Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Happy New Year! At least, happy new liturgical year! As always, the first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s new liturgical cycle. The good Lord knows that we need a new beginning! Most of the Gospels for this liturgical year will come from St. Mark – Cycle B. We begin each new year not by looking back at Christ’s first coming at Christmas, but by looking forward to His glorious Second Coming. As disciples, we are to keep the future in mind as we go about the present. 

View the Parish Necrology here.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When driving near Old St. Mary’s, take a look at the beautiful new addition on the York St. side of the property between Old St. Mary’s and the rectory: a beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Grace. The statue itself is not new. Many years ago it graced the grounds of a convent on Magnolia St. housing Dominican Sisters, who taught at St. Mary’s. The statue is a donation from April Bransome-Gorton in memory of her parents, Dr. and Mrs. E. D. Bransome. We are extremely grateful to the Bransome-Gorton families for this lovely piece of St. Mary’s history.

Other, new additions will (hopefully) have arrived by the time you read this – the last four stained-glass windows! Once they are installed, I will have a special writeup explaining the detailed symbolism in each window. We are so grateful to our donors, whose overwhelming generosity made these exquisite pieces of art possible for all people to enjoy.

Please note that the usual 5:30pm daily Mass on Tuesday, November 17, is canceled. The Bishop will be here that evening at 7:00pm to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on our youth who missed it this spring because of the shutdown. Please pray for these wonderful young men and women, asking their Confirmation Saints to intercede and help them come to great holiness.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We arrive at Commitment Weekend for our Bicentennial Campaign. For those who did not have an opportunity to pledge and would like to, we will leave just a bit of time after the homily this weekend to fill out a pledge card. Remember that half of every dollar comes back to our parish for some much-needed projects. We have already begun receiving distributions from those who have already donated. With these funds, we have begun the security fence around our school and have begun the initial work on the flat-roof sections of Old Saint Mary’s church. The other half of donations go to support and serve important projects and people in the Diocese. Click the banner on our parish website for more information, where you can also donate. Thank you to all who have given it!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

How blessed we are to celebrate All Saints Day this Sunday! It is truly a day for all the Saints, both known and unknown.

Mon, Nov 2, is All Souls Day and begins our solemn month of praying for our Faithful Departed that they may be cleansed from their sins through the saving Cross of Christ. Masses for All Souls: 11:00am at Calvary Cemetery (the church in case of inclement weather), 5:30pm, and 7:00pm (Spanish). The Book of the Faithful Departed will be available near the main doors of the church throughout November to write the names of your loved ones. Regarding the envelopes for All Souls: You are invited to record the names of your departed loved ones on the envelope. These will be placed on the altar and remembered at Masses throughout the month of November.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In order to get this column into the bulletin, it has to be done very early. So, at the moment of writing this, I do not have an update on the status of our Bicentennial Campaign. Hopefully, you received a mailing last week that explains the campaign in more detail and includes a pledge card. This week, you may receive a follow-up call from a parish volunteer to see if we can answer any questions you might have. Remember, you can pledge over five years and nothing is legally binding. Also know that due to the special circumstances of the pandemic, truly no gift is too small. Like Jesus’ story of the widow’s mite (Mark 12:41– 44), the true value of any gift is based on the sacrifice of the giver. This campaign is genuinely a good thing for the people of both the diocese and our parish, which receives half of all gifts. You can also donate online. Just click on our Bicentennial Campaign banner.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last week I mentioned that since mid-May, all the parishes of our diocese have been making in-person Mass available. No case of COVID-19 has been contracted by attending Mass at any parish in the diocese – praise God.

During this time, Mass attendance has been gradually increasing. Since July the Bishop has allowed up to 50% capacity provided that we can maintain social distance. That means that St. Mary’s is able to exceed 200 people. Those living under the same roof do not need to socially distance, so we are able to seat more people. As of yet, we have not had to send anyone to our overflow at 5 pm Sat., 11 am Sun. or 12:30 pm Sun.

A reminder that this Sunday we will begin singing again at Mass. This has not resulted in people contracting the coronavirus from attending Mass at other parishes. Of course, we will keep our masks on and sing at a normal, i.e., not elevated, volume. Recall from last week’s column that most people do not sing hymns like professional singers, so the number of droplets produced by “regular” people like you and me (according to the most recent studies with people singing with masks) is not more dangerous than regular talking. We are pro-life, and would never do something to recklessly endanger human life.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Since mid-May, St. Mary’s parish, along with all the parishes of our diocese and our neighboring diocese, have been making in-person Mass available. Thanks are to God, no one has contracted COVID-19 by attending Mass. Also, almost without exception, the other parishes have been doing at least some singing. Again, this has not resulted in people contracting the disease from attending Mass, and they have been doing this for nearly five months. With this in mind, we plan to resume some singing at Mass (still with masks on) beginning next Sunday, October 18.

Why is this safe? Most people in a congregation do not sing hymns with the gusto of an opera diva or even the controlled beauty of our wonderful cantors; so the number of droplets produced by “normal” people like you and me are (according to the most recent studies with people singing with masks,) not more dangerous than regular talking. We are pro-life and would never do something to recklessly endanger human life. So, let’s dip a toe into the water and “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!” (Psalm 100)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

My recent vacation and retreat were wonderfulopportunities both to relax and recharge. As most of youknow, perhaps my favorite way to unwind is a good, longhike. Over several days in western NC, I was able to clock inover 50 miles of trails with a combined elevation gain of over9,500ft. (If you’re not someone who enjoys hiking, all thatmeans is that I had a great time!) In all my Masses Iespecially remembered each of you and your personalintentions, offering them all up in the greatest possible act ofprayer – the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. As with any timeaway, it’s always wonderful to come home, and it’s great tosee your faces again! (Well, most of your head at least.)

Dear friends,

This week, September 29th (Tuesday) is the feast of the archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The liturgy celebrates the three archangels who are venerated in the tradition of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith (#328).” Angels are immortal, pure, created spirits with intellect, and will. The name “angel” means servant or messenger of God. Angels are on a higher order than human beings as they have no bodies and do not depend on matter for their existence or activity. Archangels are one of the nine choirs of angels listed in the Bible. In ascending order, the choirs or classes are 1) Angels, 2) Archangels, 3) Principalities, 4) Powers, 5) Virtues, 6) Dominions, 7) Thrones, 8) Cherubim, and 9) Seraphim. The angelic hierarchy provides a sense of order, progress, and ascent in how God’s infinite knowledge establishes and maintains the order and beauty of creation.

Dear friends,

As we all know our pastor, Father Wilson has been away on vacation for a few weeks and we are excited to know that he is returning this Friday, September 25th. We have been praying for Father Wilson’s fruitful retreat and wishing him a restful break. May God bless him and bring him back home safely.

This week, September 21st (Monday) is the feast of St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist. In today’s Gospel (Matthew 9:9-13) we have a short account of Jesus’ call of Matthew, a tax collector. Jesus called him out of his daily work to a life of discipleship. I cannot hear the account of the calling of Matthew without thinking of the famous painting by Michelangelo Caravaggio painted at the end of the 16th century. This painting is still in display in the church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome.

The painting depicts a particular moment, that is, the seconds before Matthew’s decision. What will Matthew say when Jesus says, “follow me”? Undoubtedly, this was a dramatic call and yet Matthew got up and followed the Lord. The painting not only depicts the calling of Matthew but also our calling, as Jesus is inviting us daily to follow Him. Jesus comes to us in the midst of our everyday work, in the daily challenges of life. Christ is calling us to holiness. He is calling us to follow in His footsteps. How will I respond?

Dear friends,

I want to take this opportunity to say, “thank you” for your warmest welcome. I am truly blessed to be part of the St. Mary’s family. I also want to thank you for all your prayers and especially for praying for me while I was sick with COVID-19. Your prayers worked!

It all started in Mexico while visiting family in the middle of July. I wasn't able to breathe and it just got worse after that. I really thought I was not going to make it, but God had other plans for me. Let us pray for all of those who are struggling with this horrible virus that they may not lose hope and that God may heal them. Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons God has given us. Remember, Jesus Himself would often slip away to pray.

This week we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, also known as “The Triumph of the Cross.” According to tradition, early in the fourth century, St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, went to Jerusalem to excavate the Holy Sepulcher and discovered the True Cross. Holy Cross day is a day which honors and commemorates the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross for our salvation.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

First, a reminder about scammers using the names of priests and parish staff: Some parishioners continue to get texts or emails claiming to be me, our school principal, or another trusted member of St. Mary’s parish. The scammers always ask for money in the form of iTunes gift cards or something similar. They even say things like, “I’m going into a meeting, so don’t call me. Just reply to this email” (or text). Please know that no one from St. Mary’s will ever ask you for funds like this. If you’re unsure, do nothing until you speak directly to the person you are trying to help. The scammers troll through our bulletin and website to get phone numbers and emails from volunteers or others. There isn’t much we can do to stop them since it is often someone overseas. Please pray for these unfortunate, deceitful people.