Dear Friends of our Pastorate,
Our readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time remind us once again of the healing power of Jesus Christ on those who are afflicted with illness and disease. A leper approaches Jesus, begging him to make him clean. Immediately Jesus is moved with pity and heals him. In Jesus’ day, this disease would have caused this person to be isolated and removed from the community. Now through this encounter with Jesus, he is made whole again and can be welcomed back. Jesus can do the same for each one of us as well. When we approach Jesus with our “illnesses” and “diseases” that isolate us from others, and ask him to heal us, he can and will do it! God’s mercy and compassion for us is endless, if only we approach the Lord with humility and trust.
A great church season that helps us to do this is Lent, which happens to begin this week, on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14th. Please join us for Masses at 8:30am and 7:00pm at both parishes. Ashes will be distributed at all Masses. Dedicate yourself to “turning away from sin and being faithful to the Gospel” during this Lenten Season. As a reminder, Ash Wednesday is one of the Church’s special penitential days of fasting and abstaining from meat—a small sacrifice to make in response to our Lord’s sacrifice for us.
We have a couple of Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras celebrations this week on Feb. 13th. Join Scout Troop 414 at St. Jane Frances Parish Hall for the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. In addition, join Fr. Steve as he “guest bartends” from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Rumor Meal on Mountain Rd. for our Mardi Gras celebration. A percentage of all proceeds that evening (4:00pm–9:00pm) from dine in or carry out will benefit OLC.
Stations of the Cross and the Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry Fridays begin this Friday, Feb. 16th at St. Jane Frances. Stop by for dinner at St. Jane Parish Hall from 4:00pm to 7:00pm for a delicious Lenten appropriate seafood meal, then stop by the Church at 7:00pm for Stations of the Cross.
The 2024 Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries is in full swing! This year’s theme is “Faith in Action—Transforming Lives, Impacting Communities.” Many of us have received information about the appeal in the mail and have responded by making a donation. This weekend, all of us will have an opportunity to make our pledge and commitment to the Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries. Your donations serve people throughout the Archdiocese, including our local pastorate parishes. The parish goal for St. Jane Frances is $62,158 and for Our Lady of the Chesapeake, it is $60,290. All monies raised through the Annual Appeal are considered restricted gifts and will go to support the Church’s many outreach programs, educational needs, and social services including the essential works of Catholic Charities. Please be as generous as you can and support the 2024 Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries.
And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the St. Patrick’s Day Bazaar on Friday, March 15th at St. Jane Hall and School. This is a great family friendly event!
Thank you for keeping our Pastorate in your daily prayers!
Father Steve
