An Important Update from the Rector's Desk: Memorial Day 2026
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Memorial Day is a great day for me not only to grill some hot dogs and eat sweet corn, but also to remember those I served with during many deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, some of whom gave their lives for our country. The price of freedom is high but too often forgotten. I pray for God’s mercy on their immortal souls as I pray also for the families, friends, and loved ones they left behind. May our nation truly be grateful for their unselfish service.
Today, I also wish to catch you up on many events happening in our parish, including some major staff changes. So, here we go!
THIS WEEK, THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE COMES TO SAINT PETER’S:
This is a big week for our parish as we gear up to host the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage this Friday evening, beginning with Mass, followed by a procession and ending with two hours of adoration before concluding with Solemn Benediction. A team of nine will be travelling the entire length of the pilgrimage tour, and some will give brief testimonies during adoration. Given the intense division and hostility within our Nation, participating in these hallowed acts of worship together is the best strategy we can have to combat the evil one who sows division and pervades in strife. I pray you’ll take part in at least some of the activities that begin at 5:00 p.m. in the Basilica and will conclude at 9:00 p.m. I expect pilgrims from other parts of the state will join us, and I ask that you help us to ensure all are warmly welcomed at this historic event.
THE LAST WEEK OF THE SCHOOL YEAR:
It’s hard to believe that another academic year has come to a close unless you’re a student in our school or a member of the faculty yearning for a summer break! We congratulate our sixth-grade class, many of whom will be going on to Cardinal Newman High School, for their achievements. I especially wish to thank Renee Emery, who will be leaving us later this summer to begin a well-deserved retirement for her incredible tenure, which has more than doubled our enrollment since her arrival. The leadership of our principal, Mrs. Kylie Scotniski, has also been epic, as demonstrated by incredible staff retention and quality hiring. Kudos as well to our teachers and faculty who helped our students achieve amazing standardized test scores! Thankfully, 2K, 3K, and 4K students will continue to be on our campus for much of the summer, and other students will return for enrichment activities, so we won’t feel too lonely. May all have a refreshing break and return ready to learn!
STAFF CHANGES:
Many of you will have heard a different voice when calling the parish office. Mary Gracia is now serving at Saint Peter’s School, and replacing her is Patty Phillips. Patty is fluent in Spanish and English. Patty and her husband, Andrew, are both veterans, members of the parish, and parents of two children in our parochial school. We are grateful for Mary’s service and thrilled to have Patty on board.
In late April, Jennifer Schopf stepped down as our parish and school business manager. Rather than seeking to replace her, we became a client of the Diocese of Charleston’s Parish Accounting Service (PAS). They are working hard to set up our accounts, and I look forward to meeting with the Parish Finance Council when this is accomplished to review the past year’s financial performance as well as to finalize a budget for the upcoming diocesan financial year, which begins on July 1st. We’re grateful to Michelle Blevins and Kelli from the school staff who will serve as our intermediaries with the PAS team.
THE HARD ANNOUNCEMENT:
Many have already learned we’ll be saying goodbye to Fr. Erik Roman on July 5th. The bishop recently announced Fr. Roman will be transferred to the other Saint Peter’s in Beaufort to have a second pastoral experience before being sent out to administrate a parish on his own.
I remain deeply impressed with Fr. Roman’s maturity and depth and am very grateful for his loyal service to the parish and to me during his two-year tenure at the Basilica. As I will be on vacation during much of June, we’ll have a parish farewell to coincide with our Potluck following our parish Eucharistic Procession on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi on Sunday, June 7th. There will be ample opportunities during the month that will follow for you to celebrate and thank him, but I hope many of you will join us on that day to share our appreciation as a parish family.
Before His Ascension, our Lord promised He would NOT leave us orphans! That promise, at least in terms of a parochial vicar, will be fulfilled when soon-to-be Father Philippe Dubordieu returns to us after his ordination to the sacred priesthood on June 19th to serve at Saint Peter’s. Having had six months to learn our parish, I am extremely grateful to Bishop Jacques for permitting Dcn. Philippe to stay. My service to the bishop and diocese as Vicar of Priests and Secretary of the Clergy will continue to require frequent trips to Charleston and hours on the phone, so having Fr. Dubordieu to assist me with the daily demands of our growing parish will be a blessing to us all.
THE END OF THE SATURDAY MASSES:
While nice, these Masses in both English and Spanish neither proved popular nor necessary. With less than 100 attending either and limited volunteer support, we will suspend them with the last English vigil on May 30th. We’ll continue to have Confessions at 3:30 p.m. as currently scheduled and review their need in the fall.
A BANNER YEAR:
We celebrated the extended Vigil of Pentecost last Saturday during which we received two and confirmed a total of 25, 23 of whom were baptized Catholic but had not been completed the sacraments of initiation. This is in addition to the 15 adults who were baptized at the Great Easter Vigil, and 21 received and confirmed with the 15 we baptized that night. We also baptized five boys on Divine Mercy Sunday who had completed the Order of Christian Initiation for Children. I’m told nearly 40 have shown interest in joining OCIA this summer. Also, I prepared 52 couples for marriage last year, and 25 couples have already signed up for our next Marriage Prep class that begins on July 19th. While you may throttle back during the summer, the parish remains always busy!
I pray this update finds you well and ready for another hot Soda-city summer!
Fraternally,
Fr. Gary S. Linsky
Very Rev. Canon Gary S. Linsky, VP
Rector
