Our Parish mailing address is:
195 Amicks Ferry Road, Chapin SC 29036
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.
We are now selling pavers for the plaza around the fountain in front of the Church! PLAZA PAVERS is up and running for you to use to make your purchase(s).
Dear Friends,
This Sunday is Passion (Palm) Sunday and begins the Holiest Week of the year for Catholics. Follow the link to learn more about HOLY WEEK.
Special Collections: A collection is traditionally taken up during Holy Thursday’s Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper which is used for the special needs of the poor in our community, and a collection is taken up on Good Friday for the Holy Land.
There is NO FIRST FRIDAY OR FIRST SATURDAY
Confession or Noon Mass in April due to celebration of the Sacred Triduumm beginning on Holy Thursday, 2 April.
Parish Offices are closed for Easter Break from 1:00PM on 1 April through 6 April. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, 7 April at 9:00AM.
There IS Faith Formation, EDGE and LifeTeen this Sunday and the 5:00PM Sunday Mass is a LifeTeen Mass! There is NO Faith Formation, Edge or LifeTeen on Easter Sunday.
There is NO Faith Formation or Edge on the Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy), but LifeTeen does meet and the 5:00 Evening Mass on 12 April will be a LifeTeen Mass. Classes resume for all on 19 April and the last day of Faith Formation is 3 May.
We will take a break from talking about Parish Ministries at Mass from Palm Sunday until after the Octave of Easter!
My mother's recovery from surgery is going slowly. She remains in the hospital. Your continued prayers are needed and appreciated! I have returned this week to Chapin and will be celebrating Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter with you. Grateful for all your support and prayers for my mom, myself and my family.
The parish Women’s Club invites parishioners to their annual Palm Sunday Bake Sale, March 28 and 29 after all Masses in St. Andrew Hall. This is a “sweet” opportunity to support fellowship and the Women’s Club Ministry, that supports the Parish in so many ways. We would love your help filling our tables with home baked delights. We welcome everything from classic favorites like cookies, brownies, cupcakes, cakes, muffins and quick breads to specialty and unique baked goods, the more variety the better! Drop off your tasty creations before any of the Masses that weekend.
Last weekend to order Easter flowers: 28 and 29 MARCH 2026! Would you like to purchase a lily or geranium in loving memory of or in honor of a family member, a friend, or for a special intention? Use the FLYER here and also found on the Offertory Table in the Narthex. Envelopes are provided and you may drop in the Collection Basket or bring to the Parish Office, M-F, 9:00AM - 1:00PM. Many thanks!
I will be in Charleston on 30 and 31 March for the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral. Follow the link to learn more about this Mass.
The Spring Session of the Parish’s Bereavement Ministry, Seasons of Hope, began on Thursday, 12 March 2026 and will run for 8 weeks from 1:00PM to 2:30PM in Saint Ignatius Hall (handicapped accessible). This program is rooted in Catholic tradition which conveys God's consolation through scripture, prayer, reflections and sharing of faith. It is facilitated by parishioner Ann Douglas. All materials will be provided at no cost. If interested in joining the group, please contact Ann Douglas at (803) 429-2914, or bereavement@ollchapin.org.
The Men's Club is accepting scholarship applications from our graduating High School Seniors. Please apply using these links: MEN'S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP and DEEDS AND NEED SCHOLARSHIP. Paper copies of these applications are also available in the Vollkommer Bell Tower.
40 Cans for Lent - Last year we collected over 5000 pounds for the 6 weeks of Lent. So remember, 40 cans for Lent, one can for each day of Lent to help those in need in our community. 40 Cans for Lent continues until Good Friday. Thanks so much for all you do to help We Care!
You can fulfill your Easter Obligation and make a good confession any time between Ash Wednesday and the Feast of Pentecost!
Are you interested in becoming a Catholic? If you are unbaptized; or were baptized in a Protestant church; or were baptized Catholic but never fully catechized (Holy Communion/Confirmation); and want to come into Full Communion in the Catholic Church, please email me at pastor@ollchapin.org!
Are you interested in helping people become Catholic? I have multiple volunteers so far but I need more! I'm still looking for volunteers to form a committee to revitalize the RCIA, now known as the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), in our parish. The OCIA was recently updated and we need to expand the program to a full year and more. I envision four teams ultimately running the OCIA in our parish. I need help to develop the program. If you are interested in joining this effort please email me at pastor@ollchapin.org!
Natural Family Planning: To learn more about the CrMS Natural Family Planning System contact: Courtney Webber, FCPI, at courtney.nfp@gmail.com or (760) 415-3465. The next scheduled Introductory Sessions are 9 April, 14 May, 11 June, 9 July, 13 August, 10 September, 8 October and 12 November 2026.
Catholic Appeal of South Carolina (CASC) 2026:
The 2026 CASC has officially kicked off! If you have not yet made a one time gift or pledge there is still time to do so! You can learn more about the CASC and make a donation or pledge online by following this LINK. Last year our parish exceeded our parish goal by 263% and we received a rebate check of $47,098.17 as our parish portion of the CASC!!! Our Parish goal for the 2026 CASC is $64,836.
Bicentennial Campaign
The Bicentennial Capital Campaign (BCC) closed at the end of 2025. I will share the final numbers for our parish when the diocese makes them available.
Some brief reminders:
There is NO 8:00AM or 10:30AM Hospitality this Sunday. Please support the Women’s Club Annual Palm Sunday Bake Sale this weekend after all Masses in St. Andrew Hall. This is a “sweet” opportunity to support fellowship and the Women’s Club Ministry that supports our Parish in so many ways.
Phishing Scams Alert: Please be aware, you will NEVER receive an email or text from me or any of the parish staff requesting donations, gift cards, or similar items.
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 week's Word on Fire video is the sixteenth in a mini course on CATHOLICISM:
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.
PARISH FINANCIAL UPDATES
This past Sunday's collection was $26,681. Thank you!
Many of our parishioners give yearly from investments that have Required Minimum Disbursements. There is a significant tax advantage when RMDs are given directly to a charity like the Church. Check with your financial advisor if you have RMDs and would like to reduce your tax burden.
The weekly financial report is available HERE. We remain deeply grateful for your generosity.
Our weekly goal for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 is $20,823. The Finance Council and I remain confident in our budget projections for this fiscal year and believe that we can achieve our goals due to the continued growth of our parish. Nevertheless, your support is essential to the success of our parish mission and ministries. Thank you for your continued support.
We are still planning to host a Planned Giving Seminar that will give you information on how to plan your estate and ensure the mission of Our Lady of the Lake far into the future! You can also visit Stewardship & Mission Advancement - South Carolina Catholic at the Diocese of Charleston's website to learn more.
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.
CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
We are now selling pavers for the plaza around the fountain in front of the Church! PLAZA PAVERS is up and running for you to use to make your purchase(s). There are plenty of paver options for every family to consider. Funds raised from the sale of pavers will enable us to complete this project. Pavers may be inscribed with family names, in honor of, or in memorial.
For any questions, please contact Russell and Suzy Howell at pavers@ollchapin.org
Work on the stage in the Family Life Center continues. No pictures this week. Still more work to be done.
DIOCESAN NEWS
Black Catholic Ministry
Bishop Fabre has approved the following events regarding Black Catholic Ministry for our diocese. Please keep these dates in your calendar:
16-19 June: 2026 Lyke Conference at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 309 Gower Street in Greenville.
12-13 September: 200th Anniversary of St. James the Greater Mission at 3087 Ritter Road in Walterboro.
7 November: Black Catholic History Month Celebration and Day of Reflection at 2:00 p.m. at St. Anne and St. Jude Church, 1855 Beckwood Road in Sumter.
All are welcome to celebrate these events with our Black brothers and sisters.
Check it out!
VISIT the Catholic Miscellany
For the most up-to-date information from the diocese visit: charlestondiocese.org/events.
Read the MARCH and APRIL CARITAS; the Diocesan Monthly E-Newsletter.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS at OLL!
If you are feeling unwell we ask that you stay home and watch Mass through our Parish Live Stream. If you are unsure please wear a Mask to spare others from possibly sharing your germs. We are asking that shaking hands, hugging, or kissing be reserved to immediate family members only. Please continue to smile and wave to non-family members around you in the pews rather than extending your hand for the Sign of Peace.
We live stream the Sunday 10:30AM Mass using BOXCAST and FACEBOOK-LIVE. Links are also provided on our parish web site and in the
Weekly Reminder.
Prayer of Spiritual Communion:
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
NOTE: BOXCAST has the best streaming!
Look for our parish channel on BoxCast Apps
in Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV
for a direct link. You can find us listed as
Our Lady of the Lake, Chapin SC.
Weekly Bulletin, Calendar and Mass Schedule:
Our Parish mailing address is:
195 Amicks Ferry Road, Chapin SC 29036
Are you interested in becoming a Prayer Warrior? We are starting a Prayer Ministry in our parish. If you are interested contact me at pastor@ollchapin.org! The button below is an example of how prayer requests will be submitted and received through Flocknote.
How does the Prayer Requests Button work?
To make a Prayer Request: If you hit the button below, you can make a prayer request and send it to our Parish Flocknote page. Prayer Warriors will then pray for the specific request you made. You will not receive any notification that your prayer request has been fulfilled - although some Prayer Warriors may contact you privately. Be assured however, that your request is being fulfilled and Warriors are praying!
If you want to be a Prayer Warrior: You need to request to be added. Fr Dennis can add you. Just send him a text or email and he will do so.
If you are signed up as a Prayer Warrior: Click on the Prayer Requests button on the left side menu of the Parish Flocknote page when you log into Flocknote. You’ll see a list of requested prayers. When you offer a prayer for a specific request, mark it as completed. You can also check a box on this page to receive email notifications when prayer requests are submitted by others.
If you want, you can then reach out to the individual who requested the prayer privately. This is not required but can be very meaningful.