Sister Chris Treichel, pastoral administrator at Sacred Heart Church in Auburn, shared such a great story in the bulletin last week. She told about how the youth group attended the St. John of Rochester's annual youth retreat on Feb. 3-5. It was held at the Salvation Army camp on Seneca Lake. She said some of the youth were apprehensive about going, but the end result was summed up as “the most awesome experience I ever had!”

There were several talks about real life issues which really made an impact on the students, as each of them could relate to something that was being said.

They were also extremely touched by the presence of Father Munjalu, Father Mike Brown and Father Dennis Shaw, all of Auburn. All of the youth were touched by “how cool our priests are in Auburn!”

We are so fortunate here in Auburn to have the current staffing of all our fine priests. Father Dennis Shaw at Holy Family spoke to us about how much he enjoyed the youth retreat and how impressed he was by the moving accounts given by the teens and their very real hunger for God in their lives.

If Auburn is any indication, now is surely the time for the renewal of our faith that Pope John Paul II spoke so frequently about.

€ Father Dennis has helped to form the Holy Family Church Youth Group. They are welcoming all young people and their friends to join them tomorrow from 4 to 6 p.m. The middle school and high school aged groups will be gathering together in the gym with Father Dennis for a bit of fun and then separating for discussion on their faith and what it means to them. Pizza and snacks will be served. Why not join them and give it a try. Every youth is always welcome.

There is so much good news to share with you from Holy Family Church on North Street in Auburn.

€ Please come to an Open House at the Clothes Closet and Catholic Shop after all the masses the weekend of March 4 and 5 (mass times are 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Sundays). Coffee and donuts will be served.

We invite you to visit and see all there is to offer. The Catholic Shop is managed by Bernie Tomasso and has recently ordered many new items including some beautiful, soft, scapulars which are handmade by the Sisters of Carmel, as well as some lovely and affordable St. Patrick's Day Celtic rosaries and “God be with you” shamrocks.

We also have many beautiful and new keepsake gifts for the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, First Penance, Matrimony and many gifts that are appropriate for RCIA candidates. There are many items that make lovely thank you gifts for your church volunteers and leaders.

€ Volunteers will be on hand to visit with you and tell you about our work. Please remember that many local non-profit organizations benefit from the proceeds of the Catholic Shop. Regular hours are 10 to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday; 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 to 11a.m. Sunday

We would also like you to see all of the good work that is happening at the Clothes Closet, and where your donations go. So many local people benefit from your generous donations of used clothing.

The Holy Family Clothes Closet is managed by Patrick O'Connor.

This is an extremely well-run and organized group of volunteers. All clothing is placed on hangers to make shopping easier for our visitors.

Seasonal clothing is set aside and stored until it is needed. Each day we are open, we average between 40 to 80 visitors. Many visitors have come to know Patrick by name, and he is always so kind to everyone who enters our doors.

€ Regular hours are 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. More volunteers are needed, especially for the Clothes Closet. Please come and visit us, and remember us when you clean out your closets.

€ We are also planning a St. Patrick's Pot Luck Dinner in the Parish Hall at approximately 5:30 p.m. (immediately following the 4:30 p.m. Mass) on Saturday, March 18. Sign-up cards will be in the pews the first two weekends in March. Soda, coffee, tea and place settings are provided. Join the fun and bring your favorite dish to share!

€ Saturday, April 29, Holy Family Fun Day will be held in the gym. It was a huge success last year, and we look forward to a fun time again this year with a raffle table, including a John Deere riding mower or $1,000 cash grand prize.

There will also be the popular White Elephant Booth, home baked goods, crafts, Catholic Shop booth and great food. Please start saving your treasures now for the White Elephant Booth ... spring cleaning is just around the corner. Drop-off dates are to be announced later.

Also, Father Shaw is offering Bible study in the rectory on Monday evenings during Lent. Everyone is welcome to this fun evening of laughter, friendship and insights into the Word of God.

In addition, the Stations of the Cross will be offered every Friday during Lent at 11:45 a.m., immediately followed by Mass at 12:15 p.m.

This Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. May it be a holy time for all of us; a time of reflection, renewal and self-sacrifice as we strive to know God more and more each day. Always remember that God made you, and he loves you so much. As Father Shaw always reminds us, there is nothing you can do to ever make God stop loving you. He made you; and you are good, and he loves you.

Turn to God and he will welcome you with his warm embrace, always.

Have a good week everyone, and be sure to enjoy one of the many “Fat Tuesday-Mardi Gras” celebrations happening in town this week.

“Should we all confess our sins to one another we would all laugh at one another for our lack of originality.”

- Kahlil Gibran

Denise Bennett is a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Auburn; Denise can be reached at deniseb132@yahoo.com