St. Hugh of Grenoble Catholic Church

Transcription

1 St. Hugh of Grenoble Catholic Church The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph December 29, 2013 Over all [other virtues] put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:14 Clergy Rev. Walter J. Tappe, Pastor Rev. Richard D. Kramer, Jr., Assisting Priest Mr. Desi Vikor, Deacon Parish Staff Mrs. Lucy Fuentes, Business Manager Mrs. Mary Wade, Coordinator of the School of Religion Mrs. Jennifer Goltz, Director of Music Gerald Muller, DMA, Principal Organist Mr. Hung Le, Plant Manager Parish Office Office Hours: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday Friday School of Religion (CCD) shreligioused4@gmail.com Mrs. Mary Wade, Coordinator St. Joseph Regional School Montgomery Road Beltsville, MD Holy Hour First Fridays at 7:00 p.m. The Sacraments Reconciliation: Saturday: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Baptism: 2nd Sunday of the month after the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Call the rectory to make arrangements. Marriage: By arrangement. Contact the pastor at least six months before intended date of wedding. New Parishioners See the Greeter after Sunday Mass to register. Departing Parishioners Please inform the parish office that you re leaving. Music for this Sunday Entrance: no. 493 Gloria (11am): no. 353 Preparation: no. 507 Lamb of God: Agnus Dei Communion: no. 495 Marian: no. 986 Final: no. 510 Mass Times SUNDAY Sat. 5 p.m. Vigil 8 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11 a.m. DAILY Mon.-Fri. 7:15 a.m. Fed. Holidays 9 a.m. Saturday 9 a.m. 135 Crescent Road Greenbelt MD, Phone (301) , FAX (301) sthughoffice@gmail.com

2 Your Prayers Requested For those preparing for their vocations Deacon Chip Luckett, Jack Berard, Sister Mary Joy of Martyrs Kimble, SSVM, and Joe Lomax For those preparing for the sacraments For all those preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation. For the sick Please pray for: Bobby Mittelstetter; Elizabeth Pels Nash; Mary & Ludvik Matyas; Dave Williams; Tom Moran; John Yamnicky, Nancy DePlatchett; Anne Gormley. For the deceased In your charity, please pray for the souls of our beloved dead: James Johnston. For our troops Please pray for: Adam Weaver, James Hall, Christopher Pfaffman, Anthony (Tj) Hose, Anthony Ladnier, Tony Alves, Karen Mealey. To add a name to these lists, please call the rectory. WINTER WILD It was winter wild While the Heav n-born child All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies. John Milton, On the Morning of Christ s Nativity This Week at a Glance Today 12/29/2013, Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph 8am Mass 9:30am Mass 11am Mass, Parish Choir Monday 12/30/2013, Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas Tuesday 12/31/2013, Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas 7pm Vigil Mass of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Parish Office closed Wednesday 1/1/2014, Mary, the Holy Mother of God 8am Holy Day Mass 10am Holy Day Mass Parish Office closed Thursday 1/2/2014, Ss. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen Friday 1/3/2013, Most Holy Name of Jesus 7pm First Friday Devotions Saturday 1/4/2014, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 9am Mass followed by Fatima Devotions 3:30pm 4:30pm Sacrament of Reconciliation 5pm Vigil Mass Spaghetti Dinner 6pm, Grenoble Hall The calendar is also online: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, like you we are members of the Father's family. We pray that our family love may reflect his love on its openness to all people. May we forgive even when not forgiven, and be patient with others' weaknesses. Jesus, give us the peace and strength to meet the difficulties of daily living. May we use our family resources to improve the quality of life for ourselves and all people. Let us show joy in serving, for whatever we do for others, we do for you. Mary, inspire us, that our love may be strong but not possessive. Let our willingness to give depend on the needs of others rather than on the cost of giving. Joseph, help us to be attentive to the Father's will. Let us be ready, as you were, to act whenever he calls us. Mary, the Holy Mother of God A Holy Day of Obligation Tuesday December 31, 7pm (the vigil) Wednesday January 1, 8am and 10am READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Wednesday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Friday: 1 Jn 2:29 3:6; Ps 98:1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34 Saturday: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-42 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 Masses for the Week of 12/29-1/5 Saturday 5pm Eileen Madden Sunday 8am Johanna Neilsen 9:30am Elena Valda 11am Intention of the Parish Monday 7:15am Int. Shawn Dwyer Tuesday 7:15am James Lyncg 7pm Intention of the Parish Wednesday 8am Leo Slaughter 10am Manuel Roxas Thursday 7:15am Eileen Madden Friday 7:15am Int. Ken Henard Saturday 9am Leo Slaughter 5pm Intention of the Parish Sunday 8am Living & Deceased Sodalists 9:30am Shirley Zeiger 11am Fidelis Makwega

3 From the Pastor At the request of our bishops, we have included a petition in each Sunday s prayer of the faithful for the protection of religious freedom in this country. The First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a state religion, but welcomes the presence of religion and religious ideas in public life. For religion opens human beings to God, the source of all that is and of every human right and freedom. There are some who believe that religion should be excluded as much as possible from public life: that there should be no religious symbols on public land, no prayer in secular gatherings, no mention of God when debating public or social policy. They will sometimes appeal to the First Amendment to justify their position. Along with the bishops, I believe such people are misguided. Their wish to reduce religion to the private sphere alone falsifies the nature of religion itself, which is to bring people together by bringing them to God. The First Amendment allows religious people to build hospitals for the sick, shelters for the homeless, schools for the young, care facilities for the disabled, and so on and so forth, which reflect the religious ideas and practices of the people who built them. It does this because it recognizes the great benefit that religion brings to civil life in this country. It is challenging to live in a country of many religions. It takes charity, patience, dialogue, and respect for the conscience of others. We have done this in the past by building conscience clauses into those laws which religious groups find objectionable. This is just and reasonable. Yet, there are some who are so opposed to religion that they would require religious people to violate the tenets of their religion if they wish to participate fully in public life. This is the case with the federal Department of Health and Human Services, which, under the Affordable Care Act, requires that religious persons and institutions either provide insurance coverage for practices they consider immoral or cease to serve the general public. The present Administration has rebuffed the request of the American bishops to exempt religious individuals and institutions from having to provide insurance coverage for contraception, sterilization, and abortioninducing drugs. In effect, the Administration is telling the bishops: These are settled issues in this country. If you wish to provide educational, or medical, or social services to people in the United States, you must reconcile yourself to paying for these practices, or get out of the business of schools, hospitals and social services. This is a gross violation of freedom of religion. It also shows contempt for the conscience of countless religious believers. It is right to oppose such laws and seek redress in the courts. This is what the Catholic Church and many other religious communities and individuals have done. In some cases the lower courts have upheld religious freedom and conscience rights. In other cases, they have not. Now the Supreme Court will address the issue. Let us pray that the justices will uphold the First Amendment and not interpret it away. But there are other things religious people can do besides hoping for a favorable decision from the Supreme Court. They can elect presidents and governors who are committed to religious freedom, and vote out of office those who do not. Also, they can persuade the legislative branch of our government to pass laws that protect religious freedom. It will do so if our representatives know what we believe and how we feel. If we do so consistently and in sufficient numbers, there is every hope Congress and state legislatures will respond. Yours in Christ, Father Walter

4 From the School of Religion Parish Life We will be closed on today for our Christmas and New Year holidays. We will resume classes on January 5th. Our Christmas Pageant will take place on Sunday, January 5th in the school gym during our regular class time. After the pageant, we will enjoy a potluck lunch. Please bring a favorite family food and drink to share. Thank you. News from the Knights of Columbus Mark Your Calendars! Who won t be tired of rich and heavy holiday fare? Who wouldn t fancy some pasta and fellowship? Join the St. Hugh's Knights of Columbus on Saturday evening, January 4, 2014, at 6:30 for our first Spaghetti Dinner of the New Year! Donations will be accepted at the door; all proceeds go to fund the programs of the St. Hugh's K of C. Christmas Bazaar Raffle It's not too late to participate in the Christmas Bazaar Raffle. Please be sure your tickets are returned to the rectory by Monday, December 30th. Also, we will be selling additional tickets after all Masses December 28th and 29th. Thanks so much for your participation. If you have any questions, please contact Ginger Feliciotti at Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, dear Holy Family, pray for us! LOVE For generations, various cultures regarded family life merely as a utilitarian necessity. Sirach introduces honor and respect. For Jews and Christians alike, the value of family goes even further. The family is seen as the indispensable school where love is learned. Paul addresses the Colossians and offers a list of virtues that make for a solid and happy church. These values also make for a happy family at ease with itself and its members: mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness. As a capstone, Paul urges love, which brings all of these domestic virtues to perfection. Paul seems to be on a roll as he lauds the virtues of the church at Colossae. With such heartfelt virtues, it is no wonder Paul bursts into song. Who wouldn t? It s clear that the center of the church is love. It is clear that no matter how far from home the members travel, the heart remains and all the members are connected by the gravitational pull of mutual love, a love first learned in family life. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION We are in the season of the Incarnation, the mystery of God s love poured out in Christ s birth. The word derives from the Latin carnis meaning flesh. Throughout history, some Christians have distrusted the flesh, and stressed a hatred of this world and its pleasures. Perhaps they have not paid enough attention to how embodied the sacraments are. One third-century author put it plainly in an image that may alarm diet-conscious Americans, explaining that we wash the body so the soul can be cleansed, that we anoint the body so the soul can be strengthened, and that we eat the body and blood of Christ so that the soul can fatten on God. Catholics get that God is revealed in this world. The sacraments use the stuff of creation: water and oil; the senses of the body, touch and taste and smell. We use the things of this world rightly. After all, God s love poured out into human flesh means the world has eternal value. Why else would Jesus describe the kingdom to come as a teeming city or a marriage banquet? Catholics are realists, and nowhere is that more evident than when we gather for a sacrament. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Dear St. Hugh Families and Parishioners, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas day and are enjoying the 12 days of Christmas with your family and friends. Please enjoy this Feast of the Holy Family. Would you like to keep up to date with the happenings at St. Joseph s Regional Catholic School? Like the Home and School Association s Facebook page at Home and School, St. Joseph s Regional Catholic School. Merry Christmas! A look ahead: December 21-January 5: Christmas Break January 6: School Resumes January 7: Family Night Out, Ruby Tuesday s Greenbelt January 13: Re-Registration Begins January 20: Martin Luther King Day, No School January 22: Rally and Mass for Life (7-8 grade) January 24: Boxtop tag day, Noon dismissal January 26: Start of Catholic Schools Week: Book Fair in school library It s Academic competition, Students will speak at all Masses January 27: Grandparent/ Special Person Day January 29: Open House for New Students: Open Registration Peace and all Good, Mrs. Anne-Marie Miller OFS Principal, St. Joseph s Regional Catholic School

5 Around the Archdiocese Men's Discernment Retreat Friday January 31 through Sunday, February 2, 2014: Cardinal Donald Wuerl invites men in their 20 s 40 s who are considering a call to the priesthood to attend a discernment retreat at Blessed John Paul II Seminary led by priests of the Archdiocese of Washington. The weekend will offer opportunity for prayer and reflection to examine God s call and will cost you nothing more than your time. Registration is now open at or vocations@adw.org for more information Adult and Family Rally and Mass for Life The Archdiocese of Washington and the Association of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities will sponsor the Adult and Family Rally and Mass for Life on the morning of the National March for Life on January 22, This event for parishioners of the Archdiocese of Washington will be held at The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (1725 Rhode Island Ave., NW). The Rally kicks off at 9am and features Chad Judice, author of Waiting for Eli, as the main speaker. Bishop Francisco Gonzalez will celebrate the Mass, which begins at 10am. Departure for the National March for Life at 11:30am. Registration is required: Visit for more information. From the Domincan Retreat House December 31 January , Remember the Past; Celebrate the Present; Embrace the future New Year s Eve Overnight Retreat. Directed by Fr. Don Howard.Time: Tuesday 5:30pm Wednesday 10:30 am. January 5, 2014, Epiphany Open House Please join the Sisters and Staff in celebrating the new year. There will be lots of holiday cheer and food and entertainment! Time: Sunday 2pm 4pm For further information and reservations call Dominican Retreat at or check our website at Enjoying the Christmas Season at the National Shrine Come see the spectacular decorations as the Basilica of the National Shrine dresses up for this joyous time of year and join the National Shrine in celebrating the Christmas season. Visitors will be welcomed by 51 trees, as tall as 15 feet, together with more than 500 vibrant poinsettia plants. More than 65,000 brilliant lights will brighten the Basilica, inside and out, for this most wonderful time of the year. Be sure to see the two manger scenes, one of which is nearly life size. Decorations will be up December 20 - January 12; the Basilica is open daily 7am 6pm. The Basilica is located at 400 Michigan Ave. NE, offers ample free parking, and is within walking distance from the Brookland-CUA Station on Metro s Red Line. For more information please visit: or call (202) Deacon Come and See Events Permanent deacons are ordained clergy who have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Deacons are called to a special ministry of service through which they assist the needy, the hungry, the sick, the homeless, the imprisoned, immigrants, and others. As ministers of God s Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel at Mass, preach and teach. They also exercise various liturgical roles, including baptizing, witnessing marriages, presiding at funerals and wake services, and serving as ordinary ministers of Holy Communion. The Office of Permanent Diaconate Formation of the Archdiocese of Washington will begin a new cycle of recruitment and preparation of men for the diaconate. It will begin with an aspirancy program in late Fall of The initial selection process for this class will begin with a series of Come and See events at various parishes around the Archdiocese in February- March Potential applicants should review the schedule below for the locations and dates of these events in order to take advantage of the opportunity to attend and learn more about the permanent diaconate and the formation program. Applicants must be baptized Catholic men between the ages of thirty and fifty-nine (at the time the formation program begins), active in the parish, and recommended by their pastors. Interested persons may contact Deacon Desi Vikor, Director of Formation, at or by at vikord@adw.org. The mailing address for the office is: Office of Permanent Diaconate Formation, P.O. Box 29260, Washington, D.C Additional information is available at The Come and See events are all on Wednesday evenings, except March 29th at St. Gabriel s is on a Saturday morning. The schedule to come and see for potential applicants and their wives is: 1. Feb. 5, 2014 Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, Hyattsville, MD 7-9 pm 2. Feb. 12, 2014 St. Joseph, Largo, MD 7-9 pm 3. Feb. 26, 2014 St. Andrew the Apostle, Silver Spring, MD 7-9 pm 4. Mar. 12, 2014 Jesus the Good Shepherd, Owings, MD 7-9 pm 5. Mar. 19, St. Aloysius, Leonardtown, MD 7-9 pm 6. Mar. 29, St. Gabriel, Washington, DC 10:30 am 12:30 pm Please RSVP to Ms. Diane Biggs, (301) , biggsd@adw.org and let her know which session you will attend.