Next weekend, we begin the Annual Catholic Appeal for the support of the many charitable activities sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Pledge / gift cards will be available in the gathering area of Church after each Mass. Please stop by the table and make your pledge to this appeal. The people of Immacolata parish have always been most generous to this annual appeal. I trust that the same will be true this year. Your cooperation and support is certainly most appreciated.

Every year, every family in the Archdiocese is asked to subscribe to the St. Louis Review, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese. Your paid subscription helps to cover the cost of the Review which is offered to every household in the parish. I thank all who have subscribed during the past couple months for the coming year. As per the policy of the Archdiocese, all families who have contributed at least $100 to the parish during the past year (2007) will also be included in this weekly mailing. If for some reason you do not wish to receive the Review or if you do not presently receive this newspaper and wish to receive it, please contact the parish office.

      Please remember those who are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on Tuesday evening, April 8, at 7:30 p.m. Archbishop Burke will be the principal celebrant and confirm each of the candidates. We welcome Archbishop Burke to our parish and we rejoice with those who will be confirmed that evening.

As a final preparation for receiving this sacrament, our students participated in a Retreat Day  on Sunday, April 6 and joined the parish family at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday evening.

Dear Friends,

I encourage you to participate fully with us in each of the ceremonies of the coming week. These celebrations speak to us as the people of God making our journey with Our Lord Jesus Christ through this life to eternal life. Welcome!

You can find complete details at: www.immacolata.org/holyweek

In Jesus our Savior,

Msgr. Walter Whited, pastor

We welcomed the girl scouts from our parish at the 9:30 a.m. Mass today. Also, we congratulate two of our older girls who will receive awards at the St. Louis Cathedral. Taylor C. will receive the Marian Award and Carrie S. will receive the Spirit Alive Award.

Next Sunday is Palm Sunday. Weather permitting, we ask all to assemble in the gym for the blessing of palms and then process into Church for the continuation of Mass. In case of inclement weather, we will gather in the new gathering area of Church for the blessing of palms and then process into Church. I ask that you make every effort to be on time for this Palm Sunday blessing and procession.

Today we honor the Boy scouts of our parish on this Boy Scout Sunday. They join us at the 9:30 Mass today and some of our boys will receive their Light of Christ or Parvuli Dei Medals. I encourage all the Scouts to keep up the good work and I thank all the adult leaders who give inspiration and help to these boys.

Today at the 11:30 Mass we will formally send our candidates for Baptism and reception into the Catholic Church to the Cathedral for the Rite of Election next Saturday afternoon. Please keep those preparing to celebrate the Easter Sacraments in your prayers.