March 2017

Lent starts today and we hope you have a wonderful and spiritual journey as we prepare for Easter. Lent is Fr. Larry's busiest time of the year, between being a Pastor in a parish and his speaking schedule. This month Father is heading to Green Bay, Wisconsin for a Men's Conference on March 4th. The following week March 6th-10th he is leading a Parish Mission at Assumption Church in Jacksonville, Florida. On March 11th he flies to Grand Rapids, Michigan for a Men's Conference. On March 14th he has a speaking engagement at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Erie, Pennsylvania. March 17-19 his parish celebrates the Triduum of St. Joseph. March 20th he heads out to St. Clement in Metarie, Louisiana for a four day Parish Mission. 

On March 25th he will be the Master of Ceremonies at the 22:32 Men's Conference here in Erie, Pennsylvania. This year our speakers are Justin Fatica, Erie native and founder of Hard as Nails Ministries based out of Syracuse, NY. Captain Guy Gruters, a motivational speaker and POW in North Vietnam, who lives in Ohio. Our third speaker is Gary Zimak, author and founder of the Apostolate called "Following the Truth." All three speakers are internationally known and have a message for all ages. The day also includes Confession, Mass with Bishop Perisco of the Erie Diocese, time in front of the Blessed Sacrament, and a great opportunity for fellowship with like-minded men. The cost is $40 and that includes lunch. We have discounted prices for students and deals for Fathers bringing their high school sons. For more information or to register head to the 22:32 Men's website: www.2232men.com. 

The Hope House Retreat Center is hosting two retreats this month, an RCIA retreat for a local parish and an overnight retreat for teenage boys who attend a local Catholic High School. In April we are hosting our first Self-Directed Women's Retreat. It will be held the weekend of April 28-30. For more information or if you are interested in hearing about any upcoming retreats please give us a call at 814-455-7364. 

In a past blog we mentioned that Fr. Larry recorded a series of 22 talks called "Knowing Jesus and His Church." Be on the look out for it as we are expected to start selling the DVD's and CD's on our website and over the phone this month. Be sure to check our Facebook page for the exact selling date. We also have started a new project called "The Reason for My Hope." Every week we post a video of someone from around the country sharing their reason for their hope. We ask that it's 2 to 3 minutes long and it can be recorded on a phone, iPad, etc. If you would like to participate please email your video to cryan@thereasonforourhope.org. 

As always we ask during this time of Lent that you pray for Fr. Larry and the Foundation. Please know that we pray for you. 

-Caitlin Rydberg, Marketing/Operations Coordinator