Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The month of August seems to come out of nowhere, and we suddenly realize we are firmly in the second half of 2022. Along with the advent of August comes the return to school for our children. We still need about three more volunteers to help teach our Sunday morning religious education classes (CCD).

Please contact Mary Ellen Jackson to help at 803-642-2676, or mjackson@charlestondiocese.org 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Upon entering the church last Sunday, you will have undoubtedly noticed the scaffolding in the sanctuary around the altar canopy. There is nothing wrong. Nothing is broken and the roof is not leaking. In fact, it means something is right! Due to some generous donations from parishioners, we are finally able to add another piece of art that was originally planned for the church. Within the half-dome above the altar canopy, we are adding the image of the Holy Spirit dove, painted by our resident artist and parishioner, Alice Judd. This is a very ancient and universal symbol above the altars of many Catholic churches, including at the very apex of the apse in Old St. Mary’s.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Upon looking at the bulletin this weekend, you will have immediately noticed our new and improved format. Cleaner lines and multicolored headings help to make it easier to find the information you need. The weekly calendar called “The Week Ahead” has returned, highlighting various activities and their locations. To make reading and finding information even easier, we have given English and Spanish language their own sections. Please be patient as any change is always challenging at first; but we hope you will like our new design.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“We want to start a fire, not a program.” Bishop Andrew Cozzens

As I mentioned in an earlier column, a time of National Eucharistic Revival was launched on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi. The first year invites us to what Pope Francis has described as “a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ” – particularly the transforming power and mercy of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Each Diocese will offer events that encourage the faithful to grow in their understanding and devotion to Christ in the Eucharist, complemented by online formation and resources that will raise up Eucharistic Missionaries at all levels of the Church!

Why Now? Because the Church needs healing. And the world needs the Church. Scandal, division, disease, doubt… The Church has withstood each of these throughout our very human history. But today we confront all of them, all at once. Our response in this moment is pivotal.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Monday, July 4, our nation celebrates Independence Day. Daily Mass is moved to 9am. We will be celebrating a Votive Mass of the Immaculate Conception since the Blessed Virgin Mary is the patroness of our country under this title. Also, join us beginning at 8am for a Holy Hour for our nation, which will include Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, a special rosary for the United States, and Benediction before Mass at 9am.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you hopefully know, our parish pastoral council has been working hard on a long-term strategic plan for our parish. It is now time for your input! After each Mass this weekend, please come over to St. Angela Hall. There you will find stations with parish council members, who will help guide you on giving input and record any new comments or insights you might have. Please take a few moments to participate in this important part of preparing our parish’s future. I want to hear from you!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The mystery of the Risen Christ is so powerful that it “reverberates” in a sense for weeks past Pentecost. Last Sunday, the whole Church throughout the world contemplated the Most Holy Trinity, the central revelation of our faith. Today as we celebrate Corpus Christi, we meditate more deeply upon the Real Presence of Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament, our food for this journey of faith. This Thursday (Jun 23) we celebrate the transferred Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the principal patron of our diocese. This Friday (Jun 24), we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, followed the next day (Jun 25) by the Immaculate Heart of Mary. On this day, we ask Mary to help us ponder all these remarkable mysteries in our own hearts as perfectly as she did. (Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. – St. Luke 2:19) At each of these celebrations, we will have special music at the daily Masses.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

First, please note the summer change in the Wednesday daily Mass time and location. While school is out, Wednesday morning Mass will be in Old St. Mary’s beginning at 8:30am.

This summer, St. Mary’s warmly welcomes Erik Roman, a seminarian for our diocese Please see Erik’s words of introduction below. Welcome, Erik!

Finally, a short reflection on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, which we celebrate today. When the eternal God entered time, beginning with His conception in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we were given far more than a noble example to follow or good advice to live by. All of humanity has been granted the invitation to experience the very inner life of God. Heaven will be a joyful experience beyond our imagining because we will be joined forever to the One who’s inner life of love could not be contained, and who willed to share this love through creation. The love of the one God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is fruitful. The revealing of the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central revelation of our faith.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In between the time I wrote my last article and this one, it was incredibly difficult to believe that another mass shooting had occurred in our nation. This time, the lives of nineteen children in the fourth grade and two teachers were tragically taken. To reiterate a thought from my homily last Sunday, tragedy like this is not inevitable. We should encourage action to be taken, and it doesn’t need to involve being a republican or a democrat or whatever. It just involves being human. We pray for all those who have the power to do something. May the Holy Spirit guide them quickly.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
What does heaven look like? “I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and language. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9). The month of May has been busy! In the past several weeks, both here at St. Mary’s and in our diocese with the ordination of our new bishop, we have had a magnificent glimpse of the biblical vision of heaven. What a blessing to experience such an incredible blend of languages, races, music, and peoples from all over the world who make up our one, universal Church.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For several weeks now, our parish council has been working diligently to gather data for a parish strategic plan. Our mission is clear, one which Jesus Himself gives us and which I mentioned in my column last week: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As of the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, we joyfully welcome our new bishop! Bishop Jacques Fabre was ordained and installed as the Fourteenth Bishop of Charleston on May 13. Through the rite of ordination, Bishop Fabre joins the ranks of the successors to the Apostles. The main part of the ordination rite is the ancient laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination. With roots in the Old Testament for commissioning priests, this was taken up by the Apostles in the New Testament to commission their successors, and it has continued unbroken for 2,000 years. Please pray for our new bishop. If you get the opportunity, perhaps send him a card of congratulations and assure him of your prayers.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It’s back! After a two year hiatus, this Sunday marks the return of one of our parish’s beloved traditions: Our annual May Procession and Parish Picnic.

Even if you attend the 5:00pm Saturday or 8:30am Sunday Mass this weekend, come back to join your parish family for the May Crowning and Parish Picnic. The 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 5:00pm Sunday Masses this Sunday (May 1) are being combined into one bilingual Mass at 11:30am. This Mass will be followed by a procession with a statue of our Blessed Mother down Park Ave and back where we will solemnly crown the image of Mary to the left of the altar. All are encouraged to bring flowers from home to leave at Mary’s feet!