Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As of writing this Tuesday morning (4/21), we are all still hunkered down except for an occasional trip to refresh essentials. In my daily Masses, I continue to pray for each and every one of you, your families, and your intentions, offering them up in the greatest prayer we have to offer – the Holy Mass. The liturgy of the Mass, of course, constantly reminds me that your physical presence is notably missing. It is true that countless Angels and Saints are there, but it would still be nice to hear your voice. The Angels just don’t respond loud enough for me to hear!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Recent natural disasters in the Southeast have devastated an already stressed population. Tornadoes left 32 dead, 9 from South Carolina alone, and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses. We intercede for all those affected by these natural disasters even as we continue to pray for the over 24,000 killed in the USA – about 120,000 worldwide (both figures as of the writing of this column) in just a matter of weeks during the current pandemic. May our merciful God grant eternal rest to those who have died.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In the midst of the darkness and uncertainly that this passing world offers, Christ is still risen! Truly, He is risen! One thing that hasn’t changed a bit is the message of the Paschal (a word that means Passover) Mystery. Christ is our Passover, says St. Paul. He is the true and unblemished Lamb, whose Blood marks the doors of our houses / our temples / our bodies. Therefore, everlasting death, the plague of sin, passes over the houses marked with His Blood, as it did for the Israelites in the final plague of Egypt (see Exodus 11:1- 12:51), freeing them from slavery. The Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ frees us from the slavery of sin and sin’s final consequence – eternal death.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Right off, I’ll be honest and tell you that I had imagined our sacred celebrations of Holy Week and Easter much differently. However, we will endeavor to make our online Masses and liturgies as holy and familiar as possible. There will be some changes since the celebration of certain liturgies without a congregation physically present alters the liturgy somewhat. For instance, Palm Sunday will not have the usual commemoration of our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem nor the blessing of palms. Even blessing palms and setting them out to be “picked up” is out since it is impossible to get a palm without touching many others, possibly spreading the virus.

Father Hepner has asked me to let you know that each of you and your intentions is remembered in his daily celebration of Holy Mass and his prayers. He misses us as much as we miss him!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As things may easily change in five days since publishing this column, keep plugged into our website and Facebook pages for the very latest updates that affect our parish family life.

A spot of good news… We have a priest assigned to help “bridge the gap” until we can get an official parochial vicar. So, even while in the midst of this unusual time, we give a warm (virtual, perhaps) welcome to Fr. Filip (pronounced Phillip) Wodecki. Father Wodecki was ordained on December 28, 2011, at our Cathedral in Charleston and has served at various parishes throughout our diocese. Most recently he was helping in St. Gregory the Great parish in Bluffton. Father Filip Wodecki is in between assignments right now, so we are blessed to have some additional help. Welcome, Father Wodecki!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In addition to hiking, my other main hobby is doing a little gardening. If you’re like me, this time of year is usually a time of anticipation and excitement as gardeners everywhere begin fulfilling plans and making the more immediate preparations for spring planting.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As I’m sure you are aware, the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be a topic of concern in our communities, and I have gotten several questions in reference to its spread and our parish life. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta terms the spread of the virus a “rapidly evolving situation.” As disciples, we should, of course, not panic and take sensible precautions. A faithful disciple of Jesus Christ must be the example for others. We are still the light of the world, keeping unselfish love for others as our first standard.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Diocese continues to recommend liturgical accommodations for all parishes until such time as the coronavirus is no longer a threat. Of course, these measures will help curb the spread of the “regular” flu and cold as well, which is an added benefit. At Mass, we will continue to omit the giving of the Sign of Peace. We also have discontinued the distribution of the common chalices for now.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” – St. Matthew 25:13

It is with great sadness that I write to you about the death of Father Marcin Zahuta, pastor of St. Thomas More parish at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. He died suddenly last Sunday of complications from a stroke at the young age of 42. Father Marcin had been parochial vicar here at St. Mary’s, and I know many of you remember him well. As I write this column (Tuesday), funeral arrangements had not yet been completed, but I’m sure that by the time you read this, arrangements will have been made. We will get the word out as best we can for those who may wish to attend his funeral Mass. Please pray for the repose of his soul, for his family, for his parish, and for all who mourn his passing. Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Marcin, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

The parish mission and Forty Hours devotion was such a wonderful way to begin Lent! Many of you have continued to let me know how much you were enriched by those holy three days of opportunity to come to hear God’s voice and to put His will for you into action. We were truly blessed to have Elizabeth Ficocelli lead us in our mission. As always, a parish mission is just a beginning. Now, the ball is in your court. Our parish offers wonderful resources to help ever-deepen and inform our lives of faith. Take advantage of them. If you can’t think of any, I have three wonderful little words for you: read the bulletin!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As things may easily change in five days since publishing this column, keep plugged into our website and Facebook pages for the very latest updates that affect our parish family life.

A spot of good news… We have a priest assigned to help “bridge the gap” until we can get an official parochial vicar. So, even while in the midst of this unusual time, we give a warm (virtual, perhaps) welcome to Fr. Filip (pronounced Phillip) Wodecki. Father Wodecki was ordained on December 28, 2011, at our Cathedral in Charleston and has served at various parishes throughout our diocese. Most recently he was helping in St. Gregory the Great parish in Bluffton. Father Filip Wodecki is in between assignments right now, so we are blessed to have some additional help. Welcome, Father Wodecki!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In addition to hiking, my other main hobby is doing a little gardening. If you’re like me, this time of year is usually a time of anticipation and excitement as gardeners everywhere begin fulfilling plans and making the more immediate preparations for spring planting.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As I’m sure you are aware, the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be a topic of concern in our communities, and I have gotten several questions in reference to its spread and our parish life. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta terms the spread of the virus a “rapidly evolving situation.” As disciples, we should, of course, not panic and take sensible precautions. A faithful disciple of Jesus Christ must be the example for others. We are still the light of the world, keeping unselfish love for others as our first standard.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Diocese continues to recommend liturgical accommodations for all parishes until such time as the coronavirus is no longer a threat. Of course, these measures will help curb the spread of the “regular” flu and cold as well, which is an added benefit. At Mass, we will continue to omit the giving of the Sign of Peace. We also have discontinued the distribution of the common chalices for now.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” – St. Matthew 25:13

It is with great sadness that I write to you about the death of Father Marcin Zahuta, pastor of St. Thomas More parish at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. He died suddenly last Sunday of complications from a stroke at the young age of 42. Father Marcin had been parochial vicar here at St. Mary’s, and I know many of you remember him well. As I write this column (Tuesday), funeral arrangements had not yet been completed, but I’m sure that by the time you read this, arrangements will have been made. We will get the word out as best we can for those who may wish to attend his funeral Mass. Please pray for the repose of his soul, for his family, for his parish, and for all who mourn his passing. Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Marcin, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

The parish mission and Forty Hours devotion was such a wonderful way to begin Lent! Many of you have continued to let me know how much you were enriched by those holy three days of opportunity to come to hear God’s voice and to put His will for you into action. We were truly blessed to have Elizabeth Ficocelli lead us in our mission. As always, a parish mission is just a beginning. Now, the ball is in your court. Our parish offers wonderful resources to help ever-deepen and inform our lives of faith. Take advantage of them. If you can’t think of any, I have three wonderful little words for you: read the bulletin!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Hopefully, by now, we have all thought of some ways to enter deeply into this gift of Lent. If you’re still wondering how to observe Lent the best way possible this year, or if you totally forgot, it’s not too late! Start today. Think of it as quality, not quantity. In the Gospel passage for Ash Wednesday, Jesus outlined three things we could do: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. I always encourage people to pick one thing from each category and do each of them well. In terms of prayer, the holy rosary is always a good choice. Or even better, commit to a weekly or bi-weekly holy hour in Ste Claire Chapel in front of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Best of all prayer, consider daily Mass (in addition to Sunday, of course) two or three times a week. In the end, whatever you choose, if you stop what you are doing and get busy with the affairs of God, giving Him your time, you can hardly go wrong.

Recently, someone posted tips on how to fast, attributed to Pope Francis. These things are a sure path to becoming holy / a saint, which is the goal of everyone since only saints are in heaven. I’ve included those tips at the end of my column.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Into the desert, with Christ, we go. The holy season of Lent arrives this week with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. There is something special about Lent as we embark upon a deep, honest reflection about the state of our spiritual lives. Alone it’s hard, but together as the Body of Christ, we find the strength to go deeper.

First, some basic reminders: All Catholics over the age of 14 onwards abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. (That’s right folks, there’s no upper age exemption for abstinence from meat!) Also, Catholics from the age of 18 to 59 fast at least on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The Church defines this fast as one full meal for the day, as well as two smaller portions were taken for strength that together is not equal to a full meal. (Those for whom fasting is not advisable are exempt. Such people should look for other ways to do equivalent penance.)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Some may recall that I was originally scheduled to be the chaplain for a trip to Ireland in May for the Diocese of Charleston’s 200th anniversary. Unfortunately, I will not be able to go on this trip. However, I still encourage people to go and celebrate our history through the life of our first bishop, John England. More information can be found on the website of the Diocese at charlestondiocese.org.

It’s not uncommon for us to question, and doubts are sometimes part of our life of faith. After all, St. Thomas Aquinas wrote copious volumes with this in mind. A century before him, a brilliant philosopher named St. Anselm took as his motto, “Faith Seeking Understanding.” The Church’s history is brimming with some of the brightest intellects ever born, who made the critical study of the faith and science their life-long passion: Augustine, Roger Bacon, Duns Scotus, Pascal, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, Gregor Mendel, Edith Stein, Georges Lemaître, and Elizabeth Anscombe, to name a few. “On the basis that God is a God of reason and love, Catholics have defended the irreducibility of the human person to matter, the principle that created beings can be genuine causes of their own actions, free will, the role of the virtues in happiness, objective good and evil, natural law and the principle of non-contradiction. These principles have had an incalculable influence on intellectual life and culture.” (Fr. Andrew Pinsent, May 6, 2011)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It’s always hard to believe how quickly Lent seems to arrive, but it will soon be upon us in just over two weeks. I have always deeply appreciated this special time that helps remind us of our true purpose as disciples of Jesus Christ. Lent becomes a time to turn away from our selfishness and refocus on the most important thing: God. It’s not too early to begin thinking about what we might add in prayer and penance so that when Ash Wednesday arrives (February 26), we can hit the spiritual ground running.

One of the best ways to begin your Lenten journey is with this year’s Parish Mission, which begins the night of Ash Wednesday and runs through the evening of Friday, February 28. This year we are planning to make the Mission part of a Forty Hours devotion, a special forty-hour-ish period of continuous prayer made before the Blessed Sacrament. By coming before Jesus, truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament, we will begin our Lent in the best way possible – focused on Jesus Christ. Jesus went into the desert for forty days, which is what Lent is based upon. It is also the root of the Forty Hours devotion. You will be encouraged to sign up with your fellow parishioners for some time of Adoration. (Those who already have an hour in Ste Claire Chapel will come over during their hour to Old Saint Mary’s.)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“The anniversary of a church’s dedication is celebrated with the rank of a solemnity.” – Roman Pontifical, Rite of Dedication of a Church, 27.

In a typical year, we move the celebration of the dedication of our parish church to the closest Sunday. In the Church’s liturgical calendar, the anniversary of the dedication of a parish church is considered so important for the local community, it even takes the place of a Sunday in Ordinary Time. However, every few years the date of our dedication – February 2 – falls on a Sunday. Thus, in addition to our celebration of the consecration of St. Mary’s, we also celebrate the great feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, a.k.a., Candlemas. (Keep in mind, our feast was celebrated long, long before we Americans came up with “Groundhog Day”!)