New Year of Grace

01-28-2018Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we make our way well into this new year of grace, 2018, here are a couple of reminders of special events coming our way:

Tomorrow, January 22, is a voluntary day of fasting and prayer for Respect for Human Life. All human beings are made in the image and likeness of God, regardless of age or even stage of development. God revealed this Himself by taking on human flesh in the Virgin Mary's womb. There never was a time that His miraculous conception could have been considered "not human." Saint John the Baptist even leapt at the presence of Jesus, newly conceived, in the wombof his own mother, St. Elizabeth.

In the words of Mother Teresa, "Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want. This is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion." I personally have known many couples unable to have children, who want children and would make fantastic mothers and fathers. Children are wanted – never unwanted. It's heartbreaking to know there is a home for a little girl or little boy if only we can give mothers and fathers consideringending the life of their unborn child a better choice – Life.

The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will culminate this Thursday on January 25, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, when St. Mary's joins St. Paul's Lutheran Church with a special, joint Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 7:00pm at St. Paul's. I along with the senior Pastor of St. Paul's, Jeff Erbskorn, will both preach. Our choirs will also join together to provide special music. Although Catholics and Lutherans are not at the point of intercommunion, the sign of complete union, there are many things we can work on together in our day. The greatest "threat" to our Christian beliefs is not each other, but the rejection of Christ altogether. As we pray Jesus' own prayer "that all may be one" (John 17:21), we look for ways to be a common witness to the fruits of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. So, please join us this Thursday, January 25 at 7pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 961 TrailRidge Road in Aiken.

As I mentioned last week, the anniversary of a church's dedication is considered in the Church's liturgy a solemnity of the highest order. It allows a local parish community to celebrate and renew its resolve to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the whole world. As in years past, we will move our celebration to the closest Sunday, the weekend of February 3 and 4. All Masses of Feb. 3 and 4 will be the Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church with special readings and prayers. The 11:00am Mass on February 4 will be a special bilingual (English/Spanish) Mass, just as we did last year, to celebrate as one community in one faith.

  • Let us pray for each other,
  • Father Wilson
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