11/24/2024
We would like to thank our musicians who helped make our final farewell Mass a beautiful gathering of celebration. This was our final prayer of intercession at the Saturday 4PM Mass:
And finally as our last prayer of intercession, we reflect and remember.
You teach us there is a time for everything, and a time for every purpose under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to reap, A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Today is a time to say farewell.
101 years in thy sight, is like an evening gone. Farewell, Our Lady of Pompei! Founded and built by Italian immigrants, Pompei provided ministry to Italian immigrants, a new generation of Americans, and to Latino immigrants arriving in Baltimore. Pompei is a tree planted with Italian strong roots, grown through the years with an American trunk, and branched out to Latinos, never losing its missionary spirit. You have been a church of immigrants in the city of immigrants providing a home for parishioners to form their faith and build friendships for life.
We thank everyone who has dedicated their time, treasure, service, and support to making Pompei a thriving parish. From building this church, to the rebuilding over the last 5 years, from the bingos, to street carnivals, to feast day celebrations, to our famous fried dough, and more recently, delicious tacos and papusas, none of it could have happened without the helping hands of you, the parishioners.
The emotions may be sad. For some, this is the only church they may have known. And so, we pray, In our family of faith, we give thanks for courageous voices that have remained firm in their commitment to our parish. As our parish changes today, celebrating our final Mass, we seek renewal. Help us in our weakness and unify us in the hope of the gospel. In our new beginnings, impart wisdom. In our established traditions, inspire creativity that they may continue.
Finally, do not leave sad. But go out in the world, with the faith you have learned here, share God’s love and, go and set the world on fire! Our Lady of Pompei lives through you!
Through the intercession of St Dominick, St. Catherine of Sienna, and Our Lady of Pompei, join me in saying, pray for us.
