From the Desk of Fr. Thomas - September 2025 Newsletter
- Pompeii Rising
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
Dear Friends of Our Lady of Pompeii,
September has been a time for both reflection and progress. This month, Florida hosted our Superior General, Don Davide Pagliarani. In my meeting, we discussed the history of the St. Michael the Archangel, Old Holy Rosary, and what will happen over the next year before completion. Fr. Pagliarani seemed surprised in my confidence that the First Mass would take place in the new church within 365 days. The confidence comes from all of the hard work poured into this passion-project which allows us to secure the closing date under contract. He was very impressed. During our conversation, I shared your prayers, charity, and vision of what Our Lady of Pompeii could look like in 10 years.
As promised, I've arranged for you to track progress on our our Live Stream Construction Camera. Today, September 29, the Feast of St. Michael, I was able to watch the demolition of the Outbuilding. In fact, you can to if you click the link and rewind to the beginning of the stream. A lot of work went into getting this up live-look up and running, so please take advantage of it by sharing it with your friends and family. The safe removal of this non-historic building makes way for a more effective and efficient building in our future phase.
More great headway. The interior construction also begins with demolition. Partition walls and restrooms under the choir loft have been removed. Like the spiritual life, we must prune in order to bear fruit in due season. Some of the original hardwood floor was taken up and meticulously saved. After air ducts are installed underneath and the crawl space is sealed, the floor will be diligently reinstalled, none-the-wiser.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention two other patrons who providentially share feasts in September. The month begins with St. Pius X, and Our Lady of Compassion refreshes us halfway through. Concluding with today's great Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, September reminds us three times that the Church Triumphant is backing our mission. Let's not rush the next 11 months. Let us, instead, embrace the Liturgical Year. There are many graces to be won by our prayers, our fasting, and even our feasting. We will never get this year back, so savor what the Lord God has set out before you.
Keep saying your Memorares,
Fr. Thomas
This month’s newsletter comes to us from an unusual guest author. Praised be our Heavenly Mother that her mercy knows no bounds. Below is the transcript from our brother in Christ, Tyler, an offender in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, who, with the help of our sister chapel in Texas, found our project, but more importantly, the Queen of Pompeii and her 54 Day Novena. Please take a moment to read his message, pray for his intentions, and give thanks to Our Lady who loves each of her children so much.
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Dear Brothers & Sisters of Saint Michael,
Thank y’all for the prayer book; Divine Office, and the instructional book; the Soul of the Apostolate. I was both inspired and instructed. Y’all also sent a pamphlet for Our Queen of the Holy Rosary of Pompei. I am currently on day 22 of this six fold Novena of 15 Mysteries a day. I am asking our Blessed Mother to intercede for my son’s baptism and a healing for an issue he was having, also my Dad’s PSA (prostate number) and my marriage. On Day 15 I received news that my Dad’s PSA was miraculously back down to 2.2 from 5.8. On day 11 my son told me that he was considering baptism and on day 21 my son received news that his issue is not serious. Praise YAHWEH that by Jesus’ stripes we are healed and that we have a Mother in Heaven who loves and prays for us.
Thank y’all for everything y’all do.
YBiC, (Your Brother in Christ)
Tyler
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