Emailed: Friday, May 8, 2020
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
1003 E. Victory Drive | Savannah, Georgia 31405 | 912.356.6980
Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2020
Pastor's Column
Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled!

This Gospel from John 14 is probably the most chosen Gospel for Catholic funeral masses. It is a very consoling Scripture for when we lose a loved one. It is consoling in the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus. He says:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house, there are many mansions (dwelling places). If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”

Jesus is going to take care of us, no matter what happens. He is our Good Shepherd who loves and cares for us. He knows everything about us, He thinks of us every second of every day and He never sleeps! He knows how many hairs are on our heads. Jesus is quite capable of taking care of his children during this pandemic. Even when someone dies, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We are one in Him. 

This past week, Bishop Gregory John Hartmayer was installed as the new Archbishop of Atlanta. Here in the Diocese of Savannah, we are now seda vacante (the seat being vacant). We do not know how long it will be until a new bishop is appointed for Savannah, but we suspect it could take nine months to a year. Until then, during Masses here in Savannah, the priest will say “…together with Francis our Pope…and all the clergy.” The bishop’s name will be omitted until we have one! Please pray for Archbishop Hartmayer as he begins his time in Atlanta.
 
Before he left Savannah, and because it will likely be some months until we get a new bishop, Archbishop Hartmayer met with the Personnel Board to determine priest assignments which will begin in July. We are ordaining two new priests in the Diocese of Savannah and have several returning from assignments outside of the diocese. And there are several priests who are sick or retiring. 

I am sorry to have to tell you, especially in this way, that I am being transferred from Blessed Sacrament Church. I will be the new Spiritual Director at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio effective July 1 st . The Josephinum (literally “House of Joseph”) is a national seminary which trains men for the Catholic priesthood, and it has a division for university studies and for master’s level theology. 

This is a move which I have been discerning for several years. Many of you may remember that I worked as vice rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Maryland for six years. Since then, I have continued to give retreats for seminaries and for diocesan priests around the U.S., always conscious and concerned that I was away from the parish too much. A pastor needs to be present. And so I have been praying that God would put me in the best assignment to do the work He is calling me to do. 
I love it here at Blessed Sacrament, both Church and School. I love all of you and I do not want to leave. I did not ask for this assignment. The invitation came nonetheless. But I do want to do the will of God, and I am convinced that working with seminarians and priests is God’s will for me. Bishop Hartmayer likewise did not want me to leave Blessed Sacrament nor the diocese, but he also prayerfully discerned that this is God’s plan for me at this time. 

The new pastor of Blessed Sacrament will be Fr. David Koetter. Fr. Koetter has been a priest for 13 years and he is currently pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Macon. He is a very fine priest and a very kind person. I know that you will make him feel loved and welcomed as you have done with me. We will be supplying further information about Fr. Koetter in the coming weeks. 

I closed my first homily at Blessed Sacrament Church seven years ago by teaching you all my favorite prayer. Some of you may remember it. “Oh well, I still have Jesus.” 

Do not let your hearts be troubled. In my father’s house, there are many mansions! I am going to prepare a place for you. We are all destined for our Father’s House. I am so glad that I have had the privilege of being your pastor these past seven years. 

Christ has risen. Christ has risen indeed. 
Fr. Brett Brannen
Pastor
Introducing Fr. David Koetter!

Fr. David Koetter was born in Louisville, Kentucky and is the oldest of three boys. He later moved to Macon, Georgia with his family and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where he was an altar server. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School followed by Mount de Sales Academy. He later attended Valdosta State University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, with a teaching certificate in Social Studies for grades 7-12. After graduation he worked as a budget analyst at Warner Robins Air Force Base.

In 2001, he began to seriously discern his call to the priesthood when he met with Fr. Brett Brannen who was the vocation director at the time. He entered Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in January of 2002 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 23, 2007, by Bishop Kevin Boland.

Fr. Koetter has served as Parochial Vicar at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church, Grovetown, GA; Parochial Vicar at St. James Catholic Church, Savannah, GA; Pastor at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Thomasville, GA; and Pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Macon, GA.

Fr. Koetter has expressed that he is excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to serve at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. His thoughts and prayers are with us as we navigate these new times together.

Fr. Koetter's assignment starts July 1, 2020.
In joyful anticipation we hope to resume public masses the weekend of June 6/7th. We will be practicing proper social distancing protocols and we will need volunteer ushers to help us with these new policies.

If you are interested in being an usher during this time period, and you plan to attend public mass with us, please contact Bob Fritts ( rfritts@mbschurch.org). We will hold an informational meeting and practice session prior to the anticipated reopening.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND SAVE THE TENTATIVE DATES FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS!
First Holy Communion , Saturday, June 6th at 10:00 a.m.

RCIA Candidates joining the Catholic Church through profession of faith, Confirmation and Holy Communion , Saturday, June 6th at the Vigil Mass at 5:30 p.m.

Confirmation , Saturday, June 13th at the Vigil Mass at 5:30 p.m.
Plenary Indulgence
Because of the pandemic, anyone who, with “the will to fulfill the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the Holy Father's intentions), as soon as possible,” recites the  Divine Mercy Chaplet  with the intention “to implore from Almighty God the end of the epidemic, relief for those who are afflicted and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to Himself,” can receive a plenary indulgence each day.
Blessed Sacrament Church will continue to live-stream daily and weekend masses until the shelter-at-home order is lifted. Please join us as we celebrate the Mass and pray for the end to COVID-19.
To view services during LIVE-STREAM,
please follow us on FACEBOOK!

Recorded versions of each Mass and service will be available approximately 1 hour after original broadcast.
May is the month of Mary!

His Holiness Pope Francis is encouraging everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the rosary. In celebration of our Blessed Mother, please join us by praying the rosary daily throughout this month. Request her intercession on our behalf for relief from the COVID crisis and for the reopening of our Church campus.
It is with a sorrowful heart that we must discourage everyone from coming to the Adoration Chapel or Church campus at this time. As soon as the restrictions are lifted we will reopen all buildings for your worship benefit.
The Adoration Chapel is temporarily closed, however, you are invited to continue to participate in your hour of prayer in Adoration. You may enjoy your virtual hour of adoration by clicking the ADORATION LINK below. Please email us after your hour to let us know you were with Jesus ( pjulin@mbschurch.org ). Share your experience with us and let us know how you enjoyed the opportunity to be with the Blessed Sacrament during this unusual time in history.


We will continue to live-streaming the Holy Rosary from inside the Chapel, Monday-Friday, at 12:00 p.m. Please join us to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament. We are accepting volunteers to lead the Rosary. Please contact Bob Fritts to sign up ( rfritts@mbschurch.org ).
The OREMUS Study will resume on Monday, May 4th, 6:30-8 pm. We will be hosting this virtual bible study online through Zoom conferencing. If you are interested in participating in this virtual bible study, please contact Bob Fritts ( rfritts@mbschurch.org ) for details.

Please join us as we discover the essentials of an effective prayer life. Learn how to express yourself to God in prayer and how to hear his voice. 
STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE
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If you have any difficulties signing on, please contact Sheri Moyer ( smoyer@mbschurch.org )
CENTENNIAL JUBILEE PRAYER REQUEST

Only 30% of our 750 families at BSC attend mass faithfully. That means that 525 registered families are not regularly attending Sunday mass. Please pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be that these dear children of God will return during our centennial jubilee to the fullness of the sacramental life of the church. 
 —Thank you
R E M E M B E R I N P R A Y E R
Our Sick: Maria Barquero, Sherry Butler, Lucie Bryant, Barbara Carter, Stephanie Carter, Julia Jackson Chriss, Joan Christian, Nancy Collins, Val Davis, Ann Farr, Corky Fleming, Kaylee Fogarty, Claire Hayes, Nancy Heffernan, Ken Hobert, Billy & Susann Kearney, Bobbi Keith, Campbell King, Susan Lai, Linda Lallak, Kandace Lewis , Rosanne MacCauley, Eunice Martin, Frank Mathews, Fr. Jeremiah McCarthy, Tricia Maxheimer,  Tony Mesaros, Karen Odom, Tripp Reynolds, Helen Jean Rhody,  Suzanne Robida, Justin Safford, Charles Sanders, Margaret & Terry Scafidi, Joan Schyberg, Patricia Sevier, Megan Sheehan, Linda Spellman, Jim Steffen, Lily Stuckey, Lenycia Torrecampo, Jenni Williams, Creig Wood.

Our Military and their families at home and abroad: CPO Julius V. Carter, LCDR Michael DeLoach, Pfc. Andrew P. Dennis, Cpl USMC Caroline Dove, CPT US Army Rajan Dulamal, 1 LT USAF Giles Gonnsen, MAJ II Robert Hart, CPT Charles Edward Jones IV, CPL Jason Larson, SPT Alex Lee, SGT Kevin Sheahan, TSgt USAF Gordon M. Strom.
Pope’s Prayer Intentions for May: For Deacons . We pray that deacons faithful in their service to the Word and the poor, may be an invigorating symbol for the entire Church.
Stay connected to your faith community with  #FaithIsAlwaysOpen - Share your stories and pictures of how your family is celebrating the Easter season. To learn more about #FaithIsAlwaysOpen please visit: DIOSAV.ORG/faith

For additional information please contact Dawn Odom ( dawn.odom@svaga.net).
2020 VBS - CANCELED
Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of when restrictions will be lifted, and not knowing what "normal" will look like after the COVID-19 Crisis, it is not feasible to schedule VBS at this time.

Out of concern for our children and volunteers, and after much discernment and discussion Vacation Bible School is canceled for this year.
Abuse Hotline Number
To report sexual abuse of a minor by a Diocesan employee or volunteer, call 888-357-5330 or the Office for the Protection of Children and Young People, 912-201-4073, diosav.org/childyouthprotection .
 
BSS CONNECTS - UPDATE!

It's hard to believe that we just completed Spring break and we are heading into another week of distance learning. We hope that you and your families are all well and staying healthy. You have been and will continue to be in our prayers. We hope that you are all becoming more comfortable with BSS Connects and our new educational protocols. We hope you are feeling refreshed and renewed in spirit as we head into the final weeks of our 2019-2020 school year. GO IRISH! We've GOT THIS!

COVID-19 UPDATE: In regard to Governor Kemp’s recent directive Blessed Sacrament School campus will remain closed for the rest of the school year. We will continue to educate our BSS children through our distance learning platform, BSS Connects: Providing Community, Education, and Support.

GO IRISH!
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church | 1003 E. Victor Drive | Savannah, Georgia | 31405
mbschurch.org | 912.356.6980