They welcomed us as we arrived with smiles and carts to haul in the lunches and toiletries that we were delivering. I asked if they had a preference on what type of sandwiches they received and I was told that 60% of the men have jobs and they get up at 5 am to go to work. If the men were working outside, they will ask for a PBJ sandwich. Those who were working at a jobsite with a refrigerator prefer meat sandwiches, so all types of sandwiches are welcome. After the sandwiches were all put into a refrigerator and the toiletries were being separated, our tour of the shelter began.

This shelter for homeless men 50 years and older was started in 1984. At that time, there were no facilities of this type to handle this need. The first thing we commented on was how bright and clean this shelter was. There is a kitchen, chapel, library, a shelter laundry that washes the blankets as well as a laundry room with machines that charge 25 cents per load that the men can use to wash their personal belongings any time. The have 212 men who sleep here on floor mats every night. 55% of the shelter's budget comes from donations. The rest comes from various state, Federal, city grants, etc.

I asked if there was anything that they really needed or could use. The director stated that they always need underwear, socks, reading glasses or any used prescription glasses, books and magazines for their library. I hope that this will encourage anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to deliver the Lunches of Love to St. Martin de Porres to please do it!! What a great service this is for our fellow citizens and what a wonderful life-learning experience for our children!

Camp Invention engages children in creative problem solving and hands-on science activities that cultivate their understanding of ideas critical to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. For more information you can go to www.campinvention.org. There are registration forms enclosed in this FCE.

- Coach Shelley Neal

Study Hall Signup for Study Hall. Password is gators.

Photographer needed! Help keep our costs down and earn general volunteer hours at the same time. We need a capable parent to take digital pictures at the Father/Daughter Glow Bowl. Would need to provide a disc of photos. The Glow Bowl is Friday May 14th.

Contact Evan Newman or Katherine Gudgel for more information.

We realize it will take a couple of runs before we all grow comfortable with the change, but in the long run, this change will provide greater efficiency and likely allow us to keep the ordering window open closer to the actual date of the lunch.

Order the pizza online.

Download the Pizza Order Form (PDF).

In New Orleans parlance, a “throwdown” is an occasion to cut loose, frolic and make merry. Used as a verb, Mardi Gras is a time to throw down and “shake your funky feathers loose.” Holy Rosary Krewe, it is time to join this “throwdown” and “shake those funky feathers loose” all in support of your Holy Rosary School. Reservations begin tomorrow, March 5th, and are taken on a first come first serve basis. For more Reservation information, please download the Reservations Made Easy flier (PDF), (link), or look for a copy in today’s FCE.

The second trimester ended on February 26, report cards will be going home on March 12. As we head into the final trimester we appreciate you reminding your children to continue to make schoolwork a priority.

Tomorrow, Friday, March 5 we will be conducting Kindergarten testing so the current kindergarteners get the day off! Also, tomorrow students are invited to wear blue as a way of promoting screening for colon cancer. Students not choosing to wear blue need to wear their uniforms.

Registration papers for next year’s school year will be in the March 18th FCE. Please remember that in order to receive registration papers, you must be current with all tuition, tithing, band, auction and other parent commitment obligations. Also, if you are a member of the parish you must have a “2010 Parish Stewardship….time, talent, treasure card” completed and on file at the parish office. These cards are available in the school or parish office. please call Jennifer MacDonald at the rectory office at 937-1488, ex. 211, or Peggy Cunningham at the school office at 937-7255.

Online instructions to complete the survey:

1. Go to Holy Rosary Parish's website. On the right side of the homepage, click on the link that says "Complete the Gallup Survey".
2. Follow the instructions on the screen so that you will be directed to the Gallup website inorder to complete the survey.
3. Your survey Access Code is: 2BFECF

Your survey responses will be completely confidential. You do not sign your name, and under no circumstances will your personal responses be revealed to anyone in your parish or anyone outside of Gallup. The survey will take approximately seven minutes of your time.

Thank you for your cooperation,

- Fr. John Madigan

The items to be included in the remaining Fridays of Lent include:

• March 12 - travel size toothpaste and disposable toothbrush;
• MARCH 19 - NO SCHOOL;
• March 26 - aftershave.

Thank you for your almsgiving during this Lenten season. The extra items should not be put in the brown bag lunch. Thank you.