18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Greetings: We hope you enjoy the new format of your Email News Blast and Bulletin. It is our hope that you will share this news with others. If you know someone who is not receiving this News Blast, please ask them to forward their emails to [email protected] and we will add them to our email list.
Your bulletin: https://saintspeterpaulpalmyra.org/august-3rd-2025/
If you are a Sts. Peter and Paul parishioner, and have wanted to explore giving through Give Central, click on the button below. It will take you directly to our options for giving.
Here are the highlights for the upcoming week and beyond:
CHILI COOK-OFF
Support CHIU in the Parish Hall on Saturday, September 13 from 1-4 pm for a Chili Cook-Off! A battle of local churches to see whose chili reigns supreme. Admission will be by donation to benefit health centers in rural Uganda. Come and support a great cause!
Also, contact Jamie Hicks ([email protected]) if you have a secret family chili recipe and want to represent Sts. Peter & Paul or St. Joseph’s in the cook off.
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church:
- We are still trying to reach our goal for the Diocesan Annual Appeal. If you haven’t supported the appeal yet, it is not too late. If you need an envelope, stop by the parish office or check your pew this weekend.
- Men’s Cursillo Weekend will be held Thursday, September 11th (7:00pm) through Sunday, September 14th (5:00pm), 2025, at the Blessings Lodge on the campus of Camp Overlook in Keezletown, VA. The Theme of the Weekend is “Here I Am, Lord”. A Cursillo is a 3-day encounter to enrich your Spirituality and raise awareness of Christ in every moment of your life. Pope Francis made a Cursillo and recognizes how “Cursillos help people encounter Jesus, helping them understand that living in the Grace of God is beautiful.” Cursillo recognizes we aren’t meant to walk this journey of life alone. Come walk this journey alongside other Catholic men of all ages and be filled with the JOY Christ offers each one of us. Our own Russ Jennings will lead the weekend as Rector. Applications and more about Cursillo are available at www.valleycursillo.com or Contact Ellie Henrietta for more information and applications at (434) 981-3551. Application deadline is August 21st .
- Please keep the good works of LifeSpring Pregnancy Center in your prayers. They provide adoption support, after-abortion support, childbirth prep classes, men’s program, mentorship, on-site ultrasound service, parenting classes, pregnancy testing and much more. For more information call 434-220-3770 (Mon.-Thurs. 10-5 and Friday 10-2)
- Adoration is always looking for people who want to spend time with Jesus. If you are interested in scheduling some time for adoration, contact Denise Minor by email at [email protected] and you can call or text her at 434-981-5510.
- Your help is needed: Volunteer Drivers for Good Shepherd Ministry. Extend a hand and make a difference. The Good Shepherd Ministry is seeking kind-hearted individuals to step forward and help in a meaningful way. We need volunteers who can occasionally assist with driving fellow Parishioners, who are unable to drive, to their medical appointments. This small service can have a profound impact on someone’s life. If you want to learn more and think you can help, please call the office (434-589-5201).
- If you have recently changed your email address or phone number or signed up for GiveCentral and no longer need envelopes, please send a note to the office so we can update the system and make sure you don’t miss out on any information we have to share with you.
40th ANNIVERSARY
Be first to order your stylish Sts. Peter and Paul monogrammed shirt in celebration of our 40th anniversary. Orders can be placed at our own religious store.
Submit your favorite recipes now for the Sts. Peter and Paul 40th Anniversary Cookbook. Follow the link for directions and online submitted forms.
https://saintspeterpaulpalmyra.org/recipe-collection-sheet/
Paper forms are located in the parish office.
SAVE THE DATES!
SPECIAL SPEAKER! August 1 and 2
In 40 years, we’ve never had a speaker like this!
Our anniversary committee is thrilled to announce Matt Swaim as our next guest speaker. Matt is the producer/host of the Son Rise Morning Show at Sacred Heart Radio/EWTN, an author, and the producer of EWTN’s popular Monday night show, The Journey Home.
Please join us Friday, Aug 1 at 7:00 PM, and again on Saturday Aug 2 after the 10:00 AM mass and brunch, to hear Matt speak on the “Science of Conversion, the Observable Patterns-What Works and What Doesn’t.”
40th Anniversary High Tea Fundraiser – September 6
Dust off those hats, ladies, and join us on Sept. 6 for our first annual Tea Social! Tickets are limited to 48 guests and will be sold for $20 beginning the weekend of July 26 after all masses, or in the parish office. Individuals or businesses can sponsor a table for $120! Reserve your seats now! Space is limited!
Sign up after Mass this weekend!
Sunrise Mass on the Lake – October 11
Fall Fest/Trunk or Treat – October 24
Giving Tuesday – December 2
Live Nativity – December 13
Father/Daughter Valentine Day Dance – February 7
Evening Gala Fundraiser – April 18
Help us build our Wine Bar
Planning is underway for the 40th Anniversary Gala celebration on April 18, 2026 here at Saints Peter and Paul. In an effort to to be creative and start the fundraising we are putting the call out for our community to contribute bottles of wine. We will use this wine for our own bar for the event. We are interested in the following : Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. We will accept all brands of course. Bring your bottles to the church office for safe keeping. Bring your receipt and we will apply it to your contribution record.
St. Joseph’s Shrine of Katherine of Drexel Catholic Church:
- Congratulations Saint Joseph for meeting your Diocesan Appeal goal!
- Good News! St. Joseph’s office is open and staffed by volunteers. The office will be open from 3-5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They also have a phone number: 434-842-3970.
After Mass Tradition at St. Joseph’s
St. Joseph has a wonderful tradition of gathering after Mass and sharing refreshment and coffee. Here is a view of a typical Sunday morning.
The new confessional is almost done!
Remembrance Brick Project
Time to BUY A BRICK!
We hope that you will be inspired to be a part of our newly renovated brick garden by adding your name or the name of a loved one to those of our community.
We have priced these bricks to sell. Our goal is to fill up this newly renovated spot below the flagpole with the names of our community members, their loved ones, and our church family who is no longer with us.
If you want to participate, please fill out the form, available at the Gift Shop or Parish Office with your payment.
A standard 4 x 8 brick will cost $75 and an 8 x 8 brick will cost $150. Clip art is an additional $10 per brick We can submit brick orders when we have at least 5 bricks sold.
We will be submitting our first brick order by July 26th.
Both Saints Peter and Paul and Saint Joseph:
- REGISTRATION for Pre-K-12th grade and OCIA is happening throughout August. You may pick up a form in the Commons at Sts. Peter & Paul or in the Parish Hall at St. Joseph’s. Forms are also available at both offices. Classes begin September 7, 2025.
- ADULT FORMATION CHRISTIAN EDUCATION includes OCIA, offering instruction to unbaptized and non-Catholic persons with an interest in being members of the Catholic faith. Sunday: 9:30 am at Sts Peter & Paul and 10:30 am at St. Joseph’s
- FAITH and FAMILY FUN DAY – August 23, 2025 9:00 – 12:00 This is open to all families and Catechists from Saint Joseph’s and Saints Peter and Paul. This event will be held in Saints Peter and Paul Parish Hall. Enjoy Prayer, family activity, and games. Please bring a snack to share. We look forward to seeing you there.
- COMBINED YOUTH MASS on September 28 with the youth from Saint Joseph’s and Saints Peter and Paul. Please plan to attend the 11:00 am Mass on this weekend. There will be a potluck/pizza lunch following Mass.
- NEW HOMESCHOOL GROUP supports families like yours on your homeschooling journey and offers a variety of opportunities for connection, learning, and fun. Our activities will be held on the second Thursday of the month at St. Joseph’s. Our first gathering will be Thursday, September 11 at 9:30 am. Father John will offer Mass at 11:00 am. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact Celeste Shapiola at [email protected].
- RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CATACHIST GATHERING- July 30, 2025. Thanks to all who attended at Saints Peter and Paul Parish Hall.
- THE ST. PHILOMENA GROUP – The group’s vision is to be a faith-filled ministry supporting and serving one another, sharing faith and forming lasting bonds in the Catholic community. Being a Catholic parent/guardian is believed to be a beautiful and challenging vocation, and this group is here to provide encouragement and support. We invite all the families (moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, and uncles) of young children: newborn through age 5 (not yet in kindergarten) to join us. Our first meeting will be Thursday September 4, 2025. We will meet at Sts. Peter and Paul in the Commons at 9:45 am. If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact Celeste Shapiola at [email protected].
Colleen Smith