Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

During the recent Candlemas celebration, parishioners of Our Lady and St. John Church participated in a procession with blessed candles, accompanied by choral music, incense, and illuminated Christmas trees. This Catholic community, primarily composed of former Anglicans, holds a rich liturgical tradition for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Father Jonathan Erdman, pastor of Our Lady and St. John and St. Francis of Assisi Church, explained that Candlemas marks "the last of the infancy stories of Christ" and traditionally ends the Christmas season. "God comes to us in the ways we experience the world — through sight, through touch. The liturgy engages us — body and soul," he said.

Our Lady and St. John belongs to the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, established by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 for those from an English-Anglican background. Father Erdman described it as a “wonderfully gracious gift offered to the church.” The church uses Divine Worship: The Missal promulgated by Pope Francis.

In their Candlemas liturgy, candles were held at three points during Mass: before the procession, before the Gospel reading, and during the Eucharistic prayer. These actions symbolize "the moment where Christ, the light, was brought into the temple," according to Father Erdman.

Mass at this parish features pamphlets to guide visitors through its distinct elements like 'sacral English' language with more 'thees' and 'thys,' additional prayers at different parts of service, and music from both Catholic life in England and Anglican hymns.

Since its establishment in 2017 with 22 parishioners, Our Lady and St. John has grown to 68 active families. Parishioner Jack Spurlock shared his journey back to Catholicism after living in England and enjoying Anglican evensong services.

Father Erdman noted that many members have come from various Protestant backgrounds into full communion with the Catholic Church at their parish. He emphasized that this diversity allows them to evangelize effectively within specific theological understandings.

The community is known for its close-knit environment fostered by regular gatherings after Masses and monthly potlucks which encourage friendships among members.