Dear Friends of our Pastorate of the Visitation,
This weekend, we celebrate the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. This means we are approaching the end of our liturgical year and preparing to make the shift into the Advent Season… BUT… not yet! Our readings this weekend continue the themes of being prepared for the return of the Lord. Last weekend, we heard the parable of the Ten Virgins, where only five were wise enough to be prepared for the bridegroom’s delayed return. This weekend, we hear about the Master going away on a journey and entrusting talents to his servants: two of whom are successful in doubling the value of the talents and one who was afraid to do anything with his talent. If we think about it, we are continually in a state of waiting for the coming of the Lord and being prepared to welcome him when he comes again. While we wait, we have been entrusted with gifts and talents that are to be used for the benefit of all, and not just kept to ourselves. As children of light, we are not afraid of these days, because we are (or should be) always ready and prepared to welcome Jesus when he comes: not only at his second coming but every day as he comes among us in the faces of the stranger in our midst. Prepare by practicing the commandment to love!
This past week, our pastorate celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation for over 50 of our youth. Thank you for keeping them in your prayers as they prepared to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This weekend, our parish youth (8th through 12th grade) are on retreat. Many of you signed up to pray for them this weekend, so thank you! I have attended many retreats, and I know the teens appreciate being remembered and prayed for.
Next Sunday is the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the founding of St. Jane Frances Parish, which happened on Nov. 22, 1946. Please join me in welcoming Msgr. Jay O’Connor to the parish to celebrate the 10:00am Mass. Fellowship Sunday will be celebrated on the 22nd as well, so please join us for coffee and donuts after all Masses that weekend. Happy 80th Anniversary St. Jane Frances de Chantal!
The organ rebuild project at St. Jane Frances has taken way longer than I had expected. It was supposed to be done at Pentecost back in May, but it is still dragging on. I am hopeful that most of the organ will be ready for the 80th Anniversary Mass, but the full organ rebuild won’t be completed until a later date. Thank you to everyone who donated money to the organ rebuild project.
OLC has to replace the culvert pipe on the driveway leading into the Church’s parking lot. The current pipe has collapsed and washed away the soil under the roadway. That is why part of the driveway is currently roped off. We are in the process of signing a contract for this project with an anticipated cost of $37,000. If you would like to make a restricted donation to help with the cost, please place your gift, along with a letter stating it is for the Culvert project in an envelope, and drop it off at Church or in the collection basket. Thank you for your assistance with this unplanned expense.
And as always, thank you for keeping our Pastorate of St. Jane Frances and Our Lady of the Chesapeake in your daily prayers.
God Bless,
Father Steve
