Parish Newsletter November/December 2011
Message From Father Ron
Dear Parishioners, I want to take this opportunity to thank our Centennial Committee for their hard work and dedication in organizing our Parish Birthday Party and School Reunion Party during the weekend of October 7th and 8th. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of all who have gone before us beginning with our founding pastor, Monsignor Thomas G. Smyth, all the pastors, priests, and deacons, the parish staff, the religious sisters, the principals, lay teachers, and staff who taught in our school, and all the parishioners who have shared their gifts in building up our parish family. I enjoyed hearing the stories of our families who have belonged to the parish from the beginning and of the “newcomers” who cherish their more recent memories of Blessed Sacrament. It is a reminder that we have our part to play at this time in the history of our parish as we live our faith by participating in the sacramental life of the Church, our prayer life, our service to our sisters and brothers, and witnessing to the good news of Jesus Christ.
As we prepare to begin our celebration of the season of Advent, we begin a new liturgical year of grace as we look toward Christ’s second coming and the celebration of His birth. The beginning of our Advent season is an invitation to each of us to grow closer to the Lord. We know how hectic this time of the year can be as we begin our preparations for Christmas and how they can overshadow the “quiet and reflective” character of the season. However, as we begin our new liturgical year we are called to develop a spirituality of responsibility as we proclaim the kingdom of God, its peace, justice, and joy in our world. It is the opening of our hearts to the Lord that we might become the people He has called us to be and His instruments of the New Evangelization in our world today. Beginning on the First Sunday of Advent this year, on the weekend of November 27th, we will begin using the Roman Missal, Third Edition. The Mass at every parish across the United States and throughout the English-speaking world will sound different, with some new wording for the prayers
and responses. Although some of the prayers and responses will be changing, the structure of the Mass will not be changing. In order to assist with these changes, we have already been singing the new responses such as the Gloria, Sanctus, and Memorial Acclamation at Mass since October. We will have pew cards to assist us with the new responses and of course, the missalettes have been updated as well. This time of change gives us an opportunity to study and reflect on the Mass and its importance in our lives. I continue to be awed by your generosity to the parish and its ministry of outreach especially as the cans come “rolling in” for the Greg Gannon “100,000 Cans for 100 Years” in answer to Father John’s challenge during this Centennial Year. Thanks for all you do to serve so many. May God bless you as we begin our Advent Season in preparation for the birth of the Lord Jesus. Be assured of my daily prayers for you and your families. Peace,
Father Ron
Deepen Your Faith This Advent: great catholic resources to help you on your journey By Karen Vittone
W
ould you like to learn more about your Catholic faith but don’t have time to take a course or read a lot of books? If so, beginning this Advent you can check out a selection of 16 CDs and three pamphlets located in a kiosk at Blessed Sacrament’s main entrance. Our parish will soon reactivate our Lighthouse Catholic Media Program by offering inspiring and educational CDs and key issue pamphlets offered during the weekend Masses -- Friday evening through Sunday evening. These CDs and pamphlets will include explanations of our Catholic faith, accounts of God’s incredible mercy in the personal lives of Catholics, and practical information for living your faith. Consider using these effective tools to learn more about Christ, to help you reach out to others more effectively, and to inspire your own faith journey. Use your car as a university on wheels to listen as you drive, as you exercise or even as you rest quietly. Begin using these CDs and pamphlets this Advent season to re-energize your minds and hearts to our wonderful Catholic faith. Topics include: The True Meaning of Christmas, Arch. Fulton Sheen Prepare The Way of the King, Dr. Scott Hahn Becoming The-Best-Version-of-Yourself, Matthew Kelly Following The Way of Christ, Fr. Robert Barron The Life of Christ - Part 1, Matthew Arnold The Life of Christ - Part 2, Matthew Arnold Mary Handmaid of the Lord, Blessed Mother Teresa Praying the Rosary Like Never Before, Dr. Edward Sri Understanding the Eucharist, Dr. Scott Hahn Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime, Dr. Ray Guarendi Walk Through the New Mass Translation, Dr. Edward Sri There is Life in the Womb, Archbishop Fulton Sheen Change the World in 60 Seconds, Tom Peterson (Catholics Come Home) Why Go To Mass: The Blood of the New Covenant, Bishop Alexander Sample For Better Forever: A Catholic Guide To Lifelong Marriage, Gregory Popcak and Lisa Popcak The Healing Power of Confession, Dr. Scott Hahn Pamphlet topics include:
During this season of appreciation, the newsletter editor thanks all writers and artists who have contributed to the publication during the last year. Our parish publication continues to be possible because of your generous contribution of time and talent.
The artwork and children’s photos in this issue were contributed by Ms. Grace McNicholas and her Blessed Sacrament School art students.
How To Make a Good Confession How To Pray The Holy Rosary Eucharistic Adoration Explained A $3 donation will help make new titles available in the future. Visit www.LighthouseCatholicMedia.org for more information. To make suggestions for future CD or pamphlet offerings, please contact Karen Vittone at 301.585.0592 or
[email protected].
2
Editor: Pat Watson Design: Delphine Clegg Parish Logo Designs: Ellen Smyth Find us on Facebook
Blessed Sacrament DC
A Saintly Christmas Connection for Blessed Sacrament By Cleo Tavani
C
hristmas and the coming of the Christ Child was a special time for Mary Virginia Merrick, founder of the Christ Child Society, a member of Blessed Sacrament parish, and now a candidate for sainthood. At age 18, before the Christmas of 1884, Mary learned of a family in extreme poverty with a baby due at Christmas. There were five small children in the family, and the father was ill and unemployed. Mary persuaded her sisters and some friends to make a layette for this Christmas baby in honor of the Christ Child. The layette was delivered to the deeply grateful mother. The baby, a girl was named in honor of Mary and later in her life entered a religious order. The late 1880s were not easy years for Mary personally. She endured surgical treatments and hospitalizations in unsuccessful attempts to correct the paralysis which had resulted from a childhood accident. Despite her inability to walk for the rest of her life, she organized her growing circle of friends into undertaking various projects to assist poor children, and in 1887, Mary founded the Christ Child Society. By 1898, the Society claimed over 300 members. By 1903 several “Christ Child Centers” were opened throughout Washington to provide various social and health services to poor children and their families. By 1912, there were twenty-four chapters spread across the United States. In 1921, Mary and her sister Mildred moved into the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament parish. Although confined to a wheel chair or bed and busy with her leadership role with the Christ Child Society, she became an active parishioner. Following her death, “The Parish News” of February 1955 described Mary Virginia’s presence at Mass during the years: 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 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 to attending Mass with Miss Mary there.
November/December 2011
Mary Virginia was the inspiration for forming the first units of the Sanctuary Sodality that made layettes in support of the Christ Child Society Photo Courtesy of the Christ Child Society Christmas work. For many of the early years of the parish, the Society’s city-wide center was located in the old rectory at the parish. Volunteers toiled long days and nights preceding Christmas, sending out cards, sorting and wrapping gifts and delivering them in the name of the Christ Child. Again, “The Parish News” in 1955 reported: Though Miss Merrick’s work was city and nationwide, it always gave her a sense of satisfaction knowing that her own parish was behind the saintly enterprise. A few months ago one of the parish discussion clubs
—an Encyclical group—met in the hospitable old
home on East Melrose Street, and Miss Merrick was one of the most interested and active discussants. Over coffee, discussion turned to children involved in difficulties of this world. How, the group wondered, should such children be handled? “Well,” Miss Merrick said softly, “I’d be just as kind as I could.” This was 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. We who knew her as a beloved fellow parishioner, have been blessed in knowing, first hand, one completely dedicated to Christ.” As Auxiliary Bishop of Washington John McNamara said at Mary’s funeral held at her parish church, the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, “Out of her cross she fashioned a bridge over which she and others would walk on the way to God.”
3
More Than Seven Hundred Christmas Stars Shine at Blessed Sacrament! By Rebecca Ruby Anzidei
Every year, Blessed Sacrament works with several local charities to provide Christmas gifts for those less fortunate. We work with the Spanish Catholic Charities, St. Thomas More and Our Lady Queen of the Americas, as well as others. This year, we’ll be collecting gifts for over 700 children. For each child, we create a star, which contains the child’s name, age, gender and either suggested gifts/clothing sizes or just a request for the child to be surprised. We will have the stars available for choosing before and after the Masses on Sunday, November 20 and Thursday, November 24. If we have any leftover stars, we will make them available before and after the Masses on Sunday, November 27th. On Sunday, December 4 and Sunday, December 11 we will collect the gifts in the school auditorium. We usually collect gifts from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the
Artwork by Suzanna Strauss Fifth Grade
first Sunday of the collection, this year December 4, and from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the second Sunday of the collection, this year December 11 because we
Christmas Tree Sale Celebrates Twenty-Four Years Of Giving
then deliver the gifts at shortly after 3 p.m. on that second Sunday. We need volunteers to help collect the gifts. We usually have volunteers help out in shifts so that no one has to be there all day (except us, of course). This year, my husband Chris and I are co-chairing the program with Matt and Cindy Dowd. Chris’ cell is 202.271.3827; email: chrisanzidei@anzideilaw. com;
Rebecca’s
cell is: 202.489.7182; email:
[email protected]. Matt and Cindy can be reached at 202.719.7343 or mdowd@wileyrein. com.
4
By Patricia K. Kavanaugh
The
Advent Season is approaching quickly. One of the holiest and busiest times of the year finds dedicated long time Christmas Tree Sale CoCoordinators, John Stacks and Jim Mullins, gearing up for the hard work and long hours necessary for a successful sale. Blessed Sacrament’s first Christmas Tree Sale was held in 1987 at the suggestion of then-associate pastor Father Mike Wilson, who was working with the parish’s youth ministry. The Christmas Tree Sale Find us on Facebook
Blessed Sacrament DC
would raise money for a parish van that could be used by the youth group as well as by other parish organizations and by the school. The next year the purpose of the sale was expanded to encompass fund-raising for youth and senior citizen programs, a goal that continues today. Within the parish, money from tree sales over the years has been used for a variety of endeavors: purchasing that initial van (bought second-hand from the Bulgarian Embassy), contributing to the Blessed Sacrament School scholarship and Monsignor Smyth funds, donating to the Capital Fund Campaign, assisting the parish Scout programs, buying CYO basketball equipment, supporting a Youth Group activity, and supporting other activities. Contributions have also gone to a number of programs outside the parish, ranging from senior support services and adult education to sports programs for disadvantaged youth and programs for children and young adults with developmental disabilities. The overall goal of the sale is to raise money to benefit youth and senior citizens in the parish and the community. But the sale has other benefits as well: it fosters good will within Blessed Sacrament and in the neighborhood. The sale provides parish youth with Christmas jobs and enlivens parish spirit at holiday time. It also offers an opportunity for the Boy Scouts, guided for years by John Higgins, to help out and give back to their parish. And it’s nice for parishioners to participate in a Blessed Sacrament tradition and to know that their money and all that hard work will help support a number of good causes.
November/December 2011
Proceeds from recent sales have averaged about $80,000 annually. There is no set ratio for dividing up the disbursements between parish and community programs, although typically parish programs receive several thousand dollars more. Approximately 80 groups outside the parish have received assistance. Some examples include St. Gabriel’s Neighborhood Youth Program, the Washington Middle School for Girls, St. Joseph House for Disabled Children, Holy Cross Hospital/Medical Adult Day Center, IONA Senior Services, Sacred Heart Adult Education Center, and Sarah’s Circle for Low-Income Seniors. Work on the Christmas Tree Sale begins in September, with the order of approximately 1,400 trees, wreaths, roping, and tree stands. In the weeks immediately preceding the sale, high school students and volunteers, along with a night watchmen and weekday managers, sign up to work at the sale. Parish volunteer Ann Cooper arranges for publicity, and long- time Blessed Sacrament kindergarten teacher Ann Myers prepares bows to decorate the wreaths.
many parish volunteers and paid workers. Adult volunteers are always welcomed and needed. Jim Mullins takes primary responsibility for the ordering, delivery, and display of the trees. John Stacks oversees the hiring of workers (employment inquiries to Mr. Stacks at 202.680.0914), preparation of the sale site, and the day-to-day running of the sale. A Christmas Tree Committee that includes the two co-chairs, the Social Concerns Minister, and other key volunteers, in cooperation with the pastor, decides on disbursement of the sale’s profits. Purchase your Christmas tree, wreath, and/or roping from the Blessed Sacrament Christmas Tree Sale, and consider volunteering for this very worthy cause. It will truly make your Christmas special!
The sale, which extends from the weekend after Thanksgiving until all or most of the trees have been sold, usually about a week or so before Christmas, is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Early in the next year, the Social Concerns Office will place announcements in the parish bulletin inviting groups to submit applications for grants. The Committee then will review the applications. Usually by March, the Committee will meet with the pastor to discuss the applications and make the disbursements. Over the years the Christmas Tree Sale has enjoyed support from
Artwork by Gabriel Ossi Third Grade
5
The Dignity Revolution is Alive and Well At Western and Quesada By Dean Packard, on behalf of the leadership team of Faith in the Marketplace.
This
past summer I had the pleasure of attending the summer games of The International Special Olympics in Athens, Greece. It was a magical event. Seventyfive hundred athletes from 170 different countries all assembled, each a story of inspiration, hope, and perspective. The keynote speaker at the opening and closing sessions was fellow parishioner Tim Shriver, the Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics International. Tim used the venue to invite us to help promote the dignity revolution. His message was simple and powerful: all children deserve to be treated with dignity. All people deserve to be treated with dignity. In September Tim spoke to the men of Faith in The Marketplace. He spoke again of the dignity revolution and of the need for inclusion for folks who learn, communicate, and often behave a bit differently than a typical person of that age might. Inclusion must occur not just because it is the right or the Christian thing to do, not because the folks Tim advocates for are often in need of additional supports and deprived of basic liberties and opportunities that the rest of the society takes for granted. Inclusion must happen because these children, these men and woman, have so much to offer. Inclusion, in our case, must occur in all walks of parish life. Tim also spoke of Special Olympics and its role in the revolution. He posed the question, “Are these games a con or an invitation to conversion?”
6
Frank Pellegrino, a parishioner and one of our regular attendees at our First Friday breakfast gatherings, has been a leader in our parish’s disabilities ministry. He was there eight years ago when we brought a Special Olympics unified basketball team to the parish. Our teams now boast three age divisions and several teams in each age division. Roughly 150 athletes (folks with intellectual disabilities), partners (typically developing children who play on the court with the athletes) and volunteer assistant coaches participate in this program each winter. And it is growing each year. Frank shared some insights into the impact that involvement with Special Olympics has had on his son Alex, a young man with Cerebral Palsy and an intellectual disability. In his words, the experience Alex had with Special Olympics was “life changing.”
his crew in over 170 countries throughout the world.
Frank and his wife Francesca were key to getting Blessed Sacrament Parish to start and embrace Special Olympics unified basketball. As founders of an organization called the Catholic Coalition for Special Education (CCSE) whose mission is to encourage access and inclusion to the rich educational opportunities present in Catholic schools for children with intellectual disabilities, they thought that hosting a unified team would help in that effort. Simply stated, as time has proven, they were right as rain about that supposition. This is just one of the many offshoots of greatness that has been inspired by Tim and
In 2009 Joelle had an athletically transformative moment. The game was tied 10 all. I had two players on my team who had pretty strong skills in the game at the time. I called a play that basically had them passing back and forth with each other, confident that whoever got the chance to shoot would have a strong chance to sink it. But the unthinkable happened. Ignoring the coach’s advice they passed the rock to a blond girl who had not made very many points this season. Well, Joelle sat there for a few seconds, a little shocked she had been given the ball in that situation. With about
Many of us have shared exciting moments watching our typically developing children compete in athletic events. Because of Tim, because of Eunice Shriver, because of Blessed Sacrament parish, my wife and I were able to share a similarly powerful moment with our daughter Joelle who happens to have William’s syndrome. Every year the Special Olympics basketball season is culminated with an exhibition game. The gym is full of screaming fans. Posters are made by Blessed Sacrament students cheering for each child. Last year CBS sports covered the event in filming a documentary on the impact of Special Olympics in our lives. I have coached this crew for about eight years.
continued on next page...
Find us on Facebook
Blessed Sacrament DC
continued from previous page...
three seconds left she threw the ball up over the height of the rim of the typical hoop, swish through the eight-foot hoop that we set up for the elementary division as time expired. It was straight out of Disney. I suspect she still hears the cheers of the several hundred fans who witnessed that game to this day. But, if you ask Tim, he will tell you that his five children, all of whom have been unified partners and assistant coaches on our parish’s team, have gotten at least as much out of the experience as any of the athletes have. Con or invitation to conversion? Ask Scott Lesmes, a young man with Down’s Syndrome, one of my first athletes, who has partnered with my son Easton for the past eight years. You will find them both attending The Heights together. Scott is the first person with an intellectual disability to attend that school in its history. I am very confident that without Special Olympics he would not be there. Scott will have a fuller life because of Special Olympics. He will have a fuller life because of CCSE. The Heights will be a better community because of Scotty. Thanks Tim, you and your family truly do inspire greatness. As for the Dignity Revolution, I’m in. So are the men of Faith in the Marketplace. By The Way... Faith in the Marketplace meets the first Friday of each month from September through June (to coincide with the school year). We gather at Mass at 6:30 a.m. and adjourn to the Duffy Parish Center, main conference room for networking over Spring Mill (thanks Katherine) muffins and coffee. The discussion typically begins at 7:10 a.m. and ends at 8 a.m. sharp. Men typically continue with the visiting for a few moments after the discussion ends, but many leave promptly when the remarks conclude. Either way, we welcome the chance for you to join us and other men in the parish to discover how others live and practice their professions and faith in the marketplace. If you would like to be on our reminder list, send an e-mail to Dean_Packard@ ml.com.
November/December 2011
Just ‘N Time This regular newsletter column written by parishioner and psychiatrist John Dluhy, M.D. examines many spiritual aspects of life.
Often when I meditate, I think about my father, myself, and my responsibilities to my children (two boys and a girl). Then I remember the four ancient responsibilities of a Jewish man: To Redeem His Son, To Educate His Son, To Teach His Son A Trade, and To Find His Son A Wife. When I think about God the Father, about Jesus, and also about St. Joseph, I think that all three carried out these mandates, and I think I can gain something by analyzing how all three actually did some of these things. God loved His Son, saying after John baptized Jesus, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” This statement is powerful teaching from a father. God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus, got her agreement at the Annunciation, and helped her to be a good mother, teaching Jesus about Himself and His mission. God supplied Joseph, as a human model who taught Jesus a trade. In a way, this knowledge helped Jesus, the Messiah, to understand how to build new psychological structures in His many followers. God also provided Jesus with a wife, the Church, which persists to this day—a lasting marriage. Jesus, provided the ultimate love—redemption of all mankind, He taught us how to live, and He continues to teach each man and woman of every generation. Jesus guides each human being to discern a vocation enabling each of us to have a life as a mother, father, priest, nun, brother, or another available role. Everyone is free to pick a vocation in the religious or lay life. Jesus continues to guide His church that makes available an up-to-date education seven days a weeks, 365 days a year. Jesus also encourages us to have a mate, someone to share our lives who is a continual living help in the process of redemption. I have these responsibilities to each of my three children—a much-loved daughter and two loved sons. But I often remember Jesus words of the cross, “Why have you abandoned me?” Even as Jesus withdrew and died, I will have to leave my children one day.
7
School Corner Annual Week Of The Arts
School News
By Grace McNicholas
By Scott Merrick, 7th Grade
On March 7, 8 and 9, 2012 Blessed Sacrament School will be
celebrating its 27th annual Week of the Arts festival. Started in 1985 by retired Blessed Sacrament School art teacher, Sally Levie, Week of the Arts is a three-day celebration of the arts. Students will break out of their regular curriculum and will look at the world through art. Wednesday and Thursday of the festival begin with professional performances that amuse and delight the children while teaching the value of creative thinking. Lower school students then return to their classrooms to work on projects revolving around a particular theme. For example, second graders learn all about the rainforest in their school year curriculum; during the Week of the Arts second graders are involved in art projects, individual performances and foods that appeal to the senses and illustrate rainforest life. Upper school students attend workshops. Local artists each volunteer their time and talent to teach ten students in a two-day intensive workshop in a specialized craft. Last year some of our students went to Glen Echo Park to learn about photography from professional photographers; other students went to Weisser Glass Studio in Kensington to learn all about fusing glass. Students of both lower school and upper school end the week with finished art works and have something to remind them of Week of the Arts. The festival concludes on Friday when parents attend an art show displaying the children’s work and a talent show. Week of the Arts is such a special program. While many other schools have cut their arts curriculum because of budgetary concerns, Blessed Sacrament School is able to treat our students to three days of art- filled fun. The entire school is looking forward to the 2012 Week of the Arts! If you are interested in volunteering for Week of the Arts, please contact Grace McNicholas at
[email protected].
8
The holidays are fast approaching, and Blessed Sacrament School is celebrating the season with plays, carols, and festive classroom activities. Along with activities, the holidays are an especially good time to bring the school’s CARE theme to life. In the lower school, Thanksgiving is celebrated in learning activities and events. In Kindergarten, students are learning about Pilgrims, Native Americans and the history of the first Thanksgiving. They are also looking forward to celebrating a classroom Thanksgiving feast on November 22nd. The first grade took a field trip to Sharp Farm to learn about Pilgrim history while picking pumpkins and taking hayrides. In the upper school, students will be participating in many Christmas activities and service projects. Band classes are gearing up for the upcoming concert on December 13th and 15th, and the Youth and Children’s Choirs are rehearsing for a concert at the Franciscan Monastery on December 3rd. In addition, the 7th graders will again head up the Brownies for Bethlehem service project on December 16th. With the new and improved CARE theme, upper school students are encouraged to demonstrate the virtues of Courage, Altruism, Responsibility, and Excellence inside and outside of school. Every semester, ten students are selected as positive models for each theme. Their pictures and the virtue they demonstrate are on display in the upstairs hallway. As Blessed Sacrament School prepares for the holidays, we are reminded by our activities, service initiatives, and CARE theme that we have many things to be thankful for, and many things to look forward to. Find us on Facebook
Blessed Sacrament DC
Chevy Chase At Home Celebrates Successful First Year
Hands Across The Community
By Caroline Michaelis
As 2011 comes to a close, Chevy Chase @ Home can look back on a successful first year of service to the community’s older residents. We have 84 member households and a wonderful group of trained volunteers, who are truly the heartbeat of the organization. Volunteering is its own reward; we urge our neighbors of all ages to consider becoming a CC@ H volunteer in 2012. Why not spend a few hours each month assisting with one or more of the services offered to members? While transportation has been the number one request, there are many other services that might suit your schedule, skills, and preferences (including stay at home tasks such as answering forwarded phone calls to our central number or making phone calls to those who might not get out much). Or perhaps you’d prefer to join one of our committees: Communications, Community Service Providers, Development, Membership, Social Networking and Program, and Volunteer Services. It’s not only worthwhile; it’s also fun! To volunteer, either e-mail: volunteers@ chevychaseathome.org or call: 301.657.3115. To learn more about CC@ H, visit our website at www.chevychaseathome.org. On Tuesday, December 6, we’ll offer our final Meet & Mingle program for 2011, a holiday movie surprise from Jerry Bernstein’s extensive collection of films from the Golden Age of Cinema. While Jerry is mum about the title, the stars are a surprise to no one, and include Cary Grant, David Niven, Loretta Young, and Monty Woolley; no doubt Jerry will also include some entertaining commentary. Come join the fun and enjoy the film and refreshments from 2 to 4 p.m. on December 6 at the Chevy Chase Village Hall. And don’t forget the regular monthly gathering of the Brunch Bunch on Thursday, December 8, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Olympia Coffee Shoppe, 7021 Brookville Road, Chevy Chase. Pull up a chair and join several members of the CC@ H Board for some good coffee and lively conversation. It’s always fun and a great way to meet your neighbors and get in the holiday spirit. Hope to see you there. Happy Holidays to all from Chevy Chase @ Home.
November/December 2011
Wrinkle-Free Retirement In their “Wrinkle-Free Retirement” educational series, Springhouse of Silver Spring invites parishioners to a program that presents tools to help eliminate stress from retirement planning. On December 8, noon to 1:30 p.m., Joyce Nohowel of Transitional Assistance will provide ideas about “Right Sizing (Downsizing)” for persons planning a transition of location. All attendees will receive one hour of free personal consultation and a discounted sorting session. The event will be held at Springhouse, 2201 Colston Drive, Silver Spring, just off East West Highway and Grubb Road. To RSVP, call 301.495.7366 or email
[email protected].
National Primetime Evangelization Campaign The following are excerpts from a November 3, 2011 article from the Catholic News Agency (www. catholicnewsagency.com) announcing an advertising campaign in the U.S. in connection with the Pope’s evangelization initiative: “Catholics Come Home has announced a major prime time evangelization initiative set to air on American TV networks beginning in mid-Advent and ending after Christmas. The initiative’s advertising campaign aims to reach 250 million television viewers in over 10,000 U.S. cities and in every U.S. diocese. ‘These inspiring messages are sponsored by 30,000 Catholic families who want to invite neighbors, relatives, and co-workers to the largest family reunion in modern history,’ said Catholics Come Home founder Tom Peterson. The ad used in the campaign notes the beauty and history of the Catholic Church. It mentions Catholics’ traditions of prayer, help for the poor, and work in education. ...Catholics Come Home says the ad is scheduled to air over 400 times from Dec. 16 through Jan. 8. The ad, available in English and in Spanish, will air on CBS, NBC, Univision, TBS, USA, TNT, CNN, Fox News and other networks.
...Only about 33 percent of U.S. Catholics attend
weekly Mass, according to statistics from Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. This means about 42.7 million Catholics do not attend weekly.”
9
Centennial Celebrations Wrapping Up
A
ll who attended the Centennial celebrations the weekend of October 7th and 8th reported having an extraordinary time renewing old friendships and creating new ones. Parishioner Devin Doolan’s reflections, sent in an appreciative e-mail to the committee members who planned and executed the events, capsulize the sentiments of many: To all members of the Reunion Committee: My parents had six children, all of whom went to Blessed Sacrament. Our 3 kids went there also. We have 11 grandchildren many of whom attend or will attend BSS. So the Reunion Weekend was an event that loomed large for all of the Doolans.
Blessed Sacrament’s secret ingredient for success: pastors past and present.
I knew it would be great fun no matter how the planning went. But from the moment my wife, Carol, and I walked into the Dinner on Friday until we folded our tent late Saturday, the efforts of all of you made it into an event that all of our family and I will simply never forget. Everything went beautifully; in a way that made all of us know in our bones that the “BS Bombers” (woops) Bulldogs pulled it off again. Hard work, smart and loving people, good humor and good judgment made that moment in time a real treasure for all of the Doolans. Our very best to all of you. As we wrap up the Centennial year, may all parishioners enjoy with family and friends, holiday special moments similar to those experienced during our memorable celebrations.
Centennial pastiche of color, celebration and community.
10
A Centennial prayer before the birthday dinner.
Friendship, fellowship and frivolity! Birthday Dinner photos by Freed Photography. Find us on Facebook
Blessed Sacrament DC
It seems like yesterday... Celebratory chambers on campus.
How many years is that?
Do you think we are in the school archives?
And no one looks any older, really! School Reunion photos by Karen Leonard Photography.
November/December 2011
11
3630 Quesada Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20015 202.966.6575 www.blessedsacramentdc.org
