A unique parish of 518 families centered at St. Mary's, Granville with church communities at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Middle Granville and St. Frances Cabrini, West Pawlet, Vermont. Eucharist is the core of our parish where there is a heartfelt sense of welcome, hospitality, shared dignity, self worth and joy flowing from a sacred communion with Jesus Christ.From our Eucharist emanates important areas of service: the sick, elderly, homebound, poor; Ecumenical unity; and the youth. This is a hands-on parish where personal contact, presence and availability is important.
Parishioners come from a wide geographic area along the NY/VT border (summer residents/vacationers) and diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Parishioners include long time residents who value tradition and rural life, as well as, new families especially from down state NY - who bring and are willing to share their giftedness; most college graduates find employment elsewhere. Local employment includes factories, farming, school, service and prisons.
God's House Our Home
Saint Paul reminds us in his letter to the Christian community at Corinth, "You are God's building; you are the Temple of God for the Spirit of God dwells in you. And the Temple of God, which you are, is holy." Above all else, as disciples of Jesus, we, the people, are the real Church.
We must always remember that lest we lose sight of what we are truly about. On Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 we will celebrate the last Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and at Saint Frances X. Cabrini Church. These places have been our spiritual home for generations. They have served us as hope filled holy places through war, depression, waves of immigration, and family deaths. They have witnessed the joy of birth, marriage, and forging bonds of friendship. They have given us a sense of security, peace, and love through turmoil, scandal, societal upheaval, and worry. They have done their mission extremely well. So now, as always in life, there is change. Yet our faith continues on. We ought to pray this Lent that God's Holy Spirit truly inspire us with sincere conversion... to cherish our past, live fully this day, and look forward to our future. Our God s with us in our tears, memories, fear of the different, and even our anger. The Feast of Easter teaches us that God is Christ is not confined to the tombs, to any building, to a single group, or one way of thinking. The Spirit of the Risen Savior is unleashed among all peoples forever in every place. May we live this beautiful sacred life as credible witnesses of Jesus. Let forgiveness, understanding, joy , and willing service be hallmarks of our Catholic Faith everyday. Beginning on the weekend of April 18-19, 2009 Mass will be celebrated at Saint Mary's Church Saturdays at 4PM and Sundays at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. May the ever newness of God's love for us all refresh us on life's journey as our church is born anew... in each one of us. |
 |