Dear Friends of our Pastorate of the Visitation,
This weekend, we finally return to the celebration of Sundays in Ordinary Time as we celebrate the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our Gospel this weekend is the commissioning of the twelve apostles to go out and minister to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They are to proclaim the kingdom of God is at hand and bring God’s message of healing and freedom and peace to all they encounter. The Church today continues this mission as well by our service to the people of God throughout the world, but especially in our local community. We, too, are called forth and sent out to proclaim healing and freedom to our neighbors and invite them into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Deacon Phil will be taking over the O.C.I.A. process from Fr. John. O.C.I.A. stands for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, and it is open to anyone who would like to enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus by becoming a member of the Catholic Church. This would include anyone who has never been baptized, was baptized in a non-Catholic Church, or was even baptized Catholic but never completed the Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist and/or Confirmation). Classes will begin in September, but if you would to begin the inquiry process now, please contact Deacon Phil at Phil.Synder@archbalt.org.
Please keep our pastorate youth and chaperones in your prayers this week as they head out for Catholic Heart Work Camp in Dover, DE. They will be working in the Dover area on service projects during the day and then spending time in prayer and reflection in the evenings. This has been a very successful program over the past few years, so thanks to Carrie and to all who have helped to organize and lead our participation in CHWC.
This Sunday is Flag Day. It was on June 14, 1777 that the Continental Congress authorized the design of the US flag. It was this “star spangled banner” that flew over Ft. McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812 that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our National Anthem. Last week, the U.S. Bishops consecrated our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in preparation for the semiquincentennial of our independence. As we prepare as a nation to celebrate our 250th Anniversary on the Fourth of July, let us pray for our country, that we may continue to live in peace and freedom.
There is still time to sign up for VBS this summer at both St. Jane Frances and Our Lady of the Chesapeake. Vacation Bible Camp at SJF runs from July 13–17 in the evenings from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and at OLC from July 20–24 in the mornings from 9:00am to 12:00pm. I hope your children will be able to join us for either (or both!) this summer. Registration information is included in the bulletin.
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,
Father Steve
