Liturgical Calendar

TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

WEEK OF OCTOBER 20, 2024
  • Friday, 10/18 - Saint Luke
  • Saturday, 10/19 - Weekday
  • Sunday, 10/20 - Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
  • Monday, 10/21 - Saint Callistus I
  • Tuesday, 10/22 - Saint Teresa of Jesus
  • Wednesday, 10/23 - Saint Hedwig; Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
  • Thursday, 10/24 - Saint Ignatius of Antioch
  • Friday, 10/25 - Saint Luke

Potomac Highlands Parishes

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

545 Walnut Street
Franklin, WV 26807

304-358-7012

Liturgy Schedule

Celebrant: Father Arul

  • Sunday, 10/20 - 12:00PM Mass
  • First Tuesday of the Month - 11:00AM Mass

**Reconciliation available before/after Mass

St. Mary

4 Grant Street
Petersburg, WV 26847

304-257-1057

Liturgy Schedule

Celebrant: Father Arul

  • Sunday, 10/20 - 10:00AM Mass
  • Wednesday, 10/23 - 12:00PM Mass
  • Thursday, 10/24 - 12:00PM Mass
  • Friday, 10/25 - 12:00PM Mass

**Reconciliation available before/after Mass

Epiphany of the Lord

2029 State Road 55
Moorefield, WV 26836

304-434-2547

Liturgy Schedule

Celebrant: Father Escalante

  • Saturday (Summer) - 5:00PM Mass (English)
  • Sunday, 10/20 - 8:00AM Mass (English); 12:00PM Mass (Spanish)
  • Tuesday, 10/22 - 12:00PM Mass (English)
  • Wednesday, 10/23 - 12:00PM Mass (English)
  • Thursday, 10/24 - 12:00PM Mass (English)
  • Friday, 10/25 - 6PM Hispanic Ministry Program

**Reconciliation available before/after Mass


Welcome Visitors!

Welcome to the Potomac Highlands area Catholic community! Our parish families are small but our faith is strong. We warmly invite you to join us for Mass or Eucharistic service should you find yourself in the vicinity of Franklin, Petersburg, or Moorefield, West Virginia.


Reflection on Sunday's Gospel

Gospel_image

Mark 10:35-45

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we continue to read from the section of Mark’s Gospel that reports Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. Last Sunday we heard Jesus lament the particular challenges those with many possessions face in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus then predicts his passion to the Twelve, who are amazed and afraid. In this part of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ words to his closest disciples seem to be intended to prepare them for the events that will occur in Jerusalem.

In today’s Gospel, James and John ask to be given seats of honor when Jesus enters into his glory. Once again, the disciples seem to be selective in what they hear Jesus say. They want to share Jesus’ glory, but do not appear to understand that his glory will be preceded by his suffering. Jesus notes their lack of understanding and predicts the suffering they will endure for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus says that the honor they seek is not his to give. When the other ten hear what James and John have asked, Mark reports that they are indignant. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach them.

Jesus explains the importance of service and sacrifice in the life of a disciple. In particular, he seems to be preparing the Twelve for their leadership roles in the emerging Christian community. Echoing the Gospel we heard several weeks ago (on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark 9:33-37), Jesus acknowledges that his teaching is countercultural. In today’s Gospel, Jesus contrasts the dynamics within the community of disciples with those shown by the rulers of the Gentiles.

Following Jesus’ example of sacrificial love continues to be countercultural in our day as well. We might take this opportunity to consider our models of authority and examine our own exercise of authority. On whose example do we model our leadership?

(Courtesy of Loyola Press Sunday Connection)


Parish Staff

Pastor (Residing at St. Mary, Petersburg): Father Arul Anthony

Parochial Vicar (Residing at Epiphany, Moorefield): Father Jose Manuel Escalante

Priest in attendance (Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton): Father Mario Claro


Support Our Parishes

CSA Donation

To continue offering financial support to any of our three parishes, simply click on the image above. After being re-directed to the diocesan Catholic Sharing Appeal page, scroll to the donation form and enter your gift amount, personal information, and parish name.


Spiritual Resources

Below are some spiritual resources as outlined by the DWC. Resources like these - and many others - are invaluable tools for the faithful to remain connected to the sacramental Church and the universal Body of Christ.


Faith in WV

The Catholic Spirit

Dept of Catholic Schools