Dear Parishioners,
We continue to thank the Lord for all of the many graces and blessings that he has bestowed upon us. Our second reading from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us to be free from all anxieties and worries. There are times in our lives that we worry about so much. We can be filled with anxiety, which can lead us to despair or hopelessness. Paul tells to place our worries and anxieties in the hands of our loving savior, Jesus Christ. With the Lord at our side, there is nothing we need to worry about or have fear. We see Jesus teaching with authority in our gospel passage today. As he drives out demons the message of Christ comes about. Even the demons know who the Son of God is. Let us pray that Christ will continue to lay his healing hand upon us, freeing us from all worry and anxiety.
St. Peter Claver Church 100th Anniversary
We have looked forward over these last few months to celebrating with joy the 100th anniversary of the establishment of St. Peter Claver Church. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we have not had the opportunity to gather in celebration the way that we would have. Our anniversary committee has come up with some creative ideas to commemorate this milestone. Of course, with every anniversary, there will be a gala dinner and a fundraising raffle. Our gala dinner has been scheduled for Friday, May 21, 2021, to be held at Glenn Terrace. Not knowing what the Spring will bring us with the coronavirus, we still have secured the date. If it is unable to take place, the date will be changed and you will have the option to have your money refunded. Raffles are available for $10 per ticket which will be on sale this week after all of the masses at each of the three churches. Prizes include an Apple iWatch, Apple iPad, a Smart TV with Bose soundbar with CD player, and a $500 gift card. All proceeds will go to support St. Peter Claver Church.
Parish Black History Month Mass of Thanksgiving
Our annual parish Black History Month Mass of Thanksgiving will take place next Sunday, February 7 at 10:30 AM. This year’s Mass will be held at St. Peter Claver Church. We will welcome as the Presider and Homilist Father Patrick West. Father West is the former Pastor of St. Peter Claver Church. The maximum capacity for St. Peter Claver Church is 75 people. The overflow will be asked to go downstairs to Msgr. Rogers Hall to watch the live stream. There will be a 7:30 AM Mass at Our Lady of Victory Church next Sunday but there will not be a 10:15 AM at OLV or 11:30 AM at SPC.
Memorial of St. Blaise and Ash Wednesday
This Wednesday, February 3 is the memorial of St. Blaise. Traditionally we would have the individual blessing of throats that day. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, we will not have individual blessing of throats just a general blessing after the 8:00 AM Mass and the 12:00Noon Mass. Wednesday, February 17 is Ash Wednesday. There are guidelines for the reception of ashes that I will outline in next week’s bulletin.
Wishing you a peaceful and joyful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox