Good saints or saints-to-be of Saint Bede,

Hope you are staying safe and thriving in these cooler days of Autumn. Soon the trees will turn and before you know it, Thanksgiving will be upon us. Enough of the chit chat and let’s get to the news.

This Sunday is the Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, the patron of our Diocese (of Richmond). This weekend we continue the celebration of the bicentennial jubilee of our local church and recognize the Catholic presence in the Western Vicariate of our diocese. We honor St Vincent (1581-1660) because he proclaimed the Gospel to the poor in a heroic way. He also founded a religious order of priests (Vincentians) to work in rural areas and, with Saint Louise de Marillac, a religious order of women (the Daughters of Charity).
We will celebrate his feast day (including special readings and the prayers of his day). In other words, you would be able to follow along with Magnificat or Word Among Us. If you use a missal, the prayers will be those of September 27. We will hear again our Bicentennial prayer and Bicentennial hymn.

On Sunday, September 27, we also begin the Octave of Service in honor of our 200th anniversary as a Diocese. Throughout the week, (on the parish website and social media), we will be highlighting the many programs, and opportunities available to us here at Saint Bede to continue these valuable ministries – to hold fast to the Word of life, to proclaim the gospel in our words and by our lives, and to “shine like stars in the world”. (Thank you Brittney Kinstetter and Nicole Lancour for their creative work for these posts. Remember THE sacrament of reconciliation is the Eucharist rightfully prayed this week and always).

As part of our parish’s Octave of Service:  
Throughout the octave, (or sometime during the 8 days for those who may not be joining us in person yet) we ask that you consider one or two of the following acts of service for those in need among us and/or around us :

  1. Bring an item of nonperishable food for The Williamsburg House of Mercy for their daily distribution of food.
  2. Buy a $25 gift card to Food Lion or another grocery store for the upcoming food basket distribution at Thanksgiving. We will have a box at the front office desk where you can drop off gift cards this week.
  3. Make or buy a card or spiritual bouquet to encourage a parishioner who is sick, homebound, or alone and assure them of your thoughts and prayers (and remember them). THIS IS A DOABLE ACT OF SERVICE FOR FAMILIES. We have a card box at the parish office. Please feel free to drop these off too.
  4. Bring baby diapers size 5 and 6 for the daily distribution at WHOM. 
  5. Bring baby things for the October baby shower for Hope Pregnancy (You will see a Pack N Play for the month in the Commons sponsored by the Friends for Life).  

We will have more ideas throughout the week, so stay tuned into Facebook and Instagram for updates! Throughout next week, there will be “receptacles” placed in the church or office for you to put your “gift” of service.

You could also join other parishioners for the Life Chain event on Sunday, October 4 from 2-3:15 pm at the intersection of Centerville and Richmond Rds. More information for this event is below. 

Well, that’s more than enough for one update! Persevere, keep the faith, and thanks for your patience and prayers. We’ll see you on Tuesday for Clergy Live from the Couch.

To register for this weekend's Mass, click here.