FROM THE BISHOP
Please view this important message from Bishop Mark Brennan regarding the spread of the COVID-19 and what the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is doing during these uncertain times.
The following is an important message from Most Rev. Mark Brennan, Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston.
Dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass:
“While no member of the Faithful is bound to attend Mass where impossibility arises, West Virginia borders a number of dioceses in which Masses are still being publicly celebrated, and many of our Faithful are easily able to attend those Masses. Owing to the grave nature of the current public health crisis, and not wishing that any of our flock be compelled to place themselves unnecessarily at risk, I hereby dispense all those who reside within the territory of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston from their obligation to attend Mass. The intention of this dispensation, along with the suspension of public liturgies in the Diocese, is to encourage the Faithful to practice ‘social distancing’ and ‘self-quarantine’ to the extent that their state of life permits, by which we hope to contribute to the containment and end of the current pandemic.”
—Most Rev. Mark Brennan
FROM Bishop Brennan
Hello, my brothers and sisters. I’m Bishop Mark Brennan of the Wheeling-Charleston
Catholic Diocese. I wish to speak with you about the current Corona Virus outbreak and
how it may affect Church life.
Last week I distributed materials to priests and parishes outlining best practices to
help stop the spread of this new virus and other infectious diseases and keep our parishioners
safe.
New developments now prompt me to take further measures. Governor Justice has
announced that public schools will be closed until further notice. Because we rely on the
same public health information that the Governor is relying on, our Catholic schools and
child-care facilities associated with them will also be closed until further notice.
In addition, the Governor has strongly urged that people avoid congregating in large
numbers as a way to prevent the spread of disease. While there have not yet been any
confirmed cases of the Corona Virus in West Virginia, health officials believe that some
cases will soon appear in our State and that would affect our parishes.
Therefore, taking what I believe is the safer course for our people, I am suspending
for the time being the public celebration of Mass, both for Sunday obligation and daily
Masses, beginning with this weekend’s Saturday afternoon Masses. I would remind our
priests that the Roman Missal makes provision for a “Mass without a Congregation” and I
ask them to offer that Mass privately for their people.
All non-essential meetings, gatherings and parish events are to be postponed or
cancelled beginning this Saturday.
While I do not want to contribute to panic reactions, I think it wise to listen to our
public health officials when they recommend certain steps to keep our people safe and
healthy.
We will also be working to provide the daily Mass via our live stream on our website.
Mass will continue to air on television in the Wheeling and Clarksburg areas as well.
Faithful Catholic people love the Mass, so it is a hardship not to be able to celebrate it. I
encourage you to remain steadfast in faith during this time, by praying the Liturgy of the
Hours in your homes, praying the Rosary, and by reflecting on the readings of the day. All of
these resources are available online. We can look on this development as a penance we do
together during this Lenten season and offer our disappointment and suffering up to God.
May the Lord give us the joy of celebrating Easter together in good health!
Finally, I would urge everyone to pray for the sick and for those who care for them, in
particular our doctors, nurses and other medical support staff who must deal up close with
the sick every day.
Let us pray for a quick end to the Corona Virus outbreak in our country and around
the world. May Jesus, the Divine Physician, send his healing grace upon the people he has
redeemed. Let us hold one another close in prayer and Christian love.
God bless you and your loved ones!
FROM FR. KUMAR
To my Parish Family at Our Lady of Perpetual Help,
I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of you who have continued supporting the church during this unprecedented pandemic. Even though we are not able to join together to celebrate Mass, we still have financial obligations to pay our bills on time so we are grateful for your contributions. I also ask that you please remember to continue to pray for all those affected by this virus, pray for all medical professionals and first responders. Hopefully we will be able to worship together again soon but until then, please continue to pray for the church, for each other and for an end to this virus.
Please use our website www.olphwv.com for updated information around the Parish and Diocese. We are continuing to publish our bulletin as well which is available to you on the website or mobile app.
Fr. Kumar
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
8092 Third Street
Stonewood, WV 26301
Guided Stations of the Cross
Pope Francis’s prayer to Mary during Coronavirus Pandemic
Weekly Gospel Meditation
Connect! Sunday Reflection
TRANSFIGURING OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES
February 28, 2020 • Douglas Sousa, STL
For Sunday, March 8, 2020
2nd Sunday of Lent
Genesis 12:1-4a
2 Timothy 1:8b-10
Matthew 17:1-9
The story of the Transfiguration maps out some steps we need to take in our journey of prayer. First, we must climb the mountain; second, we must look upon Jesus; and third, we must go back down the mountain to tell others what we have seen.
First, we must climb the mountain. Before revealing his glory to Peter, James, and John, Jesus leads them up a high mountain. Climbing a mountain takes a good deal of effort. There’s always the danger of falling off a cliff or running into a wild animal. Also, the higher one climbs, the thinner the air is and the harder it becomes to breathe.
The apostles’ experience teaches us something profound about the spiritual life. God often does not reveal himself until we are willing to make the hard journey up the mountain. That mountain could be a sin that we have to overcome, an unhealthy relationship, or sickness. Every challenge we experience is an invitation from God to climb the mountain so that He can reveal His glory to us. We may not understand why God has put those obstacles in our path and made things so hard for us. However, if we ask Him, He will give us the strength to endure whatever may come. And, with time, we will see and be amazed by God’s mercy.
The second truth of the spiritual life which the Transfiguration teaches us is that we are meant to see the vision of God. Unlike the apostles, we do not see Jesus face to face. How, then, do we get a glimpse of him in all his glory? The central and most important way is in the Mass. At every Eucharist, the Risen Lord is truly present in our midst. When the readings are proclaimed, it is Jesus’ voice that we hear. When we receive the Eucharist, we touch the body of the Risen Lord just as the apostles did, and we are transformed by him.
For that reason, the Sunday Mass is an indispensable part of our Christian life and spirituality. While it is very good to read the Bible, pray the rosary, and contemplate the beauty of nature, none of those activities compare with the gift offered us in the Eucharist. While those activities can give us some insight into Jesus and his love, they cannot actually give us Jesus himself as the Eucharist does. There is no substitute for the real, life-changing encounter we have with the Risen Lord in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood which we receive every Sunday.
The third truth of the spiritual life is that we cannot stay on the mountain. We have to go back down to witness to others the Jesus we have come to know.
The experience the apostles had of Jesus was overwhelming. It filled them both with awe and fear. Understandably, Peter does not want it to end. He wants to stay there, camping out with Jesus, Elijah, and Moses forever. But Jesus does not allow it. The vision of his glory comes to an abrupt end, and he leads them back down the mountain to continue preaching the good news and healing the sick.
Many times, when we are praying and feeling God’s presence all around us, we do not want it to end. We want to stay basking in the warmth of God’s love. That is entirely natural because we were created to praise God and never feel so much “at home” as when we are praying. But it is not enough. The spiritual life is never just a private affair. From worship, we must go into service. We must come down the mountain and point out the way to encounter God to others so that they may share our joy.
Douglas Sousa, S.T.L.
PRAYER
O God,
who have commanded us
to listen to your beloved Son,
be pleased, we pray,
to nourish us inwardly by your word,
that, with spiritual sight made pure,
we may rejoice to behold your glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
(from the Roman Missal)
April 3rd at 7:00 PM streamed live from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church via Facebook Live
Streamed live from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church via Facebook Live
PALM SUNDAY Sunday, April 5 @ 10:00AM
HOLY THURSDAY Service: April 9 @ 7:00PM
GOOD FRIDAY Service: April 10 @ 3:00PM
EASTER VIGIL Mass: April 11 @ 8:00PM
EASTER SUNDAY Mass: April 12 @ 10:00AM
Lenten Series on Prayer
Hosted by Deacon John
Join Deacon John for Mass or a Communion Service on Thursdays during Lent and then stay for a 45 minute session on Prayer hosted by the Deacon. Each session is self contained - you can come to one or all - they do not build on each other and the cost is Free. Come too as many as you are interested light refreshments will be served. Again, these are hosted after 6pm Mass on Thursdays during Lent.
March 5 - The Rosary; there are many ways to use the rosary to pray; you don't 'have' to do it the 'right' way; anyway you use it to bring you closer to God is a success. Come experience a different way to Pray with Mary!
March 12 - Lectio Divina-Divine Reading; a monastic practice of scriptural readings, mediation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word.
March 19 - Guided Meditation - a way of placing yourself in a Bible story and using your senses to see, smell, hear, touch and taste what is happening. Come and let Deacon John guide you through the night of Jesus’ arrest.
March 26 - Liturgy of the Hours; Understand what the Liturgy of the hours is all about; learn about apps to make is easier; join in this ancient form of prayer required by the clergy and religious.
April 2 - Eucharistic Adoration; what is it about; what are its goals; how do you do it; why don't we do it? Come learn more about this popular devotion that so many parishes have put aside. Is it time to start it back up again?
Giving up something for Lent? ... give up your Thursday evenings to Daily Mass and a deeper understanding of Prayer.
Mar. 13
5:30PM - Soup & Salad
7:00PM - Stations of the Cross
Mar. 19
6:30PM - Lenten Series on Prayer “Visio Divina”
Mar. 20
5:30PM - Soup & Salad
7:00PM - Stations of the Cross
Mar. 26
6:30PM - Lenten Series on Prayer “Liturgy of the Hours”
Mar. 27
5:30PM - Soup & Salad
7:00PM - Stations of the Cross
Apr. 2
6:30PM - Lenten Series on Prayer “Eucharistic Adoration”
Apr. 3
5:30PM - Soup & Salad
7:00PM - Stations of the Cross
Apr. 4
5PM - Palm Sunday Vigil
Apr. 5
8AM & 10AM—Palm Sunday
8PM - Tenebrae Service
Apr. 9
7PM - Holy Thursday
Apr. 10
7PM - Good Friday
Apr. 11
Noon – Blessing of Easter Baskets
8PM - Easter Vigil
Apr. 12
10AM - Easter Sunday
Use this site to help you prepare for a Good Confession.
Scroll down and see the active Intentions and Sanctuary Candle schedule.
Look for available dates and contact the Parish Office to schedule.
Publications (Our Bulletin)
Sun, Mar 29th
Sun, Mar 22nd
Sun, Mar 15th
Sun, Mar 8th
Sun, Mar 1st
Weekly Readings
Weekly reading
Readings for the week of March 29, 2020
- Sunday: Ez 37:12-14 / Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 [7] / Rom 8:8-11 / Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
- Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62 / Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [4ab] / Jn 8:1-11
- Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9 / Ps 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21 / Jn 8:21-30
- Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 / Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 / Jn 8:31-42
- Thursday: Gn 17:3-9 / Ps 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [8a] / Jn 8:51-59
- Friday: Jer 20:10-13 / Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7 [cf. 7] / Jn 10:31-42
- Saturday: Ez 37:21-28 / Jer 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13 [cf. 10d] / Jn 11:45-56
- Next Sunday: Mt 21:1-11 / Is 50:4-7 / Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 [2a] / Phil 2:6-11 / Mt 26:14—27:66 or 27:11-54
Broken Rosaries
If anyone has old or broken rosaries, please bring them and leave them in the back of the church. We will fix them and send them overseas with the Sisters of the Infant Jesus missionaries.
Catholics Come Home
Parish Membership
To be considered an active, participating member of the parish, and thus eligible for sacraments, sponsor eligibility, and parish family discount at St. Mary’s and Notre Dame, OLPH takes into account a family or individual ministry involvement, and Mass attendance. Your collection envelopes, or online giving receipt, are the only way we can determine your attendance. If you are new to the parish, please stop by, call the office for registration forms or complete the online form on this site.
Choir News
Photo Albums
Altar Server News
If anyone, youth or adult, is interested in becoming an altar server, please contact [email protected], and arrangements will be made to get you trained. We are great need of adult servers. Why not serve in the ministry? You are here at Mass anyway, what better way to participate in the Mass than as an altar server.
The Holy See
OUR HOLY FATHER
POPE FRANCIS
We Need You!!
Please consider offering service to our parishioners and the Lord by becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion or Lector. You are attending Mass, why not assist others by participating in one of these ministries? Please contact Paula Taylor at [email protected] to arrange a time for training.
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U.S. Bishops’ Chairman for Domestic Justice and Human Development Praises Lawmakers for Historic Emergency Legislation on Coronavirus Relief
03/28/20 1:24 pm
WASHINGTON— Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, praised members of Congress and the President for passing and signing into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), a historic package of emergency relief for those suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. He expressed gratitude for the enormous aid in the bill and noted issues that merit further assistance in the future.
Archbishop Coakley’s full statement follows:
Read MoreStatement of U.S. Bishops’ President on Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi Message
03/27/20 3:35 pm
WASHINGTON – Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued the following statement on the Holy Father’s Urbi et Orbi message today.
Archbishop Gomez’s full statement follows:
Read MorePope Francis Accepts Resignation of Bishop Robert J. Baker of Birmingham; Names Bishop Steven J. Raica as Successor
03/25/20 2:41 am
WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert J. Baker, 75, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Birmingham and has named Bishop Steven J. Raica of Gaylord to succeed him.
The appointment was publicized in Washington, D.C. on March 25, 2020 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
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Mass Times
Sundays: 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM
Monday: No Mass
Tuesday: 6:00 PM (Chapel)
Wednesday: 9:00 AM (Chapel)
Thursday: 6:00 PM (Chapel)
Friday: 9:00 AM (Chapel)
PLEASE NOTE:
Consult "Events Calendar" for services on Holy Days of Obligation.
ALSO,
If we have a funeral, it will take precedence over daily Mass. We invite you to attend the funeral Mass.
NOTICE:
If Harrison County schools are delayed or closed weekly Mass is canceled.
Office Hours
Mon - Wed - Thu: 9AM - 3PM
Note: Chapel is only open on weekdays
