A NOTED FROM BISHOP SWEENEY

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This year the Memorial of Saint Patrick falls on Friday in the Third Week of Lent. Recognizing the faith that was brought to this community by immigrant families and missionary religious and priests, the spiritual sons and daughters of Saint Patrick, and the prominence of the Memorial in the practice of faithful Catholics of this diocese, I grant a dispensation from the obligation of abstinence on March 17, 2023 to those residing in or visiting the Diocese of Paterson. Those who partake of this dispensation are encouraged to undertake a work of charity or an act of comparable penance on some other occasion during the Third Week of Lent. In celebrating Saint Patrick, may we be given the grace to recognize Christ on our right and left, in the heart of everyone who thinks of us, in the mouth of everyone who speaks of us, in every eye that sees us, and in every ear that hears us. Most glorious Saint Patrick, pray for us! Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, D.D.