Operation Rice Bowl of Catholic Relief Services provides lifesaving aid for millions of individuals living in conditions of poverty around the world. The hungry are fed; the thirsty are given drink; the homeless find shelter.


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✙ Gracious God, please pour your love upon those who have asked to be remembered in our prayers:


Patty Van Tine – Daughter of volunteer Barbara Mahler. May the Lord be her light during this time of crisis and keep her close in his love.
Karen – Sister-in-law of a volunteer. For strength to help her through her recovery program. May she feel God’s love.
Frank Sickinger – for a return to strength, health and home.
Margaret – new resident at Wallace House, for a gentle transition as she settles into her new home
Nidia Diaz – grandmother to the children of Lourdes Torres. May she feel God’s compassionate love during and slow and uncomfortable healing process from delicate surgery.
Ann - That her 2nd opinion for cancer diagnosis will be the light she needs in this dark journey. May God's presence be upon her throughout her journey
Ed Lavorgna – CARE volunteer, for patience as he heals from back surgery .
Leanne Foth - daughter-in-law of Patt Foth, may God's power and strength be with her as she continues the healing process.
Tara Mackin- Gruenert Center volunteer, may God watch over her during her pregnancy and bless her and her unborn child with good health.
Lori Burton – May you fill her heart with your comfort; fill her body with your strength and her everyday with your rest.
Ron - Cousin of volunteer Camille Aveni, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. May he find consolation in God’s loving presence and for the doctors treating him.
James Ondimu Ochoki – For healing for this beloved father, grandfather, father in-law, brother in-law, and uncle to many.
Gary – Cousin of Cheryl Slate, for strength in suffering and return to health
Lucy Cox- May the Lord grant consolation and recovery to health.
Wally Camacho - May the love of God, family and friends sustain him as he undergoes dialysis 3 days a week.
Sharon Zuckerman - For strength and comfort as she continues her recovery from breast cancer
Patrick Powis – Father of Art Powis , for comfort, strength and courage as he faces his illness
Anthony - a young man of 23 whose lungs are not in good condition, may God draw him near as his final hours approach and for comfort for his loving family.
Rosa Bascietto – Mother of Joanne Rossi. That the love and respect of her family helps to sustain her and bring her joy.
Donald – Son of volunteer Barbara Mahler, may God watch over him during his illness
Colette – Sister of Julie Tatti for strength in suffering and improvement in health
For peace, justice and hope in our world.
May God bless our staff, residents, friends, volunteers and benefactors. May he turn his face toward you and give you peace.
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Sarah Park – Staff member at the Fitzpatrick House
Carmine Buglione – beloved father of Albert, friend of the DPD
Cynthia McDowell - Cousin of volunteer Jennifer Minervino
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✙ March 7 – Saints Perpetua and Felicity – Died 203 A.D.
Saints Perpetua and Felicity were martyrs who died for the faith. Saint Perpetua was a young, well-educated, noblewoman and mother living in the city of Carthage in North Africa. Her mother was a Christian and her father was a pagan. In terms of her faith, Perpetua followed the example of her mother. Despite the pleas of her father to deny her faith, Perpetua did the very opposite, and fearlessly proclaimed it. At the age of 22, she was imprisoned for her faith. While in prison she continued to care for her infant child and put up with the tortures designed to make her renounce her faith. Perpetua remained steadfast until the end. St. Perpetua was sacrificed at the games as a public spectacle for not renouncing her faith.
St. Felicity was a pregnant slave girl who was imprisoned with St. Perpetua. Little is known about the life of St. Felicity because, unlike Perpetua, she did not keep a diary of her life. After imprisonment and torture, Felicity was also condemned to die at the games. Only a few days before her execution, Felicity gave birth to a daughter who was secretly taken away to be cared for by some of the Faithful.


Saints Perpetua and Felicity, watch over all mothers and children who are separated from each other because of war or persecution as well as a special care to mothers who are imprisoned.

✙ March 12 – Saint Seraphina – PATRON SAINT OF DISABILITIES - Died 12 53
Seraphina was born in a little Italian town called San Geminiano, Tuscany. Her parents had once been rich, but difficult times had made them poor. Seraphina, or Fina, as her family affectionately called her, was their pretty and lively daughter who had a generous nature. When she was still quite young, her father died. Soon after, Fina was struck with an illness that deformed and paralyzed her. She found it very painful to move and had to be carried everywhere on a board. Fina lay for six years on wooden planks.
Fina was left alone for many hours every day because her mother had to go out to work or beg. The neighbors knew about Fina, but her sores smelled so bad that people made excuses not to go and visit her. Then suddenly, Fina's mother also died and she was left alone. She had heard of the terrible sufferings St. Gregory the Great had to undergo during his life. Fina became devoted to him and although she did not join the order, she lived the rest of her life following the Benedictine rule.
One day, as she groaned in pain, St. Gregory appeared to her. He said kindly, "Child, on my feast day God will grant you rest." And as promised, on March 12, 1253, St. Gregory came to take Fina home to heaven. During the time when Fina's body was laid out in the church on the same wooden board she had laid for years, many miracles happened. When Fina's body was removed from the oak board, beautiful saw white violets, which gave off a wonderful perfume, grew out of the board where she had lain. Many people were cured during this time; crippled people could again use their arms and legs, and those with palsy were cured and made whole.