Joy in the Eucharist

07-25-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We enjoyed having our summer seminarian, Pete O’Steen, with us. Please keep Pete and all of our seminarians in your prayers. Below my column, you will find a note to you from Pete.

Next Monday, August 2, I leave to begin the 30-day Ignatian retreat. It’s pretty intense. Our daily routine will consist of: Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, five prayer periods of at least one hour each, and a meeting with the retreat director for about thirty minutes. I might need a retreat after the retreat! Our retreat director is now not able to come to S.C., so, the four of us are going to him at a retreat center not too far from Tampa, Florida. I return the weekend of September 4/5.

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Totally Yours

07-18-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This weekend, Pete O’Steen, our summer seminarian, finishes his time with us. It’s been a real pleasure to have Pete here at St. Mary’s. Please continue to pray for Pete as he enters his second year of major theology. Please also pray for all our seminarians and for more holy vocations to the priesthood.

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Arrivals and Departures

07-11-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We give a very warm “welcome back!” to Fr. Francisco, who has returned from his well-deserved vacation. Time away with faith, family, and friends is very important for everyone, priests included. As Fr. Francisco arrives home, our friend Msgr. Willie will be taking a few days away back in New York. We pray for safe travels for both!

This week, July 12-16, I will be away for a priests’ conference in West Virginia, sponsored by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Participants will enjoy presentations from biblical greats such as Dr. Scott Hahn, Dr. John Bergsma, and Dr. Ralph Martin.

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Summertime in the Parish

07-04-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Since Independence Day falls on Sunday this year, daily Mass for Monday, July 5, will be at its normal time of 5:30pm, preceded by confessions at 4:45pm.

Father Francisco continues his well-deserved vacation, visiting family and friends in Mexico. Please continue to pray that he has a relaxing time away. Father returns July 12.

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Keeping Faith

06-27-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have been rather amazed at the blatant irresponsibility of various news sources reporting on just one of many recent deliberations of our U.S. Catholic Bishops. The Conference voted to draft a teaching document with help from the Vatican on the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of all the Catholic faithful. It is indeed sad that some have chosen to read things through a political lens, and not through the eyes of faith. We absolutely must be a people driven by the Holy Spirit, and not by rumors, speculation, or our own agendas. If one is searching for a fight, he or she will always find it.

Below are some excerpts from a recent interview by Our Sunday Visitor with Bishop Kevin Rhoades, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, which explains things well:

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Summer in the Parish

06-20-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Father Francisco continues to be away on a well-deserved vacation, visiting his family in Mexico. He will be away through July 11th. We pray that he has a relaxing and Holy Spirit-filled time. While he’s away, we welcome the help of our retired priest-in-residence, Msgr. Willie. Thank you for offering Msgr. Willie such a warm welcome to St. Mary’s.

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Reasons for Gratitude

06-13-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Saying “Thank you” is far too little for all the amazing love and support so many of you showed last weekend. I am extraordinarily blessed to celebrate twenty years of priesthood. I’m doubly blessed to celebrate it here with the wonderful people of St. Mary’s parish. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and may God bless you!

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Divine Sustenance

06-06-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Wednesday on June 9, by the grace of God I will give thanks for twenty years as a priest. It doesn’t escape my notice that half of my priesthood has been spent here with you, the wonderful people of St. Mary’s! Our parish staff has graciously arranged a little reception following the 5pm Mass on Saturday, June 5, in the rose garden and Mother Teresa Hall. (Rain location is St. Angela Hall.)

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Most Holy Trinity - Undivided Unity

05-30-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Hopefully, you were able to read my letter to the parish in the bulletin (also posted on our parish Facebook page) outlining the most recent changes to our virus-related protocols. Here is a quick summary in case you missed it:

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Come, Holy Spirit! Come!

05-23-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Since the bulletin must go to print by Tuesday morning (sometimes earlier), my weekly column may not reflect news and information that comes to light later in the week. By the time this week’s column goes to print, we will certainly have more guidance from our Bishop on face coverings/masks for parishes in our Diocese. I will communicate any new information via our website and Facebook page. Thank you again for your wonderful patience and understanding. We have such a great parish!

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I Will Not Leave You Orphans

05-16-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On May 6, the City of Aiken rescinded its mandatory requirement for masks in retail and commercial establishments, while not prohibit individual businesses from requiring them. Churches, as religious institutions, have been exempt; however, we have followed the lead of our Bishop, who has strongly encouraged many things for parishes, including especially face coverings since we gather a great number of people under one roof.

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Nourish Your Faith

05-02-2021Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!

The great season of Easter continues for fifty days, giving us the vital opportunity to contemplate the radical meaning of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what it means for each and every one of us. “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. … If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17). These words of St. Paul, written soon after Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection, say it all. Eye-witnesses have passed on their personal testimony to us. We cannot remain unchanged.

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