Pastor: Rev. Thomas A. Sebastian C.S.T.
Permanent Deacon: Deacon Lawrence V. Hammel
Secretary: Ms. Teresa McGee

We the members of Our Lady of Grace Parish are a Catholic Christian, ecumenical community under the auspices of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

We are dedicated to providing an environment for ourselves and for others in which we can grow in a spirit of thanksgiving , worship, and love.  We wish to deepen our individual and collective faith in God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in the Sacraments of the Church, Particularly the Eucharist, and in Mary, Mother of Grace.

We gather together as a community of Faith, based on love, acceptance, interdependence, compassion, and service.

Our purpose as a parish family is to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ by word and example. We use our God-given talents to bring ourselves and others close to God. We accept our Baptismal call to make the faith of the Church known to all people by taking our personal part in evangelization.

Sunday Message:  September 6, 2026

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

How do we repair a relationship that has been damaged by hurt, misunderstanding or wrongdoing? In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a courageous and compassionate path to reconciliation. When someone has wronged us, Jesus first asks us to speak with that person privately and honestly. It is tempting to complain to others, spread the story, or allow resentment to grow. But the Gospel calls us to something more difficult and more Christ-like: go directly to the person and seek understanding. The purpose is not to win an argument or prove who is right, but to restore a relationship. If a private conversation does not resolve the matter, Jesus recommends involving another person who is wise, compassionate, and trustworthy. If necessary, the Christian community may also become involved. At every stage, the goal remains the same—not condemnation, but conversion, forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation.

Jesus concludes by saying that, if every effort fails, we may treat the person as a “Gentile or a tax collector.” Yet this does not mean that we should hate or permanently reject anyone. Jesus Himself welcomed tax collectors and sinners, ate with them, called them to conversion, and offered them a new beginning. For Jesus, no one is beyond the reach of mercy. The Gospel challenges us to combine truth with charity, courage with humility, justice with mercy, and correction with forgiveness. We may not always be able to repair every broken relationship, but we can always choose not to become prisoners of bitterness and resentment. Sometimes reconciliation begins with a difficult conversation. Sometimes it begins with a sincere apology. Sometimes it begins with forgiveness. And sometimes, when all else fails, it begins simply with prayer.