Good afternoon everyone-
I had a lovely service today with Deacon Dan joining me at the altar. Father Peter was in Florence and is taking some vacation; well deserved! I was also so happy to see Mary Hoyle join us in running the organ, and our two Citadel Cadets read the prayers for the services, those who go to sea, and our police-fire and first responders.
As always, we did the candle-lighting remembrance at the offertory. It is always a moving ceremony with the tolling of the bell and the reading of those who served. It was also the anniversary of the loss of the EDMUND FITGERALD and her 39 crew members in 1975. Over 30,000 British Mariners were lost in World War II. The US Merchant Marine had the highest per capita losses of any service. There are no gravestones on the seas.
May all our veterans and mariners who gave their lives for their countries rest in peace with the Lord.
- Thank you to everyone who came to help with the parish field day on Saturday, and a Special thanks to our great carpenters, Ed and Ernie, who replaced the steps of the parish house. We also started cataloging the over 1,000 religious books in the Bentley Library.
- Congratulations to the newly ordained Father Charles Lance David, who was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Haverland on Friday, November 8th, at All Saints Parish in Aiken, South Carolina.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE- Monday to Friday, 10 am Morning Prayer in the Chapel (of the Innocents). Wednesday- Mass at Noon. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 10 am to Noon.
THIS COMING SUNDAY: Deacon Dan will preach, and I will be a celebrant and bible study after Mass, Gospel of St. Luke. Confirmation and Inquirers class with Deacon Dan continues, and the Vestry will meet after Bible study in the Library.
The Deep Recovery program will begin in January. We will be meeting with the Veterans Administration soon. Also, this year’s Epiphany Bags will go to the Homeless Veterans group. We will begin collecting material after Thanksgiving. The Deep Recovery program is directed toward vets and other people (i.e., police, fire, etc.) who are suffering from PTSD. While we invite folks from outside the parish, we will do a trial run if anyone inside the parish is interested before the end of the year. The program takes 12 weeks, and Deacon Dan has trained with the national coordinator and will lead the program. Deacon Dan has a Master’s Degree in Education and is well-suited to lead the program. Registration will be online or directly with us on the Deep Recovery website. We will announce the schedule soon.
We also have a clergy and lay people education program on Thursdays in the Library. The program will focus on not only clergy education but also key topics such as church history, theology, ethics, Holy Scripture, and a wide range of subjects related to the faith and practice of the Church. We will begin with morning prayer at 10 am, followed by study sessions in the Library. Everyone is welcome; let me know if you are interested. Everyone is also welcome to use the Library for self-study or reading.
Planning on additional men’s and women’s breakfasts with speakers and evening Bible studies and discussion groups during the week. We will be scheduling our next men’s and women’s breakfasts (1 each) to be held before the end of the year. Our Citadel Cadets will be the guest speakers at our next men’s breakfast. We are working on coordinating the schedule with them based on their availability.
The Archbishop will be doing his annual visit again in 2025 on Passion Sunday. Looking forward to his joining us each year.
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HAVE A BLESSED AND SAFE WEEK EVERYONE. Remember all those who served tomorrow in your prayers.
Father Jeff+
207-615-7989