Parish Newsletter Message From Father John
Dear Friends, As you receive this monthly newsletter, we are now celebrating the Season of Advent. We made and blessed Advent wreaths this past Sunday. The Christmas tree stars have been distributed and Christmas gifts are due back Sunday, December 7, and Sunday, December 14. For those interested, Christmas tree sales began this past weekend. This Saturday we have our annual Greg Gannon Canned Food Drive and hope to collect some 50,000 cans again this year for the hungry in our community. All of these activities are Advent events preparing for the gift of Christmas. We also began our new Mass schedule this past Sunday with the 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. Masses now celebrated together at 12:30 p.m. When you come to church this week, please note the new bookracks that contain CDs on our faith. These are wonderful tools for reflecting on your faith while driving to and from work or when you are engaged in other activities at home. Let’s make this Advent a great time of reflection and growth. This is an opportunity to let the voice of God break through our daily busyness. What is Jesus saying to you as you prepare your heart for Christmas? Father John
December 2008 The Season Of Advent This past Sunday marked the beginning of the Advent season and a new liturgical year. The Solemnity of Christ the King, celebrated two Sundays ago, closed the previous liturgical year by reminding us that we are all pilgrims (a good word considering last Thursday’s holiday) journeying toward God’s kingdom where Jesus reigns in glory. The First Sunday of Advent continues that same focus — the celebration of the Incarnation of God as a human, the event that began the culmination of God’s plan for our salvation. The season reminds us that we are on a journey toward God’s kingdom. Why start the liturgical year this way? Last week we said the liturgical year is a kind of giant annual celebration of our earthly journey. Therefore, it makes sense to start out by pointing out the goal. The liturgy changes somewhat in Advent. The vestments are a dark blue-violet color, symbolizing preparation, purposely different from the lighter purple worn in Lent, which is more penitential. It is said that in some European monasteries, there was a tradition of wearing the oldest, dirtiest vestments in Advent, as a symbol of the cleaning and preparation of the soul for the celebration of Christmas. This is analogous to cleaning the house before the arrival of an important guest, much as many of us scrubbed our houses before the relatives arrived on Thanksgiving a few days ago. The Gloria, the hymn of the angels, normally sung as part of the opening rites, is temporarily suspended (certain aspects of the liturgy are not recited or sung during such times as Advent and Lent). The return of the Gloria on Christmas after being absent for four weeks will add to the awe and importance of the Christmas celebration. Each week of Advent has a different theme. This week, as we have discussed, is the focus on the goal of God’s kingdom. The second week, as we will see, focuses on John the Baptist.
Youth & Young Adult News
Attention High School and Confirmation Students There is an opportunity to earn community service hours this Saturday, December 6, at the Greg Gannon Can Food Drive. For details and instructions, contact Mark McCaffrey at
[email protected] or at 202.449.3978.
Learn About New Youth Group Programs All 7th through 12th grade students interested in learning about the new programs for the Blessed Sacrament Youth Group are asked to attend a short meeting in the Duffy Parish Center after the 5:30 p.m. Mass this Sunday. Parents can pick up students after the meeting at 7:30 p.m. sharp in the church parking lot. Pizza will be served, so please call or e-mail Mark McCaffrey at
[email protected] or at 202.449.3978 if you are planning to attend.
Evening For Young Adults Where else can one find free fellowship, food and inspiration? Every first and third Tuesday evening at 7:30 the Young Adult Bible Study meets in the Duffy Parish Center main level reading room to discuss the Sunday readings and other issues relevant to young people ages 20-40+. Especially during the holiday Artwork by Alan Stewart season, this opportunity can Graduate of BSS provide direction and meaning for both singles and married in an otherwise hectic world. For more information, contact Rob Maro at
[email protected] or 202.449.3989.
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Happy St. Nicholas Day St. Nicholas was a fourth century bishop who inspired the modern version of Santa Claus. Children who celebrate St. Nicholas Day believe that St. Nicholas arrives at the doorsteps of their homes at the beginning of Advent, leaving candies and gifts and reminding them to prepare their hearts for Christmas. Consider a family celebration on December 6 by having a Artwork by Claire Duffy Kindergarten celebratory dinner and saying special prayers in preparation for Christmas. For additional information see www.catholic.org/saints.
An Advent Wreath Puts “Us” Into “Focus” A Christian symbolic tradition used to mark the four weeks of joyful preparation for Christmas, the Advent wreath is composed of four candles, three violet and one rose, placed into a horizontal circle of evergreens. In the home every day, the family says prayers and lights the candles—usually at the evening meal—one candle the first week and additional candles for each succeeding week until December 25. An Advent wreath can provide valuable religious focus during a time of commercial emphasis before Christmas, and if you missed making one at the Advent wreath workshop conducted at Blessed Sacrament on November 30, you can still make one yourself. For information about the history of the Advent wreath, see www.catholic.org/articles/religion.
Be A Secret Santa Donations are being collected to purchase $20 Giant gift cards for the needy in our sister parish, St. Thomas More, in Southeast D.C. Place your donation (checks payable to Blessed Sacrament) in an envelope marked "Secret Santa," and deliver to the parish office or to the school office by December 18. Questions? Contact Carolyn Lynch at 202.364.6150 or at
[email protected].
What Are You Doing On December 13? Do you have a small part of your weekend free— just 3-1/2 hours next Saturday morning, December 13—to commit to your Advent spiritual development? After 8 a.m. Mass, participants will meet in the Duffy Parish Center to enjoy coffee and bagels, and to hear Brother Malachy Broderick, FSC, a popular Artwork by Ellen Morrissey speaker, discuss Psalm Grade 5 40:1-4.** Silent prayer, discussion and a closing prayer service will follow. RSVP no later than Monday, December 8, to Rob Maro at
[email protected] or 202.449.3989.
Just In Time Dr. John Dluhy’s series on “Just In Time” began in the September 2008 issue of the newsletter. It continues here: "Jesus said in the Beatitudes - 'Blessed are the poor in Spirit.' He was asking us to be in touch with our own needs, not only for material things but also for emotional needs such as love and recognition. We are advised while in conversation with God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, to express these needs directly. Mother Teresa's favorite prayer was to pray for better knowledge as to how to pray. Stay tuned."
** Psalm 40:1-4 “ I waited, waited for the Lord; who bent down and heard my cry. Drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp, set my feet upon rock, steadied my steps and put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in awe and they shall trust in the Lord.”
Artwork by Christian Hall Grade 4
Focus On Volunteers Editor’s Note: This month our celebrated volunteer has chosen to remain anonymous. Her generosity and work is a model to us all. Let us follow her example as we bring cheer and hope to others during this season and henceforth. She’s part of the early morning scene, up and out early, a part of the world of confirmed runners and newspaper deliverers. While most of us slept, for years she drove donated food from its source to the soup kitchen. She’s also part of the selfless Blessed Sacrament team that volunteers every Monday, and she wants to have any praise and glory redound to all of them. A native Washingtonian and graduate of Blessed Sacrament School many decades ago, she raised six children, mostly on her own, and was widowed twice. In her “retirement” she graduated from the Education for Parish Service program at Trinity College. She experienced challenge finding just the right fit for a volunteer job, but more than 20 years ago she donned her apron and volunteered at the Zaccheus Soup Kitchen. After one day’s experience she was “hooked” and has been part of the team ever since. The facility has experienced many moves and changes of names, but the function is still the same: living the beatitudes by feeding the hungry and caring for the poor. She may need a cane to walk, but little lady with a big heart and fantastic energy forges ahead, helping others all the way. December 2008
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Suggestions For Unusual Gift Ideas Has the economy caused you to think that you and your family really don’t need any more “stuff”? Are you looking for a meaningful gift that is different and inexpensive?
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Give someone a ride to church.
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Take some evergreens from your garden to a neighbor.
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Give a book of coupons to a family member. Each coupon would entitle the person to a promised gift you will perform, for example: a car wash, garden raking, errand running, etc.
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Call or send an e-mail or note to someone who is ill or grieving.
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Assist a college student to get an internship or job through your contacts.
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Read a story to a neighbor child.
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Participate in one of the opportunities sponsored by the Outreach ministries.
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Print this newsletter and give it to a parishioner who does not have a computer. Agree to do that monthly.
Collection Of Personal Care Items For The Homeless
Be Someone Who Cares
For the remaining Sundays of Advent, the Social Concerns office will collect the following regularsized items for the Blessed Sacrament Daily Bread/ Daily Life Soup Kitchen Ministry: toothbrushes, bars of soap, ChapStick®, toothpaste, disposal razors and deodorant. Please do not gift wrap these items. Place all unwrapped items in the baskets on the altar during the Offertory or drop them off at the Duffy Parish Center or the Social Concerns Office. As an outreach project, the sixth graders from Blessed Sacrament School will educate fellow students about homelessness and Blessed Sacrament Ministries serving these individuals and families. Also, students will sort toiletries and stuff approximately 500 warm winter socks with the collected items. Soup Kitchen guests will receive these gifts at a special Christmas luncheon to be prepared by parishioners of the Daily Bread/Daily Life Ministry.
Do you remember setting up your first apartment? There were so many needs! This year the Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place is collecting gift items and/or gift cards valued at no more than $25 for 135 persons, formerly homeless, who now live in permanent CCHF sponsored housing. Gifts are also needed for persons in shelter living. Bring donations to the CCHF headquarters at 4713 Wisconsin Ave., NW. The holiday season is a difficult and emotional time. Let’s share a little Christmas and help these folks understand that someone cares!
Note: Deadline for the January 2009 newsletter is December 15. Send contributions to:
[email protected]. 4
Why Do I Go To Sunday Mass?* By Francis X. Cavanaugh Pope Benedict's first encyclical letter is entitled "God is Love," furthering the growing emphasis in the Church on love of neighbor. Indeed, at a recent Sunday Mass the priest ended his homily with the words, "The measure of love is love without measure." As I dwell on those words, I marvel at how the Church has changed since my youth, when World War II and the Great Depression caused many people to flock to church out of fear rather than love. Whatever the depth of our belief in the hereafter, the Church is a means of expressing our love for one another in the here-and-now. Perhaps this is a large part of why I go to church; I need a weekly reminder of brotherly love. Why do I think that the Catholic Church is so special? Other churches also preach a message of love and are dedicated to helping the poor and disadvantaged of our society. I'm a Catholic because I was born and brought up that way, because I never saw any reason to change, but especially because I value the roots of the Church and the lifelong relationship. The Catholic Church is also special to me because of its universality. Indeed, the secular meaning of the word "catholic" is "universal." I like to think that the umbrella of the Church is broad enough to include not just people who are very devout, but also people like me.
I take special comfort in the ceremonies of the Church. Church music, the only regular live music for many people, is especially soothing and inspirational. My wife's favorite hymn is the Prayer of Saint Francis: "Make me a channel of your peace. . . . Oh Master, grant that I may never seek to be loved as to love with all my soul." Another of our favorite hymns is The Servant Song: "Will you let me be your servant? . . . Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too." As I hear the many deeply moving verses of such hymns repeated year after year at Sunday Mass I find myself dwelling on them, and they take on a new and inspiring meaning.
ReflectIon
The Church for many people is their first and last institutional support, from the cradle to the grave. We are carried down the aisle to baptism at the beginning of life, and rolled back down the aisle at the end of life. We enjoy first the support of parents and other relatives, but in time that support diminishes, and the Church is all that remains of the roots of our original support system. It is our constant comfort, something to cling to, reinforced by the knowledge that it has survived for two thousand years.
The fullness of life requires the development of mind, body, and spirit, all three. I find the attendance at Sunday Mass a unique source of spiritual nourishment -- an hour away from the daily pressures of life. The Church serves my need for better self-understanding, for keeping in touch with my personal spirituality. I used to think that many elderly people at Sunday Mass were there because they were nearing the end of life, and were praying for a place in heaven. But I now find that - as I join them - I go to church more because of the past rather than the future. The Church is a storehouse of my family memories of the principal ceremonies of life - the baptisms, first communions, weddings and funerals. Attendance at Sunday Mass not only brings with it the message of love for my fellow man, but also the memories of the richness of my loving family life.
* Excerpt from Why Do I Go To Church? - One Man's Journey
December 2008
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Faith In The Marketplace By Dean Packard If you attend the 6:30 a.m. Mass on the first Friday of the month, you have probably noticed it is getting a bit more crowded. That’s because a group of men has been gathering for Mass and a breakfast meeting (muffins provided by Kathryn and Steve Rurka of Spring Mill bakery) to discuss how their faith intersects with their professional calling in life. Discussions cover a broad range of subjects, but all center around the groups’ core theme: Faith in The Marketplace. To give you a sense for what goes on at these events, here are some follow-up comments from last month’s discussion: This morning we had another terrific Faith in The Marketplace breakfast visit. The theme was giving back, and, in keeping with the times, it was about little ways we could help without actually writing checks. Chris Drake and Dr. Gael Delaney discussed a terrific initiative of Catholic Charities called SHARE. This is an established program that brings $45 worth of grocery store quality food to folks for $19.95 plus their commitment to work 2 hours of community service.
Larry Clark led the discussion with an impressive message about how blessed we all are. (“There but for the grace of God go I” was his mother’s trusted phrase whenever she encountered one in peril or tragic state). He also offered some practical steps we could take to give back to those less materially blessed. Driving excess bread from Whole Foods to the soup kitchens, giving a homeless man a ‘cup of Joe and a doughnut, or simply talking to one. I have known Larry to be a walk- thewalk kind of guy. It was interesting to hear some insight into where his walking had taken him. Tom Shuler referenced an initiative seeking volunteers to help with going to an abortion clinic and saying the Rosary. Apparently three women turned away from their quest a recent Saturday because of such an initiative. This is a non-violent way of reminding scared and potentially vulnerable young women of the severity and permanence of the action they are headed to undertake. Consider joining the group on the third Saturday of every month in front of the abortion clinic at
1400 Spring Street, Silver Spring at 8:45 a.m. for recitation of the rosary at 9 a.m. Contact Tom Shuler at
[email protected]. You may remember Tim Shriver’s comments two years ago when he said that the key to a good talk is that some part of the message stays with you beyond the parking lot. What stayed with me today was the importance of not averting your gaze from the uncomfortable, whether that “uncomfortable” is a homeless man, the reality of the consequences of your action, or a charity asking you to divert a small portion of your time, talent, or treasure to those in need. If this type of discussion once a month might be of interest to you, we welcome you to join us. Simply contact me at Dean
[email protected] and your name will be added to a list of those who get reminders of the event every month.
Thanks To Art Students From Blessed Sacrament School The artwork of Judy Kearns’ students at Blessed Sacrament School enlivens this newsletter. We are very grateful to our “artists-in-residence” for their generous contributions to our community of communication. If you like their work, you may want to see more that is exhibited at Pumpernickels on Connecticut Avenue!
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“R” Is For Resolve Resolve to attend the Women’s Retreat Weekend February 20-22, 2009 at Loyola Retreat House, Faulkner, Maryland. The theme will be “Pilgrim Companions” (Called to Know, Love, and Follow Jesus ever more Faithfully). “It is in reading and praying the Gospels that we come to know Jesus, and as we come to know him better we come to love him in such a way that we are moved to go beyond knowing and praying into following him down the road of life”. Adapted from Entering Christ’s Prayer by Eric Jensen, SJ (Ave Maria Press, 2007)
Artwork by Robert Gurney
The retreat begins on Friday at 6:45 p.m. with an orientation and concludes with lunch on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Mass is offered each day, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available during the retreat (Mass and Confession are offered before the retreat begins on Friday). Generous blocks of time are provided for prayer, personal reflection and the cultivation of a deeper relationship with God. For more information, contact Blessed Sacrament retreat co-captains: Maria Durelli at 202.966.6575 or
[email protected] Mary Lou Gomez at 202.362.7457 or
[email protected]
Registration Form To register for the retreat, please mail this registration form with your deposit to: Loyola Retreat House | P.O. Box 9 | 9270 Loyola Retreat Road | Faulkner, Maryland 20632-0009 Today's Date: Name: Address: City: ______________________________________State: ________________ Zip:_____________ Evening Phone: ______________ Day Phone: _______________ Cell Phone: ___________ E-mail Address: Retreat Dates: February 20-22, 2009 Parish/Group: Blessed Sacrament Women’s Weekend Retreat Facility or Dietary Needs: Amount of Deposit:
Suggested offering for the weekend is $215. A non-refundable deposit of $108 is required to confirm a reservation for any overnight retreat (by check please, Loyola does not accept credit cards). Deposits are transferable to another retreat for you or someone else. A confirmation card will be sent upon receipt of your deposit. For further information, please call 301.392.0801 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. or email:
[email protected]. Website: www.loyolaretreat.org December 2008
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2008 Christmas Schedule
Liturgies Christmas Eve, December 24 ♦ 4 p.m. Church and Gym (Children’s Pageant) ♦ 8 p.m. Church ♦ 12 Midnight Church (Prelude at 11 p.m.) Christmas Day, December 25 ♦ 7:30 a.m. ♦ 8:45 a.m. ♦ 10:15 a.m. Church Only ♦ 11:45 a.m. ♦ 1 p.m. Note: There will be no 5:30 p.m. Mass on Christmas Day. Sunday, December 28 ♦ Normal Sunday Schedule Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, January 1 (New Year’s Day) Vigil 5:30 p.m. (December 31) ♦ 6:30 a.m. ♦ 8 a.m. ♦ 11 a.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday, December 13: Advent Penance Service Monday, December 22: Tuesday, December 23: 8
11:30 a.m.; 4 - 5:30 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. 7:30 - 9 p.m. 9 - 10 a.m.
