April 14, 2024
CELEBRATE THE EUCHARIST
3rd Sunday of Easter
CLICK HERE for our livestream.
Today's livestream will begin at 9:00 a.m.
CLICK HERE for today's Scripture readings.
Need help following the Mass?
CLICK HERE to download the
Catholic Mass responses.
Children's Liturgy of the Word: CLICK HERE for today' Scripture readings for children. CLICK HERE for today's Gospel Activity Sheet.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK
First Reading:
Peter challenges the religious leaders of Jerusalem who put Jesus to death to repent of their sins and be converted. Have you ever seen someone have a conversion to the Faith?
Second Reading:
John tells us that we should turn to Jesus, our Advocate, when we sin and fail to keep his commandments. Can you think of a time when you sought Jesus in a time of need?
Gospel:
The resurrected Jesus taught the disciples how they were witnesses to the Scriptures being fulfilled in his suffering, death, and resurrection and that forgiveness of sins was to be preached in his name. How might you share your faith this week at home or at work?
LIVE THE LITURGY - INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK
Sometimes when God appears in our path, we do not recognize him. In these moments, Jesus invites us to reach out and touch him. Remember that Christ is real, Christ is alive, and Christ stands before each one of us — so reach out. Touch him.
©LPi
IN THIS EMAIL
PARISH/SCHOOL NEWS & EVENTS
• Reconciliation Schedule Change NEW
• Parish Pilgrimage NEW
• Haiti Update NEW
• CARITAS Cookout NEW
• Resurrection Bible Study Online NEW
• Daily Homilies Online
• Youth Night Dinner & Adoration
• Blood Drive 7 appointments left
• Seminar
• Lumen Christi Legacy Society
AROUND TOWN
• Benedictine Schools of Richmond Spring Musical NEW
PARISH/SCHOOL NEWS & EVENTS
SCHEDULE CHANGE:
Please note: there will be no Sacrament of Reconciliation at Saint Mary's on Saturday, April 20th.
ABOUT THE DAY:
In 2023, the Vatican named St. Andrew’s in Roanoke as a minor basilica. There are only two minor basilicas in our Diocese. If you have not been to St. Andrew’s before, this is one of the most beautiful examples of gothic architecture and a major renovation was completed over the past few years. Monsignor Tom Miller, who celebrates mass at St. Mary’s on a regular basis served as the pastor of St. Andrew’s for 13 years. Come hear St. Andrew’s story of birth, growth, and expansion. After a guided tour and Mass at the basilica, we will have box lunches on the bus as we journey to Bedford to see first hand the story that Father Mike likes to share at our parish’s newcomer orientation regarding the westward expansion of our Diocese with the Irish railroad workers. The Holy Name of Mary in Bedford is a living example of that very story.
The day will begin early with coffee and donuts in the lower commons during check-in. The bus will leave around 7:15 am. The ride to Roanoke is very scenic. After arriving at St. Andrew’s we will have a guided tour with Mass being celebrated. There will be a lot of walking, so dress comfortably. After Mass, we will give out box lunches to enjoy on the ride to Bedford. Once in Bedford the story of the Holy Name of Mary parish will be shared. This is the 150th anniversary of this church as well.
SPACE IS VERY LIMITED
Easter in Angouman
Pe Gen celebrated Easter Sunday with his parishioners in Angouman and sent us the accompanying photograph. Clearly the Easter Mass was being celebrated inside the partially constructed new church. One can see that the roof frame is in place and it is partly covered. As previously reported, completing the construction remains very challenging. In his Easter message to us, Pe Gen did say “as you know it is very difficult to live in Haiti now. Nothing is easy. In Haiti now no can go anywhere else”. Despite the difficult circumstances he wished everyone in Saint Mary’s a very happy Easter and clearly remains very grateful for Saint Mary’s support of our twin Parish. With your continuing support and hard work on the ground in Haiti eventually the “roof will be raised” on the church in Angouman.
St. Mary's is excited to host our 2nd Annual Spring Cookout at CARITAS Center (2220 Stockton Street, Richmond, VA 23224). Opening in 2020, the CARITAS Center brings all the solutions for breaking the cycles of homelessness and substance use under one roof. CARITAS is home to the largest adult emergency shelter in the area, providing 50% of the beds to men and women experiencing homelessness.
We are inviting residents of the CARITAS shelters and sober living apartments to a cookout for Saturday, May 18th, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (rain or shine).
CLICK HERE to sign up to help.
Contact Rachelle Hunter with any questions:
804-240-6516 or rachelle41365@gmail.com.
Sessions are now Online!
You can find the sessions for this study online at: https://www.stmarysrichmond.org/Audio-Bible-Studies
Watch the first session and then join us for session two.
The Resurrection of Christ is at the center of our faith. Saint Paul says: “If Christ has not been raised… your faith is in vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). Each Gospel offers a unique account of the Resurrection of Christ, and the books of the New Testament help us to understand this profound mystery from many perspectives.
Join Fr. Michael Renninger as he leads this 5-part Bible study, exploring what the Bible tells us about the reality of the Resurrection and the way that the Risen Lord has changed lives ever since. This will be a great way to enrich your prayer during the Easter Season!
Sessions will take place as follows:
Thursday Evenings at 7:00 PM (April 11, 18, 25, May 2 & 9)
Friday Mornings at 10:30 AM (April 12, 19, 26, May 10 & 17)
Register today to join us.
We have resumed posting the daily homilies online. You can find these recordings on our website at https://www.stmarysrichmond.org/homilies.
Homilies will be posted Monday - Friday, later in the afternoon. The Monday post will be homily from the previous Sunday.
Join us on Sunday, April 28th for Dinner and Adoration. This event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with dinner in the Lower Commons.
Following dinner, we will move upstairs for Adoration of Christ in the Eucharist. Our prayer will include select Scripture passages, Songs of Praise and Thanksgiving, and Sacred Silence.
This evening is open to all Middle & High School Youth (and their parents).
ONLY 4 APPOINTMENTS REMAIN
Saint Mary's Knights of Columbus and the American Red Cross will host the quarterly blood drive at Saint Mary's on Sunday, April 28th, 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Reserve your time online HERE. Or call the Red Cross 1-800-REDCROSS. Please note that no walk-ins will be accepted on April 28th.
Snacks and drinks will be available and our K of C Culinary Team will be making made to order omelettes.
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024 - Choice of 10:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m.
This is a free, information-only seminar offered for parishioners of Saint Mary's.
TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:
- Catholic Advanced Medical Directives
- Funeral Planning
- Will and Trusts
- Legacy Planning
- Beneficiaries & Designations
PLEASE RSVP:
Please let us know at least two days prior to the event that you will be attending so that we can be sure to have enough materials on hand.
One of the priorities of Saint Mary’s is to ensure the long-term viability of our church and school community. By focusing on the future, we can ensure the dynamic liturgies, enriching faith formation programs, critical pastoral ministries, and an unparalleled faith based school will be available for the next generations of parishioners.
To this end, we are pleased to announce the creation of the Lumen Christi Legacy Society - Saint Mary’s Catholic Church & School Chapter. The purpose of our Legacy Society is to encourage parishioners to name our parish as a beneficiary in their will and/or estate plans. Bequests are the most common type of legacy gift and is a testament of your faith as a Catholic and the significance Saint Mary’s Church & School has had in your life.
Creating our new Lumen Christi Legacy Society allows us the opportunity to acknowledge and recognize parishioners who have remembered Saint Mary’s Church & School in their will.
Learn more on our parish website.
AROUND TOWN
Benedictine Schools of Richmond Stuart Avenue Players Present
Once Upon A Mattress
Friday, April 26, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Benedictine Schools of Richmond - Robert A. Sheppard Auditorium
Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Benedictine Schools of Richmond - Robert A. Sheppard Auditorium
The Stuart Avenue Players presents BSoR's Spring Musical, Once Upon A Mattress! Get ready to swim the castle moat, dance the Spanish Panic, and see if you can pass the Queen's test to win the heart of Prince Dauntless!
About Once Upon A Mattress: Many moons ago, in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the "shy" swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, appeared. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince, and help Lady Larkin and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For, after all, a princess is a delicate thing.
Learn more and purchase tickets at: