The Gift of Sacramental Forgiveness/El don del perdón sacramental

08-30-2020Pastor's LetterFr. Wilson

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.

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You Are Rock.../Tu eres piedra...

08-23-2020Pastor's LetterFr. Wilson

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!

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Welcome, Father Francisco!

08-16-2020Pastor's LetterFather Wilson

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!)

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Small Sacrifices

08-09-2020Pastor's LetterFr. Wilson

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!

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Please Stay Safe

08-02-2020Pastor's LetterFr. Wilson

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.

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