Past Events 2009

Welcome to the newest member of the Body of Christ !

On December 27, on the Feast of the Holy Family, Bp. Timothy baptized a new member into the Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints. Aleksei was welcomed into the Church and our parish family. Aleksei's mothers (Mary Kay and Chris) , his God parents, their extended family, and the parish shared in the celebration and the commitment to help Aleksei grow in love and light in the Christian faith. We were all so happy to celebrate this new life in the Church with Aleksei, his mothers, God parents, and family. After the baptism, Mary Kay and Chris invited the parish to their home for refreshments, dinner, and to continue the celebration with their family.

God Grant Aleksei many happy, healthy, and blessed years!

Aleksei (in white) with his mothers, big brother, and Bp. Tim.

Blessed and Merry Christmas!!!!

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. -Luke 2:10-11

On December 24, St. Mary of Grace parish joyfully celebrated Christmas with 10pm Matins and Mass. We were joined by friends old and new as we welcomed Christ born among us. Peace, Blessings, and a Merry Christmas to all!

For more photos of the evening, click here.

November Box Lunch Project

Many children rely on school lunch as one of their main meals and during the Thanksgiving break would usually go without. This November, St. Mary of Grace parish successfully collected two large boxes of non-perishable food which were included in box lunches that were given to children in the New Jersey school system over their break when school is out.

Fun and Friendship in the Fall!

On October 31, the St. Mary of Grace parish family joined friends old and new to spend a lovely day driving through the countryside, looking at the Fall foliage, and reveling in the joy of God's creation. We ended the day at Shady Maples buffet in Lancaster county with food, laughter, friendship, and the largest country gift store some of us have ever seen!

Alas, Friar Lyngine was so enjoying the wonderful company and the offerings at the buffet, that the camera got left inside the bag!

St. Mary of Grace Parish at Outfest 2009

On Sunday, October 11, St. Mary of Grace parish had a table at Outfest 2009. It was a wonderful day with good weather and lots of fun. We met many friendly people, gave away rosaries and copies of the Gospel of John, and introduced people to our community. As we were cleaning up for the day, we were interviewed for a short story. You'll see us around the 1-minute timepoint in the video.

Ordination of Sandra Hutchinson to the order of Acolyte

"Dearly beloved, as you are about to take upon yourself the office of Acolyte, ponder what you are undertaking...'Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven'...Be you, then, earnest in all justice, goodness, and truth, that you may enlighten yourself, and others, and the Church of God." -Bishop's charge to the Acolyte

On September 20 at the regular Sunday Mass of St. Mary of Grace, Bishop Timothy ordained Sandra Hutchinson, a seminarian of the Independent Catholic Christian Church, to the minor Order of Acolyte. The Independent Catholic Christian Church ordains men and women, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual Christians as bishops, priests, and deacons.

Please keep Sandra in your prayers as she continues in the journey towards priesthood.

For more pictures of the day, please click here.

"Let your light shine before others..."

"Be you, then, earnest in all justice, goodness, and truth, that you may enlighten yourself, and others, and the Church of God..."

Summer fun and friendship!

On 1 August, Saturday, Phil, Rose, and Dawn generously hosted a wonderful summer pool part for St. Mary of Grace. The afternoon was filled with lots of mouth-watering Italian food, laughter, fun, and splashing as came rushing down the giant slide into the pool!

Many thanks to Rose, Phil, and Dawn for hosting. The food was great, the pool was way too much fun, and the fellowship was God blessed!

Wonderful food and company!

Karen and Joseph try out the pool

Hector tries out the slide

Happy 5th Year Anniversary St. Mary of Grace Parish!

On Saturday, May 30, St. Mary of Grace Parish celebrated 5 years of fidelity, community, and service. The parish was founded in 2004 by the Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who continue to serve there today. The parish community was joined by friends for a Mass of thanksgiving and then continued the celebration with lunch at a wonderful Italian restaurant, continuing our tradition of going from Table to table.

We are grateful and humbled for all who have shared their lives with us throughout the years.

For more pictures of the day, please click here.

Gracie, with the help of her dads Ed and Gary (not pictured), brings the tray with roses to Fr. Joseph to crown Mary.

Fr. Joseph Augustine, pastor of St. Mary of Grace Parish, celebrates Mass

Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!

Alleluia!

St. Mary of Grace Parish wishes all a Happy and Blessed Easter Season!

Holy Thursday to Easter mark the holiest days of Christian year as we remember Christ's death and resurrection in liturgy and prayer.
For some pictures of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil with the parish, click here.

Celebrations in early Spring!

On March 7, at the Saturday Mass of the 2009 Gathering of the Independent Catholic Christian Church, Michael Shirk and Carol Nickolai, who serves in Music Ministry at St. Mary of Grace Parish, were ordained to the minor order of Exorcist. At the same Mass, Sandra Hutchinson was ordained to the minor order of Reader. Congratulations to our ICCC seminarians! May God grant them the grace to live up to their charge.

For more pictures of the events of the 2009 ICCC Gathering, click here.

Congratulations to our seminarians Carol, Michael, and Sandy!

Congratulations to our seminarians!

"[s]trive . . . to set forth the words of God, the sacred Lessons, to wit, distinctly, plainly, for the instruction and edification for the faithful, without blunders or mistakes, lest by . . . carelessness the truth of the Divine Readings become useless for the instruction of [the] hearers" --The charge to the Reader

On February 1, at the Sunday Mass of the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, Carol Nickolai, who serves in Music Ministry at St. Mary of Grace Parish, was ordained to the minor order of Reader. Carol joins Michael Shirk, who was ordained as a Reader on Saturday, January 24, 2009, in St. Louis at the Gathering of the Divine Infant King Apostolate for Traditional Liturgy. Congratulations to our seminarians! May God grant them the grace to live up to their charge.

Bp. Timothy reads the charge to the Reader and presents the Bible to Carol.

Bp. Timothy, Michael (center), and Chris at the Gathering of the Traditional Liturgy Apostolate.