St. Agnes Catholic Church

08/26/2026

🌱 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭. 𝐀𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬

Did you see the news? The Pope's Garden at the Vatican—an 800-year-old plot first commissioned in the 1200s—has just gone 100% organic. Guided by the principles of Laudato Si', the gardeners there are focused not on maximum production, but on respect for the soil, the seasons, and the natural growth of each plant.

It's a beautiful reminder that caring for creation happens one small choice at a time—whether in a Vatican courtyard or right here in Shepherdstown.

At St. Agnes, our Landscape Committee has been quietly living out these same principles. Thanks in part to three generous grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, we've been transforming our campus with native plantings that support pollinators, protect our watershed, and welcome wildlife back to our grounds. Our Laudato Si' Initiative continues to hold this vision at heart: that the earth is a gift, and caring for it is part of our faith.

Next time you walk our campus, take a moment to look around. Every native tree, every pollinator-friendly plant, every thoughtful design choice is a small act of stewardship—part of a much bigger story the whole Church is writing together.

📖 Read the Vatican News article:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-08/the-pope-s-garden-in-the-vatican-gardens-becomes-100-organic.html

🌿 Learn more about our Landscape Committee: https://stagnesshepherdstown.org/landscape-committee/

08/25/2026

📖 UPCOMING COURSE: Images of Jesus

Looking to enrich your spiritual journey? You are invited to participate in a 5-week hybrid course starting the week of September 7, 2026!

Taught by Dr. Rodica Stoicoiu, this course is an excellent opportunity for OCIA team leaders, volunteer catechists, and lectors, as well as anyone wanting to better understand Catholic biblical interpretation, inspiration, and history.

💡 Course Details:
• Format: 5 weeks (Online materials + weekly Zoom meeting)
• Cost: FREE (Fully covered by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston)
• Times: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM

👉 To register: Email Dr. Rodica Stoicoiu at [email protected] with your name, address, email, and phone number.

08/17/2026

Summer’s winding down and kids are getting ready to go back to school. For some families that’s easier said than done!

St. Agnes is joining together to help kids in our community with their school supplies. To support our Back-to-School Outreach Project, please purchase any supplies on the supply list, or donate cash so supplies can be purchased. 𝐈𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟑𝐭𝐡.

Visit our website for more details:
https://stagnesshepherdstown.org/back-to-school-outreach-project/

𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀𝓈 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓈𝓊𝓅𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉!

07/31/2026

𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! Our Youth Group members and parish families were hard at work in the Parish Center a couple weeks ago preparing meals for our neighbors in need.
St. Agnes is proud to partner with other local churches across Jefferson County to ensure our unsheltered and vulnerable neighbors receive hot, nourishing meals throughout the month.

Our Youth Group and parish families take the lead for the 𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡—gathering on Sunday after the 10:30 Mass to prep and cook together, then serving the meal on the 4th Wednesday. It’s a wonderful, hands-on opportunity for our young people and families to put faith into action and experience the joy of community service.

Want to get involved? We are always looking for extra hands, whether you'd like to help cook, donate, or assist with delivery. Families and individuals of all ages are invited to participate! To learn more or join in for an upcoming meal prep, contact Joe Yates at [email protected].

At St. Agnes, there is always room at the table and a place for you to serve—we’d love to have you join us!

07/02/2026

🙏 Today at 2 PM, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston will celebrate the Mass of Installation of our new shepherd, Most Reverend Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling.

If you didn't make it to Wheeling, join us in watching the livestream and praying for Bishop Menjivar-Ayala as he begins his ministry among us — and giving thanks for Bishop Emeritus Mark Brennan's faithful service since 2019.

Livestream and details in comments ⬇️

06/25/2026

🎵 Happening TONIGHT at St. Agnes! 🎵

The The Maryland State Boychoir is back! We are so honored to host their Summer Camp Concert once again. After a week of hard work and fun at Shepherd University, these amazing singers are ready to share their voices with the Shepherdstown community.

Whether you've joined us for their past performances or this will be your very first time, you don't want to miss this. Their talent is truly something special and has become a beginning of summer tradition we look forward to.

Come on out this evening and support these fantastic young musicians!

📍 St. Agnes Catholic Church
🕖 Thursday, June 25 at 7:00
🎟️ Free and open to the public! Free-will offering gratefully accepted.

06/09/2026

This past Sunday, two of our parishioners, Teace and Veronica, traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Feast of Corpus Christi Procession for Immigrants. Walking from the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Columbia Heights to the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle near Dupont Circle, they proudly represented St. Agnes in support of immigrants, refugees, and human dignity.

The two-hour journey through the city included stops for prayer and words of support. Reflecting on the hot summer day, Teace shared a powerful perspective:

"It was sweltering, but as I walked with mostly immigrants and refugees, I realized this was but a minor discomfort compared to the struggle and suffering they have been through and continue to endure today."

As an added bonus, they also had the opportunity to meet and speak with Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala—who we will be welcoming as our new Bishop for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston soon. He was excited to see St. Agnes parishioners representing his new home diocese.

Thank you, Teace and Veronica for representing St. Agnes in the Procession for Immigrants.

05/28/2026

05/23/2026

"For I was a stranger and you welcomed me." — Matthew 25:35

This weekend, St. Agnes joins parishes across the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in honoring Welcome the Stranger Weekend. As Catholics, our faith calls us to see the face of Christ in everyone we meet—especially immigrants, refugees, and newcomers looking for a safe harbor and a better life.

Hospitality isn't just a polite greeting at the door; it's a Gospel mandate. How can you welcome someone new to our community this week? Let us open our doors and our hearts.

All are welcome to join us for Mass this weekend: Saturday: 5:30 PM or
Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 AM

05/23/2026

Looking to deepen your faith as we near the end of spring?

Join us for this upcoming Adult Faith Formation course, Introduction to Scripture, led by Dr. Rodica Stoicoiu! Whether you are an active catechist or simply an adult looking to grow in your understanding of the Bible and Church Tradition, this class is for you.

🗓️ Start Date: June 1
✨ Cost: FREE! (Tuition and books are generously underwritten by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston’s Office of Evangelization & Catechesis).

Registration is required. Click the link below to learn more and find out how to register.
https://stagnesshepherdstown.org/upcoming-adult-faith-formation-courses/