Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I write to you today to inform you that I have been reassigned from St. Mary’s. I will be leaving the parish sometime in mid to late August. The timing is never good to share this news so early, but the events within my province led me to make this announcement much earlier than I had hoped too. The reasons for my reassignment have been due to multiple health issues. As a result, I no longer have the ability to truly serve you as you should be served. When I volunteered to become your pastor in 2018 my sincere intention was to remain for at least five years to bring a real sense of unity and inclusiveness within our diversity. St. Mary’s is a gifted parish and has been formed and supported by each successive generation of peoples of faith, hope, and love. It is my honor to know the parish, its generosity, its goodness, and its desire to reflect the global church. You have known many good priests, and deacons in your time now and in the past, in part because you helped them to serve you with the gifts they could bring. While my time with you has been too short, I know what I will take with me which is far more than what I brought. I understand well that transitions of pastoral leadership have been difficult for you, but in speaking with the possible recommended pastor he wants you to know that all the programs, procedures, strategic plans, faith formation programming, and staff members will not be changed. The hopeful new pastor is insightful and sensitive to you as parishioners and how St. Mary’s continues to evolve as the Body of Christ. It will be with his gifts that I truly believe the parish will continue to grow in ways that I have not been able to do in my time here. At this time, I do not say goodbye, but I will continue to do all that can be done with the Lord’s guidance and assistance, and with your knowledge and wisdom to continue to walk with you in this time of upcoming transition. May you know that you are blessed and are a blessing.
Fr. Bill
The work on the new Shrine area is nearing completion. The next steps will be to have the bricks you have donated to be engraved and later to be installed. It is my hope that the area will be completed by the beginning of summer. When we gather for the Sacrament of Confirmation, August 10th, I will invite Bishop Jugis to bless the new St. Joseph Shrine and Memorial Wall. I thank all who have contributed to this new addition for ongoing prayer for those whose names are inscribed and for your needs.
Previously recorded Masses can be found HERE.
The redemptive power of Christ
Now that we’re a renewed people — an Easter people — the scriptures at Mass remind us of the stark difference between living a redeemed life and living in sin. The first reading for this Sunday says: “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.” The second reading says: “Those who say, ‘I know him’, but do not keep his commandments are liars, and the truth is not in them.”
And the Gospel reading says: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name….”
We are all liars in some way every day, professing our faith with our lips but not always in our behaviors. Our actions often say that we don’t truly believe what we say about Christ’s love. Our worries might be saying that we don’t truly believe that God cares about each and every situation.
Our decisions say that we don’t truly believe that Jesus knew what he was talking about when he commanded us to love our enemies and do good to those who hurt us. Our moral relativism says that we don’t truly believe he was smarter than us when he gave us his commandments.
How loudly do your actions preach the truth about Jesus?
Many of us undervalue what Jesus has done for us, thinking that his death and resurrection is enough to get us into heaven; we neglect the need to humble ourselves under the reality of the need for daily redemption.
God’s not expecting perfection from us on this side of heaven’s gate. What he does want, however, is our desire to become more and more like Christ every day. As long as we’re continually examining our lives and educating ourselves about how we can improve, and as long as we follow through by doing what is necessary to produce changes, God is very pleased with us.
Learning about the SDGs and understanding their significance is an important first step as together, creatively, we search for the most effective ways to advocate for these aspects of social justice.
“Handing on the tradition” is a phrase often connected with matters of faith.
There are things we see but don't pay attention to.
Jesus shows what God does to lead his flock. And so, he also gives a model for his shepherds. The crowds longed for someone to lead them out of the mess, a Messiah to guide a people in trouble. […]
St. Vincent told the Daughters of Charity: “When you've finished dressing and have made your bed, you’ll begin your mental prayer."
President General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul urges us to pray the Lord’s prayer at 8 pm on April 23rd.
Encountering Christ in the Poor
St. Vincent teaches us to see Christ in the poor and suffering, so much so that the poor become our Lords and Masters and we their servants. Read more →
Congregation of the Mission
The Eastern Province is a province of Congregation of the Mission, often known as Vincentian Fathers and Brothers or Lazarists … Read more →
Famvin Resources
“There is no state in the world that has not its bitterness and crosses, and which therefore does not make us desire to embrace some other condition.” – St. Vincent de Paul – Without the cross, there could be no resurrection. Lord, when I complain about my sufferings, help me to remember this truth.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
812 Duke Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Phone: 336-272-8650
Email: info@stmarysgreensboro.org