ABSTINENCE ~ As a sign of our penance, the Diocese of Albany preserves the custom of not eating meat on the Fridays of Lent. Therefore, all Catholics, 14 years of age and older are obliged to refrain from eating meat on the Fridays of Lent. By retaining this tradition for our Diocese, we do not intend that it be interpreted as a law binding under pain of sin, but as a custom from which we will not hold ourselves lightly excused. It is an expression of our desire to be converted in our hearts, to be reconciled with each other, and to love our neighbor. STATIONS OF THE CROSS will be held with the children of St. Thomas the Apostle School on the Fridays of Lent, at 2 p.m. (in the church); there will also be Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. (also in the church). All are welcome. LENTEN RECONCILIATION SERVICE ~ This year the Lenten Reconciliation Service for the local parishes will be held on Tuesday evening, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Matthews Church, Voorheesville. All are welcome. Bishop's Appeal 2017 ~ The Bishop's Appeal for 2017 formally ends on March 14, 2018. Our current outstanding pledge balance is approximately $3500. We thank you in advance for meeting your commitment to the Diocese. Please Remember in Prayer Graham P. Nieminski, Peggy E. Reagan and Anthony J. Giordano whose funerals were held last week at St. Thomas. May the Lord welcome them into Eternal Life. .