HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH

Transcription

1 HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH Washington, DC December 17, 2017 Painting by Sophia Pineda. Learn more about the artist on page 5. THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Welcome the Georgetown Ministry Center Winter Shelter And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:4-8) We all know the Christmas story. We all know that Mary, Jesus and Joseph were journeying and found themselves homeless on the night of Jesus s birth. Our Savior was born simply in a manger, under the night sky, surrounded by his family and God s creatures. This story is our reminder of what is essential in life the love of our God and family, basic shelter, food and clothing. As we know, not everyone has those basic necessities. It is why we host a Giving Tree that includes ornaments for coats, boots, and long underwear as well as toys and books. It is also why we host Georgetown Ministry Center s (GMC) hypothermia shelter during the two weeks surrounding Christmas. GMC s shelter was established in 1991 and rotates throughout the Georgetown-based congregations from November until the end of March each year. The shelter serves 10 homeless individuals (this year we will host nine men and one woman). The guests are chronically homeless, meaning they have been homeless for more than one year or they have had four or more episodes of homelessness in the past three years. Our guests tend to be the most vulnerable among the homeless people GMC works with, so most of them have been homeless for well more than a year. But, on the bright side, most are working with GMC and on a path to housing. Our shelter is open from 7pm until 7am from December 17 through December 31. Parishioners bring dinner and companionship (and sometimes karaoke!) each night. Breakfast is also served each morning, though it is a decidedly lower-key affair than dinner. Children from Holy Trinity School make decorations for the McKenna Hall windows and individualized placemats for our guests. Although only a small number of parishioners can serve at the shelter, all of us can keep our guests in our prayers. Add them to your regular prayer list or say a special directed prayer, whatever works for you. Just keep it simple: offer up your love for them and ask God to keep them in his heart this Christmas season. MAIN CHURCH 36th Street, between N and O Streets, NW Washington, DC PARISH CENTER 3513 N Street, NW Washington, DC (202) www. /HolyTrinity There Is One Among You, You Do Not Recognize...Why Not? December 17, 10:10am, Chapel Children s Bible Story Hour: Nativity Story December 17, 10:10am, Lower School Big Room

2 Holy Trinity Catholic, Washington, DC www. December 17, 2017 page 2 MISSION STATEMENT We are a Jesuit Catholic parish that welcomes all to: Accompany one another in Christ Celebrate God's love Transform lives PARISH CENTER Phone: (202) Fax: (202) Hours: Mon-Thur: 8:30am-7:30pm; Fri: 8:30am-12pm through August 25; Sat & Sun: No receptionist on duty, but the parish center is accessible during mass times. Emergencies Only: (202) JESUIT STAFF Pastor Associate Pastor Associate Pastor Kevin Gillespie, S.J. (202) Paul Campbell, S.J. (202) William Kelley, S.J. (202) PARISH DEPARTMENTS Communications Karelia Pallan (202) Facilities Faith Formation/ Religious Ed. Finance Holy Trinity School Human Resources Ignatian Spirituality Parish Life/ Pastor s Office Music Ministry Social Justice Stewardship Worship & Liturgy Young Adult Community Youth Ministry Tass McCarthy (202) Judith Brusseau (202) Chris Kehoe (202) Charlie Hennessy (202) Angela Grady (202) Martina O Shea (202) Lisa Dittmeier (202) Kathleen DeJardin (202) Kate Tromble (202) Rock Schuler (202) David Pennington (202) Catherine Heinhold (202) Sara Seligmann (202) kgillespie@ pcampbell@ wkelley@ Kaplan@ tmccarthy@ jbrusseau@ ckehoe@ principal@ htsdc.org agrady@ moshea@ ldittmeier@ kdejardin@ ktromble@ rschuler@ dpennington@ cheinhold@ confirmation@ Living Our Mission: Celebrate God s Love This week s column is written by Paul Campbell, S.J., Associate Pastor We probably all know that Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, takes its name from the first word of that Sunday s Introit (a psalm or hymn sung as the presider approached the altar). Gaudete translates as Rejoice. But isn t that what we do at least in theory! every Sunday when we gather for the Eucharist? Just as Advent parallels Lent with its call for repentance and conversion, so Gaudete Sunday echoes Laetare Sunday in Lent. That Sunday also takes its name from its Introit, and it too means, Rejoice. I think the idea for both is to give us a bit of a break from our penance and self-reflection, helping us to remember that the Lord is near. On Gaudete Sunday, our otherwise rather sober Advent Scripture readings give way to a joy-filled tone. Henri Nouwen, the noted theologian, has written that joy is, the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved and that nothing sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death can take that love away. Our First Reading from Isaiah calls us to rejoice, our Psalm is the Magnificat and the Second Reading from Paul s First Letter to the Thessalonians also urges us to rejoice and tells us to give thanks in all circumstances. The Gospel from John, like last Sunday s from Mark, is about John the Baptist and isn t so obviously joyous, but it s there under the surface. John joins Mark in seeing the coming of Jesus as a new beginning for the whole of creation. Like Mark, John begins this process with John the Baptist who comes to testify to the light coming into the world. That s definitely worth celebrating. In former times, it was customary for the presider to wear a rosecolored vestment for the Mass, but that practice has passed into history here at Holy Trinity. (Although I have no difficulty wearing a pink shirt, for some reason I would be beyond embarrassed if I ever had to don a pink vestment.) What remains of the tradition is the rose-colored candle in our Advent wreath. To my surprise, I discovered that the Advent wreath (like the Christmas tree) is an import from 19th century Germany and that, if Wikipedia is correct, it didn t take hold in the United States until the 1930s. I also learned that wreaths in Eastern Orthodox churches often have two more candles than ours, which they light for Christmas and the Feast of the Epiphany. Curiously, in the Vatican, the wreath (at least in the time of Pope Benedict) had four red candles. No matter the tradition, the only important part of all this is that we follow St. Paul s advice to always rejoice and never stop giving thanks to God.

3 Holy Trinity Catholic, Washington, DC www. December 17, 2017 page 3 Daily Mass Intentions The parish community prays for all of the dead every day at Mass. However, we encourage parishioners to mention specific persons by name during the General Intercessions when invited to do so by the presider. Parishioners may also request that a specific person be remembered by name at a particular weekday Mass by calling or visiting the receptionist s desk in the Parish Center during normal office hours. Names must be submitted one week in advance. Persons to be so remembered at weekday Masses this week are: Week of December 18, 2017 Monday 7:00am Siobhan Sharkey+ PRAYER REQUESTS Jerry Howard+ Matthew & Patricia Kraemer+ Tuesday 7:00am Owen Anderson Benjamin Miller Eleanor Cavanaugh+ Wednesday 7:00am Velma Darby+ Thursday 7:00am Anthony Stokes+ Josephine Martin+ Steve Herro Anne Schneiders+ Friday 7:00am Joseph R. Adams+ Gregory Kortanek+ Rosemary Cummings Saturday Betty Schreiber+ Pray for those who are sick: Barbara Cebuhar Pray for those who are dead: Howard Schaffer; Tony Stokes To add a name to these prayer lists, contact Lisa Dittmeier at ldittmeier@. You must be an immediate relative of the one to be remembered, or have express permission in order to add a name to these lists. The names on this prayer list will be mentioned aloud at Sunday Mass during the General Intercessions and will be published in the parish eletter and bulletin. We also invite parishioners to write the name of deceased loved ones in the Book of the Dead, which is kept in the back of the chapel. The parish community remembers these persons each time we gather for Eucharist. SACRAMENTS Mass Schedule (Check bulletin or website for Holy Days) Weekdays: 7am, 8am & in the Chapel (on N St.) Note: Chapel is open on weekdays between Masses. Saturday: 8am Chapel; Vigil Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am, 11:30am, 1:15pm & Sacrament of Reconciliation Every Saturday from 4:30pm 5:15pm or by appointment Sacrament of the Sick Communal anointing is celebrated on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm in the St. Ignatius Chapel. Call the Parish to request the sacrament at home or in the hospital. Baptisms and Weddings: To schedule a Baptism or Wedding, contact Helene Flanagan at (202) or hflanagan@. To register for the preparation process, see next item. Sacramental Preparation: Persons desiring to receive certain sacraments at Holy Trinity need to be registered parishioners and are expected to participate in a preparation program. For more information or to register, contact the appropriate staff person: Infant Baptism: readmin@, (202) First Reconciliation: Judith Brusseau, (202) First Eucharist: Judith Brusseau, (202) Marriage Preparation: readmin@, (202) Adult Initiation (RCIA): Anne Koester, (202) x128 Children s Initiation (RCIA): Judith Brusseau, (202) Adult Confirmation: Judith Brusseau, (202) Youth Confirmation: Sara Seligmann, (202) NEW PARISHIONER REGISTRATION Welcome to Holy Trinity! We invite you to join our parish. You may register at Questions about registering can be directed to registration@. New parishioner orientations are held several times throughout the year. See the bulletin, eletter and website for announcement of dates and times. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process of conversion and faith formation for individuals who are interested in living the Christian life in the Catholic tradition. Those who want to learn more about the possibility of becoming Catholic are welcome to come to the Inquiry meetings held every Tuesday evening at 7pm in the Faber Room, Holy Trinity Parish Center. Please contact Anne Koester akoester@ for more information or visit our website. PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL (PPC) PPC members share leadership responsibility with our pastor. As advisors to the pastor, PPC members assist the pastor in discerning, articulating and communicating to other parishioners the identity and mission of the parish, and they assist the pastor in assuring fidelity to that identity and mission. President Cecilia Boudreau ppcpresident@ Vice President Ellen Toups parishcouncil@

4 M Holy Trinity Catholic, Washington, DC www. December 17, 2017 page 4 WORSHIP Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass Schedule December 24, 7:30am, 9am, 11:30am, Christmas Eve Mass Schedule December 24 4pm, and Trinity Hall 5:45pm, 7:30pm, 9:30pm, 11:20pm, Lessons and Carols Midnight Mass Christmas Day Mass Schedule December 25, 8am, 10am, 11:30am, IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY Pray in Sacred Space: An Advent Journey December 23, 4-5pm, Chapel You are invited to take one hour during each week of Advent for to pray with Advent Scripture passages using the Advent Sacred Space books. All are welcome. Registration is not necessary come as you are! Hosted by the 5 th Week Group: Living the Spiritual Exercises Please contact Martina O Shea at moshea@ with questions. God s Abiding Love Retreat in Daily Life January 21-27, 2018 Registration Deadline is January 7 The structure of the Opening Session clarified for me how the week was to unfold, which helped with my ability to keep myself focused all week. January, 2017 retreatant My guide was exceedingly patient and calm and helped to highlight and draw attention to gifts/ challenges. It was very open and trusting from the beginning. January, 2017 retreatant Brochures with registration forms are at the entrances to the church and chapel as well as online at trinty.org/ ignatian-spirituality/retreats or moshea@ for more information. Explore Nativities of the World December 3 January 7 The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is showing a unique exhibit Nativities of the World, from the collection of Holy Trinity parishioners Roger and Marguerite Sullivan. The free exhibit of 170 nativities will run daily from 9 am-4:45pm at the Monastery complex, 1400 Quincy St NE, Washington, DC. The Sullivans have more than 500 nativities from over a hundred countries. SOCIAL JUSTICE Winter Coat Drive It s getting cold outside! Please consider donating gently used or new coats for Catholic Charities Coat Closet. We will collect coats on January 6 and January 7. Just place your coats in the bins outside of church. Thank you! People of Faith: Confronting the Challenge of Racism Please save the date to join us for an Interfaith conversation on Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend about how our community of faithful people can, together, confront racism in our world today. January 14, 2:30pm at Holy Trinity. More details coming! Attention CPAs! This upcoming tax return season, Catholic Charities is managing an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program at Catholic University s Columbus School of Law. CPAs are needed to provide pro bono tax preparation for workers of low-moderate income. If a return is filed, many of these workers will enjoy a sizeable IRS refund check due in large part to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). To learn more about volunteering for Catholic Charities VITA Program, please contact Deacon Jim Shanahan at jim.shanahan@cc-dc.org or (202) RELIGIOUS EDUCATION/ FAITH FORMATION First Eucharist Meeting The First Eucharist Parent meeting will be January 7 at 10:10am in the Chapel. This first gathering will focus on Eucharist s meaning and then a prayerful reflection on our experience. Childcare will be available for children who do not attend RE sessions in the Upper School Cafeteria. For more information, contact REAdmin@. Stay Connected this Season! Sign up for weekly updates at

5 Holy Trinity Catholic, Washington, DC www. December 17, 2017 page 5 PARISH LIFE Holy Trinity 50 Plus Group The Holy Trinity 50 Plus Group has an exciting schedule of activities organized for parishioners who are 50 or over, married or single, working or retired. If you would like to get on the list to receive information about activities/service/outings and to take part in monthly events, please Linda Wiessler-Hughes and Michael Hughes at michaelinda88@hotmail.com Be an Ambassador If you are a more seasoned parishioner, we are looking to expand our team of Holy Trinity Ambassadors. Ambassadors welcome new parishioners at Welcome Sundays, during New Parishioner Orientations, and reach out by and phone. Especially needed are young adults and parents of Religious Education students. Ambassadors provide a personal contact to those new to the parish and help in our mission to make Holy Trinity a welcoming place. Please contact Anna Myers at myers.anna@gmail.com for more information Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Father Brendan Lally, S.J. of St. Joseph's University will serve as spiritual director for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from June 12-22, Join Father Gillespie on January 14 at 1:15pm in the Chapel to learn more about this journey. For more information about the pilgrimage, visit Meet Sophia Pineda This Advent season, we were delighted to showcase the talents of one of our parishioners, Sophia Pineda. Sophia is 14 years old and lives with her parents and brother, Miguel, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Early in life, Sophia s health was precarious and over the years she has overcome several major medical challenges. Sophia also happens to have Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). She has been a proud and enthusiastic member of the Shepherd's Flock community at Holy Trinity for seven years and looks forward to her confirmation at Shepherd's Flock in To build a foundation for her independence in adulthood, her family has helped her build self-advocacy skills and to launch a business selling notecards, prints, and other products bearing her art that will open in Shepherd's Flock is an inter-generational program that focuses on children and young people with special needs and their families. It is an atrium environment (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd based on Maria Montessori). Learn more on our website or jbrusseau@. STEWARDSHIP 2018 Parish Pledge Please note that the 2017 figures reflect data through November; 2018 data account only for 2018 pledges made since November 19. Pledges include: signed giving intentions (as through a completed pledge brochure); pledges made via the online 2018 pledge link; recurring ACH/credit card gifts; and one-time donations marked for $3.2M is needed to fully fund all our Social Justice, Ignatian Spirituality, Christian Education and Worship ministries while maintaining our buildings and covering our general and administrative costs. On behalf of the many individuals blessed by the work of Holy Trinity, Fr. Gillespie thanks all who gave money in 2017 and those who have committed to do the same in Your willingness to respond to God's grace in your lives by generously supporting our Christian witness is deeply appreciated. If you have not yet offered a giving intention for 2018, please return the brochure mailed earlier, or go to You may also reach out to Rock Schuler, Director of Stewardship, at (202) or RSchuler@. Homilies for All Seasons We have published a selection of homilies that Fr. Leo Murray presented at Holy Trinity between 2004 and Copies of the book will be available for purchase today after the 9am and 11:30am Masses. The cost is $20, and proceeds will benefit the English-Murray Memorial Fund. Books may also be purchased during business hours at the Parish Center front desk.

6 Holy Trinity Catholic, Washington, DC www. December 17, 2017 page 6 Sunday, December 17 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24/John 1:6-8, Monday, December 18 Winter Shelter Begins MONDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT Jeremiah 23:5-8/Matthew 1: :10am 10:10am 10:10am 7:30pm Giving Tree Donations Due by Noon Religious Education Assigned Classrooms Faith Formation: Gospel of Mark Chapel Children s Bible Story Hour Lower School Big Room Separated, Widowed & Divorced Group Faber Room Tuesday, December 19 TUESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a/Luke 1:5-25 7:00pm Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Chapel Wednesday, December 20 WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT Isaiah 7:1-14/Luke 1:26-38 Thursday, December 21 THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT Song of Songs 2:8-14/Luke 1:39-45 Friday, December 22 FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT 1 Samuel 1:24-28/ Luke 1: :00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm Christian Meditation Group Chapel Job Seekers Support Group Georgetown Neighborhood Library (3260 R Street, NW) Young Adult Faith Sharing Upper Room Saturday, December 23 SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN ADVENT Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24/Luke 1:57-66 Sunday, December 24 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/ Luke 1:26-38 Vigil: Isaiah 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Matthew 1:1-25 Monday, December 25 THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD Isaiah 52:7-10/Hebrews 1:1-6/John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, :30am 4:00pm 7:30am 9:00am 11:30pm 4:00am 5:45pm 7:30pm 9:30pm 12:00am 10:00am 11:30am Zen Meditation Parish Center Upper Room, rdrueker@aol.com Praying in Sacred Space Big Room Lower School Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass Schedule Christmas Eve Mass Schedule & Trinity Hall Lessons & Carols Christmas Day Mass Schedule