 I want to begin by stating on paper that which was announced verbally at all of the Masses last weekend. As was said, I have been appointed by Archbishop Wuerl to act as the temporary administrator of Saint Joseph’s Church in Largo. The pastor there, Father Levester Jones, succumbed to an illness unto death a few weeks back. An assistant priest has been assigned, and he is currently living there and ministering to the parishioners on a daily basis.
As the ‘dean’ for the ten Middle Prince George’s County parishes, I assist the Archbishop in the oversight of these parish communities. Since Saint Joseph’s is one of the parishes that I oversee, it was a logical decision to appoint me as temporary administrator. I will assist in directing the overall operation of the parish. It will be necessary, as you might suspect, to spend some time at that parish. I suppose that a new pastor will be assigned to Saint Joseph’s in the next few months – hopefully by the end of June.
I will reside at Sacred Heart fulfilling all of my duties here – with the help of a very competent staff and some very wonderful parishioners! It will be necessary to spend a weekend at Saint Joseph’s so that I can meet the ‘people in the pew’ on a weekend – my plan is to be away from you on the weekend of March 13-14. I appreciate very much your understanding in this matter – I will do my very best to serve you in every possible way that I am able. I invite you to keep this parish of Saint Joseph’s in your prayers as the parish there continues to mourn the loss of their pastor and at the same time continue in the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I have begun interviews with the 8th grade Confirmation candidates. I am enjoying discussing the Catholic Faith with them as they prepare for this important Sacrament of the Church. We enjoyed a trip to the Basilica of the National Shrine and to the Franciscan Monastery last Saturday. We had two very nice visits. These young men and women have grown up right before my eyes! When I came here they were only three years old – can you believe it!
It is nice to see so many of you at daily Mass during this Lenten Season. I also invite you to Soup and Scripture on Tuesdays, Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays and Fridays, Adoration and Confessions on Wednesday (Chapel), and Sung Vespers on Sunday evenings – a little something for everyone! I hope that your Lenten Season is going nicely and that many graces and blessings will continue to touch you and your family in these days ahead.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy On Us! |
