Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For a while now, we have resumed regular confessions, but in a different location. Since at present we are not able to utilize the confessionals, we have been using the Waters Conference Room in St. Michael Hall. Confession times are: Mon., Tue., Thurs., and Fri. 4:45-5:15pm (before the daily Mass); and Saturday 3:30-4:30pm. “Though your sins be like scarlet, they shall become white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). Our Lord died and rose to bring us this Sacrament. Let us run to receive His free gift of loving forgiveness.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We pray in a special way for our parishioner, Anastasia (Stasia) Pierce, who is heading off to discern a calling to religious life with the Little Sisters of the Poor. Originally, the Congregation planned for her internship to be in Delaware; however, this has changed to their house in Mobile, Alabama. I’m certain she’d love to hear from you. Drop her a note and let her know you are praying for her. If all goes well, Stasia will enter as a postulant for the Congregation in the fall of 2021. Her address is Stasia Pierce, Sacred Heart Residence, 1655 McGill Avenue, Mobile, Alabama, 36604. The Little Sisters of the Poor are a truly remarkable international congregation of women religious serving the elderly poor in over thirty countries around the world. May God bless their important work!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This weekend, we give a very warm welcome to our new parochial vicar, Fr. Francisco Oñate-Vargas. In answer to a popular question, Father says that he prefers to be called “Father Francisco.” Over the next couple of weeks, Father will be rotating through the Masses. Although current safety precautions keep us from giving our warmest welcome, I know the great people of St. Mary’s will find a way to make Fr. Francisco feel our joy to have him here with us in Aiken!

While you were out… Our stained glass windows continue to arrive even in the midst of the pandemic. Although the church is not open as usual during the day (so that the church remains sanitized for Masses), I hope you will be able to come around Mass times to enjoy our three newest windows: The Crucifixion, The Resurrection, and The Ascension Into Heaven. (Many thanks go especially to our remarkably generous donor!)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

To all of our dear friends who keep up with Holy Mass virtually/on-line, please know how much we miss you! Personally, I never realized until now the tremendous value of something so small as a simple handshake and “Hello!” at the door of the church after Mass. We are doing our very best to keep our parishioners at home connected until we can all safely be together again. Help us keep you connected!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the midst of this present pandemic, some people wonder if all our precautions are worth it. It’s sometimes difficult to persevere with no particular designated end if we don’t seem to have evidence that it affects us personally. To that end, I beg you to persevere. Many of you have told me of loved ones and even parishioners who have contracted the disease caused by the coronavirus. Please note that these cases were not contracted from attending Mass here at St. Mary’s. So far, they have been homebound, loved ones in nursing homes, or beloved relatives who live elsewhere. However, this is the reason we have the precautions we have.

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.

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.

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.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Some of you may have heard – or soon will hear – that “Father Wilson is being transferred to Our Lady of Peace in North Augusta.” The sentence itself is true. However, the “Father Wilson” going to OLP is Fr. Richard Wilson, not yours truly. On July 15th, Fr. Renaurd West will begin his new assignment at Sacred Heart parish in Charleston, and we will welcome Fr. Richard Wilson to the Aiken Deanery as pastor of Our Lady of Peace in North Augusta. So, yes, we will have two Fathers Wilson within twenty minutes of each other!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of the most liberating, important Sacraments that we have resumed is Confession / Reconciliation. Because small, enclosed spaces are difficult to keep sanitized between penitents, the Deacon Waters Conference Room in St. Michael Hall has been outfitted for confessions. Beginning Monday, June 22, we will resume our normal confession schedule. (See the front of the bulletin. The conference room is located in the right-hand wing of the courtyard. “Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. … Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow” (Isaiah 1:16-18).

Masses

All Masses are in the new church (except Wednesday Spanish Mass at 7pm in Old St. Mary’s). Every other pew is used. We sanitize between Masses, so the new church is not open outside of Mass to ensure it is clean when you arrive.

Mass Schedule:
Mon, Tue, Thur, & Fri: 5:30pm
Wed: 8:30am; and in Spanish at 7:00pm (Old St. Mary’s)
Sat (daily Mass): 8:00am
Sun Vigil (Sat): 5:00pm

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.

On Sunday, July 12 at 5:00pm, Fr. Frei will offer a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving here at St. Mary’s. Of course, as with everything in this most unusual year 2020, it’s not a typical Mass. We will still have limited capacity, no congregational singing, and social distancing is still a must. However, we plan to make it the most joyful and holy Mass we can muster in this atypical year. Father Frei will have a small and safe-as-possible reception in the garden outside after the Mass, where you can ask for his first blessing. Our current plan is to have another, even more joyful Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving next year when Fr. Frei returns full time, hopefully to a safer, post-COVID world. We live in hope, after all! In the words of St. Paul, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thes 5:16-18).

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.

On Sunday, July 12 at 5:00pm, Fr. Frei will offer a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving here at St. Mary’s. Of course, as with everything in this most unusual year 2020, it’s not a typical Mass. We will still have limited capacity, no congregational singing, and social distancing is still a must. However, we plan to make it the most joyful and holy Mass we can muster in this atypical year. Father Frei will have a small and safe-as-possible reception in the garden outside after the Mass, where you can ask for his first blessing. Our current plan is to have another, even more joyful Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving next year when Fr. Frei returns full time, hopefully to a safer, post-COVID world. We live in hope, after all! In the words of St. Paul, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thes 5:16-18).

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write this week’s column (Tuesday morning) with our nation in turmoil. As if the enormous problems caused by a tiny virus were not enough, riots rage across our country. If we say nothing, or if we pretend that nothing is wrong or that things are being “blown out of proportion,” then we are missing a crucial part of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, He who should always be our first allegiance. Would Jesus say nothing? Would He not care that a group of people are hurting? He would not condone violence, of course. But we must not let that truth overshadow the roots of this longer-lasting pandemic – historic racism.

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