Each Person Has Dignity

01-27-2019Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I want to reflect a little on my recent experience with members of our youth and the thousands gathered this year on January 18 for the annual March For Life in Washington, D.C. This was my ninth time at the March, having gone all six years during my time in seminary and three since. This time was the most people I’ve ever seen there, the vast majority being youth and young adults. How beautiful!

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Cutting Off the Chain of Hate

01-20-2019Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Through all the nearly eighteen years of my priesthood, I have been truly blessed to be associated with a Catholic school for all but three of those years. And what a blessing it has been! For the kickoff of Catholic Schools Week next weekend, you will see several of our St. Mary’s School students leading some of our Masses. We will also have an open house on Sun, Jan 27 from 9:30am–Noon. Donuts, juice, and coffee will await you! Even if your own children are all grown up, come by and check out your parish school, which forms the minds, hearts, and spirits of the next generation. It is our greatest apostolate. Support your St. Mary’s School!

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Renewing Our Baptismal Call

01-13-2019Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Monday evening, January 14 at 7:00pm in St. Angela Hall, St. Mary’s will host the entire Aiken Deanery for a visit from our Bishop. During this town hall-style meeting, Bishop Guglielmone will talk about the current crisis in the Church. He also plans to answer your related questions. Of course, wecontinue to pray for the healing of all victims of abuse. With God’s help, the Church can truly become the place of healing and love we are meant to be.

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Seeking the Light of Truth

01-06-2019Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

First, a farewell. After several years of devoted service, Deacon Pat Mongan and his wife Ellen are moving to their new home in Florida. We have been greatly enriched by their presence here at St. Mary’s. Hopefully, they will have one last Sunday with us so that we can say a proper farewell. May Godrichly bless them and their family. Thank you, Deacon Pat and Ellen!

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Thank You!

12-30-2018Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

A big thank you to all those who helped make our Christmas celebrations spectacular. Thank you to the wonderful voices and leadership of all of St. Mary’s choirs. It takes much effort to bring us such beautiful music. We are grateful for all the volunteers who set up for Masses, proclaim the word of God, help the priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion, usher, and those who clean and prepare behind the scenes so well that we never know the amount of work it takes. What looks effortless is far from it! And, of course, a very special thank you to our “elves,” who decorated our churches and gave us the beautiful atmosphere for worship. To all – thank you! You help make St. Mary’s great!

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The Christmas Challenge

12-23-2018Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” – St. John 1:14 The solemn celebration of the Incarnation of our God begins. Incarnation literally means “taking on flesh.” We celebrate the amazing fact that God the Son, the eternal, Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, through the power of the Holy Spirit, took on human flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was born for us at Christmas to be our Savior. And yet, in times past as today, the Savior is not always well received:

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Rejoice in the Lord Always!

12-16-2018Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of joy. The official entrance text for the Mass comes from St. Paul’s epistle to the Philippians, “Gaudete !... Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near” (4:4-5). The vestments that the priest and deacon along with the third candle of the Advent wreath are colored rose, the color of hope and anticipation since it is the color of the sky just before the dawn.

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Having Joy When Feeling Sad

12-09-2018Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

First, I apologize if there was any confusion about the normal 11:00am Mass this weekend. There are no changes to the Mass schedule, and there was no bilingual Mass planned. The St. Mary’s Hispanic community has invited anyone interested to join in the festivities for Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrationtoday (9 December), which includes a procession beginning at 11am near St. Angela Hall. Then, Mass (in Spanish) follows at 12:30pm. Following Mass is our fantastic fiesta in St. Angela Hall to which all are invited.

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Having the Best Advent Ever

12-02-2018Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy New Liturgical Year! The new liturgical year offers us a unique opportunity to make resolutions. But instead of resolving to lose weight, go to bed early, or learn a new language, we can make new (or revisit old) spiritual resolutions to deepen the most central relationship we as disciples have – our relationship with Jesus Christ. I encourage all of us to practice waiting (a primary theme of this season) and celebrate Advent now, not Christmas. Catholics value a good “build-up” to a season, and it makes the season of Christmas more meaningful if we have prepared properly. Some ideas…

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The Pastor's Corner

11-25-2018Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today, our liturgical year comes to its close with the celebration of the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. But don’t let today be the only day that the Lord Jesus is King of your life. The fruits of the Holy Spirit, which shine forth in the life of each disciple who has made Jesus Lord of his or her life, can and should be practiced every day – “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Which of these might we be making excuses not to practice? Are we cultivating their opposites in our words and actions? When someone sees both our public façade and our private life, can they tell Jesus is our King?

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The Pastor's Corner

11-18-2018Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you to all who did our short survey about the possibility of a columbarium at St. Mary’s. Due to early deadlines I am writing this column early. Therefore the information that was collected is still being processed as I am writing. However, I did want to address a couple of concerns:

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November is Black Catholic History Month

11-11-2018Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For us as Catholics in the United States, the month of November is our celebration of National Black Catholic History Month. As disciples of Jesus Christ, it is always incredibly important for us to support actively all our brothers and sisters in the faith. We recall that especially here in the South, some lived during the times of Jim Crow laws. Healing takes not only time but also our presence, action, and love.

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Overcome Evil With Good

11-04-2018Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The recent shootings at a Pittsburgh synagogue are the latest in disturbing events of hatred. We stand in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters, praying for the injured and the dead, and asking God to heal the wounds created by acts of violence. Friends, in these days where evil seems to be so prevalent, where hatred that leads to murder seems to appear in headlines on our smartphones daily, remember these words of St. Paul, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21

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