Dear Friends of our Pastorate of the Visitation,
This weekend we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter. This weekend is also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” because the theme for the readings each year on the Fourth Sunday of Easter is based on our understanding of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus refers to himself as “the Gate,” one of the seven I AM statements Jesus uses about himself in John’s Gospel. As the Gate for the sheep, Jesus proclaims that it is through Him that we attain eternal life. There is no other way to come to be saved and to be nourished on our earthly journey that ultimately leads us to heavenly life.
Speaking of nourishment, our pastorate has entered First Communion season! We are excited to be celebrating First Communions this weekend at the 11:30am Mass at St. Jane Frances. Next weekend, we will celebrate First Communions at the 4:00pm and 10:45am Masses at Our Lady of the Chesapeake. Please join me in praying for all of our first communicants as they begin to be nourished by the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ who is truly present to us in the Eucharist.
We are also approaching the month of May when we will be honoring our Blessed Mother with our annual May Crowning celebrations. Please join us on Sunday, May 3rd after the 10:00am Mass at St. Jane’s when we will be crowning the Blessed Mother statue on the lawn next to the Church. At OLC, our May crowning will take place on May 10th, following the 10:45am Mass.
Mother’s Day Spiritual Bouquets are available at both churches as we prepare for Mother’s Day on May 10th. There is a card you can give to your mother as well as a way to have your mom remembered at Masses during the Month of May. At OLC, the Knights of Columbus are hosting a Mother’s Day breakfast on May 10th following the 8:30am and 10:45am Masses for a nominal fee.
There are many other great events happening at our Pastorate this Spring including our Sight and Sound Bus trip to see Joshua, our “How to be His” Book Study, a 33-Day Dedication to the Eucharist, our OLC 2026 Spring Raffle, the Mother’s Day Basket of Love Raffle run by the Sodality at SJF, and the Co-ed Church Softball League. Information on these and many other activities are in the bulletin. I hope you will be able to join us for some, or all of them!
Many events are happening for our youth as well. Our high school youth are on their spring retreat this weekend, so please keep them in your prayers. We are also still accepting reservations for the Middle School Summer Mission service weeks taking place this summer and Vacation Bible Camp (School) registrations are open for both parishes. VBS is scheduled for July 13-17 at SJF (evening), and July 20-24 at OLC (daytime).
Thank you for keeping our Pastorate of the Visitation—St. Jane Frances de Chantal and Our Lady of the Chesapeake—in your daily prayers!
God Bless,
Fr. Steve
