A message from your Interim Rector 11/11/2026
Coming soon, is the Patronal Feast of this parish - we will celebrate it on November 15th. The patron saint of this parish is St. Catherine of Alexandria. Saint Catherine of Alexandria is a canonized saint in the Roman and Orthodox Churches who, per Christian tradition, was martyred around 305 in Alexandria, Egypt. There are no surviving primary sources attesting to her existence, but the fact that her memory, and the stories about her, have been kept alive and handed down in the tradition, provide a strong example of heroic virtue and holiness.
I shared some of this information with you about 5 months ago in an article in our newsletter, “The Wheel”. Hopefully you will find this brief bit of information helpful in understanding the example of St. Catherine as it relates to the choice of a name for this parish.
Here are the particulars of the legend surrounding Catherine of Alexandria. She was thought to be born around 287 in Alexandria, Egypt. At that time, Alexandria was one of the finest cities in the world, and a center of learning and culture as well as faith. Christian tradition states she was of noble birth. As a member of the nobility, she was likely educated and perhaps an avid scholar. Around the age of fourteen, she experienced a vision of Mary and the infant Jesus, and she decided to become a Christian.
Even as a young girl, she was outspoken in her faith. One legend says that when the emperor Maxentius began persecuting Christians, Catherine visited him to denounce his cruelty.
Rather than order her execution, Maxentius summoned fifty orators and philosophers to debate her. However, Catherine was moved by the power of the Holy Spirit and spoke eloquently in defense of her faith. Her words were so moving that several of the pagans converted to Christianity and were immediately executed by the Emperor.
When Catherine won the debates defending the Christian faith, the emperor gave orders to subject Catherine to terrible tortures and then throw her in prison. Her legend tells that during the confinement she was fed daily by a dove from heaven, and Christ also visited her, encouraging her to fight bravely, and promised her the crown of everlasting glory. Angels tended her wounds with salve.
It is reported that during her imprisonment more than 200 people came to see her, including Maxentius' wife, Valeria Maximilla; all converted to Christianity and were subsequently martyred. Upon the failure of Maxentius to make Catherine yield by way of torture, he tried to win her over by proposing marriage. Catherine refused, declaring that her spouse was Jesus Christ, to whom she had consecrated her virginity. The furious emperor condemned Catherine to death on a spiked breaking wheel, but at her touch it shattered. Maxentius ordered her to be beheaded
Her principal symbol is the spiked wheel, which has become known as the Catherine wheel, and her feast day is celebrated on 25 November by most denominations who recognize her role in early Christianity. So you may see why the newsletter is called the “Wheel”, because the purpose of the newsletter is to share the good news and spread the message of how we continue to live as faithful disciples of Jesus, our Lord. Because this parish is named for St. Catherine, we are allowed to move her feast day to a Sunday (except not a Sunday with a major feast like Christ the King or Advent). So this year the date we will celebrate is Nov 15th. Plan to party with us after each service on Sunday Nov 15th - snacks, bubbles, and fellowship on the pavers, weather permitting.
Blessings and see you soon.
Mo Pat+
