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Blessed Sacrament Parish Ministries
Do You Know
Someone Interested
in the Catholic Church?
NOW is a good time for you to invite anyone who
may want to learn about the faith of our Catholic Church to contact us! Please stress that they are
welcome to come to all or any of our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults sessions without having to make any commitment before they are ready to do so.
Ideally, you would come initially along with the inquirer. We will begin weekly meetings in person on
Monday, Sept. 13 at 6PM. Even if a potential
inquirer is unable to come to the scheduled session, we are happy to talk with him/her and accommodate as needed.
If you have questions, please contact Jeanne at 304-744-5523 or [email protected]
Blessed Sacrament Parish – September 5, 2021
We, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Are a Christ-Centered Community,
Committed to Worship the Father, Committed to Respond to the Spirit’s Gifts,
Committed to Loving Service to All God’s People
Nosotros, la Parroquia del Santísimo Sacramento, Somos una Comunidad Centrada en Cristo,
Comprometidos a Adorar al Padre, Comprometidos a Responder a los Dones del Espíritu Santo,
Comprometidos en el Servicio Amoroso a Todo el Pueblo de Dios
Masks are once again required.
We will continue to stream our Masses on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BSCWV/
for anyone who cannot come to Mass in person.
Worship aids for each Mass will be sent to all by separate emails.
After each weekend and holy day Mass you may drive up to our south entrance to receive Holy Communion in your car.
Mass Schedule
Day Date Time Intention
Saturday 9/4 5:30pm + Jody DeBias by Ro DeBias
Sunday 9/5 9:00am + Ozzie Fernandes by Joe & Joan Fernandes
11:30am Intentions of Our Parish Family
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday 9/8 Noon + Rose Covey by Our Parish
Thursday 9/9 Noon + Steven Jarrell by Our Parish
Friday 9/10 Noon + Onita Bonnett by Lou & Mary Gargarella
Saturday (Parish Picnic) 9/11 4:00pm + Tom Grishaber by Debbie Wright
Sunday 9/12 9:00am + Felix Albuquerque by Joe & Joan Fernandes
11:30am Intentions of Our Parish Family
We Remember in Our Prayers Barbara Baldy, Bo Burdette, Elizabeth Coleman, Matthew Crabtree, Karol Dunford, Joe Eisel, Marietta Fenton,
Joe Fernandes, Andrew Fields, Rose Finch, Patty Geissinger, John Gianola,Sr. Joe Gregg, Kathleen Groom, John Hanna,
Ann Henderson, John & Claire Johnson, John Lordan, Bob Lucas, Louann Lynch-Kelley, Sheila Kerns, Alec Mansfield,
Mike McCready, Buz and Barbara McCormick, Evelyn Miller, Keith Morgan, Marie Richardson, Michelle Smith,
Nicholas Taylor, Sandy Wheeler, and Lily Woolwine, Toni Van Meter
Happy Birthday!
Evelyn Miller turned 90 on September 1st!
This Weekend Special Emergency Collection
to Support Humanitarian Efforts in Haiti
see article on page 4
This Week at Blessed Sacrament Parish
Anyone can participate in our Masses and Adoration by just going to www.facebook.com/BSCWV/.
All are most welcome to join all of our ZOOM gatherings
but they must have received a personal email with connection information – so let us know if YOU want "in".
Day Date Time Event Location
Sat 9/4 9:00am Men's Bible Study Group ZOOM
4:30 – 5:00pm Confessions Reconciliation Room
5:30pm Mass Sanctuary & Facebook.com/BSCWV/
After Mass Holy Communion in cars South Parking Lot
Sun 9/05 9:00am Mass Sanctuary & Facebook.com/BSCWV/
After Mass Holy Communion in cars South Parking Lot
11:30am Mass Sanctuary & Facebook.com/BSCWV/
After Mass Holy Communion in cars South Parking Lot
Mon 9/06 Our office will be CLOSED today.
Tue 9/07 Noon Brown Bag Book Club ZOOM
6:00pm Energy Efficiency Committee ZOOM
Wed 9/08 10:00am Wednesday Morning Bible Study ZOOM
Noon Mass Chapel & Facebook.com/BSCWV/
1:15pm New Time! Bible Study New! – The Book of Daniel ZOOM
7:00pm Bible Study – Sunday Readings ZOOM
Thu 9/09 Noon Mass Sanctuary & Facebook.com/BSCWV/
Fri 9/10 11:15am Rosary Chapel & Facebook.com/BSCWV/
Noon Mass Chapel & Facebook.com/BSCWV/
Sat 9/11 9:00am Men's Bible Study Group ZOOM
4:00pm Mass – followed by our Parish Picnic Oakes Field
We will not have Communion in Cars
Fr. John will not hear Confessions at 4:30pm
We will not have a 5:30pm Mass
Sun 9/12 9:00am Mass Sanctuary & Facebook.com/BSCWV/
After Mass Holy Communion in cars South Parking Lot
11:30am Mass Sanctuary & Facebook.com/BSCWV/
After Mass Holy Communion in cars South Parking Lot
SUNDAY EVENING MASSES IN OUR AREA Sacred Heart, Charleston 5:00 PM Saint Joseph, Huntington 5:30 PM Our Lady of Fatima Huntington 6:30 PM
Blessed Sacrament Parish Ministries - Liturgy
Liturgical Ministers – September 4/5
5:30pm 9:00am 11:30am
Lectors John Priestley David Elliott Diane Lordan
Altar Servers David Bowles
Rick Brennan Chip Counsil Jeanne Jarrett
Cantors Rory Isaac Matt Leary Rob Hrezo
Communion:
Principals Ro DeBias Sharisse Smith Linda Matheny
Communion
to the Sick
Mike Burgess
Laura Hayes
Missy Summey
Greeters/Ushers Mike Granata
Mike Habenschuss Young Family
Rene Norman
Shelley Nason
Liturgical Ministers – September 11/12
4:00 PICNIC 9:00am 11:30am
Lectors Alec Mansfield Terry Mathias Kathy Lester
Altar Servers None Needed Need Volunteer Conor Caldwell
Elaina Caldwell
Cantors Jeanie Walter Charlie Wilson Mary Odin
Communion:
Principals Todd Witsberger Jackie Lilly
Communion
to the Sick
David Elliott
Missy Summey
Reagan Whitmyer
Greeters/Ushers Bev Schissler
Ron Schissler
Joe Gresham
Need a Volunteer
Anna Sites
Jeanne Haas
Blessed Sacrament Parish Ministries – Hygiene Sunday – Next Sunday
We especially need: Shampoo and Conditioner, shaving cream, men’s and women’s deodorant (no sprays),
lotion, lip balm, and feminine hygiene products, especially sanitary napkins.
Your generous donations over the last few months have made a huge difference for the groups and individuals
receiving these items.
Special Emergency Collection
September 4-5
to Support Humanitarian Efforts in Haiti Prompted by the massive earthquake and tropical storm that has devastated Haiti, Bishop Mark Brennan has joined
Archbishop José H. Gomez, President of the USCCB, asking all faithful to consider donating to a special emergency
collection to provide aid to support the Church and humanitarian needs arising from these and future disasters. This
collection will take place at weekend Masses on Sept. 4-5 in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
The August earthquake killed more than 1,200 Haitian people and injured upwards of 5,700 others, leaving an
overwhelming trail of destruction and rubble for a people who are hurting due to the socio-economic and political
instability in their country, while still processing the assassination of their president in July.
The Holy Father urged the international community to show support and solidarity to help the country lighten the
consequences of the tragedy. “As I raise my prayers to the Lord for the victims, I address a word of encouragement to
the survivors, desiring that the international community will take a shared interest in them. May the solidarity of all
alleviate the consequences of the tragedy,” Pope Francis said, adding that the faithful should offer a Hail Mary together
for Our Lady of Perpetual Help, patroness of Haiti to intercede for us.
Checks are to be made payable to Blessed Sacrament Parish with the memo HAITI and dropped in the yellow offering
box in our Gathering Space.
These donations will be administered by the US Catholic Bishops' Emergency Disaster Fund.
Help for Hurricane Ida Victims
If you would like to make donations to help people recover from Hurricane Ida?
Please contact Catholic Charities USA to learn how.
https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
2050 Ballenger Ave, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-549-1390
WHOLE PARISH FAITH FORMATION 2021/2022
Household Name: ____________________________________________________________
Preferred Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Preferred Phone Number: _____________________________________________________
ALL PROGRAMS WILL BEGIN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER [EXECPT BIBLE STUDIES THAT ARE ONGOING.]
FAMILY FAITH FORMATION Praying Together As a Family
This year we will focus on the Fourth Pillar of the Catechism: Prayer. Since parents truly are their child’s first teachers in faith, this offering is for our parents (and grandparents)! ZOOM Sessions will provide parents with ways to integrate the practice of prayer with their children in the home through activities, songs, conversations, art, etc. Let us know your preference:
____ First & Third Tuesdays of the Month, 10:00-11:00am
____ First & Third Wednesdays of the Month, 4:00-5:00pm
____ First & Third Wednesdays of the Month, 7:00-8:00pm
____ Please send our family a packet of prayer ideas each month via ___ email ___ USPS ___ Pickup
ADULT FAITH FORMATION #1 What Difference Does It Make?
Through presentations and discussions, we will learn what difference the teachings of the Catholic faith can have in our daily lives. These sessions will be a hybrid offering: both in-seat and Zoom. A variety of facilitators and faith topics will challenge us to see what meaning the Catholic faith can have in our ordinary everyday lives. All ages welcome. Let us know your preference:
______ Sundays, 1:00--2:30pm [start date Oct. 3] ______ Tuesdays, 7:00—8:30pm [start date Oct. 5]
ADULT FAITH FORMATION #2 Either life is an accident or a beautiful mystery!
As Catholics, we know life is a beautiful mystery. Explore the depths of this mystery by watching The Search, a beautiful new 7 part video program that explores life’s BIG questions. You can access Episode #1 What Do You Seek? and all episodes at FORMED.org. Not yet signed up on FORMED.org? Visit FORMED.org/signup and search for our parish by name or Zip code. Access to FORMED is free to all parishioners. WATCH THE SEARCH TRAILER: https://vimeo.com/446879132
_____ I plan to view The Search on my device at my convenience.
FORMED.ORG The Catholic Faith. On Demand. For Everyone!
Every parishioner can join our subscription by going to FORMED.org/signup; click signup as a parishioner; enter 25303; choose Blessed Sacrament; enter your name and email address! You now have access to thousands of movies, programs, audio, and books instantly—for kids and adults! Check it out and let us know what you like! This is Whole Parish Faith Formation in a new and exciting way!!
BIBLE STUDIES Currently on ZOOM; Hybrid (In-Seat and ZOOM) coming soon!
____ Wednesday Mornings 10:00—11:30am Currently: A Biblical Walk with Mary, Mother of God
____ Wednesday Afternoons 1:15-2:30pm Start Date Sept. 8: Old Testament – Book of Daniel
____ Wednesday Evenings 7:00-8:30pm Continuous: Upcoming Sunday Readings
____ Saturday Mornings 9:00-10:00am [Men’s’ Group] Continuous: Topic chosen by group
SACRAMENT PREPARATION: Confirmation, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist
Students currently in Grades 6 & 7 are invited to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation to be celebrated in the fall of 2022. Students currently in Grade 2 are invited to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Watch for your letters of invitation soon!
Blessed Sacrament Parish Ministries – Creation Care Team
Our Creation Care Team hopes to inspire our fellow parishioners to learn more about how we can
fulfill God’s purpose for us by being responsible, loving stewards of all His creation. We will be a
partner, ally, and resource for all of our parish ministries in caring for God’s creation.
Mark your calendars to come to our Reduce Your Plastic Use displays before and after all Masses on
the weekend of September 18/19. You are sure to find at least one idea (probably more!) you can
use to minimize your use of single-use plastics.
We will have examples and handouts as well as information on where you can purchase these things.
We will also have a drawing where we will give some of the highlighted products to parishioners who
enter their names and a note on what they would like to try.
Also, if you have an interest in recycling and would like to be part of a new reduce/recycle ministry,
we’ll have a sign-up sheet for that.
The Season of Creation is an annual ecumenical season where we pray and act together as a
Christian family for our common home.
As we begin this Season of Creation, from Sept. 1 - Oct. 4, this year's theme is "A Home for All?
Renewing the Oikos of God." This week we have an opportunity to pray, reflect, and take action
with the Sisters of St. Joseph, using their first of 5 weekly guides.
So..... What's an "oikos"? - Just use the guide and you'll find out!!! (at the end of this bulletin)
Hint: "By rooting our theme in the concept of 'Oikos', we point to the integral web of relationships
that sustain the wellbeing of the earth..... Human relationships also have ecological significance-
Economic (oikonomia), social, and political relationships affect the balance of creation" -Season of
Creation.org
Prayer cards and reflection booklets can be found on tables by our north and south entrances.
Blessed Sacrament Parish Ministries – Partners in Community Service
Habitat for Humanity
Blessed Sacrament Team Build Day - Saturday, October 2
Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. They believe every person deserves
a simple, decent place to live.
We have scheduled a volunteer build date for Blessed Sacrament Parish on Saturday, October 2, from 8am to 4pm. We
will have some fun while helping build a home for a deserving and hard-working family. We have participated in
building many homes over the years, and much of the land to build homes has come from donations from the Diocese
and parishioners of Blessed Sacrament.
Please join us even if you have no construction experience. All are welcome over 16 years old (great for community service
hours). Tools are provided.
Anyone that would like to volunteer, please follow the link to our Team Build Day. Keep in mind that all volunteers must
sign up through Volunteer Hub (link below) so that we can have liability waivers and a roster for the build day.
Please use the following link to sign up on Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha & Putnam’s volunteer construction
schedule: https://hfhkp.volunteerhub.com/event/e7bd2a9e-4029-4175-aec6-e206350d5959
To sign up, just click “sign up” on the page and create a VolunteerHub account if you do not already have one. If you have
an account, you just need to sign in. All of the waivers and other "paperwork" are handled through Volunteer Hub. The
website will walk you through the process of signing up and confirm your scheduled build date through email.
Please contact Terry Ricketts (304-389-8724) with any questions and if someone is willing to provide a simple
lunch for the group.
West Virginia Institute for Spirituality We invite you to the following:
Life Steppingstones: Connecting with Our Deepest Selves through Journaling. A 10-week program offered (via
Zoom) facilitated by Sally Orcutt, O.P., M.A. and Sr. Carole Riley, CPD, Ph.D. Sessions on Thursdays, Sept. 9th, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
thru Nov. 9, 2021. Approved for 15 LPC CEUs, RN & MSW CEUs. Use journaling, music, dreams, life story and addictive
patterns of thinking to gain self-knowledge and growth. Donation $100. If interested, please email WVIS at
[email protected] or call our office at 304-345-0926 or you can register directly at: http://wvis.org/upcoming-programs/.
Mass of Christian Burial for Sr. Mary Pellicane, r.c., Saturday, Sept. 25th at 11:00 a.m., held at the Basilica of Co-
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1114 Virginia St E, Charleston, WV 25301 (masks required) OR live stream rom:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BasilicaSacredHeart or
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXIzotu3lUX5cg-FlosTMfw
The Love Challenge. October 2, 2021, 8:15 a.m. to – 1:00 p.m., will be held live at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, St.
Albans WV (masks required), also via Zoom. Presented by Rev. Dr. Michael A. Poke, Sr. Workshop endeavors to create a
safe environment for reflection on racial bias. Free will offering. If interested, please email WVIS at [email protected] or
you can call our office at 304-345-0926 or you can register directly at: http://wvis.org/upcoming-programs/.
Blessed Sacrament Parish Ministries – Partners in Community Service
Heart and Hand
Other
Our online giving portals are not working perfectly. They are not labelling input boxes
like “routing number” and “card number.” We are in contact with the service provider and
hopefully this will be fixed soon.
DIOCESAN PASTORAL NEEDS SURVEY Please go to the following website to complete a survey of pastoral needs in our diocese: https://dwc.org/pastoral-needs-survey.
MANNA MEAL/KROGER PICK UP SCHEDULE
9/8 Tony O’Leary 9/15 John Ellison 9/22 Rory Isaac 9/29 Greg Ayers
10/6 Don Becher 10/13 Steve Rist 10/20 Tony O’Leary 10/27 John Ellison
Employment Opportunities Sacred Heart Basilica needs a semi-skilled, full time maintenance technician, a part time
housekeeper for light duty at the Cordis Center and a parking lot attendant Monday–Friday,
6:45 am to 9:45 am. If interested in any of the positions available, please email your resume to
[email protected] or contact the parish office 304-342-8175.
Blessed Sacrament Parish Ministries - Vocations
31 Club this week DAY September
SUN 5 Mary Ann Johnson Mike Burgess
MON 6 Ro DeBias
TUE 7 Lou Ann Lynch Kelly Mike Roderick Sue Nelsen
WED 8 Peg Nagem Heidi Adams & Kevin Adams Brian Cornell
THU 9 Carolyn Frye
FRI 10
SAT 11 Tony O'Leary Joe Deegan Mary Pat Peck If you would like to join the 31 Club, please choose a day and contact our parish office.
We'll remind you each week in this bulletin. You simply commit to praying for those whom God is calling to Holy Orders and Consecrated Life
in whatever format of prayer is most suitable for you.
Serran Prayer for Vocations O God, Who wills not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live, grant we beseech you, through the intercession of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Saint Joseph, her spouse, Saint Junipero Serra, and all the saints, an increase of laborers for Your church, fellow laborers with Christ to spend and consume themselves for souls, through the same Jesus Christ Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, and ever. Amen.
Charleston Serra Club Establishes Fund to Support Seminarians in Memory of Father Leon Alexander from The Catholic Spirit, Sept. 3, 2021
The Serra Club of Charleston has established a permanent fund to provide incidental financial support to the men who are studying for the Catholic priesthood in our diocese. The organization has contributed nearly $4,000 as the seed funds. The new fund is named for the late Father Leon Alexander, who died in 2021. “Father Leon was a dedicated and joyful priest who served the church and a host of Catholics for many years even after his retirement,” said Joe Deegan, an officer of the Serra Club of Charleston who as one of his parishioners at Blessed Sacrament Parish in South Charleston knew the priest well. “Father Leon remained a dedicated pastor and priest until his last day of life. Many other priests in the West Virginia church held Father Leon in high regard and often sought his advice on personal and church matters.” Father Alexander, who had also served several other parishes in the diocese. Father Alexander was born in Huntington, where he was a member of St. Joseph Parish. He attended St. Charles College in Catonsville, Md., and St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph H. Hodges at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling May 14, 1966. Father Alexander founded the diocese’s youth camp, Camp Tygart (now Blessed Carlo Acutis Youth Camp) in Huttonsville, and served as director from 1965 to 1971. He served as associate pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Beckley from 1966 to 1968 and of Immaculate Conception Parish in Clarksburg in 1968. He was director of Youth for the diocese from 1968 to 1971 and then served as associate pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in St. Albans from 1971 to 1972. He went on to serve as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Montgomery from 1972 to 1981, Sacred Heart Parish in Bluefield from 1981 to 1986, Blessed Sacrament from 1986 to 2006, and St. Francis de Sales Parish in Morgantown from 2006 to 2010. Father Alexander served as dean of the Bluefield Deanery from 1981 to 1986 and vicar forane of the Charleston Vicariate from 1986 to 2006. He retired from active ministry in 2010. He also served as temporary administrator of Ascension Parish in Hurricane from 2018 to 2019. Father Alexander served on Presbyteral Council, the Clergy Personnel Committee, and the Priests Health and Retirement Board. He was best known for his time spent at Camp Tygart in Huttonsville. The Serra Club of Charleston, founded in 1951, is part of Serra International, an international organization dedicated to fostering priestly and religious vocations. Donations to the Father Alexander Burse are deductible for federal income tax purposes and may be made to “Serra Club of Charleston” and mailed to P. O. Box 1746, Charleston, WV 25326. See www.serracharleston. org for more information about the Serra Club of Charleston.
Next Sunday's Mass Readings – September 12, 2021
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I Isaiah 50:5-9a The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let that man confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong? Responsorial Psalm 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. I love the LORD because he has heard my voice in supplication, Because he has inclined his ear to me the day I called. R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. The cords of death encompassed me; the snares of the netherworld seized upon me; I fell into distress and sorrow, and I called upon the name of the LORD, “O LORD, save my life!” R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. Gracious is the LORD and just; yes, our God is merciful. The LORD keeps the little ones; I was brought low, and he saved me. R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. For he has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the LORD in the land of the living. R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. Reading II James 2:14-18 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. Gospel Mark 8:27-35 Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”
Editorial on Abortion
In light of the recent Supreme Court action on the Texas law restricting abortion, I feel obliged once again to let you know where your pastor stands on the issue. I am not skilled in civil law enough to comment on the nuances of the "procedural issues" questions that the SC sent back to the lower court, but on the big issue about how we regard the status of a preborn child, I have deep, strong and persistent convictions. I have tried to hear and understand other points of view (which often do highlight important details!) but do not find them convincing on the status of the preborn child as less than a human person. I believe that we should regard a preborn child, from the moment of conception, as a human person, whose right to life should be protected by law. I do not believe that the child is simply a piece of tissue attached to its mother's body. However, I want to distance myself from the so-called "pro-life" voices (including many in our own religion) that drip with venom, insult and condemnation of anyone who favors the availability of abortion. For I believe that anyone who seeks/assists/allows abortion most likely does NOT regard the child as a human person. It is really a matter of philosophical perspective. I cannot see any moment during pregnancy, after conception, which gives us a clear line of demarcation between a human person and something else. Even after birth the child is completely dependent on the care of others. (I note that our culture celebrates birthdays but not conception days! How come?) Some cultures even tolerate infanticide! Our Catholic tradition celebrates the conception days of Jesus (March 25) and of his mother, Mary (December 8), as well as their birth days. Could we not follow suit for all of us? (I celebrate my conception day on January 22, the anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision!). I have to wonder if the vigorous insistence that abortion be available doesn't reflect some real doubts about our own value in God's eyes. I am well aware that many women regard any restriction on their "right to an abortion" as an oppressive, antiquated effort by men to control their lives. I cannot deny that such IS, indeed, part of our history. With every other issue, I stand with women to assert that a civil society or a religious institution that subjugates them is not only hurting them but also hurting itself by not encouraging their full and complete development as equal partners. So, yes – throw off the bourkas and run for president! Stand tall to assert equality with men! Do not accept patriarchal oppression! But, please try to understand that the millions of preborn baby girls who have been aborted were created in the image and likeness of God too! I am consoled by the belief that they are in God's tender embrace and pray for us all. One angle that neither side of the argument seems to acknowledge much is that there are some women who become pregnant, and who WANT to bring their baby to term, but are coerced into abortion by the men in their lives. I've known staunch Catholic "pillar of the church" fathers who have forced their unwed daughters to have an abortion in an undisclosed location in order to avoid sullying their family's sterling public image. I've known selfish boyfriends and husbands who panic at the thought of having responsibility for a child and who have then beaten and drugged their women into submitting to abortion. I have never seen such a case where the men have been prosecuted. I've also known cases where single, pregnant parishioners are denied Baptism for their babies by their pastors because they are not married. I'm also especially furious about a priest in WV who refused to hold a brief graveside prayer for a couple whose twin daughters died, one shortly before delivery and the other shortly after, because the babies had not been baptized. Another nearby pastor repeatedly refused to baptize a Catholic couples' babies if the parents were not "married in the church". So YES: we men and we clergy have helped to weaken respect for the God-given treasure of babies before and after birth. We must repent and change. But that does not, it seems to me, justify allowing anyone to abort any human child at any stage of development. As I said, I want you all to know where I stand. I do not condemn. I beg for divine wisdom to correct ALL that is out of whack in me, in our society and in our church. I welcome conversation with anyone who wants to help me understand another point of view, but honestly I can't even imagine ever getting to the point of supporting abortion.
John H. Finnell 3 September 2021
Parish / Staff Contacts & Other Information
Our parish office is open Monday – Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
The South entrance doors are unlocked during those hours so that anyone can enter the building
to visit the office, chapel or library without a prior appointment.
New Mailing Address: P.O. Box 18427, South Charleston, WV 25303
Physical Address: 305 E Street, South Charleston, WV 25303
Telephone (Parish Office): 304.744.5523 E-mail: [email protected]
Web page: www.blessedsacramentwv.org
Our Parish Staff
Pastor Rev. John H. Finnell Cell: 304.377.3560 calls and texts
E-mail: [email protected]
Deacon Rev. Mr. John Hanna Home: 304.935.4646 Cell: 304.389.7255
E-mail: [email protected]
Pastoral Associate Jeanne Haas E-mail: [email protected]
Office Manager Natalie Zellers Office E-mail: [email protected]
Music & Youth Director Mary Odin E-mail: [email protected]
Janitors Dan Ryan and Jeff Bradley
Accompanists John Ellison and Jim Zellers
Our Pastoral Council
Laura Jennings, facilitator Rick Brennan Tim Norris Matt Davis Pam Counsil
Reagan Whitmyer John F. Gianola Ken Holz Jack Dever Chip Counsil
Joe Gresham Matt Hayes Philip Maramba Ann Dever Charlie Wilson
Katie Smithberger David Lewia
Council members are always grateful to hear about any concerns our parishioners have.
If you do not know any of the members personally, you may send a note or email to our parish office for them.
St. Paul Radio - West Virginia......Presents Catholic radio on:
WLUX 1450 AM Dunbar; WNUX 89.7 FM Beckley; WOUX 105.3 Parkersburg
Visit www.sprwv.org for a link to stream Catholic radio to a smart phone
Our diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Spirit http://thecatholicspiritwv.org/
Diocesan Financial Audit http://thecatholicspiritwv.org/download/spirit_pdf/Financial-Audit-Pages-10-11-.pdf
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Go to www.dwc.org to find a directory that includes all priests (active and retired), religious, diocesan employees, parish
addresses, etc.
The main telephone number for our diocese is 304-233-0880
The main address for our diocese is P.O. Box 230, Wheeling, WV 26003
To report an incidence of suspected child sexual abuse, please contact your local law enforcement agency, or you may
confidentially contact WV Child Protective Services at 800.352.6513. In addition to civil authorities, to report suspected
cases of sexual abuse by personnel of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston to the Diocese, please contact one of the
Bishop’s designees at 888.434.6237 or 304.233.0880: Mr. Bryan Minor, ext. 263; Mr. Tim Bishop, ext. 353; Fr. Dennis
Schuelkens, ext. 270 or call the Office of Safe Environment at 304.230.1504. Please visit www.dwc.org under
“Accountability” for additional information and reporting methods.
