In Christ we find not just compassion and mercy, but healing and grace. It is Christ's great desire that we come to Him and bring before Him all that might keep us from experiencing God's love. Placing our faith in Christ brings healing, wholeness and salvation.

Today's first reading spells out the communal rules that relate to those who suffer from leprosy. In the second reading, the faithful are reminded that they must do everything for the glory of God. Jesus, in the Gospel, demonstrates His great compassion for a leper who comes to Him for a cure. He heals the man.

In today's second reading, St. Paul urges the Corinthians to "do all for the glory of God." If we follow that advice in everything we do, we cannot help but be good stewards!

Level 2 Parent Meeting is Wednesday, February 29 at 7pm in the church. All Communion participants are expected to have one parent/guardian in attendance at meeting.

***No Religious education the week of February 20 through February 24.**

Virtus is a program that gives us a specific plan in identifying and preventing child sexual abuse. The training is required of all diocesan personnel and volunteers in all parishes.

If you are a volunteer and still need to fulfill this obligation check the Long Island Catholic or the Diocesan website, www.drvc.org for training sessions available in the area. Please register for the class online or stop in the Church office.

Our next blood drive will be held on Saturday, March 3 from 8:45am until 2pm. Long Island's blood supply always drops to critical levels during the winter months, so we plan this drive to ensure your life saving donation is available when it is needed most. By your donation, you will be a life saver to someone who is critically ill. If you are between the ages of 17 and 75 and weigh at least 110 lbs. please plan on donating. Simply fill in a pledge card and deposit it in one of the Blood Drive boxes located in the Church. Alternatively, you can call the Church office and let them know if you plan to donate. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility to donate please call Long Island Blood Services at 1 800 688-0900. Volunteers interested in helping to organize the drive are welcome, please call Bill Corrigan at 746-3555.

Children, ages 12 to 16, who desire to participate more fully at the Family Mass by proclaiming the Word of God as a lector, should contact Sue Buffolino at 333-1478.

There will be a 6 hour Defensive Driving course held in Msgr. Midura Hall on Saturday, March 17 from 8:30am to 3pm. This course is a way to lower your insurance premiums, reduce your driver record violation points, and sharpen your driving skills. The cost is $45 (check made payable to Our Lady of Hope Church). Please bring a brown bag lunch. Please call the church office to register in advance.

Please save your register tapes from King Kullen in Mineola. 1% of your purchases are donated to the parish. Proceeds from register receipts are forwarded to various charities through the St. Vincent de Paul Conference of Our Lady of Hope.

If you wish to donate the bread and wine for the week's Sunday and daily Eucharist celebrations, the offering is $75. Opportunities to donate a Rose for Life are also available. The offering is $5 per week.

Family, marriage and individual therapies provided by NY State licensed psychologists are available to our parish. You may be seen at any of the other 70 participating parishes. This program, under the direction of Dr. George Giuliani, has been conducted in the diocese for the past 33 years for the convenience of parishioners. It is provided by the Catholic Counseling Center, a proprietary professional corporation, which is independent of and not controlled or supervised by the parish or diocese. Most insurance policies are honored. For confidential information and appointments, call Dr. Giuliani 631 243-2503.

The CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program), funded by USDA, NYSDOH and administered by Catholic Charities is offering free food for 6 to 12 months post-partum women, children from the age of 5 up to their sixth birthday, and seniors age 60 and over, who are income eligible. The food package includes cheese, milk, starches, cereals, juices, canned fruits, vegetables, canned fish, meats and more. Income guidelines for seniors are as follows: Gross monthly income; for single senior-$1,180 or less, for senior couple-$1,594 or less. For further information and income guidelines for women and children in Nassau and Suffolk, please call 631 623-4568 or 631 491-4156.

Reflection on the Spirituality of the Seminary Chapel. Msgr. Peter Vaccari will present a Lenten Day of Prayer at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington on Sunday, March 11 from 9:30am to 3pm. The program includes conferences, lunch, an opportunity for confession and Mass. The donation is $25 for non-friends. Sponsored by Friends of the Seminary. Reservations required. For further information call 631 423-0483 ext. 102.

Please remember the Pantry as we help provide food to 20+ families every two weeks. Your generosity is always appreciated but the Pantry is in need of apple juice, instant potatoes, canned fruit, canned beans (baked and red, black, etc.) cookies (oreos, chocolate chips, etc.) and tuna and peanut butter. We are very grateful.

Thank you also to Carle Place Schools for their Super-Bowl food donation.

Thank you so much!

God is merciful and desires to pour forth this mercy upon our lives. We only need to come to Him through His Son Jesus. We know that Jesus healed body, mind and soul as He forgave sins. He has empowered and commanded the Church to continue this ministry of healing and forgiveness. We only need to say Yes to His offer.

In the first reading, despite their sins, God assures the people of His love, and forgives and forgets their offenses. The second reading reminds us that the fidelity of God, which is seen in His Son Jesus, is to be seen in Christ's followers, as well. In the Gospel, people bring a man to Jesus for healing. Jesus not only heals him, but also forgives his sins.

Forgiveness, too, is a gift from God. Freed from the paralysis of sin, the man in today's Gospel was able to stand and give witness to the power of God. How do I let sin cripple me? Am I a good steward of the gift of God's forgiveness?

Last Sunday's collection 2/12/12 $9,051.40

Same Last Year $7,952.86

Fuel Collection $2,365.00

Same Last Year $2,643.00

Attendance 2/12/12 927

Same Last Year 845

Envelopes 2/12/12 270

Same Last Year 197

Thank you for your generosity in returning to God some of what He has given you.

Level 2 Parent Meeting is Wednesday, February 29 at 7pm in the church. All Communion participants are expected to have one parent/guardian in attendance at meeting.

Family Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 2 at 7:30pm. All our younger students are encouraged to attend.

Virtus is a program that gives us a specific plan in identifying and preventing child sexual abuse. The training is required of all diocesan personnel and volunteers in all parishes.

If you are a volunteer and still need to fulfill this obligation check the Long Island Catholic or the Diocesan website, www.drvc.org for training sessions available in the area. Please register for the class online or stop in the Church office.

Our next blood drive will be held on Saturday, March 3 from 8:45am until 2pm. Long Island's blood supply always drops to critical levels during the winter months, so we plan this drive to ensure your life saving donation is available when it is needed most. By your donation, you will be a life saver to someone who is critically ill. If you are between the ages of 17 and 75 and weigh at least 110 lbs. please plan on donating. Simply) ill in a pledge card and deposit it in one of the Blood Drive boxes located in the Church. Alternatively, you can call the Church office and let them know if you plan to donate. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility to donate please call Long Island Blood Services at 1 800 688-0900. Volunteers interested in helping to organize the drive are welcome, please call Bill Corrigan at 746-3555.

Children, ages 12 to 16, who desire to participate more fully at the Family Mass by proclaiming the Word of God as a lector, should contact Sue Buffolino at 333-1478.

Reflection on the Spirituality of the Seminary Chapel. Msgr. Peter Vaccari will present a Lenten Day of prayer at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington on Sunday, March 11 from 9:30am to 3pm. The program includes conferences, lunch, an opportunity for confession and Mass. The donation is $25 for non-friends. Sponsored by Friends of the Seminary. Reservations required. For further information call 631 423-0483 ext. 102.

Please save your register tapes from King Kullen in Mineola. 1% of your purchases are donated to the parish. Proceeds from register receipts are forwarded to various charities through the St. Vincent de Paul conference of Our Lady of Hope.

The Knights of Columbus invite you to dinner to celebrate St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's Day on Saturday, March 10 at 6:30pm in Msgr. Midura Hall. Home cooked meal includes corned beef and

cabbage, Irish soda bread, Italian desserts, coffee and tea. Donation is $15, children under 3 free. Tickets purchased in advance $12. Call 294-9748 for more information.

Please remember the Pantry as we help provide food to 20+ families every two weeks. Your generosity is always appreciated but the Pantry is in need of apple juice, instant potatoes, canned fruit, canned beans (baked and red, black, etc.) cookies (oreos, chocolate chips, etc.) and tuna and peanut butter. We are very grateful.

Thank you so much!

There will be a 6 hour Defensive Driving course held in Msgr. Midura Hall on Saturday, March 17 from 8:30am to 3pm. This course is a way to lower your insurance premiums, reduce your driver record violation points, and sharpen your driving skills. The cost is $45 (check made payable to Our Lady of Hope Church). Please bring a brown bag lunch. Please call the church office to register in advance.

Thanks is extended to all the 6th grade parents for the delicious desserts that were donated last weekend. Our 6th grade reception was a huge success because of your efforts. If anyone is interested in joining the Hospitality Committee, please contact Marie Agrusa at 385-6858.

You'll have to wear some green to attend our next meeting on March 5th. The speaker will be Kathy McLean-Dream Worker, of Tabor Retreat Center and the hospitality will be offered by our Irish Ladies! Please try to attend!

If you wish to donate the bread and wine for the week's Sunday and daily Eucharist celebrations, the offering is $75. Opportunities to donate a Rose for Life are also available. The offering is $5 per week.

What if Our Lady of Hope earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our Church? Now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up! Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Our Lady of Hope as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!

Goal $56,900.00

Pledged $7,659.00

Paid $4,589.00

% of Goal paid 8%

Donors 28