Rita Morrison Wiseman January 14, 1943 — May 27, 2025 Blowing Rock Rita Morrison Wiseman, 82, of Blowing Rock, NC, passed away at home surrounded by her family. She is survived by her three children Keith Wiseman, Jr (Barry Roberts), Kate Wiseman (Robbie Dunn), and Lynne Wiseman (Nicole Blankenbeckler) and three nephews Brad Wiseman, Jason Wiseman, and Rolf Carle. Rita was born in Statesville, NC to Dr James Rudy Morrison and Agnes Marie (nee Nolan) Morrison in 1943. She was a graduate of Statesville High School class of 1961, where she met her future husband and made lifelong friends. Rita attended UNC prior to marrying and starting a family. Rita was an avid volunteer throughout her life. While living in Mooresville, NC, she was an active member of the Junior Civic League and the American Red Cross. After relocating to Blowing Rock, NC, Rita was active in the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, High Country Host, and Blowing Rock Architecture Advisory Committee. She was especially proud of the years she served as a member of the Blowing Rock Town Council and the decades she spent working with the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show. In addition to her volunteer work, Rita excelled as a real estate agent, as it gave her the opportunity to interact with many people and share her love of Blowing Rock with them. Rita had a big personality and touched the lives of everyone she met. She never met a stranger and was generous, genuine, and full of life. She loved bringing people together to laugh and create memories. Rita was always full of antics, whether arranging people to dress up in funny hats for get togethers or crashing one of the town parades she loved so much. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Rita’s caregivers, Susan Hampton and Shelby Key, for their dedication, compassion, and companionship during her lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held 10:00 am on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church and burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville immediately following. Rita will lie in state on Friday afternoon from 3:00 until 5:00 pm at Troutman Funeral Home and Saturday morning 9:00am until 10:00 am at the church. A celebration of life will be held in Blowing Rock at a later date. Donations to the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show are welcome. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.

Thank you for your tremendous efforts in making this year’s State Convention Raffle a resounding success. Thanks to your dedication and commitment to selling tickets, we once again surpassed our raffle sales goal. The raffle drawing took place on Saturday evening during the State Convention, and we are pleased to announce the winners below. Congratulations to all the winners and their Councils! State Convention Raffle Winners 1st Place ($5,000): Gregory Decker – Wilmington – Council 12017 2nd Place ($4,000): Michael Geary – Greensboro – Council 11101 3rd Place ($500): Brooke Childress – Mt. Gilead – Council 10495 4th Place ($500): Christopher McCreery – Southern Pines – Council 6528 5th Place ($400): Carlos Irvela – Clemmons – Council 10504 6th Place ($400): Harold Zimmerman – Denver – Council 12654 7th Place ($200): Johan Menting – Gastonia – Council 6700 Once again, thank you for everything you do to support the North Carolina Knights of Columbus. The State Officers deeply appreciate you and your Councils for the outstanding work you do in your communities. Vivat Jesus! NC State Council Officers

As for upcoming events, we have our next meeting this Thursday on 5/29 at 6pm in the social hall and will have a following meeting on 6/26 at 6pm in the social hall.  In our next meeting we will be discussing ways to help our fellow church members through acts of service. I

Social Event St. Philip the Apostle Learn to Dance learning the basic steps, improve your rhythm, and connect with the essence of salsa.

Mother’s Day will be celebrated next Sunday, May 11th. The Knights of Columbus St. James Council #7152 will have a Mother’s Day break-fast after 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Masses. Moms will be guests of the Knights and will eat for free. Please plan to join us and take advantage of the Knights' hard work in honor of our mothers. St. James Council is planning to serve eggs (scramble or to order), sausage, Potato tots, fruit, pancakes with coffee and juices. Cost for Adults is $10.00, children from 5 to 12 years old is $5:00 and children under 5 are free.

When Sunday April 27, 2025, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Location: St. Philip Social Hall, dine in or take out available. Dinner will include Spaghetti noodles· Meat sauce Bread · Salad · Desserts · Beverages 50/50 Raffle Tickets Drawing will be held after dinner. Dinner Cost: Adults: $10.00, Children 5-12 years old: $5.00, Children under 4 is free. Selling 50/50 Raffle tickets, drawing will be held after dinner. Tickets are $2.00 each or 10 for $15.00

St. Philip the Apostle Parish is having a Pregnancy Center Collection on 26th and 27th of April after each Mass. Please drop off your baby items by the St. James Banner in the parking lot. Please bring diapers, wipes, baby lotions and baby toiletry. If you have any question(s), reach out to Paul Lyon, Grand Knight at 540-273-1805.

What is the meaning of Divine Mercy Sunday? During the course of Jesus’ revelations to Saint Faustina on the Divine Mercy He asked on numerous occasions that a feast day be dedicated to the Divine Mercy and that this feast be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. The liturgical texts of that day, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, concern the institution of the Sacrament of Penance, the Tribunal of the Divine Mercy, and are thus already suited to the request of Our Lord. This Feast, which had already been granted to the nation of Poland and been celebrated within Vatican City, was granted to the Universal Church by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the canonization of Sr. Faustina on 30 April 2000. In a decree dated 23 May 2000, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments stated that “throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come.” Concerning the Feast of Mercy, Jesus said: Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. (Diary, 300) I want the image solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it. (Diary, 341) This Feast emerged from the very depths of My mercy, and it is confirmed in the vast depths of my tender mercies. (Diary, 420) The message of mercy is that God loves us, loves us all, no matter the magnitude of our sins. God wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we can call upon Him with confidence, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. In this way, we will all come to share in His joy. It is a message that we can always keep in mind simply by remembering the letter "S," as the "Lord." Ask for mercy God wants us to draw near to Him by praying without ceasing, repenting of our sins, and asking Him to pour out His mercy on us and the whole world. Be merciful: God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to give love and forgiveness to others, as He gives to us. Unceasingly, trust Him completely, God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy depend on our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive. … UPCOMING EVENTS. Do you want to learn how to make Rosaries? Join on Saturdays after 9 a.m. Mass in Beatty Room for 40 minutes. On the first Sunday of the month, next May 4, boys and girls are invited to attend Mass in their first communion costumes, sit with their families. Sundays in May until Pentecost Prayer of the Holy Rosary every Sunday in May and until Pentecost June 8, in the church at 12:00 before Mass.

Once again, St. James Council is having Lenten Fish Fry starting April 11th, from 5pm to 7pm. Father Bernard is having Stations of the Cross (English) at 6pm and (Spanish) at 7:30pm. Father Bernard is encouraging our Parishioners to participate in the Stations of the Cross and support the Brother Knights Lenten Fish Fry.

St. Philip the Apostle Easter Basket Raffle by Catholic Daughters of the America, one basket for a boy, one basket for a girl, and one basket for a family.

St. Philip the Apostle Faith Formation Easter Egg Hunt on April 13th from 4pm - 6pm on the parish campus.

Our parish wants to invite and encourage everyone to participate in our new Parish Pictorial Directory. Photographs of our parishioners will be taken from Tuesday through Saturday, May 13 through May 17. Tuesday through Friday hours is from 2:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Saturday hours are from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. You will be able to make your appointments after Mass the weekends of April 26-27, May 3-4, and May 10-11. Those participating will receive a free 8X10 photo (the one chosen to be in the directory) and a copy of the directory. For further information, please call Annie McGuire (980-829-3620) or Tami Harris (704-902-0315).

It was due to our Pastor, Father Bernard Oleru’s suggestion that the Women of the Parish Council of St. Philip the Apostle in Statesville planned our first Women’s Retreat. Our theme was St. Philip the Apostle’s famous saying, “Come and See.” And they did; we had over two hundred women in attendance. There was both a Spanish and English option available. On Saturday, March 29 we began with Holy Mass in the morning, breakfast was served and guest speakers, Father Bernard Oleru, M.S.P., Jean Whelan, founder of Women of Joy Prayer & Scripture Study, Maggie Considine, Regent of Court Ave Maria Catholic Daughters of the America’s, Maricruz Olascoaga and Mariana Navarrete. There was yoga/meditation in the courtyard during break available as well as a mini-ministry fair representing Women-only ministries offered in our Parish. The Knights of Columbus St. James Council #7152 beautifully served breakfast and lunch. The afternoon led to more listening and impressive sharing. We finished with a brief explanation from a few of our ministry leaders; Marie Gomez, our Spiritual Director, Becky Scales who leads our Women’s Bible Study and Mary Zemaitis, the Regent of our Catholic Daughter’s Court. The Holy Spirit was in the music, scripture and surely guiding our planners and speakers to touch each one in attendance. It was an amazing uplifting, powerful experience that will live with each of us for long time to come. Next time – “Come & See.” Next is a Men’s Retreat which is in its planning stages.

The CDA Meatless Lenten Meal for April 4; from 5:00 to 7pm. Father Bernard is having Stations of the Cross (English) at 6pm and (Spanish) at 7:30pm. Father Bernard is encouraging our Parishioners to participate in the Stations of the Cross and support the Catholic Daughters, The meal will consist of: Pasta Alfredo, Baked Ziti, Meatless Lasagna, Mushroom Lasagna, a Salad Bar, a Baked Potato Bar, Homemade Mac and Cheese, Garlic Bread, Lemonade, Sweet Tea, and Coffee we will also be selling raffle tickets for our CDA Easter Basket(s): 1. Boys, 1. Girls, 1. Family Also, selling "He is Risen Magnets".

St. Philip the Apostle Women’s Retreat “Come and See” This is an invitation to all Catholic Women age high school and older. We begin with Mass at 9:00 with breakfast to follow. Featured speakers are our Pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Father Bernard Oleru, M.S.P., and introducing Jean Whelan, Facilitator of Women of Joy Prayer & Scripture Study at St. Mark Catholic Church, Huntersville, NC and our own Spiritual Director, Marie Gomez. Breakfast and Lunch is included. This retreat is inspired by our Pastor and coordinated by the Women of the St. Philip the Apostle Parish Council. “Come and See”

As we enter the holy season of Lent, the Knights of Columbus stand united in reflection, prayer, and service, embracing the call to deepen our faith and grow closer to God. Lent is a time for personal renewal, and the Knights are committed to living out the values of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. During this period, we engage in acts of service and prayer, supporting their communities and families while focusing on the sacrifices that help strengthen their spiritual lives. It is a time to take up new practices of devotion, including fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, to align our hearts with the suffering and sacrifice of Christ. Throughout Lent, the Knights of Columbus also provide opportunities for fellowship and support, whether through parish events, retreats, or service projects. By living out their faith in action, they encourage all members to reflect on the significance of the Lenten journey. As a brotherhood, they walk together in solidarity, helping one another grow in holiness while reaching out to those in need. The Knights invite everyone to join in their mission of charity, prayer, and service, using the Lenten season to renew their commitment to Christ and to the core principles that guide their order. Paul Lyon Grand Knight 540-273-1805

Dear Friends in Christ, This coming week at our Church Father Bernard is hosting a Regional Gathering of Nigerian Priests from his order- Missionaries of St. Paul. There will be 10-12 total in attendance. Father Bernard will be hosting as many as he can at the rectory however, they can’t all stay there. I am making reservations for them each to stay 2 nights at the Hilton Garden Inn just a few blocks from St. Philips. We are also arranging for meals (Nigerian food). My request is any amount of monetary donation to help with the food and lodging would be appreciated. Father does not want the Church to pay for this however if you could write a check to St. Philip the Apostle it will go toward your contributions – just earmarked for this special occasion. Please put in the ‘memo’ – MSP Regional Gathering either online or basket. I can make sure cash is also credited to your contribution numbers. If you have Hilton Honors points to contribute – I’m working with the Hilton to arrange that too! Please let me know if you can help – Thank you!! Dawn McGinn Parish Council Chairperson (President)

St. Philip the Apostle Spanish Food Sell on Sunday 16th of March after all Masses. The Spanish Food sell donations will be used towards replacing the Parish Hymn Books

Our Vision for the Charity Golf Tournament The Knights of Columbus Council 7152 of Statesville will be holding a Charity golf tournament on Monday, September 15, 2025, at River Oaks golf club in Statesville. The Knights of Columbus is a national Charitable 501c-3 (tax deductible) Organization that has been dedicated for decades to helping a whole variety of charitable works. Our Statesville Council, residing at St. Philip the Apostle, has donated over 2,637 hours in 2024 for various charitable works, we want to do more in 2025!