May 7

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Mass Times ~ Presider Schedule Saturday Vigil, May 6 5:30 p.m. ~ Father Ron

Saturday, May 13 ~ Father Ron

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

Sunday, May 14 ~ Father Regis ~ Father D’Silva ~ Father Ron ~ Father Alec ~ Father Ron ~ Father O

*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 • May 7, 2017 New Parishioner Welcome Dinner • 4 Blessed Sacrament School Bulldog 5K Fun Run • 4 Faith Journey with Father Ron • 5

This Weekend Coffee and Doughnuts is this Sunday. Outreach Collection: The monthly collection for our Soup Kitchen Ministry will be taken up this weekend. Your food and monetary donations will support the meal the ministry prepares and serves at a local soup kitchen on Monday mornings, as well as other parish efforts to feed the hungry. Gift Card Collection for Refugees Is Today! If you forgot to purchase a card, you may make a monetary donation in envelopes available in the pews or write a check and note “Refugee Donation” on the memo line. Thank you! Sodality Diaper Drive: The Stella Maris sodality unit is hosting a Diaper Drive beginning this weekend through May 14th.

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

Thought for the Week From Pope Francis Indeed, “the woman stands before the man as a mother…” The weakening of this maternal presence with its feminine qualities poses a grave risk to our world. I certainly value feminism, but one that does not demand uniformity or negate motherhood. For the grandeur of women includes all the rights derived from their inalienable human dignity but also from their feminine genius, which is essential to society. Their specifically feminine abilities–motherhood in particular–also grant duties, because womanhood also entails a specific mission in this world, a mission that society needs to protect and preserve for the good of all (Joy of Love, 173).

Fourth 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 • May 7 In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter proclaims Jesus as Christ and Lord. This message is heard by the crowd and taken to heart. Peter proclaims the message of salvation for all who will listen and follow the Lord. Those in the crowd want to share in the life won by Jesus through His passion, death and resurrection. Peter invites them to “repent and be baptized.” Through baptism, their sins are forgiven and they share in the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter underscores the point that it is the Lord our God who calls individuals to Himself. We marvel at the fact that three thousand people are baptized that very day after hearing the good news preached to them. In our second reading from the First letter of Saint Peter, we are presented with the figure of Jesus as the “shepherd and guardian of souls.” In this letter, we are reminded that we are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. This is not easy for us but we must endure in our lives a share in Christ’s suffering. There can be no resurrection for us if we do not share in the cross of the Christ. The cross we carry in this life becomes the key to open the gates of paradise for us at the end of our lives. Although we find it hard to suffer, we take comfort knowing that God always gives us the grace we need. Christ, by His own suffering, has given meaning to our human suffering—our suffering becomes redemptive. Peter reminds us that Christ has offered Himself on our behalf to the Father—“By his wounds you have been healed.” In today’s Gospel passage from John, we find two seemingly different images for Jesus. Jesus is seen as both the “shepherd” and the “gate.” There is truly a line of continuity running through these images. Jesus is the shepherd sent by God to lead out His sheep. He is also the gate and only sure way out of the sheepfold. Whoever pretends to fulfill either of these roles is an imposter, a thief. This harsh condemnation is perfectly understood in the context that only Jesus comes to bring salvation, eternal life—nothing and no one else can accomplish this for us. “Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” The false shepherds are called to conversion and to find the way to salvation for which Jesus is the gate. The sheep already gathered around the Lord Jesus owe the Shepherd their love and obedience. The sheep accept that He allows them to come and go freely in their pasture while He seeks the lost ones. They look for Him to return and come running as soon as they see Him, to rejoice with Him and welcome in joy the “lost” one he bears on His shoulder. Jesus, our shepherd, whose face is worn by suffering but also shines with light, leads us confidently on the difficult paths of our lives. He is always loving, leading, feeding, and encouraging us as we make our journey through this world to share in the fullness of our eternal home. God bless you, Father Ron Poor Box Donations Poor Box donations in May will benefit the Father McKenna Center, which provides services for homeless men at a daytime drop-in center and a winter night shelter. Those services include meals, clothing, showers, and laundry facilities, as well as case management and recovery programs for alcohol and drug addictions. The center also provides emergency grocery bags for individuals and families.

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Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament

May 7, 2017

Congratulations and Welcome! Rosa Balonas Gage Hamilton Kim Hamilton Christine Hauswirth Michael Hauswirth Marie Rose Malan Harry Palley Stephen Palley Thomas Palley Eiko Roberti

Photos by Debra Higdon

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Fourth Sunday of Easter To Give God Thanks and Praise: Lessons on the Liturgy What role does music play in the liturgy? The role of music is ministerial, that is, it serves the liturgy. “Sacred music will be the more holy the more closely it is joined to the liturgical rite, whether by adding delight to prayer, fostering oneness of spirit, or investing the rites with greater solemnity” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 112). The Church has always envisioned sung liturgy. This goes back to the synagogue practices, when psalmody would have been commonly known to all participants. New Testament letters, too, speak of offering sung praise to God. It was not until later centuries when professional choirs took on difficult, polyphonic settings and when classical languages became out of reach to the average person, that the assembly’s voice was lessened in favor of trained, male cantors and choirs. The Second Vatican Council reminded us of the Church’s great treasury of sacred music, while at the same time encouraging the participation of the people: “A liturgical service takes on a nobler aspect when the rites are celebrate with singing, the sacred ministers take their parts in them, and the faithful actively participate” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 113). While some parishes might have begun by adding a “four hymn structure” to our Mass, much more was envisioned. There are actually different types of music in our liturgy. Acclamations and dialogues are given top priority because, with these, the presider engages the assembly–The Lord be with you… And with your spirit; Lift up your hearts… we lift them up to the Lord, etc. There are times when the music is the liturgical text, e.g., the Glory to God or the Holy, holy, holy. The Psalm within the Liturgy of the Word is meant to be sung–these were composed as songs of praise. Some music is meant to cover a ritual action, such as the litanic “Lamb of God” which traditionally covers the Breaking of the Bread or the Communion hymn which covers the entire Communion procession. Finally, hymnody is at its best when it is chosen to harmonize with the liturgical day, season, Scripture, or rite. Music is never a form of entertainment in sacred worship and the assembly is never an audience. Remember what St. Augustine said, “He who sings, prays twice.” Lift up your voice in song!

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

Our School is Your School Mission Fair: Friday, May 12, 12:30–2:30pm Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon at the 75th annual Blessed Sacrament School Mission Fair. Kids will love the fun games, food (hot dogs, sno cones, cotton candy and bake sale), fantastic raffle prizes, and the always popular White Elephant Sale. Tickets available the day off the Fair. All proceeds benefit the Holy Cross Mission School in Kirinda, Uganda. Please contact Alana Choquette for more information at [email protected]

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

Tenth Annual

Bulldog 5K

Veterans and Military Service Ministry Saturday, May 14, 10 am-1 pm Civilian Transition Workshop for Veterans and Active Duty Military, Breakfast and lunch provided, free for all veterans and active duty military. Location:Knights of Columbus Council 224 Building, 5034 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, 2nd floor. Please contact Jocelyn Rowe at [email protected] to register or if you have any questions. Sunday, May 21, 2017 after the 10:30 am Mass Next ministry team meeting will be in the Parish Center, lower level. New members always welcome!

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

& Kids Fun Run

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

Sponsor Of The Week We would like to thank Molly Mullally, Realtor for placing an ad in our weekly bulletin.

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Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament 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, May 14th. 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 Journey to Southern Maryland with Fr. Ron Monday, June 5, 2017 Our journey takes us to St. Clement’s Island in Southern Maryland, site of Maryland’s first colonial landing of the Ark and the Dove in 1634. Please join fellow parishioners as Fr. Ron leads us on this pilgrimage where he will celebrate Mass at the historic Carmelite Monastery in Port Tobacco followed by lunch and a boat trip out to the island. $60 per person. Reservations: Rita Killian: [email protected], 202.363.5069.

Free Throw Contest! Knights of Columbus Washington Council 224 will be holding a Free Throw Contest at Blessed Sacrament on Sunday, May 21, from 5:30-8pm. Contestants between the ages of 10-14 are able to take part. Any questions may be directed to the Grand Knight James Strahota at [email protected]. Daystar Gallery Daystar Gallery presents the paintings of artists Mimi Betz, Marylouise Roach, and Madeleine Schaller: “Favorite Things” from May 9–June 2. A reception will be held on Sunday, May 21, from 1:30-3:30pm. All are welcome!

May 7, 2017

Outreach Annual Mother’s Day Carnation Sale Next Weekend Carnations costing a dollar will be sold at church entrances after each Mass. Money collected will be donated to Right to Life of Montgomery County and the Northwest Center in the District. Questions? Please contact Pat Kavanaugh in the Social Concerns Office: [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 in need 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. “Age Out Loud” Fair 1st Annual Older American fair, “Age Out Loud,” offered by the DC Office of Aging will be held in the Blessed Sacrament School Auditorium on Saturday, May 20 from 1-3pm. The Fair will offer information on a variety of District Community Health Programs from Transport DC to Legal Council for the Elderly etc. A complete list of participating organizations will be available as soon as possible. Questions, please call Pat Kavanaugh in the Social Concerns Office, 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

From the Archdiocese ADW Women’s Conference: Occasions of Grace 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! 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 non-Catholics, 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. 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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Fourth Sunday of Easter Visit Your Parish Library Our Lady of Fatima Pope Francis will canonize Francisco (aged 11) and Jacinta Marto (aged 10) on the 100th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady to three young shepherds at Fatima. Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words (234.6 L824 F174) Lucia dos Santos was the third young shepherd. She became a Carmelite nun and died at 97 years old in 2005 at her convent in Coimbra. These memoirs include an account of her cousin Jacinta’s life, the Apparitions in detail, and the first two secrets entrusted to the children by Our Lady. A fourth memoir is not part of this volume. Our Lady of Fatima, by William Thomas Walsh (234.6 W157 O871). A historian’s account of the appearance of Our Lady and her warnings given to the children as secrets, concerning World War II, the rise of Communism, and the violence which would come to “a bishop.” The Sun Danced at Fatima: A Critical Story of the Apparitions, by Joseph A. Pelletier (234.6 P255 S852). This book’s particular interest lies in the revelations concerning devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the phenomenon of the falling sun (which Bishop Fulton Sheen saw as a symbol of Our Lady’s intervention to halt the fall of atomic bombs). Do you have books, DVDs, CDs or tapes that belong to the library? Please return them or call 202.449.3974 for an extension of the loan.

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].

Did You Know??

Did you know that the Archdiocese of Baltimore office of Special Needs Ministry is planning a week long residential camp for adults with Disabilities called Camp GLOW (God Loves our World). There is no fee for participation. Sessions run from June 4-August 18. Contact Deacon Bill Fleming at [email protected] for more details or to register. For more info on how Blessed Sacrament is becoming inclusive, contact [email protected].

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 Scripture Reflections Art Class with Dick Swartz Bridge for Bridge Lovers Closed

Chimes Chatter We learned last week... that Jack Gercken was the last Chief Engineer of the Chicago Deagan Company, taking over that position from his father, Clarence J. Gercken, upon his father’s death in November 1964. The elder Gercken started working for Deagan as an electrical assembler in 1920 at 19 years of age, and rose through the ranks to become Chief Engineer over his 44year career there. “Who installed our Photo by Joe Bozik Deagan chimes in our bell tower?” you ask. Indeed, it was Clarence Gercken in October 1934, according to the log book entry that son, Jack, still retains and cherishes. Shipments of crates of our strike machines, bronze tubes and supporting timber rack were by rail from Chicago to Washington, and much to the consternation of Msgr. Smyth, stored temporarily in the rectory garage, until Clarence arrived to start the assembly. Using only winches...to be continued. Who knew? This is the one-hundred and fifth anniversary year for completion of the Deagan Factory building, 1700 West Berteau Avenue, Chicago, IL, where our chimes were originally manufactured, and which was advertised at that time as the largest manufacturing facility for musical instruments in the world. A photo of the building may be viewed at www. centurymallet.com. Chimes are under maintenance for a short period. Have a story to share? “Chime-in” and contact [email protected]

Christian Family Movement Ministry Cardinal Blase Kupich, Archbishop of Chicago, citing the 763 murders there last year, has created a new philanthropy—with $250,000—to provide seed money for programs that have proved effective in combating violence and lifting people out of poverty (National Catholic Reporter, 4/21-5/4/17). 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 ask you this through Christ our Lord.

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