22nd Sunday of the Year

Dear Friends in Christ,

Next weekend at all Masses we will take up a second collection to assist those afflicted by Hurricane Harvey. Please be generous so that the Church can assist those in need, especially those who had very little even before the devastation of this storm.

This Wednesday, 6 September, is the beginning of all evening classes of Christian formation: religious education for children, the Introduction to Catholicism for those who want to learn more about Catholic Christianity, and the Program of Catholic Studies course on “How to Read the Bible.”

Please note that everyone who volunteers in parish activities that involve children must receive training to help insure a safe environment for the young people entrusted to our care, and earlier this year the Diocese of Charleston moved from the program called Virtus to a new program called Safe Haven, the training for which can be taken online. All staff and volunteers must complete the new Safe Haven training even if they had previously taken the Virtus course, and if you have not yet done so, it is essential that you do it in the next few days. For more information, please contact Lisa Watkins in the church office.

On Saturday 7 October, George Weigel will be at St Mary’s to speak on his new book entitled “Lessons in Hope: My Unexpected Life with St John Paul II.” Mr Weigel will sign books after the lecture, and books will be available here for purchase. Look soon for registration information in the eBulletin.

The Center for Evangelical Catholicism is hosting a conference here to commemorate the beginning of the Protestant Reformation 500 years ago. Lectures by distinguished scholars from around the country will take place on 20 and 21 October, and more information is available in the eBulletin and at evangelicalcatholicism.com.

On Saturday 9 December we will have a morning of recollection provided by Father Thomas Joseph White, OP – a Dominican friar and one of the most imminent Catholic theologians in the English-speaking world. That day with Father Thomas Joseph and the celebration of Solemn Vespers on each Sunday of Advent will serve to prepare us for the radiant joy of Christmas, now only 112 days away!

Please put these dates in your calendar now, and always look for ways to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12.2)

Father Newman