From the Desk of Fr. Thomas - August 2026 Newsletter
Sep 1
3 min read
Dear Friends of Our Lady of Pompeii,
On August 15, we celebrated the feast of the Assumption. That same day, I had the joy of sharing the wonderful news that we had reached our ambitious $7.5 million goal to complete Phase 2 of the Pompeii Rising Restoration Project. In thanksgiving for this blessing, I felt compelled to begin a 54-day Rosary Novena on that very day. The novena will conclude on October 7, the feast of the Holy Rosary.
This same great feast of Our Lady assumed into heaven also marks the transfer of SSPX priests to their new assignments. After his visit and farewell in Jacksonville, Fr. Vernoy departed for Australia to take up his new charge in Brisbane.
Fr. Gerard Beck is my new prior in Sanford. He has watched our project from afar over the years and is astounded by the great work that has been accomplished in such a relatively short time.
A week from today, Fr. Beck is on the docket to visit Jacksonville, where he will see firsthand Our Lady’s maternal care at work within our community. In the meantime, I am happy to share more photos of the church’s interior and exterior.
Thank you for your continued support, whether through donations, prayers, or spreading the word. You are all in my heart and in my daily prayers.
In the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Fr. David Thomas
Lots of progress both inside and out. The ceilings are almost complete and being painted now. Take a 3D tour here. Final touches are being applied. The scaffolding will come down this month and things will really start to accelerate! We also have a sneak peak at the handsome pews. Even the outside is well on its way.
Before and After
Time Capsule
In August, we tuck pointed much of the stone work of the church to prevent water intrusion. While the crew was out, we had them take a peak to see if there really was a time capsule, as discussed in the 1923 Times Union article. Sadly, the tomb was empty. This confirms our suspicions that since the grout was not original, it was likely removed when the church was deconsecrated in the 1990s.
The box to be deposited in the cornerstone will contain the following articles: A copy of the Times-Union of Sunday, March 4th, the date of the celebration. A short history of the parish. Coins of the United States of the different denominations, namely one silver dollar, one dollar bill, one half dollar, one quarter dollar, one dime, one nickel, one cent. The names of the president of the United States, Warren G. Harding; governor of Florida, Cary A. Hardee, mayor of Jacksonville, John W. Martin; city commissioners Frank H. Owen, St. Elmo Acosta, M.B. Herlong, T. C. Imeson, and W. A. Evans. Names of the parishioners, name of Pope Pius XII. Bishop of St. Augustine, Rt. Rev. Patrick Barry, pastor of the church of the Holy Rosary, Rev. Dennis J. Lyons, names of the architect and builder, James Walsh and W. T. Hardlow."
We cleaned up the corner stone and re-sealed it as-is. In time, we might do our own time capsule. What should we put in it?
This month’s mailbag comes from long time parishioners Angie and Anthony S. Their family just returned from a Roman holiday. They didn't stop there - Florence, Pisa, and Pompei made the list.
Dear Father,
We planned this trip to Italy our entire lives. The day before we left, my Uncle Fred died. I watched him take his final breath. It was an emotional rollercoaster. There are many churches in Italy, and at each church we visited, I felt called to pray for Uncle Fred.
Spending time praying in front of Our Lady of Pompeii made the entire trip to Italy worth it. In that exact moment, all the pain in your body leaves and your mind is at peace.
We are part of something bigger... just by praying the Rosary daily for the Virgin Mary's intercession.
Top Left: Anthony and Angie's family at the vineyard
Top Right: Prayers before the Miraculous Image
Bottom Left: Details of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven
Bottom Right: Angie captures the Sanctuary in Pompei
Comments