2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Who is Jesus for us? John calls Jesus the Lamb of God and thus signifies Jesus' mission as the One who redeems us from our sins. The blood of the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) delivered the Israelites from their oppression in Egypt and from the plague of death. The Lord Jesus freely offered up his life for us on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 Corinthians 5:7). The blood which he poured out for us on the cross cleanses, heals, and frees us from our slavery to sin, and from the "wages of sin which is death" (Romans 6:23) and the "destruction of both body and soul in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
It is significant that John was the son of the priest, Zachariah, who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29). In Jesus, John saw the true and only sacrifice which could deliver us from the bondage of sin, death, and the powers of hell. How did John know the true identity of Jesus, as the Son of God and Savior of the world (John 1:29)? The Holy Spirit revealed to John Jesus' true nature in such a way that John bore witness that this is the Son of God. How can we be certain that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of the living God? The Holy Spirit makes the Lord Jesus Christ known to us through the gift of faith. God gives us freely of his Spirit that we may comprehend - with enlightened minds and eyes of faith - the great mystery and plan of God to unite all things in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit that I may grow in the knowledge of your great love and truth. Let your Spirit be aflame in my heart that I may joyfully seek to do your will in all things.
Have a Blessed and Joyful Week
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Who is Jesus for us? John calls Jesus the Lamb of God and thus signifies Jesus' mission as the One who redeems us from our sins. The blood of the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) delivered the Israelites from their oppression in Egypt and from the plague of death. The Lord Jesus freely offered up his life for us on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 Corinthians 5:7). The blood which he poured out for us on the cross cleanses, heals, and frees us from our slavery to sin, and from the "wages of sin which is death" (Romans 6:23) and the "destruction of both body and soul in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
It is significant that John was the son of the priest, Zachariah, who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29). In Jesus, John saw the true and only sacrifice which could deliver us from the bondage of sin, death, and the powers of hell. How did John know the true identity of Jesus, as the Son of God and Savior of the world (John 1:29)? The Holy Spirit revealed to John Jesus' true nature in such a way that John bore witness that this is the Son of God. How can we be certain that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of the living God? The Holy Spirit makes the Lord Jesus Christ known to us through the gift of faith. God gives us freely of his Spirit that we may comprehend - with enlightened minds and eyes of faith - the great mystery and plan of God to unite all things in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit that I may grow in the knowledge of your great love and truth. Let your Spirit be aflame in my heart that I may joyfully seek to do your will in all things.
Have a Blessed and Joyful Week
Our Lady Of Grace Romney
W V
This week’s readings:
Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7;
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19;
1 Peter 2:4-9;
John 14:1-12
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This months Calendar
“I am the good shepherd,
says the Lord; I know my sheep,
and mine know me.”
(John 10:14)
Are You Aware?
The Knights of Columbus are not only responsible for the Fish Fry and the Mother’s Day Breakfast, but also the Church Picnic, the church Dance, the Ping Pong Tournament and the Trivia Dinner
The Knights of Columbus Council #10011 meets on the fourth Sunday after Mass
The Knights of Columbus Council #10011 meets on the fourth Sunday after Mass
Stations of the Cross and Soup and Sandwiches
There will be Stations of the Cross each Friday during Lent at 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm. After the 12:00 noon Stations the Knights of Columbus will have soup and sandwiches for sale in the church hall.
The Knights of Columbus Council #10011
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ's last day. Specific prayers are recited, then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 are complete.
A plenary indulgence is granted the Christian faithful who devoutly make the Stations of the Cross. A plenary indulgence is a particularly powerful way to obtain remission of punishment -- on earth or in purgatory – that would have resulted from sins that were already forgiven. It covers all sins, mortal or venial, that the recipient has committed up to that time, if the person sincerely repents, detests their sins and fulfills all requirements of the indulgence.
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End of the Year of St. Joseph: Act of Consecration
“O great Saint Joseph, whom God has made the Head of the Holy Family, accept me, I beseech you, though utterly unworthy, to be a member of your “Holy House.” Forsake me not, but adopt me as a servant and child of the Holy Family. Watch over me at all times. Console and strengthen me, with the presence of Jesus and Mary, so that with you, I may praise and adore the Holy Trinity for all eternity. O my Spiritual Father, I hereby consecrate myself to you. In faithful imitation of Jesus and Mary, I place myself and all my concerns under your care and protection. To you, after Jesus and Mary, I consecrate my body and soul, with all their faculties, my spiritual growth, my home, and all my affairs and undertakings”. Amen.
St. Joseph, Pray for us! In the name of the Father…
Sunday 11:00 am
Live Streamed on OLG FB
Church Announcements
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Fr. Giles Birthday
We will be celebrating the anniversary of Fr. Giles birthday on Sun-day, May 7 with a covered dish luncheon. Meat, dessert and drinks will be provided. We are asking for side dishes from parishioners. There will be a sign up sheet next weekend.
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Last Chance for Directory photos
Photos for the new directory will be taken April 16, 23 and 30 after Mass in the cry room. We would like everyone’s picture in the direc-tory. If you haven’t had yours taken please do so. You can also submit a photo via email or in an envelope in the collection basket.
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Thank You!
My thanks to everyone who helped our parish celebrate the season of Lent, Holy Week and Easter! All of our liturgical ministers, our wonderful choir team, our sacristans, those who decorated our church so beautifully, our cleaning team, those who led the Stations of the Cross, the Knights members, and all of you who quietly take care of things when no one is watching: you are what makes our parish so special! Thank you for sharing your time and your gifts. May the Risen Lord bless you and your families! Know that you al-ways remain in my prayers and I hope that you also keep me in yours.Donations for Easter flowers were given in memory of:
Christine Adrian Ken Johnson Melvin & Edith Childress
Herb & Muff Adrian Jean & Bill Reed Ernest & Josephine Venturine
Mike & Susan Stimak Charlie Mullins
Sheila Melzac Wayne Wright
Tom & Mary Matthews All Lost & Struggling
Dolores Askew Dorothy & Robert Alkire
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Camp Carlo
Huttonsville, West Virginia
June 25 – July 29, 2023
This camp is open to students in grades 3 through 12.
The rate is $325.00 per child with scholarships available. Early Bird Special Rate of $275 applicable through June 1, 2023. There are 5 one-week camps from which to choose. Please contact Camp Carlo Director, Deacon Raymond Godwin at rgodwin@frontiernet.net or Camp Carlo Assistant Director, Maggie Moran at mmoran@dwc.org for more information.
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Ladies Prayer Group meets Tuesdays at 1:00 pm
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Greeters are needed and Eucharistic ministers are needed
We are looking for greeters for Sundays. If you would like to be a greeter please contact Gayle Bogard (gmbogard@gmail.com
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Romney Food Pantry
There is a basket in the vestibule for non-perishable food donations for the Romney Food Pantry.
Money in the Poor Box in March will go to the Romney Children’s Home for Easter. Thank you for your support!
Catholic Charities collects and distributes personal care items to the needy. They are in need of razors, toilet paper, shampoo, and dish detergent. There is a box in the vestibule for donations.
Do you have a Guardian Angel?
Yes, you have a guardian angel. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains: From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.202* "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life."203** Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.
Simply put, each living person has a guardian angel from the moment of their conception to the moment of their natural death. During this time, they are aided by their guardian angel. They are not just for children.Â
Your guardian angel will work to steer you free from sin, to encourage you to keep God's commandments, and to intercede on your behalf before God.Â
For many people, this seems strange. Few individuals even recognize the angels exist, or that they have a guardian angel. The source of this problem is distraction, especially with worldly matters. When we fill our hearts and minds with worldly things, we have little attention left over to discern the gentle nudging of our guardian angel. Furthermore, our guardian angel cannot make decisions for us. We retain our free will, so they cannot stop us from committing sins, nor can they protect us from evil choices made by others.Â
* Footnote 202 - Cf. Mt 18:10; Lk 16:22; Ps 34:7; 91:10-13; Job 33:23-24; Zech 1:12; Tob 12:12.
** Footnote 203 -Â 203 St. Basil, Adv. Eunomium III, I: PG 29,656B.
Sacrament of Marriage
Please contact our office at least 6 months in advance of the desired date
Sacrament of Baptism
please call the office to set up an appointment
Office Hours:
Tuesdays & Thursdays
9:00 am—3:00 pm
Please use office door
Prayer for Priests
Gracious and loving God, we thank your for the gift of our priests.
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen
Saint Michael the Archangel isn't a saint, but rather he is an angel, and the leader of all angels and of the army of God. This is what the title "Archangel" means, that he is above all the others in rank. St. Michael has four main responsibilities or offices, as we know from scripture and Christian tradition.
· The first is to combat Satan.
· The second is to escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death.
· The third is to be a champion of all Christians, and the Church itself.
· And the fourth is to call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgment.
Very little is known about St Michael other than what we know from scriptures, and even there information is sparse.
In Daniel, St. Michael is mentioned twice. The first time as one who helped Daniel, and the second time he is mentioned with regard to the end times of the world when he will stand for the "children of thy people" (Daniel 10:13-21, 12:1).
His next mention comes in the Epistle of St. Jude, where St. Michael is said to guard the tombs
Catholic Sharing Appeal
The Catholic Sharing Appeal for 2023 has begun. This year our goal is $8890.00. The first half will go to the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston for evangelization and outreach, catholic education, and Parish and Mission grants. Everything over 50% ($4445) will come back to our parish. This money will be used to re-pair the stone on the bell tower that is deteriorating from weather. Please consider a donation to the CSA.
Volunteers Needed
We need volunteers to host our first of the month Sunday socials. You would host them once every three months. You would be responsible for purchasing food and setting it and the coffee up for the social. If you are interested, or want more information, please contact the office, 304-822-5561.
Knights of Columbus Council #15610 (Annunciation of Our Lord Parish) Is having its 1st Flea Market of the year on Saturday, May 13, 2023, 8 AM - 1 PM. It will be held in Annunciation of Our Lord Parish parking lot in Ft. Ashby, WV, located on Rt. 28. If you are interested in renting a space or a table, please contact Bob Grabenstein at 301-697-9510.
Children’s Home of Romney
The Children’s Home in Romney is in need of baby formula. Some of their foster parents have been unable to obtain formula. They need: Similac Sensitive, Similac Advance, and Enfamil infant formula. Donations can be left in the vestibule or in the plastic container by the outside entrance door to the office.
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Prayer of the Faithful Requests
“We will be adding parishioner’s requests for prayers to our “Prayer of the Faithful” prayers at Sunday Masses. Parishioners may put prayer requests in the collection basket, or email them to the church office. The requests must relate to a parishioner (family or close friend), or a person in need in our community. The name of the parishioner submitting the prayer request must be on the request. Father Thomas will determine if a request meets the criteria for being used at Mass.” Special prayer requests can also be submitted for the prayer list in the bulletin.
Our Lady of West Virginia
Our lady is the beauty
of the West Virginia hills.
From Spruce Knob’s lofty towering
To where Kenova spills
Out of bounds, and seeks to share
Our wealth with sister-states,
Our Lady’s smiling sunshine
Forever radiates.
The bright blue of her mantle
Is in summer skies at Cheat.
Her golden tresses ripple
In Greenbrier’s autumn wheat.
Romney’s apple-blossoms
Ear the blushing of her face
As she heard the angel whisper
“Hail, Mary, full of grace.”
Our Lady is the music
Of our lovely lakes and streams,
“The beautiful Ohio,”
And the Tygart’s dashing gleams.
Her low-voiced laughter tumbles
In Blackwater’s clear cascade,
And echoes on Kanawha:
“Behold the Lord’s Handmaid.”
Our Land is the loveliness
Of all young, growing things.
She is the rapture in our souls,
The gaiety which sings:
“Lady of West Virginia, Virgin Immaculate,
Reign over every heart and soul,
Queen of our Mountain State.
Mark Smith
Prayer to Saint Thomas the Apostle
Dear Saint Thomas,
You were once slow in believing that Christ had gloriously risen; but later, because you had seen him, you exclaimed: "My Lord and my God!"
According to an ancient story, you rendered most powerful assistance for constructing a church in a place where pagan priests opposed it.
Please bless architects, builds and carpenters that through them the Lord may be honored.
Bedtime Prayer
Visit this place, O Lord, I pray,
and drive far from it the snares of the enemy; may your holy angels dwell with me and guard me in
peace,
and may your blessing be always upon me,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
What is the
The sacrifice of the Holy Mass
Perhaps the best way to describe this connection is to say that in the Mass we re-link ourselves to Calvary. In the Mass, the priest perpetuates Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary, who offers it anew to the Father. St. Paul told his converts in Corinth, "Every time, then, you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).
It is not a new sacrifice, but rather the same sacrifice that Jesus offered on the cross 2,000 years ago. The Eucharist is not a matter of "repeating" that action but of reestablishing our bond with it. The difference, however, is that Jesus no longer dies at each Mass, but is re-offered to the Father. It is a “bloody” sacrifice only in the sense that it contains the Body and Blood of Christ. But it is “unbloody” because it is offered only in a sacramental fashion under the appearances of bread and wine.
In other words, in the Mass, we re-present -- or mystically renew -- the Sacrifice of Calvary. In other words, we offer Jesus’ sacrifice to God the Father on the altar during the Eucharistic celebration for the remission of our sins, using signs and symbols. This means that, once again, we offer Christ to the Father, saying: "Father, look upon the Lamb that was slain for our sake." By the words of consecration, Christ is made present again through the “transubstantiation" of the bread and wine into Christ's Body and Blood.
Morning Prayer
Dear God,
Your mercies toward me are new each day. Thank you for keeping me safely through the night. Thank you for opening my eyes to see a new morning. The things of yesterday have gone and what lies ahead is unknown. But, Lord, today, I pray that you would grant me your peace, bold-ness, and love. Help me to walk through this day with you as my guide. Lord, help me build my day around your presence, that I might live in contin-ual connection with you, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Sunday Message
4th Sunday of Easter
The Old Testament often speaks of God as the shepherd of his people, Israel. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Mes-siah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus says he is the Good Shepherd who will risk his life to seek out and save the stray sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4).
What can a shepherd teach us about God and our relationship with him? At the end of each day the shepherd brought his sheep into the shelter. They knew the voice of their shepherd and came at his beck-oning. So close were the shepherd and his sheep, that each was called by a distinct name. Shepherd was literally the door through which the sheep had to pass. The Scriptures describe God as a shep-herd who brings security and peace to his people. Even the leaders of God's people are called shep-herds: they shall lead them out and bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep which have no shepherd (Numbers 27:17). Just as a shepherd kept watch over his sheep and protected them from danger, so Jesus stands watch over his people as the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). Do we look to Jesus the Good Shepherd, to receive the strength and the courage we need to live and serve as his disciple?
A Message from
Fr. Thomas Anatharackal CST
Our Lady of Grace
Administrator
3rd Sunday of Easter
Why was it difficult for the disciples to recognize the Risen Lord (Luke 24:13-35)? Jesus' death scattered his disciples and shattered their hopes and dreams. They had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. They saw the cross as defeat, and could not comprehend the empty tomb until the Lord Jesus appeared to them and gave them understanding. Jesus chided the disciples on the road to Emmaus for their slowness of heart to believe what the Scriptures had said concerning the Messiah. They did not recognize the Risen Jesus until he had broken bread with them.
How often do we fail to recognize the Lord when he speaks to our hearts and opens his mind to us? The Risen Lord is ever ready to speak his word to us and to give us an understanding of his ways. Do we listen attentively to the Word of God and allow his word to change and transform us? Do we recognize the Lord in his Word and in the breaking of the bread? Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart to recognize your presence with me and to understand the truth of your saving word. Nourish me with your life-giving word and with the bread of life.
Have a Blessed and Joyful Week
Please Pray For
Kevin Adrian, Mike Adrian, Barb Aiello, Francine Ahrens, Teresa Crist Angell, Chris B. (lost her son), John Bennett, Carolyn Batton, Paul Biser, Dana Branson, Elizabeth Braun, Gerald Brill, Bowley Family, Christine & Dan Brown, Betty Chevery, Harrison Codo, Rick Corbett, Donna Davis, Connie Davis, Cef Delgado, Milagros Detres, Junior Detres, Londa Dodson, Rick Dodson, Joseph Doherty, Beth Grayson, Steve & Judy Hajash, Francis Hajash, Gene Hale, Betty Hartman, Grace Jackson, Nora Kessel, Tom Kessel, Chuck Kesner, Sharon Kuykendall, Pam Kizer, Erino & Marianna Leone, Fr. Giles LeVasseur, Lance LeVasseur, John Lien, Andy Mason, Tyler Milbourne, MRGII, Nancy Neale, Missy Nixon, Eileen Passauer, Bob Pliska, Leigh Polanco, Richard Ramsay III, Danny Reddick, Gary Reddick, Meaghan Red-dick, Teresa Reddick, Julie Robert, Dale Rogers, Dick Shanholtzer, Laura Shoemaker, Barbara Stam-berg, Linda Staub, Kathy Steiner, Lori & Mike Stickley, Dominick Tarinelli, Trudy Trenton, America Val-entin, Benny Young, Dennis Young, Billy & Tabitha
(To add or remove a name, contact the office or put a note in the collection basket.)
Please Pray
for the Sick listed
Mass Intentions
Offer a Mass for your loved ones, living or deceased. We will try to schedule the Mass on your requested date (birthday, wedding anniversary, death anniversary, special event etc.) or as close to it as possible. Please send requests at least three weeks ahead of the date you would like. The amount set by the diocese for Mass intentions is $10 for weekday and $20 for weekend Masses, but any amount, more or less, will be accepted. Mass Intention envelopes are in the vestibule.
Due to having fewer Masses, it is more difficult to schedule Mass intentions on a requested date. If you would like a Mass said on a particular date, please send the request in at least 4 months before that date. Mass intention envelopes are on the table in the vestibule. Contact the office with any questions.
Did You Know?
If you make a donation to the church in memory of a loved one it is exempt from the 9% assessed by the Diocese on regular donations.
New Requests
Pray for our homebound parishioners and our falling away Brothers and Sisters
What are the Gospels?
The term gospel comes from a translation of the Greek noun
euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον) – meaning “good tidings” or “good news”. This means that when people are speaking of the four gospels in the bible, they are talking about the four recounts of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Written by evangelists between 70 and 100 AD, the four gospels contain almost everything we know today about Jesus, his life, his teachings, and his sacrifice.
The gospels are in fact, a set of specific historical text, that convey a deeper, more profound understanding of Jesus, who he is, his acts, and his teachings, from four different perspectives.
Why are There Four Gospels? Each of the gospels contain information that is either absent from or contradictive to the three other gospels. Each of the gospels were written to convey the message of the lord with different demographics, cultures, and educations in mind. The way an impoverished person living on the streets, would speak and think was different to those of an upper class from the same time period, which also meant that they would see and understanding things differently from one another. This made it rather difficult trying to get the people to connect with the same message, as their view of things was heavily influenced by their own means, needs and comforts.
As time is not kind to human memory, there is no way for us to know exactly what was said and done, word for word, and we must instead rely on the word of witnesses recounting what they saw and heard long after the event. Personal bias could also effect how these witnesses perceived the events, and as Jesus most likely spoke Aramaic there are bound to be a few mistranslated words or phrases here and there. As Catholics we believe that the Gospels are the divinely inspired word of God.
Please note the new email address for
Our Lady of Grace - ologrwv@gmail.com.
Do not use the old email address and delete any messages you receive from it. Please send an email to the new address so that Terry has your email address for her contacts.
What is Mass
Our Lady Of Grace Mission Statement
If you don't see the information you are looking for, always check the Church Bulletin click here
Deacon Larry has offered to take communion to anyone who is still unable to attend Mass. If you know someone who doesn’t get emails please contact them and ask if they would like Deacon Larry to bring communion to them. You, or they, can contact the office (304) 822-5561 or call Deacon Larry 703-421-5815.
Church Announcements
Liturgical Ministers
May 7
Lector: Andrea Kerns
EMHC: Dick Shanholtzer
Phil Gallery
Shari Gallery
Greeters: M. & D. Rogers
..........................................
May 14
Lector: Dottie Adams
EMHC: Deacon Larry
Jim Alkire
Sue Alkire
Greeters: P. & S. Gallery
Weekly Offering
April 23, 2023
General: $ 1293.00
Poor Box: $ 317.00 ($839.00)
Attendance: 76
Catholic Charities collects and distributes personal care items to the needy.
This month they need toilet paper, paper towels, and shaving cream.
Money in the Poor Box in November will go to the Romney Children’s Home for Christmas. Thank you for your support!
The Catholic Sharing Appeal for 2023 has begun. This year our goal is $8890.00. The first half will go to the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston for evangelization and outreach, catholic education, and Parish and Mission grants. Everything over 50% ($4445) will come back to our parish. This money will be used to re-pair the stone on the bell tower that is deteriorating from weather. Please consider a donation
Catholic Charities collects and distributes personal care items to the needy. This month they need disposable razors, ladies deodorant, q-tips, and toothpaste.
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Dear fellow parishioner,
For better or worse, you will find either a physical or scanned copy of “Thoughts and Reflections”
included in the weekly bulletin. Since I have not been able to contribute to the common liturgical or
ministerial good during this plague, I asked Fr. Thomas if I could perhaps contribute such weekly
offerings instead.
These reflections were written in an ad hoc basis during my years of active ministry in these Potomac Highlands. They were, for the most part, cobbled together on those Saturdays when I had the
weekend homily in hand by the time I left for the 5:00 P.M. Mass at Epiphany. They have been
excavated from my physical files (I suspect that there are many more if I opened one of the many thumb-drives I’ve ignored since I retired.) They are passed on to you in their original state with all the errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and typos, of that which is written in haste. Such is the
laziness of this retiree.
These have no pretense of being anything more than what they are - a backward glance upon the scatterings of grace which a generous God has strewn upon the surface of my daily life. If you find any merit in them; if you find them helpful in recognizing the touch of grace in the simplicity of your own lives, them I am pleased and grateful.
Contact the office... Tuesday or Wednesday
- 304-822-5561
If you would like to register as a parishioner.
If your address, phone number or email address has changed.
If you or a family member is hospitalized so that Fr. Thomas can visit.
If you become homebound so that a Eucharistic Minister can visit and bring you Holy Communion.
Baby bottles are available in the foyer to collect your loose change between now and Christmas. The money will support the Knights of Columbus Pro-life ministry. Please take a bottle home, and when filled, place it in the basket at Our Lady’s feet in the sanctuary.
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for the new flag for our flagpole. The other one was worn and tattered. Thank you also to Dan & Bob for all the work they do around the church and grounds. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.
A book of Illumination of Conscience by parishioner Tom Eades
Phil Gallery’s newest book is
“Saint Francis and the Animals.”
Books will be available for sale for $18.00.
Mass schedule for Our Lady of Grace
Sunday 11:00 am
Tuesday 12:00 noon
Special Occassions
Holy Days of obligations
times are coming
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Weekday Mass's
Half Hour
before and after
1/2 hour before Saturday or Sunday Mass
or by appointment
++++++++++++++++++
DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE INTERESTED IN BECOMING CATHOLIC OR LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH?
Registration forms for classes are in the church vestibule. Sessions begin at the end of September. If anyone has any questions, please call or e-mail me. I am glad to meet with you beforehand. We want to provide classes for the following:
1. Unbaptized adults who are considering to join the Catholic Church
2. Baptized non-Catholic adults who want to join the Catholic Church
3. Baptized Catholic adults who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation
4. Catholics and non-Catholics alike who want to know more about the Catholic Faith
Do you know of anyone who wants to find out more about the Catholic Faith? Please invite them to these sessions.
Daily Readings written http://usccb.org/bible/readings
Daily Readings audio http://usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm
Video Reflection http://usccb.org/bible/reflections/index.cfm
The usccb.org site will also give you tutorials on how to pray the Rosary, the Divine Chaplet, and other prayers and devotions.
Daily Reflection from The Word Among Us can be accessed at https://wau.org/meditations/
EWTN Catholic Radio
Daily
Schedule https://www.ewtn.com/radio/schedule
Access The Magnificat free online at https://www.osvnews.com
Liturgical Press is providing free access to a digital file for Give Us This Day, which includes the daily Mass texts: https://giveusthisday.org/Digital
National Catholic
Register has Catholic news, stories, blogs, etc. at ncregister.com
Discover a saint special to you at Catholic News Service’s Patron Saints page: https://www.catholicnews.com/patron-saints.cfm
Catholic enrichment site for hildren: Catholicsprouts.com
For teens and twenty-somethings: lifeteen.com
For Catholic headline news: catholicnewsagency.com
Daily Living with Fr. Chapin: mydailyliving.com
Our Lady Of Grace
Mission Statement
We the members of Our Lady of Grace Parish are a Catholic Christian, ecumenical community under the auspices of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
We are dedicated to providing an environment for ourselves and for others in which we can grow in a spirit of thanksgiving , worship, and love. We wish to deepen our individual and collective faith in God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in the Sacraments of the Church, Particularly the Eucharist, and in Mary, Mother of Grace.
W e gather together as a community of Faith, based on love, acceptance, interdependence, compassion, and service.
Our purpose as a parish family is to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ by word and example. We use our God-given talents to bring ourselves and others close to God. We accept our Baptismal call to make the faith of the Church known to all people by taking our personal part in evangelization.
The Knights of Columbus Council #10011 meets on the third Sunday of every month at 12:00 pm in Quinn Hall
Check out FaithInWV.org
The of Wheeling-Charleston has rolled out #FaithInWV, and it is all presented online through a new website - FaithInWV.org. It is an online pathway to stories, photos, and videos of how our people in West Virginia are following Christ by actions and choices.
#FaithInWV is giving hope, rising above the odds, being a blessing, and leading by example. It is choosing to find the good in others, and letting others see Christ in you. Ultimately it is having faith in God the Father above all.
Learn how our brothers and sisters in Christ are doing His work. Let’s imitate their love, joy, strength, and resilience through the website.
Do you know an exceptional Catholic in West Virginia, someone or a group who is a shining example of #FaithInWV? Email Bibey your feature idea to jbibey@dwc.org.
What is the
Sacrifice of the Holy Mass
Perhaps the best way to describe this connection is to say that in the Mass we re-link ourselves to Calvary. In the Mass, Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary is perpetuated by the priest, who offers it anew to the Father. St. Paul told his converts in Corinth, "Every time, then, you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).
It is not a new sacrifice, but rather the same sacrifice that Jesus offered on the cross 2,000 years ago. The Eucharist is not a matter of "repeating" that action but of reestablishing our bond with it. The difference, however, is that Jesus no longer dies at each Mass, but is simply re-offered to the Father. It is a “bloody” sacrifice only in the sense that it contains the Body and Blood of Christ. But it is “unbloody” in the sense that it is offered only in a sacramental fashion under the appearances of bread and wine.
In other words, in the Mass, we re-present -- or mystically renew -- the Sacrifice of Calvary. In other words, we offer Jesus’ sacrifice to God the Father on the altar during Eucharistic celebration for the remission of our sins, using signs and symbols. This means that, once again, we offer Christ to the Father, saying: "Father, look upon the Lamb that was slain for our sake." By the words of consecration, Christ is made present again through the “transubstantiation" of the bread and wine into Christ's Body and Blood.
One of the CD’s available on the display in the vestibule:
Sister Bethany Madonna, vocations’ director for the Sisters of Life, shares how God not only wants us to know Him, but also to give us the desires of our heart and gifts that bring purpose, meaning, and hope. She makes it clear that “receiving is the gift that we give” to the Lord and that He wants to be invited into every aspect of our lives. Speaking from her own life experience, Sister Bethany shows the importance of asking in order to receive all the Lord has in mind for us.
Parishioner Comments
I was really impacted by how accessible the Lord makes Himself to us, if only we will ask. Tim - Fort Meade, MD
We need to hear more like this: ‘God is our Father in a way that none of our fathers can be.’ He said, ‘I will not leave you orphans.’ Donna - College Station, TX
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is committed to the protection of its children and young people. The Diocese complies with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People by maintaining an Office of Safe Environment. To report an incidence of suspected child sexual abuse, please contact your local law enforcement agency, or you may confidentially contact the West Virginia Bureau for Children and Families/Child Protective Services by calling the Child Abuse Hotline at 800.352.6513. To report suspected cases of sexual abuse by personnel of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston to the Diocese, please contact one of the Bishop’s designees at 888.434.6237 (toll free) or 304.233.0880: Sister Ellen Dunn, ext. 264; Mr. Bryan Minor, ext. 263; Msgr. Frederick Annie, ext. 267, or Msgr. Anthony Cincinnati, 270. For more information on the Diocese’s Office of Safe Environment, please go to www.dwc.org, then click the “Diocese” tab, then click “Office of Safe Environment” under the “Offices” menu. To learn more about the Catholic Church’s efforts in preventing sexual abuse of children in the United States, please visit http://www.usccb.org. Under “Issues and Action,” click “Child and Youth Protection” from the drop down menu.
Trafficking is not just an issue that happens to people in other countries. The United States is a source and transit country and is also considered on of the top destination points for victims of child trafficking and exploitation. Are you aware of any trafficked children in your area and services available for them? U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (sistersagainsttrafficking.org)