Our Lady of Grace

 Catholic Church
 

Our Lady of Grace

January 2021

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Every year, we always expect something new to happen. We all want to start everything in the right sense; proper place and in the right direction, to correct our old failing habits and start anew. In this regard, we want to improve our life and progress for the better. This dynamic is very normal, in fact, new year’s reso- lutions are based on this desire for change. However, a careful consideration is needed not to fall on just glamorizing our feelings and forgetting what is more important with our life. What we want is real grace from God to provide a genuine effect for change.

Our faith in God must always be based on a good foundation. Our past and present realities must always point to the future with real optimism and hope. At Christmas, the birth of Jesus that we celebrate will al- ways remain a constant reminder that we are sharers of his divinity and we belong to God’s family. With this special relationship, we are afforded of a chance of physical and spiritual salvation. This is the mys- tery we always celebrate in our sacramental life.

This year 2021, beckons us to a new beginning and new lifes reality. Let our optimism put us to action and our hope to a better foundation in our faith. Let us visualize the future with God and be willing to work together for a better result towards the future. We are closing a season to begin another one in the church liturgical calendar, with faithful consideration that all seasons are God’s and for our own good. The year behind us was quite challenging as we struggled because of the pandemic. But relying in our strong faith in God, we continue to move forward facing the reality with much hope and courage.

There was no doubt that we are affected by this unfortunate situation we are facing right now. We are heartbroken and divided emotionally and physically. But as believers of Jesus Christ, we are still assured of spiritual connection and salvation. Christ dispelled the darkness for he is the true light amongst the fake lights that the world offers, and amidst the dimming lights we see, we strongly believe that Christ is our light and life.

With a renewed spirit, let us entrust our life again to the God’s power and mercy.

Jan 1^st is always celebrated as a Solemnity for Mary our mother. The church has declared this day as the feast of Mary The Holy Mother of God. Mary as the mother of God, the mother of the universal church, is our mother too. We are God’s children, and we are children of the light. Under the care and intercession of our mother Mary, we are confident that we will do better in our life.

Our home parish is a good venue to exercise our spiritual beings as individual and as a community. Here we recognize our calling, and we are blessed with gifts from the Holy Spirit to achieve our goals as a Christian community.

Let us look forward to a better 2021! Our prayer is to build a stronger relationship with God and his peo- ple by doing His work and celebrate with a joyful heart. Have a Blessed New Year to all!

In Christ,
Fr Erwin
 

Our Lady of Grace Church                                                      Rev. Erwin Belgica, Pastor

Christmas 2020 Dear Parishioner,                                           

Many of you who are unable to come to Masses or receive the Sunday bulletin may be wondering what is happening at Our Lady of Grace Church while the pandemic continues. To answer the question, Our Lady of Grace Parish continues to thrive, thanks to many hardy parishioners committed to our mission of serving the faithful.

We resumed celebrating Masses in public, limited by Covid-19 restrictions. These limits about halved Mass attendance on weekends, but weekday attendance is almost unchanged. Weekday Mass attendance at Our Lady of Grace always has been exceptionally good. The sacrament of Reconciliation remains under appreciated, and our financials are surprisingly good but running short.

The food pantry continues to flourish, thanks to donated supplies, dollar donations, and the perseverance of Lori Cleaver and her team of volunteers. They open the food pantry on the 3rd Tuesday every month and provide food staples to approximately 45 families each month. Parishioners continue to drop off groceries and money at the parish office in quantities sufficient to underwrite this ministry.

Likewise, our Feed the Homeless ministry continues to serve patrons coming to the Family Resource Center in Hernando. We have two teams under the overall direction of Dr. Clarel and Maria Charles. Every Monday, and Tuesday, one of the two teams prepares food in accordance with' state food safety and Covid-19 guidelines and delivers individual meals in bags to the Center. The parish underwrites the cost of this ministry, and volunteers do the work.

Our RCIA, Faith Formation and youth programs continue, thanks again to committed volunteers. However, these ministries are struggling. Fear of Covid-19, physical distancing, and virtual teaching limit participation and our ability to proclaim the Faith. Pray for greater success in these ministries.

Please stay connected. Go to our website, ourladyofgracefl.org for continuing updates and Sunday bulletins. If you have no access to the Internet, call the office (352-746-2144) and we will mail you Sunday bulletins until you can come to Sunday Masses.

Father Joy and I are always on call if you need us for the Sacraments, especially Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.

May our Lord, by his Incarnation and Resurrection, lead you to Eternal Life. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Father Erwin

Dear Brothers and sisters in the Lord, 

It is good to be home! I return with a grateful heart, thanking God for all His blessing upon me and my family as well. Being given an opportunity to spend time with them, considering the challenges of this pandemic, is something to be so grateful about. 
When I left three weeks ago, I was confident that the parish will be in good hands. I want to thank the priests who were so willing to fill in with the sacramental needs of the parish. The office staff and the parish ministries were very much dependable to keep everything running in the order of grace, and to top it all - the support of every member of the parish family in terms of stewardship. We are indeed making good towards our goal as a faith centered community. 
Finally, I want to thank all of you who responded to our Faith, Hope, and courage recovery appeal program. It was very successful- spiritually and temporally. 
I am particularly gratified with all your responses as shown in the commitment cards returned. Nearly one third of the registered families in the parish responded to my appeal. This is an excellent response rate according to people experienced in campaigns like this. Many indicated that they would pray for the parish while others asked for prayer intentions. And there were checks! Money, exceeding my expectations was donated to make up for the loss in the couple of months when services were suspended. You can find the summary of your generous offerings in the bulletin. 
Most significant however, is the spiritual aspect. This event was truly a "coming together of parishioners" in the spirit of a community called by God to a task in particular area of Beverly Hills Fl. 
Some offered prayers, sought prayer, some others renewed or increased their commitment to regular offertory donations, and many others provided much needed financial support. Altogether, our goal is to help keep the word of God alive among our families, in our parish and in our community. This is the most important point you have made in participating in this appeal. 
I am so grateful for your continuing prayer and generosity. Let us continue to glorify God in every form of stewardship we express to make God's presence into our life felt. Our church, our parish of Our Lady of Grace, remains alive because Christ is also alive in us. 
Let us continue to nurture this spirit of Christ in our minds and hearts, to create a more dynamic, responsive, and caring community. 

Fr. Erwin 

Faith, Hope and Courage Recovery Appeal Results
The  Faith  Hope  and  Courage  recovery  appeal that  began  in  August  has  concluded.  It  
received responses   from   291   families   or   33%   of   our parishioners.   Of   these,   120  
 indicated   that   they would   pray   for   the   parish   and   126   renewed, increased    or   
 committed    to    regular    Offertory donations.  The  total  amount  received  in  one-time 
donations was $30,885.

Faith, Hope and Courage Recovery Appeal Final Results
291    Households responded 33.0%    Households responded
$30,885    Total donations received
120    Families are praying for the Parish
126    Renewed, increased or committed
           regular Offertory donations
 

My Jesus,  
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

Mi amado Jesús,
creo que Tú estás presente
en el Santísimo Sacramento.
 
Te amo sobre todas las cosas,
y deseo recibirte en mi alma.
 
Ya que no puedo, en este momento,
recibirte sacramentalmente,
ven, al menos, espiritualmente a mi corazón.
 
Te abrazo como si Tú estuvieras ya ahí
y me uno a mi mismo completamente a Ti.
 
Nunca me permitas
estar separado de Ti.
Amén.

Almighty, ever-living God, by our baptism, we have been called to live as missionary disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Grant that we, your people of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, will fulfill our purpose by proclaiming the Good News and inviting all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.

Deepen our trust in you, O Lord, and help us to remain steadfast in our commitment to Courageously Living the Gospel in our homes, neighborhoods, parish communities, and wherever you may lead us.

Together, with the intercession of our Blessed Mother and all the saints who have gone before us, we humbly ask for the courage to live as your disciples standing firm in our Catholic faith, through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Dios todopoderoso y eterno, que por nuestro bautismo nos has llamado a vivir como discípulos misioneros de tu Hijo Jesucristo.

Concédenos a nosotros, tu pueblo de la Diócesis de St. Petersburg, cumplir nuestro propósito de proclamar la buena nueva e invitar a todas las personas a encontrar el amor y la misericordia de Jesucristo.

Aumenta nuestra confianza en ti, y ayúdanos a permanecer firmes en nuestro compromiso de vivir valientemente el Evangelio en nuestros hogares y vecindarios, en nuestras comunidades parroquiales y a dondequiera que tú te dignes llevarnos.

Juntos, y por la intercesión de nuestra Santísima Madre y de todos los santos que nos han precedido en la fe, humildemente te pedimos valor para vivir como discípulos tuyos, firmes en nuestra fe católica.  Por Jesucristo tu Hijo, nuestro Señor.

Amén.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. 
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, 
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, 
cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen

San Miguel Arcángel, defiéndenos en la batalla; sé
nuestro amparo contra la perversidad y asechanzas
del demonio. Reprímale Dios, pedimos suplicantes,
y tú, Príncipe de la Milicia Celestial, arroja al infierno
con el divino poder a Satanás y a los demás espíritus
malignos que andan dispersos por el mundo
para la perdición de las almas.
Amen.

PRAYER FOR HURRICANE SEASON 

God, our Father, Creator and Lord of the Universe, you have set the earth on its foundation and all the elements of nature obey your command.  

We humbly beseech you to keep us safe from all dangers and to calm the storms that may threaten us. May we be secure in your loving protection and serve you always with grateful hearts.  

We ask this, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen