Walking in His Footsteps

04-14-2019Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At last, you may have noticed the three plaques for the Our Gifts – His Glory program. Recall that OG-HG is the program (not the capital campaign) that allows parishioners to donate certain meaningful articles in and around our church in memory or in honor of a loved one, such as statues, pews, liturgical items, ornamental trees, etc. Plaques for the items within the church are displayed as you come in through the main doors, opposite the capital campaign plaques. The plaque for the items outside the church is located on the north wing (where the St. Vincent de Paul Society operates). We are immensely grateful to all who donated to help make our church even more beautiful. Thank you!

It’s not too late to get in at the ground level of our proposed columbarium. Please contact Patrick Wray at the office. In order to build, we need a sufficient number of “buy-ins.” Thank you to the many who have already reserved a niche.Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. Take a walk with Jesus in His final steps. Make time to spend with Him. Some highlights of the week:

Tuesday (April 16) at 11:00 AM – the Mass of the Oils at the Cathedral in Charleston. Three oils will be blessed by the Bishop: Oil of the Sick (for the Anointing of the Sick); Oil of Catechumens (used before Baptism); and the Sacred Chrism (for the baptism of infants, Confirmation, and the ordination of bishops and priests). All are invited to attend. (Please note that St. Mary’s will have no 5:30pm daily Mass or Confessions this day, although we will have the 6:30am Mass.)

Holy Thursday (April 18): The Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00pm celebrates the institution of the Mass and the Priesthood. As Mass ends, we go with Jesus in procession down Park Avenue to our own Garden of Gethsemane – the Altar of Repose – at Old St. Mary’s. “Could you not watch with me one hour?” (St. Matthew 26:40). Old St. Mary’s will remain open until Midnight for prayer.

Good Friday (April 19): A day of both fast & abstinence from meat. See the full schedule in this bulletin and on our website. The solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00pm is the high point of the day.

Holy Saturday evening (April 20): We begin the Great Easter Vigil outside. (Please note that is no 5:00PM Mass on Holy Saturday.) This liturgy is ancient and entirely unique. Full disclosure: It does last over two and a half hours (we are in vigil, after all), and it is one of the most beautiful and inspiring liturgies of Holy Mother Church. On this night, those who have been preparing to enter the Church through Baptism or a Profession of Faith will be brought into full, visible communion.

Easter Sunday (April 21): The Church rejoices as Jesus rises from the dead in glorious splendor in His glorified body. Let us pray more fervently for each other in this holiest of weeks, especially for our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters who suffer even in our day as Christ suffered for us.

Father Wilson

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