Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 3411 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20032

Transcription

1 Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 3411 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20032

2 Rev.Gregory Shaffer, Pastor Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 pm Sunday Mass: 10:00 am Daily Mass: Monday thru Saturday 12:10 pm Eucharistic Adoration: Monday,Wednesday, Friday 11:00-12:00 noon Confessions: Saturday 3:30-4:15 pm, Wednesday 11:00 12:00 noon or anytime by appointment Address: 3401 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Pastor: Father Greg Shaffer Cell Secretary: Mrs. Cheryl Hamlin-Williams Phone: Fax Pope Francis Outreach Center : Food Pantry and Clothing Room Director: Ms. Mildred Brown Assistant Director Ms. Brenda Hare Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 noon Phone: Fax Website: outreach@assumptiondc.org

3 Fourth Sunday of Easter April 17, 2016 During the Easter season in 2013, the Lord gave me and many of the Catholic students at GW University an experience similar to that of the early Christians. It stemmed from a hot button social issue: whether persons of the same sex could enter into marriage. This had been an intense issue on campus since I arrived as chaplain in 2009, and the gay rights movement had been picking up serious steam nationally in a short amount of time, as you know. While we at the Newman Catholic Student Center had been inclusive and welcoming to persons of all orientations, we also represented the teachings of Christ and the Church. By the time April '13 rolled around, we were well known on campus for defending traditional marriage. When cases regarding same-sex marriage were going to the US Supreme Court, the school's newspaper interviewed me. I said that marriage is between a man and a woman, and it's not just the Church that says that, but nature, too. There was some clap back in social media among GW students, but they were familiar with me and my positions by that point, so they weren't surprised. A week later, on Easter Thursday, the same newspaper had a new story with the headline, "Two gay students mobilize to oust priest from campus". Unbelievably, within a few hours, it went viral, and became a national story. I was actually invited to go on Fox News' "O'Reilly Factor" but declined. I had more than one chuckle at what was happening: it was like, 'Catholic priest defends Church teaching...news at 11!' For our students, it was a major dilemma. Would they stand with Christ or would they stand with the world? They defended their faith in Christ, their Catholic faith, and their chaplain in a very strong and beautiful way. It was actually amazing. But, as you can well imagine, they were persecuted. and took some heat for it from their family (even Catholic parents) and friends. They chose Christ over the secular world, and stepped into his shoes for a time. "If the world hates you, realize it hated me first".

4 At the same time, though, there was tremendous joy in our community. We had been close as a community before this, but we were even more united as a family of believers. And, the timing on the liturgical calendar (Easter season) meant that heard about the early Christians in the Acts of the Apostles when we came together for daily Mass. They were persecuted immensely - many to the point of death - because they stood up for their faith in Christ. And yet, Acts repeatedly comments on the joy of first century Christians. There broke out a severe persecution of the Church there was great joy (Acts 8:1,8). We were right there with them! Two footnotes to the story. First, Cardinal Wuerl came directly from the election of Pope Francis in Rome to celebrate Mass with our community to show his support. That was huge! Second, I one of the two gay students apologized to me a year later, and we have gotten together a few times in the past two years. I knew both of the students well, and still love them like spiritual sons. I thank Almighty God who gave the Church at GW truly paschal joy, an experience of the Cross and Resurrection of Christ. May you know the peace of the risen Christ, Fr Greg

5 Healing Prayers for: Corinne Bachiller, Lillian Taylor, Calvin Best, Tracy Stachitis, Veronica Brown, Michael Taylor, Deacon McBurnett Smith, Marsha Carlson-Meyers, Dr. Dee Jones Adams, Barry Robella, Father Dan Vitz, Eleonora Best, Jane Rhyne, Faye Lyon, Abby Fargo, Mildred Selmar, Heather Wooten-Rollins, Brenda Newman, Malek Elloit, Kennedy Wood, Courtney Barlow, LaVerne Lane, Christine Jones, Benjamin Davis, Ronald Horton, Madison McKenzie, Jamil McKenzie, Samuel James Guadalupe, Shawntrice Moore, Bridget Barlow, Veronica Harris, Teresa Wilkinson, Sherri Ewing, Pauline Haggins, Dorothy Sylvester, Tiffany Jacobs, Darlene Jones, Paul Higgins, Audrey Saunders, Pauline Johnson Our Homebound Parishioners: Mary Cooke, Sybil Depeazer, Muriel Dunmore, Louvenia Gray, Fr. Charles Green, Pauline Johnson, Yvonne Samuel, Audrey Saunders, Joan Shields, Elizabeth Smith, Viola Walker FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER PRAYER O God, by the humility of Thy Son, Thou hast raised up a fallen world; to Thy faithful people give a lasting joy so that those whom Thou hast rescued from the danger of eternal death may enjoy endless happiness because of Thee. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Alleluia, Alleluia. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Acts 11:1-18Jn 10:1-10 Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26 Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday: Acts 12:24 13:5a Jn 12:44-50 Thursday: Acts 13:13-25 Jn 13:16-20 Friday: Acts 13:26-33 Jn 14:1-6 Saturday: Acts 13:44-52 Jn 14:7-14 Next Sunday: Acts 14:21-27 Rev 21:1-5a Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35

6 DISCOVER THE RICHES OF THE MASS Do You Pray the Mass or do you attend Mass? There is a difference. Mass is offered Monday - Saturday at 12:10 pm Here at Assumption Catholic Church 3411 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC starts with Embracing the Spiritual Journey Revival

7 Come out and join us in a night of song, fellowship, praise and be REVIVED! DATE: Monday, April 18, 2016 TIME: 7:00 PM ADDRESS: 3411 Martin Luther King Avenue, SE Washington, DC Guest Revivalist: Rev. Gregory Wright You can't have a test, without a testimony! See you there... Next Sunday we will have the Children s Mass. Bring out the children, so that they can be part of the Mass.

8 Black Catholic Convocation 2016 for the Archdiocese of Washington Parishes Still I Rise, With the Mercy of Our Lord April 29th & 30th at the Merrick Center on the Campus of St. Thomas More Catholic Church th Street, SE Washington, DC Registration is required either go online at or call The cost per person is $50. Jubilee Year Pilgrimage Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy designated by Pope Francis! Join the Open Door pilgrimage to three cathedrals and a basilica in the Washington Metro area. Our first stop is the Cathedral of St. Thomas More; followed by Cathedral of St. Matthews; onward to the Franciscan Monastery where Father Kevin Regan will celebrate mass, picnic lunch in the grotto and tour the grounds. Then off to Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Bring your own Picnic Bag Lunch Please register early! Payment due June 2, Cost based on numbers of participating For additional information: Contact Thelma Adams or thelmaadams1@verizon.net or contact the rectory, rectory@holyfamilyparishmd.org or call April 17, 2016