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195 Amicks Ferry Road, Chapin SC 29036

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Dear Friends,

This Sunday is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time! Learn more about Ordinary Time from Jeff Cavins by following the link. 

Our Summer Mass Schedule has ended. The LifeTeen Mass returns this Sunday, 8 September, at 5:00PM. 

This Friday and Saturday, 6 and 7 September, are a First Friday and First Saturday. I will hear Confessions from 10:00 to 11:30AM followed by a Noon Mass on both days. On First Friday we will have Adoration after the Mass until Benediction at 7:00PM.

This Sunday, 8 September, is National Grandparents Day; I will offer a Blessing for all grandparents at the end Mass. Please stand to receive the blessing when invited to do so.

8 September is the beginning of Religious Education, Youth Activities and Bible Groups: Welcome back to classes and youth activities everyone! Sunday Morning Bible Study (lift available!) will also meet in the Library at 9:15AM and PB&J (Parents, Bibles, & Jesus! and coffee too), a casual bible study for parents of students in Faith Formation and EDGE, will meet in the Mega Room on Sunday morning at 9:15AM.

The Men's Club will be out on the Plaza after Masses this weekend to promote the Men's Club Annual Fish Fry.

The Respect Life Ministry will be on Plaza after all Masses to promote 40 Days for Life which kicks off on 21 September and runs from 25 September to 3 November.

Do you want to become a full member of the Catholic Church? Our Parish RCIA Team is in the Narthex after all Masses for anyone interested in the Ministry or in becoming Catholic. Members will be present to help answer questions and get people acquainted (or re-acquainted) with God and the Church. There has never been a better time than now to ask how you can become a fully initiated Catholic ~ "Why Not Catholic?" 

Our next Parish EXALT (XLT) on 13 September from 7PM-8:30PM. Praise & Worship in the Church followed by Adoration. Everyone in the Parish is invited!

As we have returned to school and prepare for the start of Faith Formation Classes in September it is time to review our Safe Environment Policy, as well as a basic courtesy, for Mass attendance. First, our parish Safe Environment Policy during Masses (and all gatherings that include youth) is that no child under the age of 18 is to go to the restrooms without a parent, guardian, or designated adult accompanying them. This is for the child's safety. Please do not let your child go to the restrooms unescorted. 

Secondly, as the school year begins, we are seeing an increase of children attending the 8:00AM and 10:30AM Sunday Masses. As children can occasionally become disruptive at any Mass due to a variety of reasons, we ask that parents quickly remove their child to the narthex (entry) when this happens. For those of us who do not have children please remember that, instead of a stern look of annoyance, a benevolent smile and joyful eyes will convey your happiness at seeing families and children at Mass and help all feel welcomed as members of our Parish Family! 

2024 Catholic Appeal of South Carolina (CASC):

As of 23 August 327 families have made one time gifts and pledges totaling $121,008. This represents 207% of our goal of $58,503. An additional $12,669 is pledged but it is not included in our total until the monies are received. If all of the current pledges are paid in full we will reach 228% of our goal!!! Bishop Fabre-Jeune has challenged all parishes in the diocese to exceed 25% participation. Our Lady of the Lake is currently at 35 percent participation. 

Please do not use the Offertory Table in the center of the Narthex (the large wooden table in the "entrance lobby") as a work table or a convenient place to rest your personal items. This table is reserved for the Offertory Gifts at Mass and for items pertaining to our Parish Life. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter.

Some brief, but important news and reminders:

There is 8:00AM Hospitality this week hosted by the 8AM Bakers of Fellowship. There is a WELCOME RECEPTION after the 10:30AM Mass in St. Andrew Hall to welcome our newest parishioners. The Welcome Committee is hosting this reception assisted by the Knights of Columbus.

Pray for peace in the world and for protection from storms and other natural disasters.

Peace and all good,

Fr. Dennis

PADRE'S PICK

A weekly series of videos to watch (or listen to) that I recommend for every parish household and family! This is the sixth in a seven-part series with Bishop Barron. The entire Word on Fire Library is also available. Just click the white "play" arrow to begin or follow the link to access the library.

CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

The Installation of the vertical lift in the Family Life Center has been completed! This is a low occupancy, limited use, vertical lift. It is not an elevator.

• Use of this lift requires training and can only be operated by an adult. Please do not use the lift if you have not been trained. Contact Donnie Jameson for training. 

• Children who need to use the lift must have a trained adult operating the lift for them. 

• Please do not use the lift if you are able to use the stairs. The lift is for those parishioners who cannot use the stairs to reach the second floor of the FLC.

We are moving forward with the purchase of a more robust chair lift for the staircase to the choir loft. Our hope is that this lift will meet all of our expections and more!

We are also moving forward with an extensive upgrade to our sound system in the church. The current system is over eight years old and advances in technology will help improve our experience at Mass. A major improvement will be a wireless hearing assistance system that will enable WiFi enabled hearing aids to stream sound directly to the hearing aid using the ListenWiFi App on any smartphone. Download the app now to be ready to use this system: APPLE, GOOGLE or ANDROID.

The work sacristy in the church is having additional cabinets installed to increase storage and improve functionality. While this area of the church is seldom seen by most parishioners it is an essential working area for all our liturgical celebrations. These improvements are greatly needed and will be appreciated by all our deacons and sacristans as well as myself! 

Bishop Fabre-Jeune has asked that we delay our project to install moveable Altar Rails for the Sanctuary. It is my hope that this delay will not be long! To understand some of the benefits of installing Altar Rails at Our Lady of the Lake please read this ARTICLE.

Future plans for the fountain in front of the church are to extend the plaza in front of the church with pavers so as to include the area around the fountain. We will raise funds to complete this project by selling pavers to be inscribed with family names, in honor of, or in memorial. We are very close to finalizing pricing for the pavers.