Aiding Those in Need

10-21-2018Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Natural disasters can make us feel helpless. From the immense destruction of the recent hurricanes Michael and Florence to the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesian to catastrophic floods in India and France, we are often left wondering how we can help. The vast majority of us cannot travel to these places and are not equipped to help “on the ground.” However, we can help (1) through our prayers (which are more powerful than we imagine) and (2) donations to trusted organizations that are able to help.

The Diocese will likely have a collection soon, but you don’t have to wait to help. Two Catholic organizations in particular to which we can donate online are the Knights of Columbus (www.kofc.org) and Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org).

A reminder that Fr. Raymond and I will be away next week along with our brother priests for our annual retreat, October 22–25, at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, N.C. Many thanks once again to Fr. Ernie Hepner, who will take daily Masses while we are away. Please note, however, there will be no 6:30am Mass on Tuesday, Oct 23, and no 8:30am school Mass on Wednesday, Oct 24.

The youth of our parish are a treasure from God. Please support them in any way you can. To help fund educational, edifying, fantastic, and fun retreats and events is to come this Wednesday, Oct. 24, to our youth-sponsored spaghetti dinner from 5:00-7:00pm in St. Angela Hall.

Our next Holy Day of Obligation is nearly upon us. Mark your calendars for All Saints Day, Thu, Nov 1. Masses: Vigil, Oct 31 – 5:30pm (church), and 7:00pm in Spanish (Old St. Mary’s); and Nov 1 – 7:00am (Old St. Mary’s), 12:00pm & 5:30pm (church). Please note that the school will attend the parish Mass at 12:00pm, and therefore there will be no Mass at 8:30am that morning. Remember that All Saints Day is the time to celebrate all the Saints who have finished their course and enjoy the vision of God in heaven, including those saints in our lives who, although they are not officially canonized, are nonetheless praying for us in heaven!

The following day, All Souls Day, Nov 2, is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. With this day we begin our solemn prayers and remembrance for all the Faithful Departed souls being purified for heaven, especially those who have no one to pray for them. Pray for them and you will have friends in heaven!

As we continue this Respect Life Month, St. John Paul II offer us some wisdom: “To all the members of the Church, the people of life and for life, I make this most urgent appeal, that together we may offer this world of ours new signs of hope, and work to ensure that justice and solidarity will increase and that a new culture of human life will be affirmed, for the building of an authentic civilization of truth and love.” - Evangelim Vitae, para. 6

And, as always, let us pray for each other!

Father Wilson

BACK TO LIST