HAPPY EASTER St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church Our Staff 410 Addison Road, So., Capitol Heights, MD 20743 April 3, 2016 Fr. Damian Shadwell, Pastor Rev. Mr. Keith Somerville, Deacon & Office of Sacramental Participation Rev. Mr. Samuel Minor, Deacon Emeritus Mrs. Regina Harvey, Director, Early Learning Center Mr. Joseph Joy, Music Director Ms. Holly Hayes, Music Ministry Mrs. Ethel T. Johnson, Youth Ministry Mrs. Carmen Wilson, Office Manager Mrs. Beverly Byam-Hercules, Office Assistant Ms. Evelyn M. Dickerson, Office Assistant Guillermo Mendoza Daniel Washington Maintenance Tara Obrist Co-chair Parish Council Patrick Obrist Co-chair Parish Council Inside this issue: Pastoral Message 1 Finance 2 Prayers 2 Announcements 2-6 Daily Readings 6 Contact Information 6 Pastoral Message Divine Mercy Sunday - 2nd Sunday of Easter 2016 Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. Maybe a discussion on the Beatitude, Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy, (Mt.5:7), would seem most appropriate? However, to do so would require us to upset the order of the Beatitudes as presented by Jesus. The order itself has a meaning as well as each Beatitude. So we should continue with our present course of study. Last week I wrote something that could be misleading. I wrote the following: Listen carefully to 2545: All Christ s faithful are to direct their affections rightly, lest they be hindered in their pursuit of perfect charity. The same section concludes that, the use of worldly things and an adherence to riches is contrary to the spirit of evangelical poverty. The use of worldly things is a necessary part of living. The fuller context of The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches, All Christ s faithful are to direct their affections rightly, lest they be hindered in their pursuit of perfect charity by the use of worldly things and an adherence to riches... Then I quoted the teaching of the Church: The Second Vatican Council Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 37, reinforces what we have discovered so far: We are able to love the things created by God and ought to do so. We can receive them from God and respect them as flowing from the hand of God using and enjoying them in a spirit of detachment ( 37). So the using of worldly things with a disordered affection is contrary to a poverty of spirit. The use of worldly things with proper affections is true to the spirit of poverty. The next section, 2547, should help to clarify the teaching: The Lord grieves over the rich, because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods. People who find consolation in having a lot of the things of this world brings sadness for Jesus. Section 2547 concludes with two statements of deep devotion or, as I mentioned last week, two statements of slavery to obedience to God. Abandonment to the providence of the Father in Heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow. Trust in God is a preparation for the blessedness of the poor. Hopefully we can understand that poverty of spirit is a necessary first step to living the Beatitudes. Poverty of spirit includes abandonment and trust in God. But, poverty of spirit also includes avoidance of riches and detachment from everything. Sections 2443 to 2449 in the CCC deal with the topic Love for the Poor. These sections clearly define the proper use of riches. Pope St. Leo the Great has a Sermon 95 entitled, On The Beatitudes. This sermon will confirm and help to increase our understanding of our first Beatitude. St. Leo writes, When Jesus said, Blessed are the poor in spirit, he showed that the kingdom of heaven is too be given to those whom humility of soul commends rather than lack of means. More next week! Invitation to Initiation Are you fully initiated into the church? This means have you received all the Sacraments of Initiation BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, AND FIRST EUCHARIST? If not contact the rectory on 301-336-3344.
PAGE 2 Remember to Pray for our Brothers and Sisters Who are Ill, Hospitalized or Recovering Iola Anderson Barbara Bailey Viola Bender Cheryl Brown Yvonne Brown Vincent Bruzzeze Thelma Holland Willie Jacobs David Lee Ethel Lineberger Katie Matthews Elaine McCree Charles Robinson McKever Rose Margaret Savoy John A. Swann Vivian Swann Deborah Tilghman Peyton Carr Becky Cole Margarite Childress Beverly Holland Jackie Holland Dcn. Samuel Minor Clementine Payne Escalene Proctor Shirleen Richardson Anna Robinson Pray for one another Please help us keep our records updated by contacting the rectory concerning parishioners who are hospitalized, ill at home or would like to have Sacrament of the Sick or the Eucharist brought to their home. Please call the rectory to add parishioners or loved ones to the prayer list. Weekly Collection - March 27, 2016 Offertory $4,457.35 Building & Maintenance $ 165.00 Church in Developing World $ 10.00 Holy Land (Good Friday) $ 436.00 Easter $1,369.00 Easter Flowers $ 2.00 Total $6,439.35 ST. MARGARET S FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE Please contact the rectory if you would like to join the committee or provide your ideas and/or proposals. The next meeting is Thursday April 12, 2016 7PM in the Rectory. The St. Margaret of Scotland fundraising committee invites you to join them on a trip to Foxwood Great Cedar Lodge in Connecticut on April 17-20, 2016. Please contact a committee member (Charles Ross, Vera Martin, Katrice Kelly or Gladys Miles), if interested and for further details. Thank you for your increased support and continued generosity! Did you know? You can also contribute online at our website www.stmoscs.org. The donate button is located at the bottom of the home page. Please note the type of contribution under Add special instructions to seller : Sunday Offertory, Building/Maintenance, Donation, or Special Collection. Please contact the parish office for more information regarding online donations. Please use your envelopes and document the amount of your contribution legibly on the envelopes. Using your envelopes makes for easier recording of your contributions. Thank you for your cooperation. St. Margaret of Scotland - ELC Mrs. Harvey, the ELC staff and the children are most grateful for the recent donation received. Your donations help future expansion and enhancements to the program. Open registration continues for ages 2-5 and Before & After Care. Please call 301-336-3115. Counters Schedule April 10, 2016 Team 1 Please contact Jackie Harris for more information.
ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND CATHOLIC CHURCH PAGE 3 Room Key Room 101 - Matthias Room Room 102 - Anna T. Robinson Community Room Room 103 - St. Josephine Bahkita Room 104 - St. Damian deveuster, ss.cc. Room 106 - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Room 107 - Mother Mary Lange Room 108 - Dr. Maya Angelou Room 109 - Classroom 109 LNGE - Lounge CHC - Church RC - Rectory Chapel REC - Rectory OR - Omega Room EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS AND LECTORS SCHEDULE EUCHARISTIC April 9-10 LECTORS 4 p.m. Gloria Henderson Ophelia Lee Beverly Byam-Hercules 8 a.m. Darryl Davis Vergenia Richardson Eileen Davis Lauren Wiggins 11 a.m. Mary Briscoe Velma Marshall Jennifer Ferguson Sunday Missal Readings Weekly Schedule - April 3, 2016 Sun, Apr 3 Dance Rehearsal - After 11 am Mass Sunday School /RCIA Steppers Rehearsal after 11 am Mass Tue, Apr 5 Core Fitness Workout - 9:30 AM - Rom 101 Wed, Apr 6 Spirit Life and Worship Meeting 4PM - REC Thu Apr 7 Core Fitness Workout - 9:30 AM - Rm 101 Fri Apr 8 Dance Ministry - 7PM Sat, Apr 9 Parish Council 9:30 AM - Rm 104 Sun Apr 10 Hat-it-tude - 2PM - OR Bible Study Sisters In the Spirit Sisters in the Spirit - Archdiocese of Washington are hosting A Day of Reflection. Saturday, April 16, 2016 St. Luke Catholic Church 4925 50th St. SE, Washington DC 20019 Cost $10 8:30 a.m. Registration/ Continental Breakfast 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Program begins Facilitator: Deacon Keith Somerville For more information contact: Burma Hill 240-620-4556/ Janice Stewart 301-642-8074. Bible Study will resume after Easter. Be on the look-out for the new start dates. Thank You from Special Events Committee The Special Events Committee would like to thank you for your overwhelming response and support towards our Good Friday Fish Fry. Support came from our parishioners, local businesses and Government Offices. A special thank you to Lester Dockery, Deacon Keith Somerville, and of course our very humble, anonymous angel who assisted in the kitchen. Thank you to those who made donations. We appreciate all that you do. We were able to make a substantial profit toward our own parish. Thank you again and see you at the next event!!! Divine Mercy Sunday April 10, 2016 Collect, Readings, Prayer over the Offerings and Prayer after Communion: Pg.383-388 Nicene Creed: Pg. 18-19 Preface of Easter Pg. 85 Eucharist Prayer No. 2: Pg. 31-33 Solemn Blessing :Pg. 99 Prayer before and after Communion: Pg. 645-646 Shirrita Ferguson - Chair ; Cecil Cox - Co-Chair.
ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND CATHOLIC CHURCH Page 4 St. Margaret s Special Events Committee Save the Date HAT-TI-TUDE SAVE THE DATES 2016 Sat., June 25, 2016 - Family Movie Night Sat., Sept 10, 2016 - Annual Fashion Show Sat., Nov 12, 2016 - Annual Dinner Theatre Sat., Dec 10, 2016 - Annual Christmas Bazaar Sat., Dec. 31, 2016 - New Year s Eve Chocolate Gala The Parish Support Committee (sponsored by the Parish Fundraising Committee) presents HAT-TI-TUDE, including an afternoon AT-TI-TUDE Tea Luncheon on Sunday, April 10, 2016 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in the Omega Room. Doors will open at 1:30 pm. Enjoy a lite lunch, relax with sweet music, sit back and view a fabulous fashion show of HATS - women and men. That s not all. In addition, there will be entertainment and door prizes - all for $22.00 per adult and $10.00 per child under 12 years. This is a parish wide event. All parishioners are encouraged to participate. Tickets and flyers are available. Please see Alice DeNeal, Shirley Holston, Janice Stewart or one of the Fundraising Committee members after each Mass. Tickets will also be available at the rectory. As a reminder - any one or group can become a support team. Just submit your idea or proposal to the Parish Fundraising Committee chairperson, Charles Ross. Please mark your calendars and spread the word! Thank you! Final day for ticket sales April 3, 2016 Save the Date! The St Margaret s Fund Raising Committee presents a trip to Biloxi and New Orleans. September 17-25, 2016. The cost is $745. Deposit of $100 due December 1, 2015. Monthly payments of $95 due Jan 11, Feb 11, Mar 11, Apr 11, June 10. Final payment of $75 due Jul 11. Consult Vera Martin or Charles Ross for more information. Youth Ministry - Concert The Youth Ministry will be hosting a concert on April 16, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Church. Let us worship together using the gifts of the arts given to our youth by God. The admission price is a free will donation. For more information please contact: Theresa Johnson 240-286- 6380; etjohnson@ymai.com; Jessie Watkins 301-257-6713; watkins.jessie79@yahoo.com Demetrius Gleaton 202-531-3324 demetriusglea611@gmail.com Save the Date Core Fitness Workout Coming Soon! Classes will begin April 5, Tuesday and Thursday Mornings from 9:30 a.m. Come and work on strengthening your core muscle groups for a happier and healthier you. All ages welcome. Wear comfortable clothing suitable for exercise. If you have a hip scarf / coin scarf bring it with you. Marriage Preparation Ministry Cardinal Wuerl on June 19, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. will celebrate the annual Jubilarian Mass honoring couples married 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and all years 51 and over. The Mass will be held at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Please contact the Parish Office or use the sign-up form. St. Margaret s Spiritual Steppers Are Back! We continue to hold weekly meetings after the 11AM Mass. We are planning for our comeback on April 24, 2016. Anyone, ages 10 and up, who would like to join us in praising and worshipping God through stepping, please come out and learn more. For more information, please contact Lynn Harris - 301-806-8336, or Cynthia Thomas - 301-728-4829
ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND CATHOLIC CHURCH PAGE 5 What is Divine Mercy Sunday? Among all of the elements of devotion to The Divine Mercy requested by our Lord through St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, the Feast of Mercy holds first place. The Lord's will with regard to its establishment was already made known in His first revelation to the saint, as recorded in her Diary. In all, there were 14 revelations concerning the desired feast. Our Lord's explicit desire is that this feast be celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. This Sunday is designated in "The Liturgy of the Hours and the Celebration of the Eucharist" as the "Octave Day of Easter." It was officially called the Second Sunday of Easter after the liturgical reform of Vatican II. Now, by the Decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the name of this liturgical day has been changed to: "Second Sunday of Easter, or Divine Mercy Sunday." 'Now On Throughout the Church' Pope John Paul II made the surprise announcement of this change in his homily at the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000. There, he declared: "It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church, will be called Divine Mercy Sunday.' " By the words "the whole message," Pope John Paul II was referring to the connection between the "Easter Mystery of the Redemption" in other words, the suffering, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, followed by the sending of the Holy Spirit and this Feast of Divine Mercy, the Octave Day of Easter, which fulfills the grace of atonement as lived through by Christ Jesus and offered to all who come to Him with trust. This connection is evident from the scripture readings appointed for this Sunday. As John Paul said, citing the Responsorial Psalm of the Liturgy, "The Church sings as if receiving from Christ's lips these words of the Psalm." "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His steadfast love (= mercy) endures forever" (Ps 118:1). And then, Pope John Paul II developed the connection further: "[This comes] from the lips of the risen Christ, who bears the great message of Divine Mercy and entrusts its ministry to the Apostles in the Upper Room: Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (Jn. 20:21-23). The Importance of the Image During his homily, John Paul also made clear that the Image of The Divine Mercy St. Faustina saw, which is to be venerated on Divine Mercy Sunday, represents the Risen Christ bringing mercy to the world (see Diary 49, 88, 299, 341, 570, 742). Pope John Paul II said: "Jesus shows His hands and His side [to the Apostles]. He points, that is, to the wounds of the Passion, especially the wound in His Heart, the source from which flows the great wave of mercy poured out on humanity. "From that Heart, Sr. Faustina Kowalska, the blessed whom from now on we will call a saint, will see two rays of light shining from that Heart and illuminating the world: The two rays,' Jesus Himself explained to her one day, represent blood and water' (Diary, 299). "Blood and water! We immediately think of the testimony given by the Evangelist John, who, when a soldier on Calvary pierced Christ's side with his spear, sees blood and water flowing from it (see Jn. 19:34). Moreover, if the blood recalls the sacrifice of the cross and the gift of the Eucharist, the water, in Johannine symbolism, represents not only Baptism but also the gift of the Holy Spirit" (see Jn. 3:5; 4:14; 7:37-39). The Meaning of the Day Clearly, Divine Mercy Sunday is not a new feast established to celebrate St. Faustina's revelations. Indeed, it is not primarily about St. Faustina at all nor is it altogether a new feast! As many commentators have pointed out, The Second Sunday of Easter was already a solemnity as the Octave Day of Easter; nevertheless, the title "Divine Mercy Sunday" does highlight and amplify the meaning of the day. In this way, it recovers an ancient liturgical tradition, reflected in a teaching attributed to St. Augustine about the Easter Octave, which he called "the days of mercy and pardon," and the Octave Day itself "the compendium of the days of mercy." Liturgically the Easter Octave has always been centered on the theme of Divine Mercy and forgiveness. Divine Mercy Sunday, therefore, point us to the merciful love of God that lies behind the whole Paschal Mystery the whole mystery of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ made present for us in the Eucharist. In this way, it also sums up the whole Easter Octave. As Pope John Paul II pointed out in his Regina Caeli address on Divine Mercy Sunday, 1995: "the whole octave of Easter is like a single day," and the Octave Sunday is meant to be the day of "thanksgiving for the goodness God has shown to man in the whole Easter mystery." Marians of the immaculate conception.
Contact Information Address: 408 Addison Road South, Seat Pleasant, MD 20743 Rectory Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Rectory: 301-336-3344 Rectory Fax: 301-336-5501 Formation: 301-336-3344 Child Care: 301-336-3115 Omega Room: 301-336-3345 E-Mail: stmargpar@verizon.net Website: www.stmoscs.org Weekday Mass: Saturday Vigil Mass: Sunday Mass: Novena: OUR SACRAMENTAL LIFE 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Every Monday after the 8:00 a.m. Mass Holy Day of Obligation Mass: 8:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation: 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday Baptism: Call the Rectory to make arrangements for preparation classes. MASS INTENTIONS 4 PM April 2 Ursula Byam 8 AM April 3 Bart Hua 4 PM April 9 Lucy Bruzzese Dance Ministry Rehearsal Friday s from 7:00 p.m. Room 106 and Sunday s after the 11:00 a.m. mass until June. The Right to Vote Important Deadlines Marriages: Youth Christian Formation: Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA): Sacrament of the Sick: Necessary preparation requires that arrangements are made at least 6 months before the date of the wedding. Call the Rectory for more information. Sessions are from September to May. Contact the Rectory for more information. Please contact the Rectory if you have not received all 3 sacraments of initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist. Please contact the Rectory concerning Parishioners who are sick or shut-in. Voter Registration Deadline: Tuesday, April 5, 2016 9:00 p.m. DAILY READINGS Week of April 3, 2016 Absentee Ballot Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 8:00 pm ( mail) or 11:59 pm (fax/email). For more information, contact the Prince George s County Board of Elections at 301-341-7300 Please remember that others fought and died for our right to vote. If you have not registered please do so and come out and vote. Alcoholic s Anonymous (AA) Meetings St. Margaret s serves as a site for AA Meetings. The meetings are held every Monday and Tuesday starting at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are held in the Matthias Room 101. There is also a meeting at Holy Spirit Church in Forestville on Friday at 7:30 p.m. to 10:00. p.m. Sun: Acts 5: 12-16; Rev. 1:9-13, 17-19; Ps.118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24; Jn. 20: 19-31 Mon: Is. 7:10-14, 8:10 & Heb. 10: 4-10; Ps. 40: 7-11; Lk. 1: 26-38 Tue: Acts 4:32-37; Ps. 93: 1-2, 5; Jn. 3:7-15 or 2Tim 4:1-5; Ps. 40:8-9; Lk.12:35-40 Wed: Acts 5:17-26; Ps. 34: 2-9; Jn. 3:16-21 Thu: Acts 5:27-33; Ps. 34:2,9,17-20; Jn. 3:31-36 or 2Tim. 1:13-14; 2: 1-3; Ps.40:5 or 1:2 or 92: 13-14; Mt. 18:1-5 Fri: Sat: Acts 5:34-42; Ps. 27: 1, 4, 13-14; Jn.6:1-15 Acts 6:1-7; Ps. 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19; Jn.6:16-21