWS

OZANAM HALL, Bayside seeks part time activity leaders with interpersonal skills to work with senior population. Call Marilyn Gindi at (718) 971-2708.

WINTER BLOOD DRIVE sponsored by the Filipino-American Community takes place today from 9AM to 3PM in the School Basement White Room. During the winter there is a grave shortage of blood and all eligible donors and new donors are asked to not pass up the opportunity to give the Gift of Life to someone today!

FAMILY MASS takes place today at 9:30AM in the church. All families in the parish are invited to attend and children are encouraged to participate in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word throughout the year.

THE WORD AMONG US is a periodical that offers daily reflections on the Scriptures proclaimed at Mass. This year there is a special Lenten edition entitled, “Come and Be Filled: A Simple Plan for a Blessed Lent,” that is on sale in the Gathering Space today. What a unique way to enter the holy

season of Lent by reading the daily reflection and/or with the family. The listed price is $5.95 but at Our Lady of the Snows they are available for only $2.00. Please use the white envelope and return your payment in the collection or at the Parish Office.

EVANGELIZATION COMMITTEE will meet this Tuesday, March 7th at 7:30PM in the Parish Meeting Room. All members are asked to attend.

FIRST EUCHARIST PREPARATION MASS takes place at the 9:30AM Mass next Sunday, March 12th. All parents and children preparing for First Eucharist are expected to be present at this special Mass and all parishioners are welcomed to pray for the children as they grow in their faith and desire for Jesus in the Eucharist.

SPRING AHEAD! It’s time once again to move your clocks forward one hour this coming Sat. evening, March 11th. Enjoy the longer light-filled days!

FRIDAY FILM FESTIVAL at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston continues on Fri., March 24th at 8PM with the film, THE LAST OF MRS. CHENEY starring Robert Montgomery, Joan Crawford & William Powell will be viewed. On Fri., March 31st the film, THE HURT LOCKER staring Jeremy Renner and Ralph Fiennes will be viewed. Film series tickets are $25.00 & $6.00 for each single film. For more info please call (718) 281-9582.

HEALING SONGS OF HOPE Concert today at 3PM in St. Kevin Church, Flushing featuring the voices of Daniel Rodriguez, Marie Kavanaugh and Frank Rendo. Tickets $20. Call (718) 357-8888.

NYS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS fundraiser for Catholic Education on March 23rd at the Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets vs. Phoenix Suns at 7:30PM. Tickets: $30.00 each (#9.00 for each ticket will be donated to Catholic Education in the three local diocese.) Call Rocco D’Erasmo at (917) 693-6840.

MARRIED COUPLES RETREAT takes place at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington from March 24th to 26th. Sponsored by Divine Mercy Parish in Williamsburg, our own Deacon John Warren will lead the English track of talks and Deacon Elkin Tamayo will lead the Spanish track. The retreat will begin with dinner at 6PM on Friday and conclude with lunch after Mass at 1PM on Sunday. The cost is $150 per couple and reservations can be made by calling Divine Mercy Parish at (718) 387-0256.

HOLY NAME SOCIETY Communion Mass and meeting take place on Sunday, March 19th beginning at 9:30AM in the church. All men in the parish are encouraged to become Holy Name Society members. Attractive blue brochures describing the good work of the Holy Name Society are in the Gathering Space. Please take a brochure home and join the men on Sunday, March 19th at the 9:30AM Mass.

CONFIRMATION RETREAT. We ask everyone’s prayers for our Confirmation candidates this Wed., March 8th as they spend the day on retreat. In their final preparations of completing their initiation into the Church may our young men and women anticipate in joy and hope the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered by Bishop James Massa on Friday, May 12th.

Our Annual Volunteer Thank You Party is scheduled for Sunday, April 2, 2017 from 1:30PM to 4:00PM in the White Room

We wish to express our gratitude to all who serve in our parish in the following groups or ministries:

If you belong to one of the above, please fill out the form below and return it to the Parish Office.

Spouses are cordially invited. Once you have reserved your place there will be a “sign-in” table at the party. No tickets will be distributed this year. A reminder that this party is for ADULTS ONLY and all reservation forms are

due no later than WEDNESDAY, March 29th. The party theme will be the Spring Fling. Thank you for your cooperation and all you do at OLS!

Parish Volunteer Thank You Party Form

Name:_______________________________________________________________________________

Address/City/St/Zip:____________________________________________________________________

Phone Number:____________________________ Group/Ministry: ___________________________

Adult Choir Adult Weekday Altar Servers Alumni Association Arts & Crafts Group Baptism Teams Children’s Liturgy of the Word Committee Consolation Companions Counters CYO Volunteers Evangelization Committee Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Faith Formation Catechists and Volunteers Fil-Am Committee Finance Committee Fundraising Committee Generations of Faith Committee Golf Committee

Himig At Alay Choir Home Academy Association Executive Committee Human Concerns Center Volunteers Leadership Committee Lectors Liturgy/Church Decorating Committee Ministers of Hospitality OLS Academy Board Parish Pastoral Council Parker Geriatrics Adult Volunteers R.C.I.A. Catechists Special Events Committee Spirituality Committee Stewardship Committee Vocations Committee Wake Ministry Teams Youth Group Leaders

I will attend My spouse will attend also.

MINISTRY BROCHURES Please feel free to browse the new brochure rack located in the Gathering Space containing informative pamphlets about the ministries, societies, organizations and clubs taking place in the parish. This new reference point is available for anyone who wishes to become involved and be a volunteer at Our Lady of the Snows. Take home the brochure(s), read and pray over the information, and feel free to contact the parish leader or Parish Office with any questions.

IRISH SODA BREAD BAKERS In anticipation of our traditional Irish Breakfast next Sunday, March 12th, donations are begin accepted for homemade Irish soda bread to serve at the breakfast. If you would like to bake and make a donation please drop off your Irish soda bread at the Parish Office this Friday, March 10th. Thank you!

PARISH MISSION. Mark your calendars! Our annual Lenten Parish Mission starts Sunday evening, March 26th and ends Wednesday, March 29th. Catholic Lay Evangelist, Bill Wegner of Good News International is conducting this year’s Mission. The theme is “Living the Gospel Today.” This will be a great time to be encouraged in our faith. Plan to be with us and bring a friend!

HUMAN CONCERNS CENTER TRIP. The next trip to Yonkers, Empire City Casino will be on Monday, March 27, 2017(weather permitting). Cost $25. The bus will leave promptly at 9:00AM from Our Lady of the Snows. For more info or to reserve a seat call Sophia at (718) 347-0512.

GOLDEN AGE FRIENDSHIP CLUB’S next meeting will be next Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in the Green Room. There will be no meeting this week. New members are welcome.

MONTHLY 50/50 WINNER Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Koottala Kuriakose who won $485.00 in our February drawing! The March drawing will be held on March 29, 2017. A 50/50 envelope is included in your monthly packet. Extra envelopes are at the Church doors. Thank you and good luck!

WELCOME TO OUR CATHOLIC FAMILY The following child were baptized here at Our Lady of the Snows Parish in February.

We offer our sincere Congratulations and Best Wishes to the family of:

Sumitu M. Mott

SAVE THE DATES

MONDAY, MARCH 20th 9:30AM - St. Joseph’s Table

SUN., MARCH 26th to WED., MARCH 29th PARISH MISSION

Bill Wegner, Good News International

ADULT CONFIRMATION CLASSES. Any Catholic adult who has not received the sacrament of Confirmation is invited to participate in a program of preparation being offered in the area parishes. The classes will be held from 7:30PM to 9:00PM on 5 consecutive Tuesdays beginning on March 7th at the Bethsaida Spirituality Center located at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent, 92-70 220 Street in Queens Village. The Sacrament of Confirmation for adults will be administered on Pentecost Sunday, June 4th at the 11:00AM Mass. Please contact Mrs. Regina Moreno, Pastoral Associate, at 718-347-3511 or email her at rel.ed@olsnows.org to make an appointment and to register for the classes. Information flyers are also available on the tables in the Gathering Space of the church.

VOCATION RETREAT with Bishop DiMarzio takes place March 24th to 26th at Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston. The retreat will include inspiring talks from Bishop DiMarzio and seminarians, time to reflect on one’s own vocation and quiet time with the Lord.

VOCATIONS EVENTS

For more information please speak to any of the priests or deacons in the parish or call (718) 827-2454 or log onto www.BrooklynVocations.org.

CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK’S DAY. The Special Events Committee invites everyone to a traditional Irish breakfast next Sunday, March 12th beginning at 10:30AM in the White Room. Featuring a fine fare of scrambled eggs, home fries, Irish sausages and soda bread, fried tomatoes, coffee, tea and much more it is the day for everyone to be Irish! There will be exciting raffles and a 50/50 drawing. Tickets are only $12.00 per adults and $5.00 for children (16 years and under.) Tickets are now available in the Parish Office. Please note that tickets are limited and no tickets will be sold at the door. Top of the morning to one and all on St. Patrick’s Day.

GIRL SCOUT SUNDAY is being celebrated today. We are pleased to have Girl Scouts in the parish and next Sunday the Girl Scouts will receive a special blessing at the 9:30AM Mass. Also, the Girl Scouts are selling their ever popular and delicious cookies following the Masses today! Thank you for your support of Girl Scouts in the parish.

SIGHT & SOUND THEATRE. The Rosary Society is sponsoring a bus trip to Lancaster, PA and the Sight & Sound’s production of JONAH. This production is a beautiful musical capturing the story of the life and plight of the prophet Jonah with fine acting, music and special effects. The trip will be on Saturday, May 6th departing at 7:30AM in front of the church and returning at approximately 9:30PM. Tickets are $145.00 per adult and $89.00 per child. Prices include deluxe bus transportation, shopping at Tanger Outlets, spectacular show, delicious lunch and much more. Don’t miss out on this wonderful experience with your whole family, friends and other parishioners. Please note that seats are limited so don’t delay! Registration forms are in the church and at the Parish Office and partial payment plans are available. Full payment due no later than April 17, 2017. For more information please call Shirl (718) 343-9389.

ROSARY SOCIETY NEWS. The first meeting of the New Year will be this Monday, March 6th in the Green Room following the 12Noon Mass. All Rosarians are encouraged to attend and before Mass at 11:30AM in the church the Rosarians will pray the Holy Rosary. Any other ladies in the parish are cordially invited to become Rosarians in the parish. Feel welcomed to our March 7th meeting.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS will be prayed every Saturday of Lent in the church at 9:30AM. Join in walking with the Lord on His Way of the Cross throughout this holy season.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING takes place this Monday, March 6th at 7:30PM. The meeting will take place in the Parish Meeting Room.

SCRUTINIES. During the 12:30PM Mass next Sunday, March 12th, and the following two Sundays, Valerie Baez-Torres, Dena Freeman, Linda Mott-Nazaire and Dillon Grodotzke will enter the final stages of their preparation for initiation into the Catholic Faith which will be celebrated at the Easter Vigil. The Scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver them from the power of sin, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ. Along with their sponsors we as a community wish them God’s blessing and strength as they move forward to the final stages of their journey of faith.

RITE OF ELECTION. Today a special ceremony called the “Rite of Sending for Election and Continuing Conversion” will take place at the 12:30PM Mass. We ask prayers for Valerie Baez-Torres, Dena Freeman, Linda Mott-Nazaire and Dillon Grodotzke who will take part in the ceremony and then join with hundreds of catechumens and candidates at the Rite of Election led by Bishop DiMarzio.

SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE will meet on Tuesday, March 14th at 7:30PM in the Parish Meeting Room. All members are asked to attend and begin planning for Spring events.