Dear Friends of St. Jane Frances and OLC,
On behalf of all of us at OUR Pastorate of the Visitation, I would like to wish everyone a very Blessed and Joyous Easter! Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Today is the most important day in the Christian year, even more important than Christmas. For today, we celebrate Jesus’ triumph over sin and death, offering to us the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life in the heavenly kingdom. Jesus’ Resurrection also ushers in a new era in human history, where we have been invited into a deeper union with God and sent forth into the world to share our witness and testimony concerning the saving power of Christ. So go forth today, and every day to proclaim that Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
The celebration of Easter is so important that the Church celebrates it as an Octave, meaning eight days. The Octave of Easter concludes next Sunday with the Sunday of Divine Mercy. This feast was added to the Church calendar by St. John Paul II in the year 2000. Also during the Easter Season, we will read through the Acts of the Apostles, which documents the growth of the early Church, empowered by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Easter Season concludes with the Solemnity of Pentecost, which we will celebrate on May 19th. We also celebrate on Easter the Sacraments of Initiation for those entering into the Church at the Easter Vigil. We congratulate all who have joined or have been confirmed in the Church this year!
I would like to thank everyone who has made a commitment to the Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries. Your financial support assists the Church in helping those in need throughout our Archdiocese. As of March 15, 2024, OLC has raised $29,030 from 59 gifts and St. Jane Frances has raised $20,169 from 84 gifts. If you haven’t made your pledge yet, please go to www.archbalt.org/giving. All proceeds support the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and are protected by a trust established in 1993 for this purpose.
Both parishes are in the midst of roof replacement projects. St. Jane Frances is working on Phase 1 to replace the roof over the Parish Hall for about $305,000, and OLC is preparing to begin work on replacing the Church roof and extensive work on the clerestory windows and siding for about $265,000. Donations to both projects are being accepted and are “tax free” from Archdiocesan taxes. Thanks for your support!
There are many great events and celebrations planned for the coming weeks and months for our Pastorate. Many of them are included in this weekend’s bulletin. Please take a moment to review them and mark your calendars so that you can join us.
Thank you for keeping our Pastorate of the Visitation—St. Jane Frances and Our Lady of the Chesapeake—in your daily prayers! I certainly remember all of you in my daily prayers as well!
God Bless,
Father Steve
