A Prayerful Response
OUR RESPONSE BEGINS WITH PRAYER
Too much bloodshed. Too much violence. The headlines can become overwhelming, even for people with deep faith.
In response to recent violent events in our country, especially Tuesday’s tragic killings in Texas, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops made this statement:
“There have been too many school shootings, too much killing of the innocent. Our Catholic faith calls us to pray for those who have died and to bind the wounds of others, and we join our prayers along with the community in Uvalde... As we do so, each of us also needs to search our souls for ways that we can do more to understand this epidemic of evil and violence and implore our elected officials to help us take action.”
As Roman Catholics, our response to any tragedy begins with prayer. We must turn to the Risen Lord Jesus to seek wisdom, courage and strength.
Here at Saint Mary’s, we will begin our prayerful response to this violence with an hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday, May 29. We will gather in our Church at 12:30 PM for an hour of Adoration, Scripture and sung prayer, concluding with Benediction at 1:30 PM.
Additional prayer opportunities will be announced in upcoming emails and bulletins.
In the Letter of James, we are told that “faith, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). In the days ahead, parish leaders will be praying and collaborating, seeking concrete and specific actions that we can all take to bring a Gospel-centered response to the complex problem of violence in our culture. Please watch the bulletin for more information on these initiatives.
As we pray together in the days ahead, let us make the words of Saint Francis of Assisi our own:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Mass Times
Saturdays: 5:30 pm
Sundays: 9:00 am and 11:00 am
Tuesdays - Fridays: 9:00 am
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturdays, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Parish Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Our church is open for personal prayer:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Eucharist Bible Study
Women's Book Club
Vacation Bible School
Parish News and Events
Read about this month's Knights of Columbus Family of the Month and Knight of the Month here.
The HealthNotes page of our website has been updated with information from our Parish Nurse Ministry. It includes their latest note: "When Two Illnesses Collide: The Approaching Twindemic."
Annual Diocesan Appeal
Dear Sisters and Brothers:
The 2022 Annual Diocesan Appeal has begun, and I am inviting all members of Saint Mary’s parish to participate by supporting our Catholic community in southern Virginia.
In a recent letter to all of the members of the diocesan family, Bishop Knestout directed our attention to this passage from the Old Testament: read more
Divorce Care Ministry
Are you or a friend or family member experiencing the stress of a divorce? Our parish is currently gauging the need and interest in offering a Divorce Support Group later in 2022 to provide an emotional, social, and spiritual setting to provide support, find hope and healing, strengthen coping, and to rebuild and begin to move forward.
To ask questions or express interest (all confidential) contact Chris Jenkins, LCSW, at the Parish Offices at [email protected] or at 804-740-4044 x016.
School News
Learn more about our school at www.saintmary.org.
FORMED
St. Mary's now subscribes to FORMED ... The Catholic Faith. On Demand. CLICK HERE for more information and to learn how to sign up for free.
Diocesan VIRTUS Training

(Select "Richmond, VA (Diocese)")
Diocesan Safe Environment Office and programs, visit
https://richmonddiocese.org/protecting-gods-children/
Financial Stewardship
We know that during this difficult time many parishioners may have to change their giving habits or giving levels. However, in order to keep our parish and its ministries running in these difficult times we need to have regular income. If you can give during this time, please consider using one of the following methods:
- Register for E-Giving here or click the icon.
- Text “Donate” to 18042590555 on your smartphone
- Mail your regular giving envelope to the parish via the US Postal Service
- Drop your giving to the parish office during office hours
- Use your bank’s BillPay option if possible, to send a check to St. Mary’s
We thank you for your generosity to St. Mary’s Catholic Church!
Let Us Pray ...
Fr. Renninger and the Parish Staff would like to pray for your intentions during their personal daily prayer time. Please complete the form below to send us your intention and know that it will be included in our prayer. We would ask that you remember the intentions of our Parish Family in your prayers as well.
Latest Bulletin
Diocese of Richmond
Bishop Knestout encourages anyone aware of sexual abuse of minors on the part of clergy or staff of our diocese to notify civil authorities, call the Attorney General’s Clergy Abuse Hotline at 1-833-454-9064, and reach out to the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator at 1-877-887-9603.