Friends in Christ,
Welcome to our weekly Sunday update. This Sunday is the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost. This Sunday’s Gospel reading relates the miracle of the four thousand fed in the wilderness. An Episcopal chaplain of a Protestant school once explained the miracle to his seventh-grade religion class in this way: There were among the four thousand some who had more food than they needed, and Jesus simply shamed them into sharing what they had in abundance. A thoroughgoing materialist, this chaplain could not conceive of Our Lord Himself producing the food required to feed four thousand. And yet, according to Mark’s Gospel, Jesus said the people had nothing to eat and some would faint on the way home if required to undertake the journey without receiving sustenance. The materialist dismissal of the miracle assumes that Jesus knew about the available food and was simply less than truthful in what He said. But true faith teaches us to believe that Jesus is Truth itself and that He who made the world can come up with a meal when the occasion calls for something to eat. “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger” (John 6:35).
Calendar of Special Observances
Celebrations are those listed in the Roman Missal of 1962.
DAY, DATE – FEAST (CLASS)
Sunday, July 20 – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (II)
Monday, July 21 – St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Doctor of the Church (III)
Tuesday, July 22 – St. Mary Magdalene, Penitent (III)
Wednesday, July 23 – St. Apollinarius, Bishop & Martyr (III) – Commemoration of St. Liborius, Bishop and Confessor
Thursday, July 24 – Feria (IV) – Commemoration of St. Christina, Virgin & Martyr
Friday, July 25 – St. James the Greater, Apostle (II)
Saturday, July 26 – St. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary (II)
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
The links provided below can be used to download printable copies of the Proper Prayers for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost with English or Spanish translation, followed by commentary by Dr. Michael P. Foley.
Latin Mass Schedule: Sundays
Charlotte Area Latin Masses
11:30 a.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas
12:30 p.m., Saint Ann
Other Diocese of Charlotte Latin Masses
8:30 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon)
1:00 p.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock)
1:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)
Diocese of Charleston Latin Masses
12:00 p.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC)
1:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC)
Note: Travelers are urged to consult parish websites or offices for up-to-date information regarding possible changes in the regular schedule of Sunday Mass times.
Latin Mass Schedule: Weekdays (July 21 - July 26)
Charlotte Area Latin Masses
Saint Ann – Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.
Saint Thomas Aquinas – Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Saint Ann – Friday, 7:00 a.m.
Saint Ann - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. (Respect Life Latin Mass followed by prayers at the abortion facility or a Holy Hour of Reparation in the church. Also Saturday July 26 is Saint Ann’s patronal feast day.)
Other Diocese of Charlotte Latin Masses
Our Lady of the Mountains (Highlands) – Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
Saint John the Baptist (Tryon) – Friday, 8:30 a.m.
Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) – Friday, 9:30 a.m.
Diocese of Charleston Latin Masses
Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) – No daily Mass this summer
Note: The summer Mass schedule for Prince of Peace parish is in effect and no daily Latin Masses are scheduled at Prince of Peace Monday-Saturday this summer.
Travelers are advised to contact parish offices to confirm weekday and Saturday Mass times, since local schedules are sometimes subject to change without notice, especially on or around holidays, holy days of obligation and other special feast days.
Sensus Fidelium App: A Great Way to Promote Tradition and the Sacred Liturgy
Sensus Fidelium, the local online apostolate that has brought many to a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith, now has an app - SensusFidelium TV - for Apple’s iOS (iPhone, iPad) or Android. The app has an amazing collection of traditional sermons, classes, and interviews about the faith and liturgy.
They are now offering a free 2-week trial of the app. To try it out or subscribe visit: SensusFidelium.tv
Additionally, one can also help Sensus Fidelium grow and evangelize by financially supporting them, which can be done at this link.
Announcements
Third Sunday Coffee and Doughnuts at Saint Ann – Saint Ann Parish will be offering coffee and doughnuts after all Masses this Sunday, including the 12:30 p.m. Latin Mass.
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday August 3rd, 3:00 p.m. – Saint Ann will be hosting a special Holy Hour and Rosary for the Traditional Latin Mass after the 12:30 p.m. Latin Mass on Sunday August 3rd from 3:00-4:00 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed at 3:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary and concluding with Benediction at 4:00 p.m. All are welcome to join Father in praying for the Latin Mass in our diocese.
Complementary Copies of the FSSP’s July Newsletter – This Sunday we will have complementary copies of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter’s (FSSP) July 2025 newsletter, Meménto, which features an interview with Deacon David Carter, FSSP, a Saint Ann parishioner who was recently ordained to the diaconate for the FSSP (a society of priests offering the Traditional Latin Mass). The interview, conducted by Saint Ann parishioner Rachel Shrader, mentions the influence Saint Ann parish had on Deacon Carter’s vocation.
Copies are available at our table in the Saint Ann narthex. (Our thanks to the FSSP for these copies).
Potluck Thank You – We thank the many families who provided food and attended Sunday’s potluck to welcome Father Jones back home to Saint Ann parish.
Father Jones Homily – In case you missed it, we share an excerpt of Father Jones' encouraging homily last Sunday:
“I have returned from the mountains to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for you and stand in solidarity with you. Whatever we face in the future, we now face together. In the meantime, praying with the Psalmist in today’s Offertory Antiphon: Unless the Lord who gives me counsel, I keep the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved (Psalm 15 : 7, 8).”
Daily Holy Face Chaplet for Sacred Liturgy (perpetual novena) – For the protection of the Latin Mass, it has been recommended to all friends of the sacred liturgy in the diocese to consider continually praying the powerful Holy Face chaplet, under the banner of Our Lady of the Holy Name. To pray the chaplet, please see this link.
Cardinal Burke’s Prayer for Pope Leo XIV – His Eminence Cardinal Raymond Burke has released a prayer for Pope Leo XIV. Please consider praying this daily for the Holy Father as he leads the Church.
Prayer for Pope Leo XIV: Vicar of Christ on Earth and Shepherd of the Universal Church
O Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of the Lord of Heaven and of Earth, Our Lady of Guadalupe, guide and protect the Roman Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV. Through your intercession, may he receive in abundance the grace of the Successor of Saint Peter: the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity of our Bishops and of all our brothers and sisters in the Mystical Body of your Divine Son. Unite Pope Leo’s heart to your Immaculate Heart, leading him to rest his heart ever more securely in the glorious-pierced Heart of Jesus, so that he may confirm us in the Catholic faith, in the worship of God in spirit and truth, and in a good and holy Christian life.
In the tumult of the present time, keep Pope Leo securely within the hollow of your mantle, in the crossing of your arms, protecting him from Satan, the Father of Lies, and from every evil spirit. Implore Our Lord to grant him, in particular, the wisdom and courage to be a true Shepherd of the Church throughout the world. With you, I place all my trust in Christ, the Good Shepherd, Who alone is our help and salvation. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother, have mercy upon us!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of the Apostles, pray for us!
Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us!
Pope Saint Leo the Great, pray for us!
PDF copies can be accessed at these links: [English] [Español] [Latin]
Holy Face Devotions
Prayers of Reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus are offered each week at the following churches on the indicated days:
St. James (Concord) – Monday, 10-10:30 a.m. (in the cry room)
St. Mark – Tuesday, 5:45 p.m. (special time for Tuesday July 22)
St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesday, 6:00 a.m.`
St. Ann – Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. (following 7:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
St. Michael the Archangel (Gastonia) – Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. (following 8:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
St. Vincent de Paul – Tuesday, 8:40 a.m.
Holy Spirit (Denver) – Tuesday, 10-11:00 a.m. (following the 9:15 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
Saint Elizabeth of the Hill Country (Boone) – Third Tuesday, at 6:45 p.m. after Mass in the Youth Room
St. John the Baptist (Tryon) - First Saturday, 9:30 a.m. (after 8:30 a.m Latin Mass)
Note: Days and times may be subject to change due to holidays.
“Jesus, Your ineffable image is the star which guides my steps. Ah, You know, Your sweet Face is for me Heaven on earth” (from Canticle to the Holy Face by Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, the 19th century Discalced Carmelite nun who took the name in religion, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face).
Latin Mass and Liturgical News
The Feast of Saint Elijah the Prophet by Greg DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement (July 20, 2022). [The Feast of Saint Elijah the Prophet]
The Sanctus by Dr. Michael P. Foley, New Liturgical Movement (July 11, 2025). [The Sanctus]
“Their Sound is Gone Out” - The Division of the Apostles by Greg DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement (July 15, 2025). [Their Sound is Gone Out]
The origin, privileges and blessings of the Brown Scapular by a Carmelite Nun (1931), Voice of the Family (July 17, 2024). [Brown Scapular]
Liturgical Travels Through France: A New Publication from Canticum Salomonis by Greg DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement (July 10, 2025). [Liturgical Travels Through France]
16 Martyrs of Compiègne Followed the Lamb to the Guillotine — and to Glory by Jennifer Sokol, National Catholic Register (May 18, 2025). [16 Martyrs of Compiègne]
Blessing of Processional Banners by Fr. William Rock, FSSP, The Missive (July 7, 2025). [Blessing of Processional Banners]
Saints and Special Observances
Saint James the Greater, Apostle, was one of the three men closest to Our Lord throughout His ministry. The others were his brother, John, and Simon Peter whom Jesus renamed Cephas (Képhas), the Aramaic word for rock, to be the rock upon which His Church was to be founded. (Our English Peter is derived from the Latin cognate Petra). The three were simple Galilean fishermen from the country north of Samaria whose speech would have sounded foreign to the people of Judea. Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew, were the first two apostles called by Jesus, as He walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, to be “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Walking on, Our Lord saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee, mending their nets in their father’s boat; “and He called them. And they forthwith left their nets and father, and followed Him” (Matthew 4:21-22).
James is called “the Greater” to distinguish him from another apostle of the same name, James the son of Alpheus (Matthew 10:3). In addition, Jesus had a cousin James, named among his “brethren” in the Gospel of Saint Matthew (Matthew 13:55), who was a prominent figure in the early Church at Jerusalem and is called “the brother of the Lord” by Saint Paul (Galatians 1:19).
The privileged status of James and John and Peter is made evident by the fact that only these three among the apostles were selected to accompany Jesus when he ascended the mountain of the Transfiguration. “But I tell you of a truth:” Jesus had said to all twelve apostles, “There are some standing here that shall not taste death, till they see the kingdom of God” (Luke 9-27).
And it came to pass about eight days after these words, that he took Peter and James and John, and went up into a mountain to pray. And whilst he prayed, the shape of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and glittering. And behold two men were talking with him. And they were Moses and Elias, appearing in majesty. And they spoke of his decease that he should accomplish in Jerusalem (Luke 9:28-31).
What an extraordinary conversation must that have been to overhear! One can easily comprehend how these three fishermen-turned-fishers-of-men failed to understand the import of what was being said in their presence.
Jesus gave names to all three of the apostles who were closest to him. To Simon he gave the name Peter. The brothers, James and John, he called Boanerges, meaning “The sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). It is uncertain whether, in doing so, he meant to say something about their fisherman father, Zebedee, or about the sons of the fisherman themselves.
Again, only James and Peter and John were allowed by Jesus to accompany Him when He went to the home of the ruler of the synagogue because the man’s daughter was said to be dead. “Fear not, only believe,” Jesus told the ruler. “And he admitted not any man to follow him, but Peter, and James, and John the brother of James” (Mark 5:36-37). Mark’s reference to John as “the brother of James” suggests a certain precedence accorded James, probably because he was the elder of the Boanerges. Jesus went into the room where the girl lay, seemingly dead, and told her, “Talitha cumi, which is, being interpreted: Damsel (I say to thee) arise. And immediately the damsel rose up, and walked” (Mark 5:41-42).
James and his brother incurred a mild rebuke from Our Lord when, presuming on the closeness of their association with Him, they approached Jesus to ask that when He came into His kingdom they might “sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory” (Mark 10:37). Hearing of this, the other ten apostles were hardly amused; their displeasure created an opportunity for Jesus to remind all twelve that they were called to serve and not to be served.
James and John were rebuked again by Our Lord when Jesus and his disciples were denied accommodation in a Samaritan town and the sons of thunder asked, “Lord, wilt thou command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them” (Luke 9:54). Turning, Jesus admonished them, “You know not of what spirit you are. The Son of man came not to destroy souls, but to save” (Luke 9:55).
When one of his disciples marveled at the structures of the Temple complex and Jesus responded by foretelling the utter destruction of all, it was the trio of Peter and James and John who approached Him apart to ask, “Tell us, when shall these things be?” (Mark 13:4). Jesus proceeded to present an apocalyptic vision of the things to come, telling the three, “Take you heed therefore; behold I have foretold you all things” (Mark 13:23).
Finally, on the night that He was betrayed, Our Lord led His disciples into the Garden of Gethsemani to pray but took Peter and James and John with him to keep watch while He prayed apart in fear for His own life. Pausing three times in his agony, He found them sleeping, finally rousing them with the news of His imminent arrest: “Rise up, let us go. Behold, he that will betray me is at hand” (Mark 14:42).
When after the resurrection of Our Lord, the growth of the cult of Christ began to cause the king uneasiness, Herod decided to take action: “And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword” (Acts 12:2).
There is much more that could be said of Saint James, but this is all that Scripture tells us. The feast day of Saint James the Greater, Apostle and Martyr, is celebrated on July 25th.
Other Noteworthy Saints
This week not only features the feast of Saint James the Greater, but also the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene on July 22 and the patronal feast day of Saint Ann Parish, that of Saint Ann, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on July 26.
These two saints also have a distant connection, as tradition holds that Saint Mary Magdalene brought the relics of Saint Ann to France when she, her brother Saint Lazarus, and sister Saint Martha (whose feast day will be next week, July 29) were exiled from the Holy Land by boat and ended up on the coast of France.
We share additional commentary on these two saints:
Saint Anne - Mother the Blessed Virgin Mary
A Superb Article on St. Mary Magdalene
Closing Commentary
In closing, we offer commentary on the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost excerpted from The Liturgical Year of Dom Prosper Guéranger, OSB, followed by a link to the full text.
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
The Masses of the Sundays after Pentecost have, so far, given us but once a passage from St. Paul’s Epistles. It has been to Sts. Peter and John that the preference has been hitherto given of addressing the Faithful at the commencement of the sacred Mysteries. It may be that the Church, during these weeks, which represent the early days of the apostolic preaching, has intended by this to show us the disciple of faith and the disciple of love as being the two most prominent in the first promulgation of the new Covenant, which was committed, at the onset, to the Jewish people. At that time, Paul was but Saul the persecutor, and was putting himself forward as the most rabid opponent of that Gospel, which later on he would so zealously carry to the furthest parts of the earth. If his subsequent conversion made him become an ardent and enlightened apostle even to the Jews, it soon became evident that the house of Jacob was not the mission that was to be specially the one of his apostolate. After publicly announcing his faith in Jesus the Son of God; after confounding the synagogue by the weight of his testimony, he waited in silence for the termination of the period accorded to Juda for the acceptance of the covenant; he withdrew into privacy, waiting for the Vicar of the Man-God, the Head of the apostolic college, to give the signal for the vocation of the Gentiles, and open, in person, the door of the Church to these new children of Abraham.
But Israel has too long abused God’s patience; the day of the ungrateful Jerusalem’s repudiation is approaching, and the divine Spouse, after all this long forbearance with his once chosen, but now faithless Bride, the Synagogue—has gone to the Gentile nations. Now is the time for the Doctor of the Gentiles to speak; he will go on speaking and preaching to them, to his dying day; he will not cease proclaiming the word to them, until he has brought them back, and lifted them up to God, and consolidated them in faith and love. He will not rest until he has led this once poor despised gentile world to the nuptial union with Christ, yes, to the full fecundity of that divine union, of which, on the 24th and last Sunday after Pentecost, we shall hear him thus speaking: We cease not to pray for you, and to beg that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye may walk worthy of God, in all things pleasing him; being fruitful in every good work. … Giving thanks to God the Father, who hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the Saints in light, … and hath translated us into the kingdom of his beloved Son. [Sixth Sunday after Pentecost]