"Have You Ever Thought About..."

07-26-2020Pastor's LetterFather Gregory Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last weekend we said farewell to our summer seminarian, Justin Damask. It’s been wonderful to be part of his seminary formation, even in this most unusual of summers. Thank you for welcoming Justin. A message from Justin is included in the bulletin along with his address, if you’d like to drop him a note or a cookie. Please continue to pray and actively work for more priestly vocations. My own started with the simple question from a wonderful woman in my parish, “Have you ever thought of becoming a priest?” I am certain that there are many religious vocations of all kinds here at St. Mary’s. They just need our help to make a confident “Yes!” as the Virgin Mary did to God’s plan for her – and, ultimately, for the salvation of the world.

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Covering Because We Are Pro-Life

07-15-2020Pastor's LetterFr. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you likely have heard, the City of Aiken passed an ordinance on Monday the 13th to require face coverings in enclosed public spaces in order to help stem the increasing spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. While religious bodies are not specifically included, the Bishop has asked that parishes in the diocese conform to local government ordinances. After all, we gather together more people in one enclosed space with recirculated – not filtered – air than any business or restaurant in Aiken.

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Giving Thanks for Two New Priests

07-12-2020Pastor's Letter Fr. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

What joy for our parish, our diocese, and all of Holy Mother Church! On Friday, July 10, the Most Rev. Robert E. Guglielmone, Bishop of Charleston, ordained a son of our parish, Fr. Will Frei, to the holy priesthood of Jesus Christ, alongside Fr. Michael Cellars, who served at our parish as a seminarian the summer of 2017. For Fr. Frei, this is the culmination of nine years of preparation, starting with college seminary way back in 2011. His educational journey led him to the Basselin Program at the Catholic University of America, an exceptional three-year fellowship in philosophy, and then on to major theological studies in Rome. After ordination, Fr. Frei will briefly help at a parish in the diocese until returning (hopefully) to Rome to finish his license in spirituality. Father Cellars will be the parochial vicar at St. Mary Magdalene in Simpsonville, SC.

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