Dear Friends of our Pastorate,
This weekend, we celebrate the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our readings this weekend all speak to us about being called by the Lord to do the work of the Lord. The interesting theme that runs through each is that those being called—Isaiah, Paul, and Peter—all have a similar response: I am not worthy. Yet, that does not deter the Lord from challenging them to grow beyond their fears of unworthiness. We all acknowledge the same sentiment each weekend as well before we receive Holy Communion. We acknowledge that we are not worthy to receive the Lord, but at His word, we will be healed. God can make us worthy for His ministry, if only we cooperate with God’s grace, as St. Paul indicates in his letter to the Corinthians. Once we do that, the Lord can work wonders in our lives and help us to become faithful followers and disciples.
I would like to thank everyone who has made a pledge or donation to the 2025 Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries. The Annual Appeal supports a wide range of ministries throughout the Archdiocese including Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Vocations and College Campus Ministry, Hospital and Prison Chaplaincies, Hispanic Ministry, Tuition Assistance, and our parishes. This year’s theme is “Go Forward with God’s Mission”. There is still plenty of time to make your commitment to the Annual Appeal and help us reach out parish goals of $57,782 for St. Jane Frances and $60,379 for OLC. I encourage you to respond in faith and help support the many ministries of our local church. Thank you for your prayers and your support for the Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries!
We are less than a month away from the start of Lent. Ash Wednesday this year is March 5th. We will be publishing our Lent and Easter calendar soon, but a couple of additions this year include a 12pm Mass on Ash Wednesday at OLC, and 12pm Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent at OLC (in addition to the 7pm Stations at St Jane Frances). There is also a “rumor” going around that there may be another guest bartender appearance on Mardi Gras (March 4th) at the Rumor Meal! Stay tuned for more details.
Please continue to drop off your donations for the St. Patrick’s Day Bazaar. We are accepting wine and liquor donations for the liquor wheel and items we can sell. The raffle tickets will be coming soon as well! Information can be found on our Facebook pages (both parishes) and will soon be included on our websites. Mark the date… Friday, March 14, 2025 at St. Jane Frances!
The Catholic Men’s Fellowship Conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2025 and will be held at St. Joseph Church on Belair Road in Fullerton. Registrations are now open and can be found at https://www.stjane.org/catholic-mens-conference/.
Thank you for keeping St. Jane Frances and Our Lady of the Chesapeake—our Pastorate of the Visitation—in your daily prayers!
God Bless,
Father Steve
