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Parish Newsletter Winter 2016

Message From Father Ron

On the Pages of This Issue Christmas Schedule 2 Nativity Ornament 2 Sodality Bazaar

Dear Parishioners: As we celebrate our Advent season in preparation for Christmas, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you do for our parish in so many ways by sharing your time, talent, and treasure. Your generosity as a parish enables us to serve not only the members of our own community, but also so many others throughout the Archdiocese and beyond. Your care and concern for the poor and needy is so evident, especially through your continued support of the Greg Gannon Canned Food Drive, which enables our parish to continue to help feed the hungry in our area by supporting local parishes and food pantries. Your continued support of our Advent Giving Tree program insures that over 700 men, women and children will receive a Christmas gift this year. On the first Sunday of the Advent, we began a new liturgical year. Jesus invites each one of us to deepen our relationship with Him in our lives by opening our hearts to His grace through the sacraments, prayer, and reflection on the Scriptures. This gift of grace inflames our hearts with His love so that we can

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put aside our own selfish wants and desires and live more fully the law of love He has written on our hearts: to love God with our entire heart, mind, and soul and love our neighbor as our self. I encourage you to set aside quiet time for prayer and reflection in the midst of the hectic preparations for Christmas that take place during this season. As we listen to the voice of Jesus, we are able to answer His invitation and accomplish His work with love, compassion, forgiveness, goodness, mercy and peace. In a special way, we thank John Stacks for his dedication and commitment to our annual Christmas Tree Sale. After more than 30 years of organizing and overseeing

issues. We are grateful for his dedication and support of this annual sale which has supported so many charities that assist the needy in our community and various ministries in our parish. The tree sale will continue this year as it has in the past, and the proceeds will benefit the needy. We have subcontracted the program this year, but are looking for volunteers to organize and oversee the program next year. Again, thank you for all you do to serve so many and your parish family. May this season of Advent and Christmas be a time of renewal as you accept the invitation to deepen your relationship with the Lord Jesus. Join me as we prepare to welcome so many of our friends during our Christmas Masses. May it be a moment of grace in their lives as they hear the Lord Jesus calling them to a deeper relationship with Him. Be assured of my daily prayers for you and your family, and have a Blessed Christmas season.

the tree sale, he will not be able to do so any longer because of health

Peace, Father Ron

Contemplation, Earth, Water, Sky 3 Holy Sites in Historic Baltimore 4-5 Reflections on Walking With Purpose 5 That Man Is You 6 Ministering to Veterans & Active Service Members 7 Scenes from the Parish Mini Walk 7 Mary Virginia Merrick 8-9 We Can Do Good 10 The Joy of Love 11

Nativity Ornament



Advent Penance Service December 19

Confessions:

December 10 & 17 December 24



7:00 p.m. 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Noon-1:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Masses 4:00 p.m. Gym (Children’s Liturgy) 4:00 p.m. Church (Vigil Mass) 6:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass) 8:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass) 12:00 a.m. (Mass at Midnight)

Christmas Day Masses 7:30 a.m. (Mass at Dawn) 9:00 a.m. (Mass of the Day) 10:30 a.m. (Mass of the Day; Church only) 12:30 p.m. (Mass of the Day) No 5:30 p.m. Mass on Christmas Day

New Year’s Eve Mass 5:30 p.m. (Vigil Mass)

New Year’s Day Masses 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. (Church and Gym) 12:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 2

The Sanctuary Sodality of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament is pleased to present its third ornament. The art is a detail from the Nativity window located in the south transept of Blessed Sacrament Church. The windows of Blessed Sacrament were executed in the late 1920s and early 1930s by Wilbur H. Burnham, Sr., one of America’s foremost artists in stained glass. About the Nativity Window: The Holy Family is portrayed with both St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother Mary gazing at the child Jesus, who is seated and held on Mary’s lap. In Joseph’s left hand over the heads of Mary and Jesus he holds a shepherd’s crook, a symbol of protection. His right hand is raised in a gesture of wonder as he looks at the child Jesus. Mary’s right hand is raised in the same manner. The child Jesus is looking directly toward the congregation, hands open and arms extended. The 2016 Ornament will be available for purchase at Masses the weekend of December 10-11. You may also contact [email protected].

Sodality Bazaar Opens the Holiday Season

Photos courtesy of Jocelyn Rowe

The Blessed Sacrament Sodality Bazaar is a not-to-be-missed annual event that continues in the tradition of support for the parish and local charities. Held on November 12 this year, the event featured 25 vendors, a spirited Christmas shop, fun-filled kids’ activities, baked goods, and lunch. It was another huge success! In the last five years, Sodalists, with the support of parishioners, have raised more than $125,000 to distribute to those in need.

Contemplation, Earth, Water, Sky An Art Exhibit in the Daystar Gallery

Photos by Pat Watson

On a Sunday afternoon, November 20, the Daystar Gallery, located in the main meeting room of the parish center, resonated with the sounds of beautiful live music and the sights of impressive artwork created by Blessed Sacrament School’s talented art teacher, Judy Kearns. The works reflect the calm and joy evident in their artist-creator. The art is centered locally, focusing on scenes of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary waters, Georgetown, DC, and near-by sites. Vivid, yet peaceful colors and a contemplative aura pervade this show, which is exhibited until December 9. Winter 2016

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Holy Sites to Explore in Historic Baltimore Poem and Photos by Joe Bozik Holy Sites To Explore, In Historic Baltimore, With sunny blue skies….shhh, no rain, On this Fall day of twenty sixteen. This, our newest Faith Journey, On this awesome November Monday, We, some forty-eight pilgrims, Eager to visit more holy shrines The Baltimore Basilica, First Cathedral in America;

A detailed upper tour was given, Of how walls were lightened, Of how original paints were found, Under decades of darks all around, And the main dome’s painted skylights, Were cleared to let in God’s natural lights. Built in eighteen twenty-one, With input from Thomas Jefferson, Architect Benjamin Latrobe designed, This landmark as a cross and domed.

Our next stop was for lunch and tour, At Saint Mary’s Spiritual center. A well-catered sandwich lunch, Was enjoyed by our entire bunch. Once Saint Mary’s Seminary College, A mile from harbor, on “country’s edge”, The Sulpician Fathers welcomed Mother Seton and daughters to their home.

Latrobe was most known for designing, Our US capitol building, And America’s first bishop, Carroll, Wanted a unique Cathedral, So Bishop John Carroll’s vision, Was a Church proper for a new nation. This first diocese included the colonies, From the east coast to the Rockies! More priests were ordained in Basilica, Than in any church in America This building has also had visits By twenty saints or potential saints.

Next, home of Saint Mother Seton’s, At Seminary of Sulpicians.

In fact, on the day of her arrival, She heard bells dedicating the Chapel, And it was Bishop John Carroll, Who was dedicating this Chapel,

With Fr. Ron as our tour leader, He started our journey with prayer. Arriving at our destination, We prepared for Mass in this gem –

On June sixteen, eighteen o’eight In the very Chapel of our visit. After her year at this house, She made her decision to take vows,

America’s “First” Cathedral, So distinct and so beautiful First major religious building, Built after Constitution’s signing,

Of a Daughter of Charity, In Lower Chapel of facility. From here in June of that year, Mother Seton left Baltimore,

After Mass in the crypt Chapel, Created for the Bicentennial,

To move to Emmitsburg, With blessings of Sulpician Fr. DuBourg,

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Baltimore Holy Sites

Reflections on Walking With Purpose

continued from previous page

By Pam Kelly

Where she started a school for girls, And hence a legacy for all the world.

The Walking With Purpose program that began this year at Blessed Sacrament speaks to women and meets many of their needs in so many different ways, but most importantly, it enables women to grow in their faith and draw closer to Christ through applying Scripture to the challenges they face each day.

In the Lower Chapel we discovered, Two women being considered “Blessed”, Namely, Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, And Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin Mother Lange as first Foundress Of African American women religious, And Mother Duchemin as founder, Of Immaculate Heart of Mary Order. Meditating on our day’s event, We returned to Blessed Sacrament, Cherishing Holy sites we explore, In historic Baltimore.

The next faith journey will be in the spring of 2017. Check parish bulletins for additional information, or contact Rita Killian, [email protected] or 202.363.5069.

Artwork by Maria Seidei, Second Grade

Recently, participants wrote witness statements about the program: I have been amazed by the effect this course has had on my life. The author of Opening Your Heart speaks so powerfully to my needs and gives me the tools I need to survive in the modern world. I thought I understood my faith, but I have learned more over the past few weeks than at any time since theology class in college. The knowledge I’ve gained is so profound and yet so practical; it has brought the Bible alive for me. I am also deeply grateful to Pam and Jennifer for the gracious, warm and inclusive way they run this program. —Jessica Langerman I thought I did not have time for one more thing, but I have found that I come away energized and excited to face the other demands in my life. —Ceil Malphrus

Artwork by Duke Skorny, Second Grade

As a new member in the community, I am so thankful a neighbor suggested to get involved in Walking With Purpose. After each meeting I feel renewed and ready to conquer my week!  The women are blessings. How thankful I am. —Elizabeth Sellers Better than a morning at the spa! Refreshes the soul. —Bridget Overcash Walking With Purpose has renewed the spirit of my Catholic education and made me realize that there is no end to learning about the love God has for all of us. Walking With Purpose is my “restart” button. It helps me stop, listen, think and pray. I always leave so happy that I came. Walking With Purpose allows me to be among a group of believers who offer support, guidance and wisdom. If any of the above remarks resonate with you, know that all women are welcome to come as guests to experience Walking With Purpose for themselves, without the requirement to register until they decide that they want to continue. It’s possible to jump in at any point; each chapter in the course can be fruitful on its own.

Artwork by Margot Perrick, Second Grade

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That Man Is You By Dave Byers The radio alarm jostled me awake at 4:30 a.m. Gentle music fitting the hour—a little Easy Listening. Saturday morning: time for That Man Is You (TMIY).

have planned for the day. No other plans for the day? There’s naptime when you get back home.

I’m really not a morning person, especially when dawn is still just a remote hope. All for a good cause, though. I shuffle through my routine, wander out the door and into the car, check the clock that now shows 5:30. There’s fifteen minutes to report to the Blessed Sacrament auditorium for the TMIY program. Last year, two St. Raphael parishioners visited the Blessed Sacrament men’s group, Faith in the Marketplace, to describe their success with TMIY. The program aims to inspire, encourage, and support authentic male leadership in the modern world—both at work and in the family. The culture of the West, that is, Europe and North America, are now routinely labeled “post-Christian.” That Man Is You is designed as an antidote to the secular pressure to conform that we all live with. The program is no picnic. The sessions run from 6:15 to 7:45 a.m. on 13 consecutive Saturday mornings, early enough not to disrupt other activities (sports events, weekend work, mowing the lawn) you may

Artwork by Krista Adusei, Seventh Grade

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Artwork by Nicholas Sexton, Second Grade

Each session begins with breakfast: fruit, bread, muffins, yogurt, even scrambled eggs prepared on site by members of the Core Team (John Beasley, Paul Bizot, Phil Brach, Dave Byers, Bill Choquette, John Higgins, John Mueller, John Navolio, Dean Packard). Father Alec’s opening prayer and the MC’s announcements introduce a 30-minute video on the topic of the day. Next comes 30 minutes of small-group discussion of questions posed in the video. Father Alec leads us in a closing prayer, and we’re out the door. This is a good, tight, focused program,

Father O, aka Blessed Sacrament’s St. Nicholas

sustained by participant donations. It’s the men’s gift to Blessed Sacrament, which provides the meeting space and the utilities. Authentic male leadership is a nice phrase, but what exactly does it mean? Join the program to get a full answer, but here’s a preview. The leadership we’re talking about is specifically Catholic, grounded in sound social research, in Scripture, in Church teaching, and in the lives of the saints. It’s counter-cultural by today’s standards. Session 9, for example, identifies the components of authentic leadership as follows: taking personal responsibility for what you do; showing clarity of thought and integrity of action; providing a foundation for your and your dependents’ future; and being willing to sacrifice to achieve your goal. Jesus Christ is the model for male leadership. Currently we’re near the end of the 13-session semester, but interested men can still stop by to see if TMIY is for them. If you find it helpful, you can then join us for the second semester, which starts in January. Session 12 of the current semester convenes Saturday morning, December 10. If you decide to come, make sure to get to the auditorium by 6:15 a.m. The scrambled eggs get cold!

Artwork by Krista Adusei, Seventh Grade

Ministering to Veterans and Active Service Members By Jocelyn Rowe The newly formed Veterans and Military Ministry‘s objective is to facilitate material and spiritual support both for veterans and active duty military and their families in our parish and the local community. With the support of a small grant from Catholic Charities DC, the ministry intends to raise awareness of the gifts and talents of veterans in our parish, to provide and promote resources for veterans, especially those who are transitioning from active duty service, and to support Catholic chaplains on deployment.

Recent events include a November 3rd Holy Hour to pray for veterans and the work of the ministry; a November 13th Mass honoring veterans, with parish veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars participating as gift bearers (supported by a Blessed Sacrament Girl Scout Color Guard); a November 13th coffee and doughnuts social hour when the ministry team shared information and collected donations for a local VA hospital and a deployed Catholic chaplain.

Ministry team members include Steve Malphrus, Curt Nelson, Mary and Jose Pulido, and Jocelyn Rowe, with the support of Father Ron and Father Alec.  

The ministry team wants to thank the Blessed Sacrament community for their tremendous support of the mission, their generous collection donations, and the Christmas cards made by our youth group for veterans and active duty military.  

The ministry team held a Moral Injury and Forgiveness workshop on September 29th. Almost thirty clergy and clinicians learned more about this topic, the spiritual and moral questions raised by military personnel and veterans after deployment, and resources to promote healing.

The ministry will provide bulletin and newsletter updates for future plans. To get involved in the work of the Veterans and Military Ministry, contact Jocelyn Rowe:  [email protected]; 202.641.4556.

Fifth grade Junior Girl Scout Color Guard: Arianna Lindenberg, Maia Fendig, Lauren Trifilo and Louise Gunther. Photo courtesy of Jocelyn Rowe.

Scenes From the Parish Mini Walk Walking the Block for Social Justice

The annual walk for the homeless took place on October 30 in the parish neighborhood. After the walk, participants gathered for refreshments and conversation. Funds raised will be used to make a difference in the lives of hungry and homeless individuals and families who request assistance though Blessed Sacrament’s Social Concerns Office. Photos by Curt Nelson.

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“Servant of God” Mary Virginia Merrick By Patty Myler At Christmastime 130 years ago, a young woman’s act of love for an unborn child started what has grown into a national organization dedicated to serving children in need: the Christ Child Society.  Born on November 2, 1866, the second of eight children of Richard and Nannie Merrick, Mary Virginia Merrick could have been expected to follow the usual path of a female child of a well-to-do Washington family. Mary’s father was a prominent attorney who was descended from the Calverts of Maryland and other prominent Maryland families, and the family lived comfortably at a home in Washington, DC. Life for this child of privilege changed forever when she was a young teenager. A fall led to lifelong paralysis. Unable to sit without support, Mary spent the rest of her life in a recumbent position from either her bed or wheelchair.

Despite her constant pain, and the early loss of both of her parents at age 17, she dedicated her life to service to children. Mary’s sincere and simple love of God inspired her to answer the desperate social needs she recognized in post-Civil War Washington. As her sister, Mildred states in her writing The Early Years of the Christ Child Society: “The beginning was not spectacular but rather ‘as a small seed planted in the heart of a child.’ It was evident that early in life Mary had dedicated herself to God, not knowing where that dedication would lead. As the years succeeded one 8

another, this consecration of self-found expression in service to ‘the least fortunate little ones of His flock.’ Having a capacity for great love and intense sympathy, the realization of many infants born into the world in abject poverty was a challenge to be met. This was the Master’s call to action, ‘Love in the heart of a child for Christ, the Child Lover’ was the inspiration which gave birth to the Christ Child Society.” The Society’s humble beginnings began when she inspired her family and friends “to find a need and fill it.” She had learned of a poor expectant mother, who did not have any baby clothes for a child expected near Christmas, Mary gathered a group together and they made a layette for the Christmas baby and she did all of this while confined to her bed, lying on her back. Miss Mary’s devotion to the Christ Child, “the giver of all good gifts,” impelled her to focus her charitable works on children. So many of the activities of the Society grew from small beginnings, Christmas giving followed the same pattern. The young son of a family worker, Paul, had constituted himself Mary’s errand boy. As he stood by her couch one day she asked him what he wanted for Christmas and he said “a red wagon, but we’re not having Christmas at our house, my father’s got no work.” She heard the call of the Holy Infant and suggested he write to the Christ Child, the giver of all good gifts. A few days later he returned with his letter and a handful of letters from his siblings and fellow playmates in the neighborhood. Mary was not expecting such an overwhelming response, but she was not dismayed. Were these children to be without joy on Christ’s birthday? She called her small band of workers together and all requests were filled to Mary’s delight! So was launched in 1884 the heartfelt Christmas giving which continues today in many Chapters. Many years later Bishop McNamara, when visiting Mary, commented, “You brought the Christ Child back into Christmas.”

Photos from the Christ Child Society Archives Mary wrote in her autobiography: “I was always in bed or on the sofa, but I learned to sew and write in this recumbent position ... I suffered constantly ... I made a resolution never to speak of my health ... (then) the blow fell—I learned that I would never run with my sisters - and there stretched before me long years of helplessness that had always been harder to bear than suffering ... I never doubted the love of the Father, but my spirit rebelled at the thought that I would be useless in His vineyard ... I strove to serve as best I could... I resolved to do something every day for the Christ Child.” The needs of children in the area were many at the time. In Washington, the Society established Layette programs, Christmas giving programs, summer “Fresh Air” programs, libraries in jails and juvenile detention centers; neighborhood “settlement” centers; Dental Clinics; boys & girls camps; infant Layettes; shoes and clothing programs, Christmas giving programs; a convalescent home for children, which later become an institute for emotionally disturbed children and more, but most of all love, caring and respect for the children they served, which brought a personal element to the mission of the Society and its members, seeing the Christ Child in each child. Mary’s leadership and collaborative efforts served as an inspiration to those around her

and led to the formal creation of the Christ Child Society in 1887. Over the years, the work of the Society has broadened and evolved. Mary

No physical handicap - even the great one she suffered - could stay an indomitable spirit such as hers, stirring to help others, and always in His name. and those who joined her, were to touch the lives of countless children and their families. As the world around them changed, their work continually changed to meet the needs of the times. Today 44 Christ Child Society Chapters, with over 6,000 members throughout the United States, continue to serve children, in the name of the Christ Child, all striving to meet the needs of children in their own communities. Over 30 years of Mary’s life were spent as a parishioner of our Blessed Sacrament parish. Upon her death on January 10, 1955 our Blessed Sacrament February “Parish News” featured an article on Mary Virginia Merrick’s life and work with a detailed summary of her funeral Mass. The Mass was presided over by the Apostolic Delegate, The Archbishop of Washington Patrick Aloysius O’Boyle. Three other bishops were also present on the altar, along with our then pastor Monsignor Roach and many priests from the Archdiocese. The article begins: “Miss Mary Merrick was one of Blessed Sacrament’s most beloved parishioners.” It later went on to say “We at Blessed Sacrament joined in that tribute - but for us her passing caused more personal sorrow, for she was one of us.” Later, “We all remember how ‘Miss Mary’ would be wheeled in her chair along Brookville Road, accompanied always by her sister, the gentle ‘Miss Mildred.’ How we would all stand aside respectfully as the temporary ramps would be taken from the usher’s closet and the blue and white clad little lady would be rolled into church, up the side-aisle, and Miss Mary would hear Mass in the ell near the Blessed Mother’s Altar. There always seemed to be an added devotion in attending Mass with Miss Mary there.” Further on the article goes on to say: “Unable to participate actively in the Sanctuary Sodality, nevertheless her influence was felt there perhaps more than that of other individuals. She was the inspiration for forming one of the first units, the ‘Christ Child group’ more than 30 years ago, about 1925, (now 91 years ago!) in the earliest days of the parish.” Parishioners then made layettes for the Christ Child Society and some

parishioners continue to make baby blankets even today. The Parish News goes on to quote from her, when during a parish discussion group meeting in her home on E. Melrose St. she was asked how to deal with children involved in difficulties of this world. Miss Merrick said “I’d just be as kind as I could.” The article goes on to say “This was a characteristic of Miss Mary Merrick - a kindness and holiness that was so intrinsically a part of her that it permeated everything she did. No physical handicap - even the great one she suffered - could stay an indomitable spirit such as hers, stirring to help others, and always in His name.” Again I quote from the article, “We who knew her as a beloved fellow parishioner, have been blessed in knowing first hand, one completely dedicated to Christ. The familiar wraith - like little figure

in the wheelchair will no longer be seen in the ell by the Blessed Sacrament in our Church she will be closer than that.” Mary devoted her life to assisting poor and suffering children, regardless of race or creed. Christ Child members believe that Mary Virginia Merrick serves as an example for us of a person of selfless charity and courageous virtue, in the face of her own suffering, with a deep love for the Christ Child. She served children in need in His name and saw Him in every child served. It is our hope that she may one day

become a declared saint from the Archdiocese of Washington and our parish. As we all face the many worldly challenges ahead, we can certainly look back at the accomplishments of this unassuming woman for insight and inspiration!  Until Pope John Paul II’s papacy most saints were priests, bishops, religious or martyrs and most were men of European/Anglo descent. Pope John Paul II believed in Vatican II’s universal call to holiness and he believed that by holding up witnesses to Christ, we would have models to emulate of ordinary people who lived heroic, virtuous lives. Living a heroic virtuous life means that you lived your life in an ordinary way but loved God and others in an extraordinary way. Yes, miracles are necessary as part of the official recognition of a person as a canonized Saint, however a saint is any baptized Catholic who is united with God in heaven, who lived a life of charity and virtue, and who is worthy of imitation. The Initial inquiry into the life of Mary Virginia Merrick was begun by the then Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. After his initial investigation, he wrote to Rome to determine whether the Vatican had any objections to officially beginning the Diocesan phase of investigating her Cause for Canonization. The Vatican indicated it had no objection by issuing a document, called a nihil obstat, and the Title “Servant of God” was then given to Mary Virginia Merrick. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, our current Archbishop, officially opened the next step on this journey through his decree in April 2011 initiating the official Diocesan phase of investigation into her life. Soon, when the Diocesan phase is completed, it is hopeful that their findings will be submitted to the appropriate office in the Vatican to pursue the Roman phase of the process. If the Vatican gives approval, that she lived a life of “heroic virtue,” then a decree would be issued declaring her “venerable”. We ask you to pray that her Cause moves forward. The prayer for Canonization can be found at: www.nationalchristchildscociety.org or www.maryvirginiamerrick.org.

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We Can Do Good Collecting Cans for the Greg Gannon Canned Food Drive The Greg Gannon Food Drive began at Blessed Sacrament in the late 1980s and continues today as an impressive legacy of its deceased founder. A combination of faith, family, and fun, the drive has been likened to a barn raising: a tradition, one day, many people, much cooperation, and an amazing end-product. Think more than a million cans over the years; last year: 150,000 cans! Eighty percent of the volunteers return year after year to spend an often cold and/ or windy Saturday morning collecting food donations from generous Blessed Sacrament neighbors of all faiths. Over the years, literally thousands of people have participated in this still-growing pre-Christmas activity. Although past response has been overwhelming, current needs are growing, and this year’s organizers expanded their targeted quotas. The morning begins with coffee and sweets, a brief prayer service in the church, followed by the young and old moving into individual “territories” or specific geographical areas. Spurred on by the support of all our priests in attendance and supervised by adults, kids collect the filled bags from homeowners’ doorsteps, where earlier in the week they had left empty brown grocery bags. After being first collected into slow-moving cars, bags of cans and boxes are then moved to trucks that transport the collected items to food pantries and distribution sources for those in need. The drive has now spread to multiple parishes, and is a living example of faith in action. It’s also proof of the power of one: one man believing that kids should be able to involve themselves in a concrete, practical way to reach out to others in need. Questions? Check out the Greg Gannon Canned Food Drive website: greggannoncfd.org. Photos by Curt Nelson

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The Joy of Love: Pope Francis’ Love Letter to Families By Ann and Jim Hoffman The apostolic exhortation, The Joy of Love, is a result of worldwide input and two synods which explored the needs of today’s family. It gives friendly advice to the laity and “calls for a pastoral approach to many people - married, single, divorced who are struggling to face issues in life, the teachings of the church, and their own desire to reconcile all of this,” said Cardinal Wuerl. When we read this document we were struck by its simple language (no “churchese”) and mostly by the Pope’s deep understanding of the everyday challenges families face when trying to live God’s plan. Pope Francis wrote: “No family drops down from heaven perfectly formed; families need constantly to grow and mature in the ability to love.” Understanding the call to love at an intellectual level is easy enough. The challenge comes in the how to love. Our Holy Father addresses the issue in Chapter Four, which is recognized as the heart of the exhortation. As a guideline on how to love on a daily basis and through the years (notice there is no vacation here) the Pope points to l Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient, love is kind; it isn’t jealous or boastful; it isn’t arrogant or rude. Love doesn’t insist on its own way; it isn’t irritable or resentful; it doesn’t rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”. We have all heard those words, but how often do we take them seriously enough to intentionally act on them daily? Yet that is what Francis says should be our North Star in our marriages, in our families, in our relationship with others. The Pope warns that “a love that fails to grow is at risk”, adding that “dialogue is Editor: Pat Watson Layout: Delphine Clegg

essential for experiencing, expressing and fostering love in marriage and family life.” “Many disagreements between couples are not important things. Mostly disagreements are trivial matters. What alters the mood, however, is the way things are said and the attitude with which they are said.” Well, this is good news because these are the very things that are dealt with during the Communication Workshop Blessed Sacrament offers during Lent.* Other chapters of The Joy of Love address pregnancy, adoption, disabilities, common sense parenting, separation and divorce, as well as the spirituality of marriage and the family. Throughout the exhortation Pope Francis asks his priests and those in ministry to help their flocks by listening with an open mind, accompanying with a generous spirit, and discerning with mercy and the Holy Spirit’s help. Clergy are to act as good shepherds and walk with those who come to them with questions, problems and needs. Recently our parish held a symposium on The Joy of Love, also called Amoris Laetitia. The presentations were taped and are currently available in the parish library.

*This is the eighth year the parish will offer a Communication Workshop for Couples.This workshop will be held Tuesday evenings in March: March 7, 14, 21, 28, from 7:30 to 9:30 in the parish center. To sign up: www.blessedsacramentdc.org—click on Ministries/Faith Formation/ Communication Workshop.

Prayer to the Holy Family Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendour of true love; to you we turn with trust. Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic churches. Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division; may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing. Holy Family of Nazareth, make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Graciously hear our prayer. Amen.

Source of Image: www.vaticanstate.va

Parish Logo Designs: Ellen Smyth Artwork: Blessed Sacrament School students under the guidance of their art teacher, Judy Kearns

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3630 Quesada Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20015 202.966.6575 www.blessedsacramentdc.org