Our Parish mailing address is:
195 Amicks Ferry Road, Chapin SC 29036
Sign-up HERE to bring up the Gifts at Mass
Sign-up HERE for all Liturgical Ministries
If you need help please contact the parish office at 803.345.3962
or Fr. Dennis Willey at 843.834.5447.
Dear Friends,
This Sunday is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time! Learn more about Ordinary Time from Jeff Cavins by following the link.
This Sunday is Priesthood Sunday. Fr. Morey and I are blessed to serve you as priests. Thank you all for being so wonderful to us.
I must add that neither Fr. Morey nor I can effectively minister as Priests without your help. To that end I ask that everyone prayerfully consider how they may help contribute to our parish family through the gifts of your time, talent and treasure. In the coming weeks I will be asking for volunteers to step forward to help in various parish and liturgical ministries. Is God calling you to do more for the church? Are you listening? Parish ministry can be very rewarding and a great gift to our community as well as to yourself. Please pray and ask God if he wants you to say "yes".
It is that time of year when we have a lot of outreach going on to the greater Chapin Community. The Women's Club Baby Shower for Birthright and the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids Campaign have both begun. We are also supporting the Wreaths Across America program assisted by Scout Troop 815. The Scouts will be on the plaza after Masses this weekend to help if you would like to place a wreath on a veteran's grave this Christmas Season.
The Pumpkin Patch is back! Scout Troop 815, with support from the Our Lady of the Lake Men’s Club, is hosting the 7th Annual Pumpkin Patch from 28 September to 31 October. This worthwhile event enables the Troop to provide unique experiences in outdoor activities to include camping, hiking and high adventure, while building strong moral character and leadership skills in the young men and women who are members of Scouting America. All of this is possible through your generous support of the Pumpkin Patch. Thank you! For more information please visit www.pumpkinpatchchapin.com.
PET BLESSING. There will be a Blessing of all parishioners' pets on FIRST SATURDAY, 05 October 2024 after the 12 Noon Mass on the plaza outside the front doors of the church in honor of Saint Francis. BYOP (Bring your own pet!) Please have dogs on leashes, horses in trailers, cats on leashes or in carriers, etc. All pets are welcome! (Owners too!!)
All parishioners are invited to participate in our Parish LIFE CHAIN on Respect Life Sunday. LIFE CHAIN is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life individuals standing for 60 minutes praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. On Sunday, 06 October, we will line up in front of Our Lady of the Lake Church on Amicks Ferry Road and pray from 3:30-4:30PM. Signs will be provided. Please join us as we make a public, prayerful, peaceful stand for life!
OLL SCHOLARSHIP OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT
Friday, 11 October at 10:00AM at Timberlake Country Club. The Men’s Club is hosting its annual golf tournament to provide scholarships to high school seniors. Enjoy a day of great golf, food, drink, and camaraderie, while contributing to a worthy cause. Please see the attached FLYER for more details along with the player and sponsor registration forms. If you want to play but do not have a team, we will find you a team. Please contact Mike Weinzapfel with questions (803-622-4738; mikeweinz1@aol.com).
Do you want to become a full member of the Catholic Church? Our Parish RCIA Team is available to answer questions and get people acquainted (or re-acquainted) with God and the Church. Contact Deacon Jim Atkinson at: 704.246.9034
40 Hours of Devotion begins with Exposition of the Blessed Holy Sacrament on Thursday, 03 October and ends with First Saturday Mass on 05 October. SIGN UP for a Holy Hour. Everyone in the Parish is invited! We will have our usual First Friday and First Saturday schedule including Confessions from 10:00AM until 11:30AM on both days. Fr. Morey will be joining Fr. Dennis to hear Confessions on both days.
2024 Catholic Appeal of South Carolina (CASC):
As of 17 September 328 families have made one time gifts and pledges totaling $123,726. This represents 211% of our goal of $58,503. An additional $11,567 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 231% 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 NO 10:30AM Hospitality this weekend.
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 third in a six-part series with Bishop Barron on the Eucharist. 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
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.
PARISH FINANCIAL UPDATES
Last Sunday's collection was $20,899! We are at that time of year when we ride a roller coaster. I know that inflation is affecting us all and that our household budgets are tight. (Especially for families!!!) I greatly appreciate the sacrifices parishioners are making to support the parish with their gifts of time, talent and treasure. That said, the Parish Finance Council and I are confident that these weekly variations in our collections will even out over time. We remain pleased with the strength of your financial support during the first months of the fiscal year.
The weekly financial report is available HERE. We remain deeply grateful for your generosity.
Our year end budget report for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year that ended on 30 June is available for all parishioners to review. Just follow the link to view a pdf copy of this document. You may also review the report by going to the Parish website, www.ollchapin.org, and clicking on the "Our Parish" tab at the top and go to "Financials".
Please remember that every gift to the church helps, no matter the amount. We emphasize equal sacrifice - NOT equal giving! We ask that all registered households give what they can to support the ministry of the Church. We are always THANKFUL for your generosity and support!
THANK YOU!!!
Do you give online using your credit card? If so, our vendor now allows you the option to add the processing fee to your gift. Please consider making this change and strengthen the power of your gift.
CHILDREN'S ENVELOPE ARTWORK
We encourage all our parish children to use their envelopes at the Sunday Morning Masses. Children can make a monetary donation or just write something on the envelope; a good deed, a prayer, artwork, etc. Father Dennis will hold a basket and invite the children to come forward at the appropriate time. If you have forgotten an envelope or need more, they are available in the Narthex.
NOTES OF IMPORTANCE FROM
THE DIOCESE
The Diocesan Respect Life Ministry invites everyone to support 40 Days for Life by giving an hour in prayer daily from 7:00AM until 7:00PM at Planned Parenthood in Columbia. If you can't stay for one hour then any time you can give in prayer is still efficacious and will help save lives!
Each October, the Church in the United States celebrates Respect life Month and the first Sunday of October is observed as Respect Life Sunday. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and at every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.
October is Respect Life Month
October is Respect Life Month, and we take the special opportunity to celebrate the life that God has given to each member of the human family.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Affairs for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, released a statement for this year’s Respect Life Month.
Acknowledging the many issues that diminish human life, Bishop Burbidge stated, “the U.S. bishops have affirmed that, while it is important to address all the ways in which human life is threatened, ‘abortion remains our pre-eminent priority as it directly attacks our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, destroying more than a million lives each year in our country alone.’”
We take comfort in the fact that we have the author of life pouring himself out each day. The Eucharist continues to nourish us in our work to protect all human life. There is great hope for changing hearts and minds about the infinite value of life — from the preborn to the men and women on death row, especially in South Carolina, the immigrant, the impoverished, and all those on the margins who remain close to the heart of Christ.
“Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist, gives us the fullness of life,” Bishop Burbidge said. “He calls each of us to respect that gift of life in every human person. While we live in a society that often rejects those who are weak, fragile, or vulnerable, they are the most in need of our care and protection.”
The USCCB has shared many resources for Respect Life Month this year. The USCCB points out that the Blessed Sacrament is our strength in all things, especially the fight to save the preborn and their mothers from abortion.
Respect Life Novena
Bishop Burbage's Statement
Jesus, author of life, have mercy on us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
Simply Catholic Voter Guide
The 2024 general election is less than two months away. As both Catholics and citizens of the United States, we have an opportunity to bring forth the social kingship of Jesus Christ each time we cast a vote. As disciples, we choose candidates that will support legislation and government action to help Americans flourish. It is important to remember that as Catholics, we have a moral obligation first and foremost to vote for the protection of all human life everywhere — from conception to natural death. Next, we vote for issues such as protection of the poor and vulnerable, education, religious liberty and others. Please read the Simply Catholic Voter Guide to help inform your vote as a Catholic: English or Spanish
Further reading material can be found HERE. (This material will change weekly until just before the elections!)
Inspiration to Answer Christ’s Invitation
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VISIT the Catholic Miscellany
For the most up-to-date information from the diocese visit: charlestondiocese.org/events.
Read the SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER CARITAS; the Diocesan Monthly E-Newsletter.