The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me.
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity.
You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing.
You say I am strong when I think I am weak,
and You say I am held when I am falling short.
When I don’t belong, oh, You say, I am Yours,
and I believe what You say of me. I believe.
From You Say, written by Norman/Ingram/Donehey/Daigle/Mabury
Welcome, Fr. Patrick!
We are blessed with a priest from the SMA
order of African Missionaries, to late August.
I am Patrick Mpete Ebalaling, born on July 6, 1984, in Lakas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I am from a Christian family of ten children, including 2 girls and 8 boys, and I am the ninth in the family. My father passed away in 2014, but thank God, my mother is still alive in her old age.
I had my vocation since my childhood when the Oblate missionaries came to celebrate with us. I entered the seminary in 2006, ordained a deacon in 2015 and ordained a priest on May 8, 2016. After my ordination, I studied agronomy. I like to read, I also like to work especially in my agricultural field, I like to listen to people as a priest, to accompany young and old people.
A Special Guest
Fr. Peter Igwilo, BCC, MA, M.ED., Ph.D, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, Nigeria, will be visiting next weekend to preside and speak at the Masses at St. Mary- St. Catherine on behalf of Cross Catholic Outreach which was founded to create a meaningful link between parishes in America and the priests and nuns working in the Church overseas in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Central and South America.
Fr. Peter was ordained to the priesthood in 1992. A Priest Chaplain/Senior Priest in charge of Catholic Ministry in the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware, he enjoys the full faculties of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware, assisting in ministries as needed.
He pastored in 2 churches in Nigeria for 10 years, where the growth of these parish communities saw the construction of a new parish and parish hall, the establishment of nursery, primary schools, and hospital renovation on the parish premises. In August of 2002, he was sent on a mission assignment to the United States by his Bishop.
Fr. Peter works for the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Wilmington, DE, with the affiliation and faculties of the Archdiocese of the Military Services.
He is a Priest Chaplain in the Chaplain service of the hospital, where he specializes in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Moral Injuries.
Also…
Please note that on the weekend of July 20-21, Fr. Henry Ogbji will preside at the 4 pm Mass at
St. Francis, and Fr. Alexander Okele will celebrate the 8 am Mass at St. Mary’s.
Please note that starting July 14
though Labor Day, the 6 pm Sunday Mass
will be offered at St. Catherine’s Chapel.
Sr. Nancy’s order
There is still time to give to Sr. Nancy’s order’s great work in Phoenix. please write SND or Phoenix on your check or write it on an envelope and it will go to this life–saving and life-giving ministry.
R&R coming up
Please note that Fr. John will be out of town July 13- 21.
Catholic Appeal update
St. Francis and St. Mary- St. Catherine have both hit
over 100% of our Catholic Appeal assessment!
It helps our parishes, Collaborative and our Archdiocese!
Please give and help us build the ministries so many around us
need. Go to catholicappeal.com and answer the call.
Summertime
Lots of changes are on their way, so we need to take some time this summer to pause. Please note that through Labor Day, Daily Mass is suspended on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Summer is here but the needs remain- please consider online giving to help us pay our bills and plan for the future. Give us a call or drop us a note and we’ll walk you through the process.
Thank you!
When my heart finds Christmas…
On Friday, Nov. 22, we’re going to New York City to see incredible Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, starring the Rockettes! We’ll leave Charlestown by motor coach at 7 am, attend the 2 pm show in Orchestra seats, and have a few hours to take in the excitement of the Big Apple- we’ll be back in Town by midnight!
Tickets are $225 per person, reservations with a $100 deposit. 16 available for each parish- maximum of 4 tickets per family. Call Dianne at 617-242-4664- any questions? See Fr. John!
Stewardship
Let’s look ahead to how we all can get involved at St. Francis de Sales and St. Mary- St. Catherine Parishes. Please take a look at some of the ministries that will benefit from your involvement in these committees: Worship, Baptism Prep, Wedding, St. Francis Hall, Stewardship, Social, Spiritual, Family, Social Justice, and Adult Confirmation/RCIA. Please think about volunteering and sharing your talents with our Parish.
Throughout the summer, we’ll be sharing information about these important ministries. If you would like more information on any of the listed committees, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for all that you do for our Collaborative.
Spiritual Committee
This committee assists the clergy and the community in this vital aspect of church life. The committee meets monthly from September to June.
Discussions are informal, and the committee works to enrich the prayer life of the collaborative, developing and implementing Marian devotions, Eucharistic adoration and various liturgies throughout the year.