This Sunday is Mercy Sunday in the rest of the Catholic world, but here at St. Jerome, it is Fr. Joe Palacino Sunday! At the 11am Mass we will be celebrating the 21 years Fr. Joe gave to the people of the parish. He was and is the incarnation of mercy to so many of us. We are all the better for having known him. Fr. Joe loved the people of this parish, served them well and did everything he did, anonymously, in the name of Jesus.
The Reception Committee, led by Lee L’Archevesque has planned a spectacular reception with great food. As Jesus said to his first disciples, “come and see.” You will also get to witness a wonderful tribute put together by Greg Battersby. It will be a day that feels like Easter! Don’t miss it. Come to the Mass or the reception or both.
I am also happy to announce that we have a newly designed website that is highly engaging. It was put together by a team consisting of Jack O’Melia, Dan Loch, Bill Sweeney and Fr. Rojin. Coming soon will be a parish phone app linked to the website. You can access it at www.stjeromenorwalk.org
I am also happy to tell you that we have a visitor for several months. Fr. Gilbert D’Souza, the retired pastor of St. Joseph parish in South Norwalk, arrived early in January and will be with us until June when he returns to Canada. In September, Fr. Gilbert will be in permanent residence at the Queen of Clergy Home in Stamford. Fr. Gilbert has adapted into parish life and you will find him to be very intelligent, thoughtful, spiritual and faith-filled. He has a reputation for being an excellent homilist as well. While Fr. Rojin is away in April, Fr. Gilbert will be presiding and preaching at the Sunday 8am and 11am Masses.
Finally, as usual, our Triduum was wondrous. My special thanks to Suzanne Calnon and the liturgy committee that planned and executed everything with great beauty. I also want to congratulate Joan McFarland and Joe and Daniela O’Callaghan for leading our teens who did such a prayerful rendering of the stations on Good Friday evening.
Our parish is indeed blessed. Alleluia!
