We wish you a good and holy Lenten season. Thank you for a strong meeting on Feb. 5 with our sisters and brothers from the parish groups and ministries. There was so much food and good feeling. Together we can make our vision for the justice and charity of Christ come to life in our parish and community.
 
Please save the dates of 
 
Monday, March 5, when we have our next monthly meeting.
 
Sunday, March 11, when we hold our housing advocacy workshop.
 
Here is a short update on activities and projects. 
 
Care for Creation
 
On Feb. 8, we began our study group. The next meeting is Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. at San Damiano Retreat Center. It is not too late to join us. We have five copies left of the encyclical letter  Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis. There is a $15 fee to purchase the book. One of our aims by the end of this class is to form a working group to design parish ecology projects. Join us!
 
Homelessness and Housing
 
The homelessness and housing working group had its first meeting on Feb. 13. We look forward to continuing a ministry to people living on the streets; serving our guests at the women’s shelter; and learning how other agencies help people without housing to survive and live with dignity. We need the gifts and talents of everyone to make this working group fruitful. Please contact Alba Fresco if you want to join this group.
 
We are holding an advocacy workshop on Sunday, March 11.  The Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing will lead the presentation. This group will highlight current important campaigns to reduce homelessness across New York City and to prevent displacement of persons into homelessness. We will review recent advocacy victories and give an introduction to effective faith-rooted advocacy strategies. We especially invite volunteers at Good Shepherd Shelter and JoyJ Initiative volunteers to attend.
 
Immigration
 
We will be forming a working group to protect all our immigrant neighbors and keep their families together. We pray for the work of the New Sanctuary Coalition, which fights the deportation of hundreds of immigrants, and Ravi Ragbir, its executive director. We continue to pray for Amanda Morales and her three children who live in Washington Heights at a sanctuary church, Holyrood Episcopal Church. If you are interested in making a pastoral visit to Amanda and her children, please contact Brother Anthony.
 
Rezoning and Library
 
Please attend the Community Board public hearing on the Inwood rezoning plan. It will be on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at I.S. 52 on 650 Academy St., between Broadway and Vermilyea Street. This is a critical meeting. Your comments at the hearing will affect how the Community Board votes on the rezoning plan. Thanks to all who are leading community efforts to preserve affordable housing in Inwood. We will form a working group to educate and mobilize the parish at key moments of the review process.
 
Stay connected to our committee and working groups! Good things are coming as our ministry brings our parish and community together. May we follow Jesus faithfully in the way of his peace.