April 30

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Mass Times ~ Presider Schedule Saturday Vigil, April 29 5:30 p.m. ~ Father Alec

Saturday, May 6 ~ Father O

Sunday, April 30 7:30 a.m. ~ Father Ron 9:00 a.m.* ~ Father Regis 10:30 a.m. (Church) ~ Father O 10:30 a.m. (Gym) ~ Father Alec 12:30 p.m. ~ Father Ron 5:30 p.m. ~ Father D’Silva

Sunday, May 7 ~ Father Alec ~ Father O ~ Father Regis ~ Father D’Silva ~ Father Ron ~ Father Ron

*American Sign Language interpreted Mass Weekday & Saturday Masses Monday - Friday: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m., 11 a.m. Filipino Mass in Tagalog every 4th Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Holy Day Masses Eve of the Feast: 5:30 p.m. Day of the Feast: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 5:30 p.m. Adoration Of The Blessed Sacrament* Exposition: Monday-Friday, 3-5:15 p.m., in the church Thursday before first Friday of each month, 6-8 p.m., with Holy Hour from 7-8 p.m. *No adoration on federal holidays

Inside This Issue • April 30, 2017 Vacation Bible Study • 3 New Parishioner Welcome Dinner • 4 Diaper Drive • 4 Gift Cards for Refugees • 6 Pastoral Council & Commission Reports • 6

Thought for the Week From Pope Francis

3630 Quesada Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20015 202.966.6575 • Phone 202.966.9255 • Fax www.blessedsacramentdc.org Blessed Sacrament School 5841 Chevy Chase Parkway, NW Washington, D.C. 20015 202.966.6682 www.bsstoday.org

The Church’s pastors, taking into account thec ontributions of the different sciences, have the right to offer opinions on all that affects people’s lives, since the task of evangelization implies and demands the integral promotion of each human being. It is no longer possible to claim that religion should be restricted to the private sphere and that it exists only to prepare souls for heaven. We know that God wants his children to be happy in this world too, even though they are called to fulfilment in eternity, for he has created all things … for the enjoyment of everyone (Joy of the Gospel, 182).

This Month Poor Box Donations Poor Box donations in April will benefit Bethlehem House, which provides Christian family-style homes, offering acceptance, celebration, spirituality, and productivity for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The homes are located in Brookland, DC, and Riverdale, MD.

Third Sunday of Easter Pastoral Staff Rev. Ronald A. Potts, Pastor • [email protected] Rev. Alec Scott, Parochial Vicar • [email protected] Rev. Msgr. Maurice V. O’Connell, Retired Priest • [email protected] Rev. Percival L. D’Silva, Retired Priest • [email protected] Deacon Kenneth Angell • [email protected] Deacon Donald Mays • [email protected] Assistants on Weekends Rev. Regis Armstrong, OFM Cap, Catholic University

Duffy Parish Center Main Office 202.966.6575 (Monday - Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) In an Emergency 202.966.6575, Ext. 3988 (to page priest on duty) Facilities 202.449.4610 Pius X Library 202.449.3974 Ray Manning Adult Center 202.363.4512 Mr. John Navolio, Business Manager 202.449.3984, [email protected] Mr. Jay Rader, Director of Liturgy and Music 202.449.3981, [email protected] Ms. Michelle Balch, Director of Religious Education 202.449.3989, [email protected] Ms. Rosalie Days, Sacramental Preparation Coordinator 202.449.4618, [email protected] Mrs. Casey Esser, Youth Minister 202.449.3985, [email protected] Mrs. Patricia Kavanaugh, Social Concerns Minister 202.449.3987, [email protected] (Office open Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., and by appointment) Ms. Emma Voelzke, Special Needs Coordinator 202.449.3990, [email protected] Ms. Kate Ryan, Director of CYO 202.449.3972, [email protected]

Blessed Sacrament School Mr. Chris Kelly, Principal 202.966.6682, [email protected] Ms. Nancy Ryan, Director of Admissions 202.966.6682, Ext. 6110, [email protected]

Sacraments Baptism • Baptismal classes are required of all parents prior to baptism. We recommend taking classes before the child is born. Group baptisms are offered every 2nd Saturday at noon in the chapel and 4th Sunday at 2 p.m. in the main church. For more info visit: www.blessedsacramentdc.org/sacraments-rites Matrimony • All couples who are to be married at Blessed Sacrament must complete our parish marriage preparation program. Please contact one of the parish priests six months in advance of your marriage date. Reconciliation • Friday and Saturday after the 11 a.m. Mass (if no funeral); Saturday, 4 - 5 p.m. and after the 5:30 p.m. Mass, or anytime by appointment. Altar Server Program: [email protected] Eucharistic Minister Volunteers: [email protected]

Parish Services & Information Care Of The Sick & Homebound • If you or someone you know is hospitalized or homebound and would like a priest to visit, contact the parish office at 202.966.6575. New Parishioners • Welcome! To register as new parishioners, visit www. blessedsacramentdc.org/new-parishioners. Hard copies of the registration form are available at the parish office or contact Rick Perry: 202.449.3982. Bulletin Announcements • Hard Deadline: Mondays @ 9 a.m. Send to: [email protected]. Newsletter Content • [email protected] Website Postings • [email protected] Facebook Postings • [email protected] Church Bulletin Boards • The parish secretary maintains the church bulletin boards. Please drop off any flyers for posting to Joan Ward in the parish office, Duffy parish center. Inclement Weather Policy • The parish center/office follows Montgomery County Schools for delays and closings. All evening activities are cancelled those days the schools are closed.

Pastor’s Column • April 30 In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter stands up and solemnly proclaims all that Jesus the Nazarene accomplished in Jerusalem. Although Jesus worked many wonders and signs, He suffered a terrible death by crucifixion but all is not lost. In fact, the Father’s plan is simple—Jesus passion, death and crucifixion destroys sin and death and new life is given to all who believe. Peter reminds us, “God raised him up...because it was impossible for him to be held by death.” God in turn will not abandon us to death as we place our hope in Him and live His law of love. We will pass from death to life and see our God face to face and enjoy His presence and love for eternity—the joy that lasts forever. It is our Christian hope founded on Christ’s passion, death and resurrection that sustains us as we carry the cross in our daily lives. Our reading from the first Letter of Saint Peter, reminds us that Christ’s death has brought redemption to our world. We have not been saved by “silver or gold” but by something far more precious—the precious blood of Christ, the spotless Lamb of God. We are reminded of the lambs chosen for the Passover meal which were to be spotless and unblemished recalling the blood of the lambs that saved God’s people from the Angel of Death as he passed through the land of Egypt as the final plague before pharaoh released the Israelites from slavery to follow Moses. God wanted us to be saved by one like us and for this reason He sent His Son, Jesus. Jesus, in obedience to the Father, offers Himself on the cross as the spotless Lamb and by His blood we are saved. The blood and water that flows from Christ’s side after being pierced by the soldier’s lance signifies baptism and the Eucharist. Through baptism, our sins are forgiven and we become God’s daughters and sons. The Lord Jesus nourishes us with His own Body and Blood as food for our journey in this world to our true and eternal home—heaven. Today’s gospel passage from Luke begins with the journey of two companions from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The two disciples are grieving the loss of Jesus and their disappointment in their expectations of all they thought He had come to accomplish. A stranger, Jesus, joins them on the journey and they pour their hearts out to Him. They are so overcome with grief they do not recognize that it is Him. We should not be surprised by this since they would be overcome with grief and haunted by the images of the Lord’s cruel death. When someone experiences great grief; that person will listen to anyone who knows how to speak to one’s heart. For this reason, the companions listen intently to all that He reveals to them and urge Him to stay with them as they arrive at home. As Jesus blesses the bread and breaks it, the disciples immediately recognize it is Jesus and He disappears from their midst. We are no different as we make our journey through this world. The Lord Jesus is always present but especially in the Eucharist. He feeds us with His own Body and Blood which nourishes us to live and love as He has taught us. Although we have not seen Him, we love Him. He fulfills His promise to us that He is with us until the end of time. As we celebrate our Easter season may we reflect more deeply on the gift of Jesus Himself—the Eucharist. God bless you, Father Ron

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Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament To Give God Thanks and Praise: Lessons on the Liturgy How does the Church choose the readings for Mass? At the Second Vatican Council, the Bishops mandated that the “treasures of Sacred Scripture be opened up more lavishly so that a richer share in God’s word may be provided to the faithful” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 51). It greatly expanded the Biblical passages [“pericopes”] which we hear at Mass. Usually, on Sundays and solemnities, we have three readingsone from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and one from the Gospel. In “Year A,” we primarily read from the Gospel of Matthew; in “Year B,” from the Gospel of Mark; and in “Year C,” from the Gospel of Luke. John’s Gospel is used throughout all three years, noticeably at the end of Lent and during the Easter season. The Old Testament text is specifically chosen because of its correlation to the other readings, particularly the Gospel. This is a principle of “harmony.” But in Ordinary Time, the Old Testament reading and the Gospel still align, but the Second Reading may not quite “match.” In this season, the Order of Readings applies the principle of “semi-continuous reading.” That is, we read from the same book for several weeks in a row. In summary, the Church bases her choice on 1) tradition (a particular reading which has always been used on the liturgical day, e.g., Matthew’s account of the magi on the Epiphany); 2) harmony; or 3) semi-continuous reading. On weekdays, we have a two-year cycle of readings—Year I and Year II—wherein the Gospel stays the same but the First Reading changes every other year.

April 30, 2017

God Bless You and Thank You Deacon Harry Prieto, our seminarian from Theological College, will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut on Saturday, June 24. We are grateful for his year of service at our parish and wish him all the best as he is ordained a priest to serve the people of Bridgeport. Please remember Deacon Harry in your prayers as he prepares for his ordination.

May 28: Nats vs. Padres Washington Nationals vs. San Diego Padres @ 1:35 p.m. June 18-23: Manus Christi service trip in West VA High School: Join Fr. Alec on a summer service trip in Appalachia, WVA. Application available now! July 5-14: Vacation Bible School is back! Junior & Senior volunteers needed. See below. Students must submit a permission slip for each event held outside Blessed Sacrament. Adult chaperones and drivers are always needed, please get in touch! For more information and to register for these events, please contact Blessed Sacrament’s Youth Minister, Casey Esser:

[email protected] | 202.449.3985

Why don’t we read from the Old Testament during the Easter Season? In the Easter Season, we focus on the appearances of the Risen Lord and the courageous witness of the Apostles who gave testimony to Christ’s Resurrection. We also focus on those early Letters which give us encouragement to believe in and follow Jesus. For fifty days, then, we maintain the Western (Ambrosian and Spanish) and Eastern tradition of reading from the Acts of the Apostles for the First Reading. In this way, we make clear “how the entire Church’s life derives its beginning from the Paschal Mystery” (Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass, 1969, par.74). We also draw from the Letters of the Apostles and the Book of Revelation.

July 5-14, 2017

R ecent Baptisms

weekdays 9am-3pm $30 per family

Nora Flynn Fitch

R est In Peace Phyllis Cleveland

Please

include our sick in your prayers that they may experience healing and comfort

Alejandro Arce Ana Maria Arce Evelyn Childs Mary Anne Corr James Curran

Bart Hayft Alexa Hughes Marian Middendorf Patrick Adams Murphy Brett Norman

Fredy H. Ortega Daniel Ortman Maria Stechschlte Nelly Turner Violeta Turner

Participants welcome: rising K-5th Volunteers needed: rising 6th-12th & adults!

www.blessedsacramentdc.org/youth/youth-ministry

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Third Sunday of Easter From the Parish Welcome to Our Parish!! Hello to all new parishioners! We would love to meet you! Please come to a Welcome Dinner on Friday, May 19 from 6-8pm in the school auditorium after 5:30pm Mass. Bring the whole family for food and fellowship, and to meet other new parishioners and parish members. Please email [email protected] to receive an evite so that you can RSVP.

Diaper Drive The Stella Maris sodality unit is hosting a Diaper Drive to benefit the DC Diaper Bank from May 6th through Mother’s Day, May14th. All parishioners are invited to participate. There are three ways to participate: 1. Drop off diapers in the boxes located at the exits of the church or in the school lobby. Partial packages are fine! 2. Cash! $12 will buy diapers for a baby for two weeks. We will be collecting checks and cash after Masses the weekends of May 6th-7th and May 13th-14th. 3. Online. Purchase diapers or other baby hygiene items on Amazon: www.amazon.com/gp/registry/1G9IJMMO5V30U. Your items will be delivered directly to the DC Diaper Bank. Please specify “Stella Maris” as the organization when placing your order. Why diapers? Lots of reason, but excessive crying, often the result of diaper rash or discomfort, is the number one cause of child abuse. Diapers and other baby hygiene items are not covered by government food subsidies. Questions? Contact Mary Shimp at 703.201.9803, [email protected]. Faith in the Marketplace The monthly First Friday gathering of men who relate how they connect their practical business and professional experiences with their commitment to live by their tenets of faith is on Friday, May 5, after the 6:30am Mass. Our speaker is Markus Guenther has been a BS Parishioner since June 2016. He is a BSS father of two girls currently at BS School. He is a German Journalist, assigned to the USA beat. He is going to discuss “Europe’s New Secularism.” Please join us.

From the Archdiocese Register now for the Fifth ADW Women’s Conference! Occasions of Grace—Encountering God’s Grace in Day to Day Life Catholic University, Saturday, May 20, 8:30am-4:00pm. There will be presentations in English and Spanish. The day will also include Mass, lunch and many faith based exhibitors. Mass celebrated by Bishop Knestout For further information about speakers and schedule and to register go to: www.adw.org/ womensconference. Registration fee: $40.00 includes lunch. Online Survey to Share with Pope Francis! Pope Francis wants to hear from you! In preparation for an international gathering of Bishops (Synod) next year, Pope Francis wants your input on the topic of Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment. People of all ages, Catholics and nonCatholics, are invited to give their feedback on how the Church can engage and support youth and young adults in making major life decisions. To participate, visit www.SharewithFrancis.org. 2017 Annual Jubilarian Mass Cardinal Donald Wuerl will celebrate the annual Jubilarian Mass honoring couples married 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, and 51+ years on Sunday, June 25 at 2:00pm at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Please use the sign-up forms in the back of the church and on the pamphlet rack side of the church to register and drop them off at the parish office by Monday, April 24th.

Our School is Your School Spaces Available At Blessed Sacrament School Blessed Sacrament School has openings for Fall 2017 in several grades. It is a great time to join our Blue Ribbon school, so please tell your friends and neighbors! Contact Nancy Ryan at nryan@ blessedsacramentdc.org if you have any questions.

Lace up your running shoes and meet us at the starting line for the . . .

Tenth Annual

Bulldog 5K

& Kids Fun Run

Parish Food Co-Op Your Parish Food Co-Op has Great Spring Values for May Blessed Sacrament’s Parish Food Co-op offers you tasty and hearty nutritious food at value prices so you can make your budget even more cost-effective. The healthy $21 Value Package provides you with fully-cooked chicken breasts, beef hot dogs, cooked chicken wings, chicken drums and thighs, white potatoes, onions, and 8–12 lbs of seasonal produce. The $24 Chicken Wing box has 10lbs. of pre-cooked wings. The $20 Sirloin Steak package has 8-six ounce steaks, and the special $21 bone-in Pork Chops box has 5.6 lbs. Consider buying packages for those who work for you...they’ll love it! To order, visit SHARE @ BS on the parish web site: www.blessedsacramentdc. org. Ordering deadline is Monday, May 8 at 5pm. Pick up your food on Friday afternoon, May 19, 3–6pm. For more info, leave a message in the SHARE Voice Mailbox: 202.449.4611 or e-mail [email protected].

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Register now at www.bsstoday.org/bulldograce For questions, contact:

Celine Delany [email protected] or Brendan Delany [email protected]

Partial proceeds from the race will benefit the GirlsUp summer camp founded by Kelly Murray. For more information, visit

www.girlsup.org

Coffee and Conversation @ the Corbett Café Every Thursday Join fellow parishioners every Thursday after the 8 a.m. Mass at Corbett Café, Apartment 1 of the Chevy Chase Apartments next to the church, for coffee and conversation.

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Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Visit Your Parish Library Easter Music Easter Triumph, Easter Joy, Choir and Chamber Orchestra of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. For many years the Basilica has recorded a disc for Easter, many of them in our library. This year, the disc includes two compositions by the Director of music, Dr. Peter Latona, as well as classic pieces by William Byrd, Felix Mendelssohn and Francisco Guerrero. Faith of Our Fathers: Classic Religious Anthems of Ireland, Monks of Glenstal Abbey, Irish Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. This disc gives you the rare experience of unfamiliar settings; one is of the prayer, “Anima Christi”, and another of “Queen of the May”, for the crowning of our Lady. In addition, there’s a rendering of a hymn which won first place in a survey of favorite hymns a few years ago, “Lord of All Hopefulness.” Gregorian Easter, Capella Gregoriana. A brief introduction to the history and origin of Gregorian Chant accompanies this disc, reminding us that these chants were sung either at Mass or as part of the daily monastic rites; on this disc both are found. As polyphonic chants developed to more than two voices composers enriched and expanded the original chants. Discs are arranged in alphabetical order by title. Please fill in a borrower’s card if you take them out of the library and return them promptly.

Christian Family Movement Ministry A 2nd grader in Southeast D.C. experienced shooting just outside his house and again, a few weeks later, a bullet came through the home’s front door; over the next few months 8 people were killed or wounded in the neighborhood. In March, 5 shots were fired outside his school. He learned the shots had killed his father (Washington Post, 4/23/17). Let us pray: A Prayer For Help In Ending Violence Loving and faithful God, through the years the people of our archdiocese have prayed in times of war, disaster and illness. We come to you Father and ask you to help us in the battle of today against violence, murder and racism. We implore you to give us your wisdom that we may build a community founded on the values of Jesus, which give respect to the life and dignity of all people... We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Did You Know??

Did you know that May is Mental Health Month? Many of your friends, family, and co-workers will develop a mental illness at some time in their lives. Often hidden, it can carry a stigma. Sharing experiences can help reduce that stigma. Visit catholicswithmenatlillness.org to learn about mental illness and its Four Legs of Recovery.For more info on how Blessed Sacrament is becoming inclusive, contact evoelzke@ blessedsacramentdc.org.

April 30, 2017

The Adult Center All parishioners, “39 and holding,” are invited to gather in Apt. 1 in the Chevy Chase apartment building next to the church for fellowship after the 11 a.m. weekday Mass. Bring a sandwich and join the activities. For more information or for transportation, call Rita Killian at 202.363.5069. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Strong Seniors Strenth & Balance Exercise Class Tuesdays with (Fr) Maury. Topic: Mary, Our Mother Art Class with Dick Swartz Bridge for Bridge Lovers Closed

Tuesdays with (Fr) Maury Blessed Sacrament has our very own Maury, Msgr. Maurice O’Connell­— Father O, and his subject, like the book, is The Meaning of Life, taught from experience. Fr. O conducts these sessions immediately after the 11:00 am Mass on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. The next session will be on Tuesday, May 2 and the topic is Mary, Our Mother. Everyone—all ages—is welcome!

Chimes Chatter Who Knew...? In 1978, the Deagan Chimes Company, which was no longer erecting tower chimes, was purchased by Slingerland Company. The last Chief Engineer of Deagan was Jack Gercken. In a recent phone conversation with Jack, who until recently resided within walking distance from Deagan’s North Chicago factory, it was learned Jack personally installed the world’s largest Photo by Joe Bozik and last tower chimes (97-tubes, ours is 16-tubes), at Stephen Foster’s State Folk Cultural Center, White Springs, FL. The story goes that the Cultural Center wanted a 1957 chimes dedication ceremony for the Center’s 25th anniversary. However, installing all 97 bronze tubes was running behind schedule, so Jack improvised; and instead, installed Deagan’s “new world” carillon, 97-tone electronic system (a table-top version of tubular chimes), amplified with four speakers clamped to the tower’s upper bird-deterrence screening. It worked! The dedication ceremony occurred on time, and Jack was coincidentally called to the Army’s draft in early 1958, leaving the final installation incomplete for a time. The final hoisting of the 97 bronze tubes (and removal of the temporary speakers) was achieved by Jack’s father, Clarence Gercken, and Jim Boling (both Deagan engineers), who together reconfigured the installation to an “original” Deagan tubular bell system (not the electronic system), that to this day, still operates as originally installed. Who physically installed our 1935 Deagan chimes system? Could it have been the Gercken’s? To be continued.... Chimes are under maintenance for a short period. Have a story to share? “Chime-in” and contact [email protected]

Sponsor Of The Week We would like to thank Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC for placing an ad in our weekly bulletin.

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Third Sunday of Easter Outreach Gift Card Collection for Refugees The Outreach Commission one of the five Commissions working within the Blessed Sacrament Parish Council and with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will collect Smart Card Metro Cards, Target, Walmart, Safeway and Giant gift cards at Masses on Saturday May 6 and Sunday May 7 for Refugees settling in the District of Columbia Metropolitan Area. Since the needs of families are many and vary greatly, thank you in advance for your generosity. Gift cards or monetary donations in envelops labeled “Refugees” may be dropped into collect baskets at all Masses. Questions may be directed to Pat Kavanaugh in the Social Concerns Office, [email protected] or direct line 202.449.3987. Tithe Proposals Accepted Until May 31 Proposals are now being accepted for the 2017 Tithe Fund until Wednesday, May 31 at 4:30pm in the Duffy Parish Center Main Office. Tithe applications and guidelines are available in the Duffy Parish Center Office, church entrances and on the parish website, www.blessedsacramentdc.org. Proposals are limited to one per agency and must be sponsored by a parishioner. Please contact Pat Kavanaugh in the Social Concerns Office with any questions, [email protected] or 202.449.3987

Spring is Here! Rectory Garden Needs Volunteer Looking for volunteers to plant and tend the Community Garden located on the Rectory grounds. Produce from the Garden is donated to people visiting the Social Concerns Office and the Blessed Sacrament Soup Kitchen. For more information or to volunteer please contact Pat Kavanaugh in the Social Concerns Office: [email protected] or 202.449.3987. 1st Annual Older American Month “Age Out Loud” Fair held at Blessed Sacrament, Supported by the D.C. Office on Aging The District of Columbia Office on Aging graciously supports the 1st annual Older American Month, “Age Out Loud” Fair in the Blessed Sacarment Auditorium. It will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 1:00–3:00 p.m. The Fair will offer 19 informational programs from the District of Columbia Office on Aging with a variety of Community Health Programs from Transport DC, Legal Council for the Elderly, Metro Access to Moyer and Sons Moving and Storage. A complete list of participating organizations can be found on the Blessed Sacrament web www.blessedsacrament dc.org or in flyers located at Church church entrance. Questions, please call Pat Kavanaugh in the Social Concerns Office, 202.449.3987

Blessed Sacrament Pastoral Council & Commission’s Reports: April 2017 Parish Pastoral Council

Besides receiving reports from the Commissions (see below), the Council completed its discussion of a document entitled General Communication Policies and recommended it to Fr. Ron for adoption. The Council also strongly recommended that the parish hire a full- or part-time Director of Communications as soon as the budget permits, since parishioners at large seem ill-informed about Blessed Sacrament’s nearly 100 ministries. Because the terms of most current Council members will end in June 2018, the Council debated a policy for orderly succession.The Executive Committee will prepare a revised plan in light of this discussion. Finally, parish Business Manager John Navolio reported on the status of the belltower chimes, which are currently under repair.

Communications Commission

The Commission has completed editing and updating the content of the current parish website in preparation for exporting this content to a new site supported by web provider eCatholic. Commission Chair Frank Pellegrino and John Navolio met via conference call with the archdiocesan Director of Digital Media to discuss the timing of the move, and the site’s design features. While the overall look of the homepage has not yet been finalized, attractive images of parish life will predominate over text, presenting a brighter, livelier and more welcoming face to the public. Meanwhile, use of the parish Facebook page continues to grow. We featured the Holy Week schedule day by day on the page, reaching over 12,000 people during that period.

Community Life Commission

At Fr. Ron’s urging, the Commission is stressing expansion of the Welcoming Committee to address two principal needs: creating a more welcoming culture at Blessed Sacrament, and engaging new parishioners (RCIA graduates, inactive Catholics, new residents, religious seekers) in parish life. Commission Chair Bill Kelly is preparing a set of concrete proposals for Council consideration. The Commission is also offering encouragement and support to a new Veterans Ministry, headed by Jocelyn Rowe. The Young Catholics with DisAbilities program continues to offer monthly outings for the men and women of Blessed Sacrament. Anyone interested in the program please contact Emma Voelzke, [email protected].

Facilities Commission

The Commission continues to work with John Navolio, gathering three bids

to be submitted to the Archdiocese for approval to commence the bell tower renovation work.

Faith Formation Commission

The Faith Formation Commission offered several Bible study programs throughout the Lenten season with success. In addition, parishioners had a chance to join a special six-week Lenten program featuring videos on such inspiring Catholic figures as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Thomas Aquinas. Several ministries offered a Lenten retreat. Our Marriage Communication Workshop was well-received and had a waiting list. All are encouraged to take advantage of at least one of the many opportunities Blessed Sacrament offers for spiritual growth and community support. Faith Formation ministries are open to all at any time during the year. As we wrap up 2016-17 activities in May, we heartily welcome anyone wishing to help organize our programming for the fall.

Outreach Commission

During Lent, the Outreach Commission supported several events including the Hunger Mass, the Empty Bowls supper and the Lenten Food Drive. Cardinal McCarrick spoke at the annual Lenten Hunger Mass and addressed the food challenges for many in the metropolitan DC community. The 2017 Lenten Food Drive collected the most cans in the history of the Drive. These donations were delivered to several parishes in the District and Southern Maryland. In response to on-going concerns, the Commission is establishing a Refugee Ministry to encourage and support Blessed Sacrament’s efforts to meet the basic needs of refugees in our community. We are working in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities. Since the needs of refugee families settling in the metropolitan DC area are many and varied, the Outreach Commission is sponsoring a collection of gift cards to be distributed to refugee families. The collection will take place at all Masses on Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7. Smart Card Metro Cards, Target gift cards, Walmart gift cards, Safeway gift cards and Giant gift cards are most welcome.

Worship Commission

With the assistance of liturgical expert Rita Thiron, the Commission is preparing a set of concrete proposals for Council consideration. Among other things, these proposals will address the need for improved scheduling and training for altar servers and Extraordinary Ministers, and for commissioning the latter.

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