Fr. Anthony Ciorra, an author and professor who gives workshops and retreats throughout the United States, the Middle East and Europe, will lead St. Gregory the Great's Lenten Mission Sunday, March 19 to Tuesday, March 21. The mission's theme is "A Retreat with Pope Francis."

Fr. Ciorra will speak at the March 19 Sunday Masses and will preach that evening as well as the following two evenings. Monday's session will include Reconciliation while the Tuesday session will include a Benediction. All three sessions will run from 7 to 8 p.m. All events will take place in the church hall and all are welcome. No registration is required.

Fr. Ciorra was ordained a priest in 1973. His experience has included parish life, teaching, administration, retreat work, preaching, and formation ministries. He has graduate degrees in psychology, history, and pastoral theology, and a certificate in Spiritual Direction. He has a Ph. D. in Theology from Fordham University and is currently Professor of Theology and Interim Vice President for Mission and Catholic identity at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut.

His publications include Everyday Mysticism, a book about spirituality in the marketplace and he co-authored Moral Formation in the Parish, a work about living Christian and moral values on the world. In recognition of his ministry in the Church, he was given the pontifical honor Pro Eccelsia et Pontifice by Pope John Paul II in 1999. He was awarded the Caritas Centennial Award in 2000 for his work in lay ministry and the Spirit of Renew Award for his work in interreligious dialogue and ecumenism.