SACRIFICIAL OFFERING
Sacrificial offerings gathered at the Masses last weekend amounted to $7,503.00. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity. As our 7% to charity, $525.00 was sent to Building Fund at Holy Family Parish in Amesbury.

Next weekend’s second collection will be for the benefit of our parish school.

We invite parishioners to donate the bread and wine for consecration at all the Sunday Masses on a given weekend. The person remembered will be listed in the bulletin on that weekend. Suggested offering for this gift is $75.00.

SPECIAL MASS PENTECOST SUNDAY
We have asked the Kenyan Community to join us at the 11:15 Mass next Sunday, May 11th. The 11:15 Mass will be in both English and Kisswahili. The Kenyan Choir, as well as our Parish’s Adult Choir, will be part of the Mass. This celebration will be one more opportunity for Saint Michael parishioners to be One Body, One Spirit in Christ, as we celebrate the universality of the Church.

CELL PHONES IN CHURCH
Please be attentive to turning off your cell phone as you enter the Church. Thank you.

MAY CROWNING - NEXT SUNDAY
We invite all parishioners, especially our First Communion Class and their families, to join us for The Crowning of Mary, Our Blessed Mother, on Mother’s Day, May 11th, at the 9:00 am Mass. O Mary! We crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May. Our First Communicants are asked to wear their First Communion clothes!!

SPRINGTIME COMMUNION BREAKFAST
All parishioners are invited to our Springtime Communion Breakfast on Sunday, May 18th, following the 9:00 am Mass. The Breakfast will be held in Mary’s Hall (the lower church). Our annual Scholarships will be awarded at the Breakfast.

WOMEN’S AND MEN’S PRAYER GROUP
Come pray with us! We invite all of you to join the women on Monday night and the men on Tuesday night. We will gather on May 12th for the women and on May 13th for the men of the parish. We will meet from 6:45 — 8:00 pm in the Baptistery Chapel (Church door located off the Rectory parking lot).

ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE
The Annual Letter Carriers Food Drive will take place in Lowell on next Saturday, May 10th. This year the Food Drive will benefit the MVFB Mobile Pantry, Open Pantry, Central Food Ministries, Catholic Charities Food Pantry and Lowell Transitional Living Center. You can help by donating non-perishable food items and leaving the grocery bags for your mailman to pick up on May 10th for the Annual Letter Carriers Food Drive. Thank you.

ROSARY BEADS FOR BAPTISM
Every child who is baptized here at Saint Michael Church receives a hand-made Rosary as a keepsake. One of our faithful parishioners has been making up to 20 Rosaries each and every month. If you would like to join Dot Dwinell and become a Rosary Bead maker for our newly baptized, please call Lisa at the Rectory. We will be very happy to teach you the simple process of making these very special keepsakes.

RCIA and RCIA ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and RCIA Adapted for Children is the process through which adults and children join the Catholic Church. Who might be interested?

For more information please call Lisa Crowley at the Rectory - it is never too late to bring your faith alive.

ENGLISH LEARNER INSTITUTE AT MCC
The English Learner Institute is a non-academic program that focuses on developing basic English and skills essential to American culture such as technology, life skills, and social conventions. Anyone who is a newcomer to the United States or needs to develop their basic English skills is suitable for this program. Non-native speakers who have not met the MCAS requirement may also take this coursework. For additional information please call Maryanne Mungovan at the Institute 978-656-3267, or email mungovanm@middlesex.mass.edu

2008 CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE
We want to thank everyone of our parishioners who have participated in the 2008 Catholic Appeal so far this year. These contributions fund the good works of our Archdiocese and will improve the lives of many in our faith community. If you have not yet made your gift, please consider making a pledge today. You can pick up information packets with pledge forms in the back of the church to be mailed in, or for more information we invite you to visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com or to call 617-779-3700.

SCHOOL REGISTRATION CONTINUES
Along with our excellent academic program we also offer an Extended Day Care Program, before school 6:50 am - 7:50 am, and after school 2:25 pm - 6:00 pm, a Hot Lunch Program and many other extracurricular activities. Be sure to sign up NOW!!! If you are interested in learning more about Saint Michael School, please call us at 978-453-9511.

TUITION (2008-2009) FOR ALL FAMILIES
First child: $2,650 Third child: $2,150
Second child: $2,450 Four or more: $1,850 each
Pre-School: $3,000 - unless under family plan!

The above tuition includes the book fee of $75.00.

Registration Fee of $60 per child is required upon acceptance.

SAINT MICHAEL SCHOOL JOG-A-THON
Our 8th Annual Jog-a-thon will take place May 16th on the grounds of Saint Michael School. Over the next few weeks, the students of Saint Michael School will be seeking pledges; your pledge of 10, 25 or 50 cents a lap or a flat donation of $5, $10, $25, etc… would be greatly appreciated. Remember, your donation is TAX DEDUCTIBLE!! Checks for the Jog-a-thon may be made out to Saint Michael School. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school at 978-453-9511.

PARISH PICNIC PLANNING MEETING
Anyone interested in helping to plan Saint Michael’s 125th Parish Anniversary event for June - an outdoor Mass and Picnic on June 29th - is invited to join us for our first planning meeting on Thursday night, May 8th, at 7:00, in the School Conference Room. We need many hands … so please join us!!!!!!

PARISH CRUISE INFORMATION NIGHT
There will be an Information Night on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 7:00, in the school hall for all who will be joining us for the Mediterranean Cruise in October. Representatives from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Flynn Travel will be present to answer any and all our questions. Bon Voyage!!!

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
The Spindle City Singers of Lowell, directed by Mr. Normand L. Ayotte, are celebrating Mr. Ayotte’s 30th Anniversary as a Choral Conductor with a special concert to be held at 3 pm on Sunday, May 18th, at St. Joseph the Worker Shrine, 37 Lee St., in Lowell. This concert will feature 80 voices from the different groups directed by Mr. Ayotte. All are invited. Admission is free but a freewill offering would be appreciated.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY
Thank you. You are performing good work, far greater than you may think. Your donation is multiplied by the donations placed by others in the St. Vincent de Paul Boxes. May your heart be glad because of your almsgiving. THANK YOU!!