On this Memorial weekend, we are reminded to be grateful to all servicemen and servicewomen who fought the fight to defend our nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and also for those who are actively giving their lives day and night here and abroad to make us safe and sound. To them, we give our honorable and respectful salute!
Also, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers in different ministries of our parish. As I always monumentally said that without your support and help we would not be as flourishing as a parish community as it is now without your active participation in every front of our ministry. God knows very well who you are and what you have contributed to His Church. I believe many, many of you, if not, all have given your gifts and talents in one way or another. The people of the parish also know who you are, and forgive me if I cannot mention each of your name, or else, I would mention almost everyone. What I can assure you that God sees what you have done, and what you have done in secret will be rewarded in secret. If at times I forget to thank you in public, pardon my human weakness, for we must please God rather than men. Again, thank you for being generous with your gifts by giving them back to God in the service to His Church. Keep believing, keep giving, keep sharing, and you will be alive and kicking. God bless you and your family!
April 28, 2023 Please pray for all the priests of the diocese who will be spending their time together for the annual convocation in Charleston, WV, starting May 2nd and ending on May 5th. This gathering allows them to renew their bond of friendship, reaching out in fraternal fellowship, continuing education, and priestly camaraderie. Prior to this event, members of the presbyteral council will conduct their spring meeting, May 1-2, 2023, at the same place. The Masses during these days in parishes are canceled. Please pray for all the priests. Thank you.
April 20, 2023 No more eulogies at funeral Masses!
Starting May 1, 2023, eulogies at funeral Masses are no longer allowed due to their non-liturgical character, which oftentimes borders "beatifying or canonizing" the deceased at Mass. Although giving a eulogy is not completely banned as far as it gives comfort to the family and friends of the deceased person, it is highly recommended that it should be done at the funeral home during the funeral vigil. In fact, the funeral home is the most appropriate place for an oration like this. Thank you for your compliance!
April 14, 2023 What is the condition of your Eucharistic life?
If your Eucharistic life is lifeless and has not been spiritually energized, then this is the moment to provide it sustenance and to reclaim the divine graces that God has in store for you. You can begin by attending the "National Eucharistic Revival Congress” this coming April 21-22 at St. James Parish in Charles Town, WV. On Friday, April 21, a service of prayer begins at 7:00pm to be followed by a light reception. On Saturday, April 22, the event begins at 9:00am and concludes with Mass at 5:00pm with the bishop presiding. This event offers a lot of exciting and lively opportunities to rediscover your faith; prayer, worship and music will bring you to an intimate encounter with the Lord. A delegation from our parish will be formed to attend this momentous event. If you are interested, please call the parish office for more information and be enlisted for this congress. Thank you!
April 8, 2023 My dear beloved parishioners and friends in the Risen Christ,
Our Lenten observances have come to pass that gave us a renewed spirit and spiritual vigor to face new challenges that are ahead of us. Now, we can confidently say that we are unafraid because the resurrection of Jesus Christ has offered us abundant graces to continue what we have started and to do even more with a vision and mission in our Catholic life that are more focused and productive. What propels us to give more to others and to the Church on top of what we have been given is the divine hope and encouragement that the Risen Christ can open the dark tombs in our lives, and these dark tombs can be turned into tombs full of light that brings us the reality of Easter joy. This is precisely the meaning of Easter-the joy that emanates from the resurrected Body of Christ, which is also given to us in the Holy Eucharist; that is, in our intimate holy communion of His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity.
May this Easter season become the beginning of your closeness to God and His Church more than ever as the risen Christ longs for us to remember Him always. To remember Him is to receive physically His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. In a special way, I reach out to those parishioners who have not come back since the pandemic: Now is high time to come back to the table of eternal life. Our Savior and Risen Christ misses you a lot. Please know that as your unworthy pastor, I pray for you. I love you and hope to see you soon!
A blessed and joyful Easter to you all!
March 22, 2023 As we observe the Holy Triduum this coming Holy Week, I'm inviting all parishioners to make an effort to attend the presentation on the "Shroud of Turin" given to us by Mr. Jim Naulty, a parishioner of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Silver Spring, MD. This is a rare gift to our parish and unique opportunity to listen to a man who has studied the Shroud of Turin for almost 30 years. Mr. Naulty was able to study under Bro. Joseph Pounds from the Franciscan monastery in Washington, DC. Bro. Pounds studied the Shroud of Turin at the Vatican in 1978 with STURP. He had studied under the shroud historian, Msgr. Giulio Ricci, at the Vatican where he studied the same since the 1930s. I'm hoping that you will make this presentation as part of your lenten observance and reflection and spiritual revival. See you then on Holy Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 5:00pm-7:00pm in the parish hall. Light refreshments will be provided or you may bring some foods to share.
March 12, 2023 With sincere appreciation, I'm profoundly grateful to all the wonderful and generous parishioners of Saint Vincent de Paul and friends including my former parishioners who traveled from afar just to attend the wonderful occasion on my installation as pastor of the parish. My special thank you to all the parish volunteers who attended their respective liturgical and pastoral ministries in our church, and those who have contributed for food preparation and the like, A big thank you. In the same manner, your presence and the spirit of pastoral friendship has added meaning to our celebration, especially on this day, March 11th, that I celebrated my birthday together with my mother who passed away three years ago. Again, thank you so much for your love, prayers and support. God bless you all!
March 7, 2023 Our parish is in need of adult altar servers, both men and women who are willing to serve at weekend Masses. If you are willing to learn how to serve, please contact Patrick McBee, our altar server coordinator. Your help and cooperation in this matter would truly add efficiency and solemnity to the Eucharistic celebration. I hope and pray that you consider serving the Lord at the altar of sacrifice.
March 1, 2023 I'm glad to announce that Bishop Mark Brennan has issued a letter reinstating the distribution of the sacred cup containing the Precious Blood of Christ to the faithful who wish to receive It effective April 6, 2023. This falls on Holy Thursday, which is very appropriate when we recall that our Lord Jesus first gave Holy Mother Church this precious gift of His Body and His Blood at the Last Supper. Therefore, I ask all parishioners to receive the Body and Blood of Christ worthily by reconciling first to God through the holy sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. February 21, 2023 Our parish will be hosting a day of reflection and a workshop on "Eucharistic Revival" to be facilitated by Daniel Maul, the Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, on Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 9:00am until 12noon; food will be provided. Please come to share your experience of the mysteries of the Holy Eucharist and learn more on how to deepen your Eucharistic spirituality. The gift of the Holy Eucharist deserves more than ever our full knowledge and understanding so that we can truly embrace our life of faith as Christians. Without the holy eucharist, we are dead!
February 16, 2023 The Lenten season is around the corner, which will start on Ash Wednesday, February 22, when the celebration of the Mass is at 5:00pm and the ashes are being imposed on our forehead to remind us that we are dust and we shall return there at an appointed time. However, there is a deeper meaning than that, which is a reminder that we must repent from our sins and believe in the Gospel. This holy occasion provides ample time to do acts of penance, to exercise charity in our midst, and to be mindful in leading a life of active faith in God. We all know that there are a lot of opportunities to be holy, especially during the Lenten season. Therefore, let us strive to do them in the spirit of humility and service, for the grace of God abounds the more for those who fear Him.
As a side note, the first Parish Pastoral Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at 5:00pm in the parish hall. All those who hold different parish ministries are part of the PPC, hence, you are expected to attend.
February 10, 2023 On Saturday, March 11, 2023, the Very Rev. Timothy J. Grassi, Vicar Forane of the Martinsburg Vicariate, will canonically install this unworthy servant as the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul parish through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in accordance with the Rite of Installation of Pastor. The said event will be held at 1:00pm, followed by a light reception in the parish hall. All parishioners are invited.
February 08, 2023
2023 Presbyteral Council of the Diocese
Ex-Officio Members: Most Reverend Mark E. Brennan – President Rev. Msgr. Eugene S. Ostrowski, V.G. Very Rev. Dennis R. Schuelkens, Jr., V.E.
Elected Members: Terms expiring in December 2023 Rev. Msgr. Samuel S. Sacus – (ch) Rev. James Conyers – (bk) Rev. José Manuel Escalante – (ch) Rev. John Rice – (pk) – re-elected -- chairman Rev. Martin Smay – (cl) -- secretary Terms expiring in December 2024 Very Rev. Joseph M. Augustine, J.C.L., J.V. – (wh) Very Rev. Casey B. Mahone, V.F. – (cl) – re-elected Rev. William J. Kuchinsky – (mb)
Terms expiring in December 2025 Rev. Msgr. Frederick P. Annie – (ch) Rev. J. Michael O. Lecias – (mb) Rev. Msgr. Kevin M. Quirk – (pk) Rev. Leonard A. Smith – (bk) – re-elected – vice-chairman
Appointed Members: Terms expiring December 2023 Rev. Msgr. Joseph L. Peterson – (wh) Very Rev. John S. Ledford, V.F. – (wh)
Terms expiring December 2024 Very Rev. Joseph M. Konikattil, Assoc. V.F. – (cl) – reappointed
Terms expiring December 2025 Very Rev. Sebastian E. Devasya, V.F. – (bk) – reappointed Committee Chairmen: Pastoral Concerns: Rev. William J. Kuchinsky Peace, Justice, & Charity: Rev. Martin Smay Priestly Life & Formation: Rev. Leonard A. Smith Vocations Committee: Rev. J. Michael O. Lecias
Executive Committee: Most Reverend Mark E. Brennan Rev. Msgr. Eugene S. Ostrowski, V.G. Very Rev. Dennis R. Schuelkens, Jr., V.E. Chairman – Rev. John Rice Vice-Chairman – Rev. Leonard Smith Secretary – Rev. Martin Smay Rev. William J. Kuchinsky Rev. J. Michael O. Lecias Recording Secretary – Mr. Chad R. Carter
January 10, 2023 I'm glad to announce that we have a new president and vice-president of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), Pat Narango and Judi McBee, respectively. They will serve for two years and can be reelected or appointed by the pastor. The PPC serves as the "mother" of all existing parish ministries and replaces the existing Liturgy Committee. The first PPC meeting shall be announced later once the date is determined. Finally, I am thankful to those who submitted themselves for the nomination and the election. Your unceasing support to our parish is greatly appreciated. God bless you and your families.
January 8, 2023 The morning of January 2nd, the Vicar General of the diocese called me to inform this servant of yours that I was elected in late December 2022 as the new member of the Presbyteral Council of the diocese. This senate of priests will help and assist the bishop in his pastoral ministry and will coordinate with the planning and implementation of some diocesan programs and activities that are beneficial for the people in parishes, vicariates, and the diocese as a whole. So, please pray for me as I start another task this year in my pastoral ministry. Thank you!
January 3, 2023 On December 14, 2022, the bishop had canonically and officially appointed me pastor of St. Vincent de Paul parish, the current parish of which I am serving under the title of Administrator. This is in accordance with Canon 522 that a pastor is canonically in possession of the said parish with certain canonical rights and privileges. In light of this canonical appointment, there will be a proper public liturgical ceremony of Installation of Pastor, which will be presided by the Vicar Forane of the Martinsburg Vicariate. The date of the Mass for the installation of pastor shall be held in March 2023. Once the date is determined, I will announce it as soon as possible. Below is the list of the newly appointed pastors:
Father Dominikus Baok, S.V.D., is appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Montgomery, St. Anthony Shrine Mission in Boomer, and Good Shepherd Chapel in East Bank, effective immediately. Father Aloysius Boh is appointed pastor of St. Bernadette parish in Hedgesville, effective immediately.
Father Binu Emmanuel, CST, is appointed pastor of St. Patrick parish in Mannington and St. Peter parish in Farmington, effective immediately. Father J. Michael O. Lecias is appointed pastor of St. Vincent de Paul parish in Berkeley Springs, effective immediately.
Father Shinto Mathew is appointed pastor of St. John Parish in St. Marys, Christ Our Hope Mission in Harrisville (currently operating at St. Joseph Chapel, Pennsboro), and St. Joseph Chapel in Pennsboro, effective immediately. Father Biju Parampil is appointed pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Logan, St. Edmund Chapel in Man, and Sacred Heart Parish in Williamson, effective immediately. Father L.J. Asantha Jude Perera, T.O.R., is appointed pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Follansbee, effective immediately. Father Daniel Price is appointed pastor of Annunciation of Our Lord Parish in Fort Ashby and St. Anthony Parish in Ridgeley, effective immediately. Father S. Kumar Reddimasu is appointed pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Stonewood, effective immediately. Father Thomas A. Sebastian, C.S.T., is appointed pastor of Assumption Parish in Keyser and Our Lady of Grace Parish in Romney, effective immediately. Father Martin Smay is appointed pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Thomas and Our Lady of Mercy Mission in Parsons, effective immediately. Father Edward A. Tetteh, S.V.D., is appointed pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Buckhannon and Sacred Heart Chapel in Pickens, effective immediately. Father Shaji Jacob Thomas is appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Huntington and St. Peter Claver Parish in Huntington, effective immediately. In consultation with Bishop James Thoppil of the Diocese of Kohima, India, Father Sojan Xavier is appointed administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in St. Albans with residence in St. Albans, effective immediately.