On Friday, I met with the congregation of Sacred Heart in Charleston, where we discussed the future of the parish. When listening to different concerns, we discovered that it’s always good to do things in obedience, rather than complicate the life of the Church. Effective immediately, Very Rev. Gregory B. Wilson, vicar general and rector of the Cathedral, will serve as the parish’s administrator. Our conversation together was fruitful and reflected the synodality that our Church calls us to practice.

On Saturday, we remembered what our first bishop, Rt. Rev. John England, did to have a common place of worship for Black and white people alike, and to see the necessity for evangelizing all children of God. We also prayed for those who are venerable Black people awaiting canonization as saints at the Black Catholic Liturgy Heritage celebration at St. Patrick Church in Charleston.

On Sunday, we celebrated the Marriage Anniversary Masses in two languages — in English at Precious Blood of Christ Church in Pawleys Island, and in Spanish at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Murrells Inslet. We called those who have lost their spouses to find healing, and took a moment to catechize the youth in both Masses with the 10 Commandments; with the one above all — love God above all else!

It was beautiful to witness three different expressions of the Mass this weekend. Our Church is truly Universal.