While last weekend’s unofficial start of summer was soggy and dreary, it is my hope that we will soon return to our sunny weekends and good beach weather. I hope the missed parties of last weekend are going on this weekend! I have two graduation parties to attend this Saturday evening – in Telegraph Hill and in Rexhame. Congratulations to all of our high school and college graduates, asking God’s blessing for a bright and happy future.
A month from now we will celebrate our country’s birthday with Independence Day celebrations on Sunday, July 4th. I am due to be in Long Branch, New Jersey at San Alfonso Retreat House for the start of a week-long Theological Study Week. As a result of this, and given the holiday, I do not believe we would have many people at the Sunday evening 7:00pm Mass.
Rather than bringing in a visiting priest and taking him away from his cookouts and parties, I have decided to CANCEL THE 7pm MASS for Sunday, July 4th; normally that Mass cancellation is limited to Superbowl Sunday. I hope you will understand the practicality in cancelling 7pm Mass for that weekend only.
This past Memorial Day weekend we celebrated the One Year Anniversary of the Drive-In Mass. This makeshift means to bring the Eucharist to those who were anxious about entering the Church has found great favor with God, and great joy among those who attend. I am pleased to make it a permanent Mass on our weekend schedule. I want to thank the many year-round and summer people who support our ability to run with it by way of many ministries. We just received an order of polo shirts for the Knights as well as our Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and various other service helpers. If you like the shirts and would like us to purchase one for you, please let one of the Knights know of your interest. I will look into tee shirts, polo shirts and sweatshirts if there is enough interest.
This Summer we hope to hold our TURKEY SANDWICH fundraiser in mid-July. Given the number of cars at the Drive-In Mass we will need to ask everyone’s help in pre-ordering your sandwich(es). This is a popular event, and we sell a lot given the hot, humid weather and folk’s desire to avoid the stove at home. We’ll have order forms in the June 27th & July 4th bulletins.
A word of thanks to everyone who helped us reach our assessment for the 2021 Catholic Appeal; we are still a little short of the goal, but I am confident we will reach it before the end of the Appeal Year. That fund helps the poor and needy, as well as the pastoral needs of parishioners throughout the Archdiocese. Blessings to all those who support this work!
Each weekday, we celebrate daily Mass at 5:00pm in the church, and all are welcome to attend. Thursday is a Prayer Service, which permits me time for an overnight visit to Arlington. Also, 5pm Mass is livestreamed each night, and recitation of the Most Holy Rosary and Adoration follow at 7:00-9:00pm Monday, Tuesday, and Friday; 7:00-7:30 Wednesday and Thursday (virtually only, as the church is locked up after the 5:00pm Mass).
Please continue to wear a mask if you have not been vaccinated, and use the hand sanitizers throughout the church. Remember, if you need more space the chapel is open or attend one of the later Sunday Masses. Let’s pray for an end to this Pandemic worldwide.
Father Carmichael
