March 19

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Mass Times ~ Presider Schedule Saturday Vigil, March 18 5:30 p.m. ~ Father Alec

Saturday, March 25 ~ Father O

Sunday, March 19 7:30 a.m. ~ Father Ron 9:00 a.m.* ~ Father Regis 10:30 a.m. (Church) ~ Father D’Silva 10:30 a.m. (Gym) ~ Father Ron 12:30 p.m. ~ Father O 5:30 p.m. ~ Father Alec

Sunday, March 26 ~ Father Ron ~ Father O ~ Father Regis ~ Father Alec ~ Father Ron ~ Father D’Silva

*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 • March 19, 2017 Lenten Activities This Week • 3 Young Family Ministry Easter Celebration • 4 SOME Lenten Supper • 6 SHARE Easter Ham Donations • 7

This Weekend Dr. Peter Kreeft, bestselling author and philosopher, will speak tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym for the Monsignor Corbett Memorial Lecture. All are welcome to attend! Join the Veterans and Military Service Ministry after the 10:30 a.m. Mass, on the lower level of the Parish Center. Archdiocesan Lenten Food Drive: Bags for the drive are available in church and gym entrances. Please take a bag home, fill it with the suggested items, and return it next weekend. Thank you!

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

From the heart of the Gospel we see the profound connection between evangelization and human advancement…. Accepting the first proclamation, whichi nvites us to receive God’s love and to love him in return with the very love which is his gift, brings forth in our lives and actions a primary and fundamental response: to desire, seek and protect the good of others…. “[T] he service of charity is also a constituent element of the Church’s mission and an indispensable expression ofher very being.” By her very nature the Church is missionary; she abounds in effective charity and a compassion which understands, assists and promotes (Joy of the Gospel, 178-9).

Third Sunday of Lent 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 • March 19 Our reading from the Book of Exodus recalls the great journey of God’s people from the slavery of the Egyptians into the desert on their way to the Promised Land. There is no water and the people are suffering from thirst and they grumble against God and even question His care and concern for them. In desperation, Moses cries out to the Lord and He instructs him to strike the rock with his staff. The water flows from the rock. Moses does not test the Lord but relies on Him wholeheartedly and his faith is rewarded. Our journey is no different through the “desert” of this world to the Promised Land of heaven. We, too, find ourselves tested in the desert but the Lord always takes care of us. Like Moses, we call out to the Lord in faith asking for His help and our hope will not be disappointed. In Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans, he points out that “Christ died for us.” We stand in awe that Jesus loved us so much that He would die for us. Jesus opens up the kingdom of heaven for us by His passion, death and resurrection. Our exodus, our journey, begins at baptism and leads from this world to the city where we shall share “the glory of God”—the kingdom of heaven. This hope cannot disappoint us, because faith, making us just, places us in a new relationship with God and, as a consequence, with others. As painful as they may be, the trials of our own exodus take on their real meaning as we share in the cross of Christ. As His disciples, we pick up our cross and follow in His footsteps knowing that Jesus is beside us giving us all we need. In John’s gospel, we find what would seem to be a chance meeting between a thirsty man and a Samaritan woman who has come to get water for her use at home. The encounter took place even though it was against Angelica Kauffman (1796) the custom of the time Christ and the Samaritan Woman at the Well Source: wikiart.org for a Jew to address a Samaritan woman, even in the case of an emergency. Jesus goes on to speak of Himself as giving “living water” although He does not even have a bucket for the deep well. He continues, “...whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” She could have turned around and gone home but she continues to listen to Him and responds, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” Then Jesus invites her to call her husband and He knows she has had five husbands. She recognizes He is a prophet and she believes in the Messiah who is to come and will explain everything. Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.” She leaves her jug at the well and goes running off to the village to share the good news that she has met the Messiah. Like the woman, we all thirst and it is Jesus who satisfies our thirst for holiness. Jesus feeds us as we make our journey through this world to heaven. Like the woman at the well, may we open our hearts to Jesus and His life-giving grace. God bless you, Father Ron

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Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament 8

March 19, 2017

The Monsignor Corbett Memorial Lecture:

Is Jesus Lost in America? Love & the Pursuit of Happiness

Dr. Peter Kreeft Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, is one of the most widely read Christian authors of our time. His many bestselling books cover a vast array of topics in spirituality, theology, and philosophy. They include How to Be Holy, Practical Theology, Back to Virtue, Because God Is Real, You Can Understand the Bible, A Summa of the Summa, and many more.

TONIGHT

in the School Gym 5:30-6:30 p.m. Book Signing with Dr. Kreeft 6:30 p.m. Opening Reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres 7:00-8:00 p.m. Lecture

All are welcome to attend Find us on Facebook: Blessed Sacrament DC

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Third Sunday of Lent Faith Formation

Lenten Activities This Week Wednesday, March 15: The Light Is ON For You Confessions 6:30-8:00 p.m. To find confession times at other parishes and for additional resources, visit: TheLightisON.org. Friday, March 24: Stations of the Cross & Pizza Stations begin after the 5:30 p.m. Mass; Pizza will be served afterwards in the Parish Center. Volunteers are needed to serve the pizza and assist with the set-up. If you would like to volunteer, please contact John Navolio at 202.449.3984 or [email protected].

Bishop Robert Barron’s Catholicism: The Pivotal Players Enrich your Lenten experience in this 6-week video and discussion series by Bishop Robert Barron. It features six of the Church’s luminaries: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine of Siena, Blessed John Henry Newman, G. K. Chesterton, and Michelangelo. An optional study guide can be purchased through WordOnFire.org or Amazon.com. Join us on Wednesday evenings, March 29-May 10, 7:00-8:30 pm in the School Auditorium. For more information, contact Ceil Malphrus: [email protected].

April 1: Hiking Day 8th-12th graders: A Falls Nature Trails hike with Our Lady of Mercy youth group Mass at OLOM at 8:45 a.m. Depart for hike at 9:15 a.m. back at OLOM by 4:30 p.m. May 28: Nats vs. Padres Washington Nationals vs. San Diego Padres @ 1:35 p.m.

• For the woman who desires to grow in her

MEN: SOMETHING FOR LENT Catholic faith,a program seeking connection That Man Is You (TMIY), for men seeking to refresh HIGH SCHOOL SERVICE SUMMER CAMP their spiritual life, meets in the School Auditorium from 6:15For the woman who feels that she is doing • 7:45am on Saturday mornings. TMIY includes a special series of sessions for the but Saturdays Lent. Wondering what to do so much noneof of it very well for Lent this year? TMIY is both substantive and–given the early hour–sacrificial. is a nationwide, program“Isn’t that whotransformative silently asks, • For theIt woman builds authentic Catholic male leadership. Each session includes a there something more to life than this?” wonderful breakfast, a video teaching, and small-group discussion. June 18-23: Manus Christi service trip in West VA A core team of Blessed Sacrament parishioners runs the sessions. High School: Join Fr. Alec on a summer service trip in If you’d like to sample TMIY without registering, just drop by the Appalachia, WVA. Application available now! Auditorium for any Saturday session. Or registermore: by going to www. Discover something July 5-14: Vacation Bible School is back! blessedsacramentdc.org and clicking on the TMIY listing under Junior & Senior volunteers needed. Registration to “News and Announcements.” open in late February/early March! Students must submit a permission slip for each event held outside Blessed Sacrament.

• For the woman who desires to grow in her

Catholic faith, seeking connection

Adult chaperones and drivers are always needed, please get in touch!

For more information and to register for these events, please

WOMEN: SOMETHING FOR LENT who feels that she is doing • For the woman contact Blessed Sacrament’s Youth Minister, Casey Esser: Walking with Purpose at Blessed Sacrament invites you to join us

Lent much for Bible Study, fellowship from 8:45-10:30 so butreflection noneandof it very well am

[email protected] | 202.449.3985

onwith Tuesday mornings until April 11thBible in thestudy Duffyprogram Parish Center. Walking Purpose is a women’s Catholic that aims to bring Topics will include: “Can God Really Change Me or Is That Juststudy and small • to a deeper personal relationship with Christ through personal women Poor Box Donations Wishful Thinking?”, “Children–Reaching Your Child’s Heart,” “What Poor Box donations in March will benefit the Dorothy Day Catholic group discussions that link our everyday challenges and struggles with the solutions Is the Relevance of the Church in My Life?” Lesson materials Worker House, which provides a home for five previously homeless given to us babysitting through theare teachings of Christ and the and provided. Questions andCatholic RSVP: Church. Pam Kelly: families and also distributes food and clothing. [email protected].

For the woman who silently asks, “Isn’t there something more to life than this?”

4 www.blessedsacramentdc.org Discover something more:

Tuesday mornings 8:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament

March 19, 2017

8

To Give God Thanks and Praise: Lessons on the Liturgy

From the Parish

Be MARY With Us!!!

What are the Scrutinies? During Lent we celebrate three “scrutinies” with those who are approaching the Easter sacraments. The title of the rite sounds more intimidating than it is; in these rites, we pray for our Elect, calling down God’s protection upon them. “The Scrutinies are rites for self-searching and repentance and have, above all, a spiritual purpose. The scrutinies are meant to uncover, then heal, all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the Elect; to bring out then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good. For scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. These rites, therefore, should complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out their decisions to love God above all” (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, 141). As early as the fourth century, we find evidence that these scrutinies had been celebrated on the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent and that three famous gospel readings had been assigned to those Sundays—the Samaritan woman at the well, the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus (respectively). In our current Lectionary, these are prescribed for Year A; but they have such significance, especially for our elect, that they may also be used in Years B and C. “… By this means, first of all, the elect are instructed gradually about the mystery of sin, from which the whole world and every person longs to be delivered and thus saved from its present and future consequences. Second, their spirit is filled with Christ the Redeemer (Samaritan woman), the light of the world (the man born blind) the resurrection and the life (raising of Lazarus). From the first to the final scrutiny, the elect should progress in their perception of sin and their desire for salvation” (RCIA 143). The presider “should carry out the rite in such a way that that the faithful in the assembly will also derive benefit from the liturgy of the scrutinies and join in the intercessions for the Elect” (RCIA 145).

Have you ever thought about joining our parish’s Sanctuary Sodality? Come explore what sodality is all about at a social gathering! Thursday, March 30, 7-10 p.m. at Chevy Chase Lounge, 5510 Connecticut Ave NW. Representatives from each unit will be on hand to chat and answer your questions, and talk about the charities we support, what we do to help the parish, and how much fun and fellowship exists among Sodality women!!!

Sanctuary Sodality

Please contact [email protected] or evoelzke @blessedsacramentdc.org. We look forward to meeting you!!! Sodality

Sanctuary

B.S. Young Family Ministry’s Easter Celebration The Blessed Sacrament Young Family Ministry would like to invite all parents with children under five years old to join us for our Easter celebration on Saturday, April 1 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the School Auditorium. Light refreshments will be provided and we will have a special story and treat for the little ones in honor of the holiday. Please let us know if you are interested in participating or if you have any questions by contacting us at [email protected]. Daystar Gallery Presents: former parishioner and iconographer Delphia Dirks, “Icons.” March 14 to April 28. A reception will be held on Sunday, March 26, 1:30-3:30 pm. All are welcome! 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.

R ecently Baptized Brianne Baptista Majestic Jane Kemper McKinley

Mila Jane Podwoski Maeve Julia Reed

THE STRUCTURE OF THE RITE • Homily

R est in Peace

• Invitation to Silent Prayer

Calvin Dworshok

• Intercessions for the Elect • Exorcism ▫▫ Prayer [addressed to the Father] ▫▫ Laying on of Hands [with silent prayer to the Holy Spirit] ▫▫ Concluding Prayer [addressed to Jesus] • Dismissal or Conclusion • Liturgy of the Eucharist

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 Brett Norman

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

Find us on Facebook: Blessed Sacrament DC

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Third Sunday of Lent Visit Your Parish Library

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

Dr. Peter Kreeft, this year’s Corbett lecturer, has, as a professor philosophy, bridged many divisions among different religious traditions and gained such honors as the Newman Alumni Scholarship, the Danforth Asian Religions Fellowship and the Woodrow Wilson Award. Read some of his stimulating books, many of them in the library: Back to Virtue: Traditional Moral Wisdom for Modern Moral Confusion (250 K722 B124). Russell Kirk suggests in a preface that Peter Kreeft is “moved by the Christian perception that virtue is the fruit of faith.” Not only does this book contrast Christian virtue with other ethical systems, but it provides a road map for our struggle to define and choose a virtuous path, at the same time offering such guides as St. Paul, the Church Fathers, and C.S. Lewis. Ecumenical Jihad: Ecumenism and the Culture War (279.9 K722 E285). This book forces us to redefine the meaning of ‘jihad’ as well as to confront the ‘norms’ of contemporary life. Dr. Kreeft’s description of battlefields in society is as relevant today as when the book first came out and his suggestion for spiritual warfare is an interesting contrast to current discussions on ecumenism. Love Is Stronger Than Death (252 K722 L682). The author’s search for an understanding of death asks us to imagine the latter as a person: enemy, stranger, friend, mother, and lover. In doing so we traverse both philosophic and literary paths in viewing this mystery. The challenge of following his thought is considerable but finally Dr. Kreeft brings us to his conclusion that death is the fulfillment of our deepest desire. Visit the library or call 202.449.3974 for more books by Peter Kreeft.

Sponsor Of The Week We would like to thank Wheat’s Landscape for placing an ad in our weekly bulletin.

Strong Seniors Strength & Balance Exercise Class Tuesdays with (Fr.) Maury; Topic: Lenten Plan 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”. Like the book, many topics are covered, “including love, work, community, family, aging and forgiveness”. Fr. O conducts these sessions immediately after the 11:00 a.m. Mass on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month The next session will be on Tuesday, March 21 and the topic will be our Lenten Plan. Please join us in Apt.#1 of the Chevy Chase Apartments. Everyone–all ages–is welcome!

Chimes Chatter By The Numbers (continued)... Of the 428 Deagan tower chimes documented in various sources, we read last week that over 80 systems (about 20 percent) today still operate. In fact, 73 of those operating systems exist in church towers, and our 16-tone system in the bell tower is one of the systems, and one of 10 Roman Catholic Church systems still operating (and the only installation in Photo by Joe Bozik the country with a functioning “Praise Peal” feature on the quarter-hour). Interestingly, the term “operate” connotes that systems exist and “can be used”, as compared to an equal number of systems that exist in the country, but need some minor repairs to be operable (a category called “dead” in some documentations). To be accurate, several systems (no longer operating for a couple decades) were taken down during World War II and given to scrap metal drives for the war cause. One may ask, “Why is there an interest in other Deagan tower chimes systems?” The answer lies in the sharing and gathering of information through networking with others who have experience in preserving these vintage tower instruments, as the Deagan Company no longer exists. Through several exchanges of ideas and debugging issues, valuable insights have been gained from other Church’s volunteers, as well as new sources for some of the unique replacement “after-market” parts, like strike hammer tips, relay coils, schematic drawings and DC synchronous motors, for examples. (Chimes are under maintenance for a short period.) Share your chimes’ memory? Contact [email protected]

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Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament 8

From the Archdiocese

March 19, 2017

Outreach Archdiocese Lenten Food Drive Bags for the 2017 Drive are available in church and gym entrances this weekend. Please take a bag home, fill it with the suggested items printed on the bag, and return it on March 25/26. Thank you! Please contact Pat Kavanaugh with any questions: pkavanaugh@ blessedsacramentdc.org or 202.449.3987.

Spring Theology on Tap: Whole 40: A Lenten Spiritual Detox Join other young professionals for our 4-week Theology on Tap series: Whole 40: A Lenten Spiritual Detox as we focus on four healthy and essential ingredients for the spiritual life: prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and confession. All young adults (21-late 30s) are invited to Buffalo Billiards in Dupont Circle on Tuesday evenings from March 14-April 4. Meet other YA Catholics and invite friends for Happy Hour specials from 6-7pm with a talk and Q/A to follow from 7-8pm. Learn more about the speakers and series at: www. facebook.com/DCCatholic/events.

SOME Lenten Empty Bowls Food Supper Please join SOME (So Others Might Eat) for their annual Lenten Empty Bowls soup supper on Tuesday, March 21st in the School Auditorium , 6pm-8pm. Each year SOME hosts Empty Bowls soup suppers to promote awareness of the growing issue of hunger in our area and to help provide meals for hungry and homeless. Guests are served a simple soup supper and may select and take home a beautiful handcrafted bowl that will serve as a reminder of those whose bowls are empty. The cost is $25 per person and tickets may be purchased at the gym door or online at http://some. org/events/empty-bowls/. All proceeds will help SOME continue to provide more than 1,000 meals each day to hungry and homeless men, women and children. For more information, please contact Rebecca Potts-Dupre at 202.797.8806 ext. 1131 or rpotts-dupre@ some.org. All Saints Church Thrift Shop & Catered Luncheon You are invited to shop for fashions, home decor etc., on Saturday, March 25th from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the Great Hall at All Saints Church (3 Chevy Chase Circle). Reservations required, tickets are $15. Contact Sallie Griffin, 301.654.2735 or [email protected] for more information. A Pre- Sale is also offered for guests to attend on Friday, March 24 from 2:00-4:00pm with a $5 donation at the door.

7th Annual Conference on Faith, Deafness and Disabilities The Archdiocese of Washington will hold its 7th Annual Conference on Faith, Deafness, and Disabilities on Saturday, April 1 from 8:30am-5:00pm at Bishop McNamara High School. New this year will be a series of workshops for persons with disabilities and self advocacy! Join us and envision ways our Church can empower persons who are deaf, and those with disabilities to share their many gifts within their parishes and communities! For more info or to register: www.adw.org/community 7 Church Walk Urban Pilgrimage for Young Adults DCCatholic invites all young adults (20s and 30s) to the 14th Annual 7 Church Walk on Saturday, April 8th! Join hundreds of young adults for our annual Lenten pilgrimage as we continue a Roman tradition in DC. We walk to seven D.C. churches in the Brookland neighborhood, praying together at each station, and concluding with a 5pm Mass with Cardinal Wuerl at the St. John Paul II Shrine. Meet: 10AM, Crypt Church of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Register at dccatholic.eventbrite.org or email [email protected]. 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 2:00 p.m. 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.

The All Saints Thrift Shop monthly offers individuals and families who visit the Blessed Sacrament Social Concerns Office an opportunity to shop free of charge. Thanks for your support.

Christian Family Movement Ministry “The number one motive in shootings is petty disputes, minor petty beefs,” said D.C. police chief Peter Newsham at a community meeting in Ward 8, “and the reasons those interactions are becoming fatal is because of (guns).” [email protected] 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. Bless parents that they may form their children in faith. Bless and protect our youth that they may be the peacemakers of our time. Give consolation to those who have lost loved ones through violence. Hear our prayer and give us the perseverance to be a voice for life and human dignity in our community. We ask you this through Christ our Lord.



7

Third Sunday of Lent

Parish Food Co-Op

From the Community Catholic Coalition for Special Education Spring Benefit The CCSE Annual Spring Benefit will be held on March 24 at the Embassy of Italy? Cocktail hour begins at 6:30, there will be basket raffles, silent and live auction items! The M.C. this year will be Fr. Kevin Regan. The mission of CCSE is to ensure children with special needs are able to attend and receive appropriate education in their local Catholic schools. For more info or to purchase tickets: www.ccse-Maryland.org.

Donate Easter Hams SHARE @ Blessed Sacrament is planning to provide Easter hams to the folks in need who receive our monthly food packages. If you can donate the cost of a ham ($22), we can make their Easter dinners more festive. Thank you for considering this donation and by sending a check to Parish Food Co-Op – SHARE @ BS, 3630 Quesada Street, NW, Washington, DC 20015 or donate online by credit card go to the parish website www.blessedsacramentdc.org/parish-organizations/share and select Donations on the yellow order form. Thanks and God Bless you for your generosity and continued support of your Parish Food Co-Op – SHARE @ Blessed Sacrament! The “Two Faces” of SHARE at Blessed Sacrament Many parishioners may be unaware our parish food co-op is an excellent source of healthy, quality, nutritious food at low prices you can use to make your meal budget go further every month. This is our primary “face of SHARE @ BS.” Our parish food co-op receives a wide variety of food items from the SHARE warehouse which purchases a large volume of quality meats, seafood, produce and other items. SHARE uses its volume purchasing power and its cadre of volunteers to pass along amazing values. The parish sponsors the food co-op as a service for all parishioners, regardless of age, family size, income or location...simply stated, if you eat, you can use SHARE @ BS. The “other face” of SHARE @ BS is its commitment to providing food to those facing financial difficulties. We work with our Social Concerns Office and area charitable, nonprofit groups to provide food to individuals in need. Generous donations from parishioners allow your parish food co-op to carry out the gospel message to feed the hungry. Please take advantage of this amazing and valuable parish food co-op for yourself and reap the savings. And, if you can, please support the other face of SHARE @ BS so we can continue our community service.

Job Openings Interested in using your professional experience and education to serve the Church? The Central Pastoral Administration of the Archdiocese of Washington is accepting applications for positions in human resources, catechesis, support staff and other areas. For a current list of job openings please go to adw.org/employmentopportunities. For current job openings at Catholic Charities, visit re11.ultipro.com/ARC1012B/JobBoard/ListJobs.aspx Save the Date: Gabriel Network Annual Gala Gabriel Network’s Annual Gala will take place on Friday, April 28 at Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville, MD. This special evening will include a cocktail hour, heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, a silent auction, raffle prizes, and more. Tickets are free! gabrielnetwork.org Upcoming Events for Georgetown’ University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life: “Refugees and Immigrants: Welcoming the Stranger in Tough Times,” Monday, March 20 at Georgetown University, Gaston Hall, 37 and O Streets, NW, Washington, DC. The public dialogue runs from 6:30-8:00 pm. “Francis Factor after Four Years: Pope Francis’ Impact and Message for the US, ” Monday, March 27 at Georgetown University Intercultural Center, 37 and O Streets, NW, Washington, DC. The public dialogue runs from 6:30-8:00 pm. Speakers will include Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Papal Nuncio to the United States; Kim Daniels, Vatican’s Secretariat for Communications; Maria Teresa Gaston, Managing Director for Christian Leadership Program at Duke University; and Honorable Kenneth Hackett, US Ambassador to the Holy See from 2013-2017. For more information or to RSVP to either of these events, email [email protected].

Did You Know?? SAVE THE DATE! The 21st Annual Patricia Sullivan Benefit Dinner for Potomac Community Resources will be held on April 1 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel! Cocktails will begin at 6:30 followed by dinner, awards and dancing. Potomac Community Resources is an award winning nonprofit serving teens and adults with developmental differences. PCR encourages and supports the full inclusion of persons with intellectual and developmental differences into all aspects of community life. Please join us for a great time and support a wonderful cause. For more info, please visit www.pcr-inc. org. For more info on how Blessed Sacrament is becoming inclusive, contact [email protected].

GirlsUP offers extraordinary summer programs for girls age 10-13 Helping girls to decide who theyand are,critical thinking focused on developing character, confidence, before the world tells toward them who they shouldGirlsUP be. through an innovative journey self-discovery. is a proud GirlsUP partneroffers of the UN Foundation’s Campaign for Girls. Session extraordinary summer programs for girls age 10-13 1: June 26-30 (Washington forconfidence, Girls), Session 2: July 10focused on developingSchool character, and critical 14 (Stone Ridge School), Session 3: July (Chevy Chase thinking through an innovative journey toward17-21 self-discovery. is a proud partner of the Elementary School). GirlsUP Fee: $295/session. Early bird registration: $245 Unitedmore Nations Foundation’s for Girls. by April 1. To learn and to register,Campaign please visit www.girlsup.org. SUMMER 2017 SESSION DETAILS

8 www.blessedsacramentdc.org Session 1: June 26-30 Session 2: July 10-14 Session 3: July 17-21

9am – 1pm 9am – 1pm 9am - 1pm

Washington School for Girls Stone Ridge School Chevy Chase Elementary School

Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament 8

March 19, 2017

Blessed Sacrament Pastoral Council & Commission’s Reports February 2017 Parish Pastoral Council Besides receiving reports from the Commissions (see below), the Council discussed new ways to strengthen the parish’s spiritual life. Fr. Ron suggested that, starting next fall, each monthly Holy Hour be promoted as having a particular focus: for example, social justice, parish renewal, catechesis in Blessed Sacrament School and the SOR, or a welcoming community. This focus could lead over time to a more prominent place for Adoration in parish life, an expansion of our existing prayer groups and increased attendance at weekend and weekday Mass. The Council also reviewed and adopted a section of the draft General Communications Policies that governs the handling of parishioners’ personal information. Communications Commission The Commission is hard at work redesigning the parish website. With the cooperation of the Commission Chairs, Communications has edited and updated most of the website content. This complex work is preparatory to transitioning to a new website provider, eCatholic, under contract with the Archdiocese of Washington. Progress inevitably is slow, but we plan to meet with our archdiocesan liaison and eCatholic representatives in the next few weeks and to complete the project this spring. Meanwhile, we try to provide parishioners with as detailed information as possible on parish events, programs and ministries via the bulletin and Facebook page. Community Life Commission At Fr. Ron’s urging and with the collaboration of Sodality, 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 asks any parishioner interested in helping to contact him at [email protected]. The Commission is also offering encouragement and support to a new Veterans Ministry, begun last year at the archdiocesan level and introduced to Blessed Sacrament by Jocelyn Rowe. The DisAbilities Ministry is working with Chris Kelly and the first- and second-grade teachers to provide a curriculum on disabilities for younger children. Ministry staff Emma Voelzke hosted a meeting on how well parishes and Catholic Charities are meeting the needs of persons with disabilities.

Faith Formation Commission The Parish is offering several opportunities during the Lenten season through its Faith Formation ministries. We have been very pleased with the response. Additional women have joined the Walking with Purpose program for a special six-week session. The Couples Communication Workshop is filled, with a waiting list. The men’s retreat is fully subscribed, with a waiting list. Bread, Book and Brethren is sponsoring its Annual Day of Recollection. Centering Prayer now offers a new 4:00 PM daytime session on Tuesdays. In addition, the Christ Life program is working to build a leadership team with the intention of offering “Discovering Christ” in the fall. The on-going programs offered are always open to new members. We encourage all to take advantage of the many opportunities for spiritual growth. Outreach Commission The Outreach Commission met on February 21. The Commission reviewed programs and activities scheduled for Lent. Operation Rice Bowl is being offered during Lent and the Lenten Food Drive will take place on March 25 and March 26. The Hunger Mass was held on Friday, March 3 at 5:30 pm with a speaker after Mass, Stations of the Cross and a shared dinner. On Sunday, March 12, a Lenten Day of Recollection will be presented following the 10:30 am Masses. Father John Adams will begin with a blessing and will speak on the challenges of assisting the poor and the homeless. A group prayer, discussion and lunch will follow. In response to concerns, the Outreach Commission is working toward establishing a Refugee Ministry at Blessed Sacrament. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. Worship Commission The Commission held a very successful formation meeting for liturgical ministers on February 4, attended by 55 altar servers, lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. We will continue the series with another such meeting in the fall. With Fr. Alec’s invaluable cooperation, we continue work to improve scheduling and training for altar servers and Extraordinary Ministers, and archdiocesan certification for the latter. Finally, the Commission accepts Fr. Ron’s challenge to develop themes for next year’s Holy Hours (see Council report above).

Facilities Commission The Commission has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), seeking bids to repair the church roof around the bell tower. Leaks have caused significant water damage to the church walls on the St. Joseph side, as may be observed around some of the Stations of the Cross. Work on the roof will be completed this summer. Wall repairs will have to wait until their interiors completely dry, which will probably take a full year. The Commission is also looking to replace the front doors of the church, which are beyond repair, and to repair those at the other entrances.



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the incarnate Jesus Himself, we are a part of God's creation and in constant interaction with the earth. Reflect organizations working to care for wish." - Reflect on Isaiah 58:1-9 ordering "eco-palms" for creation and the poor by taking and how eating less meat may Palm Sunday. These palms today on how you've interacted with God's creation, and how you can cultivate a better relationship with God, the St. Francis Pledge. be a way to fast as the Lord help improve workers' living creation and all people, especially the poor this Lent. desires (bit.ly/2iX9w9i).

standards and protect forests

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Add Salt + Light's Creation series Consider giving to the everything unnecessary. Reflect Climate March on April 29. The Understanding which activities Use cloth napkins. Wipe up with to your TV schedule. You can Covenant's Lenten Appeal as Covenant is hosting a free lobby are carbon-intensive allows you a dishcloth instead of paper watch all 6 episodes for free! part of your sacrificial giving. All on God's glory in Creation: training the day before. More to know where you can take towels. Replace loofahs with (saltandlighttv.org/creation) of the Covenant programs and "The heavens are telling the info: bit.ly/2m2N2EQ action. (http://bit.ly/1XIc9pa) washcloths. resources are free because of glory of God; and the your generosity. firmament proclaims his

Sign up to receive the Covenant's Earth Day toolkit

Calculate your carbon footprint. Minimize disposables at home.

and share it with your pastor. (CatholicClimateCovenant.org /EarthDay)

Lenten Caring for Creation Calendar

(CatholicClimateCovenant.org/D onate)

handiwork." (Psalm 19:1)

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Purchase more thoughtfully and Use your thermostat well. Keep Check out the "Teachings and

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TVs on a power strip and turn it your trip. (NativeEnergy.com) off between uses.

Happier Life .

5 26

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12

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In prayer today thank God for the beauty of creation. Reflect on Psalm 148SUNDAY and share with someone what you learned.

Purchase more thoughtfully and Use your thermostat well. Keep Check out the "Teachings and question your need before your home cooler in the winter Resources" page on the alternative gift buying. Use MONDAY and warmerTUESDAY in the summer. Covenant's website. WEDNESDAY giving that benefits creation and Consider a programmable the poor, like CRS' Gift Catalog. thermostat or program the one (bit.ly/2lO1rCg) you have. Close vents to

14

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April 2017

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When driving obey the speed limit. Every 10 mph in speed

Minimize disposables at work.

Celebrate Spring! Plant a

Use a mug for coffee and water. native tree, shrub, flower, or grasses, or support treereduces fuel economy by 4 mpg. Carry lunchFRIDAY in reusable food THURSDAY SATURDAY containers. Use reusable cutlery planting in other places. Plant 1 a tree for only $1. instead of plastic. Climate Ambassador to Invite one of the Covenant's Catholic (http://bit.ly/2mg7gv7)

unused rooms.

21

Reclaim the Sabbath as a day of Consider switching to renewable rest. Reflect on how you can 2 energy. Contact your utility for 3 God's "The environment The average family uses "green" options. Most offer40 honor the Lord's Dayismore gift to everyone , and reading in our gallons of waterenergy a day in 100% renewable at a intentionally. Consider price. Matthew 24/6: A competitive use of it Sleeth's we havebook, a showers in the US. Set a 5-

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Many electronics draw power even when off. Today, unplug 4 Consider the cost buying your appliances thatofare off and water in disposable chargers that are not plastic in use; place computers, radios, and bottles to both your TVs on a power minute timer for your shower pocketbook andstrip theand turn it off between uses. today and consider installing environment.

generations, and towards 26 humanity." (Benedict "mercy Reflect on Pope Francis'XVI, Earth in message" to Caritas Veritateand , n. consider 48)

an EPA certified shower head 28 27 your water to reduce Make your journeys more Turn off lights that you're not consumption. (bit.ly/2lMixSK) friendly today. using. Shut off the lights as you environmentally

Prescription fortowards a Healthier, responsibility the

how you can be more merciful Could you combine two trips? leave a room. 9 Carpool rather than driving solo. 10 to creation and the poor. Reflect and pray on Pope Petition policy makers. Your Keep in touch after Lent. (bit.ly/2bFFZvG) Bike, walk, or take public transit.

John Paul II's teaching on congressional representative creation, "Peace with God the is home for a "state work

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Travel without flying. If you 5 must fly, balance out the carbon Write local offsets. purchasing impacttobyyour newspaper. Writing a letter to Prevent one ton of greenhouse gases for each cause by the editor has ton effects beyond your trip. local(NativeEnergy.com) community.

Consider composting your food waste, returning nutrients to the6 SaveLearn paper: always print soil. about composting. double-sided. Put your next (bit.ly/2lOaFOP)

Legislators see LTEs as important barometers of 29 constituents' interest.a rest: run Give your dishwasher (http://bit.ly/2kUVmqo) it only when full and skip the

speak to your parish, school, place of work, or other community. Find an ambassador in your area: 24 25 CatholicClimateCovenant.org/Ambassadors

As you fast from meat today, At 8:30pm, join millions of 7 people around the world who8 consider vegan dishes for Easter Begin spring gardening by With Lent comingoff to all anlights end, will be switching Sunday. going organic. Grow your consider how to you can to for one hour commit (stfrancisalliance.com/copy-ofglobal climate action to and recipes) your efforts and garden without toxic continue care present in a reusable gift bag. lawn mindful energy for creation and use. the poor. Opt for a electronic receipt or chemicals. Leave grass (EarthHour.org) Start a Creation Care Team in clippings and leaves on the no receipt when you buy

your community.

lawn 31 and cut your grass

something. 30

energy intensive drying cycle.

(CatholicClimateCovenant.or Wash laundry in cold water and higher. Talk to your pastor about him giving a creation care homily g/CCT) your pastor the Covenant's hang it to dry to save energy and around Earth Day (April 22). Send money. Read more here: homily helps. (bit.ly/2lS99xu)

Be aware of how much food

Holy Thursday: Reflect on

11 Just open the door to dry.

Follow Catholic Climate Covenant on Facebook and

Creator, Peace with All of period." Set up a meeting to Twitter. Creation." Google the title to educate him/her about the find it. responsibility to care for creation and the poor.

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12 bit.ly/1ywwfXQ

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you discard. Eat leftovers and Pope Benedict XVI's message mystery of love: "Behold the avoid wasting food. for the 2010 World Day of wood of the cross, on which "Throwing away food is like stealing from the table of

Peace: "If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect

those who are poor and hungry." -Pope Francis

Creation." Google the title.

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Good Friday: Meditate on the Holy Saturday: Remember

your Baptism and the wonder of water. Thank God for this

hung the Savior of the world. gift and ask God to help you better care for God's gifts Come, let us worship." and children, which all reveal God's love.

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Easter Sunday: "On this glorious day, 'let the earth rejoice, in shining splendor,' even though it is so often mistreated and greedily exploited, resulting in an alteration of natural equilibria. I think especially of those areas affected by climate change, which not infrequently causes drought or violent flooding, which then lead to food crises in different parts of the world." (Pope Francis, "Urbi et Orbi, Easter 2016")

Take some time today to reflect on all of the activities that you have performed during Lent, and how they have brought you into greater harmony with God's plan for creation and all life. Easter Monday: Hopefully this Lent is just the beginning of a life-long journey to care for creation and care for the poor. As we begin the Easter season, continue to cultivate a relationship with creation and act in deeper harmony with it Take this as an opportunity to read or reread Laudato Si', Pope Francis' encyclical on creation. Pray with slowly over many days. (http://bit.ly/1Gi1BTu) Be sure to complement reflection with action. Get involved in one or more of Catholic Climate Covenant's free programs, like the Feast of St. Francis or consider starting a Creation Care Team. More information on all our free programs and resources can be found on our website. www.catholicclimatecovenant.org

10 www.blessedsacramentdc.org