This week I have news to share from Our Lady of the Snow Parish, which is made up of St. Patrick's in Cato, St. John's in Port Byron and St. Joseph's in Weedsport, as well as news from the Good Shepherd Catholic Community, which is comprised of St. Patrick's in Aurora, St. Michael's in Union Springs, St. Patrick's in Moravia and Our Lady of the Lake in King Ferry.

Again this year, the Social Ministry group of Our Lady of the Snow invites parishioners during Lent to come out on a Friday night, enjoy a modest meal of soup and bread, listen to a brief program on an important issue and then gather in the churches for Stations of the Cross.

This year they are discussing global warming. Global climate change is a priority of the Diocese of Rochester Public Policy Agenda.

On Friday, Feb. 29, St. Patrick's Church in Cato will host the evening, beginning at 6 p.m. with a light supper and discussion of the topic “Climate Change: What's at Stake?” Stations of the Cross will follow, beginning at 7:15 p.m.

On Friday, March 14, St. John's Church in Port Byron will be hosting the same event and the topic for that evening will be “Climate Change: Can I Make a Difference?”

St. Patrick's in Cato is helping Boy Scout Troop 50 again this year in their sale of lilies and tulips for Easter. Tulips will come in a 6-inch pot and may be ordered in yellow, red or pink, subject to color availability. The plants will be supplied by Hafner's Farms and cost $10 each. Plant pick-up day will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, in the west small meeting room at St. Patrick's. They will be taking orders after the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Feb. 24 and March 2.

Orders may also be mailed to Jim Begley, P.O. Box 123, Cato, NY 13033. Orders must be prepaid, with checks payable to Boy Scout Troop 50. For more information, please call Mary at 420-4618.

St. Joseph's Church in Weedsport is hosting a Lenten Penance Service at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 9, and everyone is welcome.

This Lenten Penance Liturgy focuses on the wholeness of our life, so that with the help of God's grace, we can become more like Christ in everything we think, say and do.

The Good Sheperd Catholic Community also has several Lenten activities under way.

Stations of the Cross will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of the Lake in King Ferry, at 4 p.m. Fridays at St. Michael's in Union Springs, and at 5:30 p.m. Fridays at St. Patrick's Parish House in Moravia.

A Parish Lenten Retreat will also be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles. It will be led by Sister Mary Kay Ryan and the theme will be “Deepening our Relationship with Jesus Christ.” Please call the parish office at 364-7197 for more information and to reserve a space. The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch.

Good Sheperd Community is also hosting a soup and supper series from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday evenings during the Lenten season.

On Sunday, Feb. 24, the Rev. Richard Shatzel, pastor of Good Sheperd, will be the speaker at Aurora United Ministry Church on Main Street in Aurora. The topic for this week will be “Creation: In the Beginning.”

Local Penance services for the Good Sheperd Catholic Community are as follows: At 4 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at St. Michael's in Union Springs, at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 9, at St. Patrick's in Moravia, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at Our Lady of the Lake in King Ferry. Everyone is welcome.

Have a good week, smile and stay warm in God's loving embrace. Remember, He loves you so much.

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