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February 1 – February 7
Please pray for the sick……Joan McLoughlin, Jean Paddock, Paul Cardaci, Paul Noga, Sofia Lewis, Steve Ubl, Jack Fletcher, Marian Rindos. (Names will remain on this list for four (4) consecutive weeks, but can be repeated by calling the Rectory. Please notify the Parish Office if you or persons whose names you submitted no longer need to be on this prayer list. Thank you for your cooperation.)
Religious Freedom
In past centuries, it would have been unthinkable for "God-talk" to have been banished from schools. And with the sacred scriptures constituting the basic material for learning to read, this would not even have been possible. Comprising the deepest sentiments and expressions of the ultimate purpose for human beings, religion was part and parcel of the intellectual and moral formation of the young. In school they would have learned their religious tradition, the doctrines of the faith, and the meaning of upright Christian living. In recent times, however, our notion of religious freedom has changed. That we live in a pluralistic society has been understood to justify the bracketing off of this whole universe of discussion.
In such a society as we find it now, Catholic schools are an expression of true religious freedom. To be sure, unlike in colonial times, the Catholic faith can now be taught and practiced unhindered, and that is thanks to the First Amendment of the Constitution. But more than that, Catholic schools integrate all the aspects of human education in a fully Christian worldview—that we are under God, redeemed in Christ, that we belong to a supernatural organization called the Church, which provides the means of our salvation, and that every area of study flows from God as Creator and ultimately points back to him.
Today we celebrate and pray for the success of our Catholic schools that they may continue to accomplish this mission. During this annual Catholic Schools Week, we especially recognize the dedication of our teachers, catechists, and administrators. We also express appreciation to all parents who are sacrificing to place their children in a Catholic school. At today’s 11:15 Mass, students in our Catholic schools are serving in various roles. May they and all our young people enrolled in our religious education classes and in home schooling programs eventually take up their rightful responsibilities in the Church as they become adults in Christ.
~Fr. David
OLD PALMS - We will be collecting old palms beginning today until Sunday, February 14th. If you have old palms that you don't want, please place them in the Palm Collection Box in the Gathering Space.
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT All are welcome! Join the Ministry of Eucharistic Adoration and assist with adoration in the following manner:
WELCOME SUNDAY – February 7th
New parishioners are invited to join us after the 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. Masses on February 7th in the Gathering Space to meet fellow parishioners and to learn more about our parish.
PASTORAL COUNCIL NOTES
The St. Francis Pastoral Council met on January 19th. New Business included a discussion of our Haiti Mission, including our medical and educational efforts, teams, costs, and collections. More fundraising efforts are needed to maintain our level of involvement. Our parish Health Ministry Outreach program will be conducting a survey to assess medical-related needs of our parishioners. Sue Lea discussed a Parish Mission being set for March 13-16 with Bob Rice, a popular and well-regarded speaker. Old Business began with a discussion of Father Ralph's 60th anniversary celebration, scheduled for Sat., June 5th, with Mass at 1:00 p.m. and dinner following. Greater participation of Council members in Welcome Sundays was urged. It was decided that the conduct of the upcoming Pastoral Council elections would continue as in the past, with a stronger emphasis on who is eligible to vote. Prior discussions about Ministry Budgets were continued and a Bylaws amendment was proposed to simplify the process of submitting budgets. The Volunteer Appreciation Dance planning efforts were discussed, and a list of possible workshops provided by the archdiocese was distributed. The quarterly Financial Report was given, indicating that parish finances were close to budget projections. Ministry Chair reports included a Building Committee summary of the status of the review of the Catechetical Center options, which the architect is currently working on. Brian Karem reported on efforts to expand St. Francis youth sports to include soccer and other sports, as well as the May 17th Wolfpack fundraising Golf Tournament. Joan Treacy reported on First Reconciliation, the upcoming Lenten season and Easter Vigil. A further need for Catechists was expressed. Mary Dixon discussed plans for Catholic Schools Week, beginning with the 11:15 Mass on January 31st and the March for Life. A report from Rachelle Jayner discussed the Family Life Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. Special recognitions included Marilyn Goerg for making scarves for the March for Life, Mary Dixon for leading the March for Life efforts, Mike Quintero for his efforts for Wolfpack football, and Pat Labuda for her efforts in Haiti, especially, at this time in the aftermath of the earthquake. (Summarized by Sean Wooden)
FRED
High School Teens Join us tonight 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
FEBRUARY 2010 Summer Work Camps CHWC, Providence, Rhode Island June 27-July 3 Encounter (UV of MD) July 11 – 16 Registration forms can be found on the FRED table in the Gathering Space.
FRED on the WEB www.sfadw.org click on youth tab FRED Group on FACEBOOK FRED Snow Cancellation Policy – www.sfadw.org Click on Religious Ed/youth K-12/snow policy
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Are you called to be a Catechist?
Our parish is blessed by the faithful service of the many wonderful people who are serving as catechists in our RE Program this year! Catechists are people of faith who respond to a call to teach the faith and lead others to a deeper relationship with Christ. Catechists give witness to the faith by their word and by the example of their lives. Their faith is expressed in a commitment to prayer and Sunday worship and a willingness to continue their own formation in the faith. Please consider whether you are being called to serve as a catechist for our young people. Additional catechists are welcome, and needed, at all levels of our Religious Education Program for this spring, and for next year. To learn more about this important ministry, please contact Susan Anderson, Director of Religious Education, (301) 258-9193 or sanderson@sfadw.org
CONFIRMATION CANDIDATE & PARENT MEETING A reminder to Confirmation Candidates and Parents: There will be a meeting for students and parents on Wednesday, February 10th at 7:30 pm in the Parish Center. If you have any questions about this meeting or our Confirmation program, please call Susan Anderson at (301) 258-9193.
SAVE THIS DATE FOR VACATION BIBLE CAMP - St. Francis of Assisi Church invites children from age 4 to those who will complete the 5th grade in June 2010 to join us at Vacation Bible Camp June 28th through July 2nd from 9:00 am to 12:15 pm. Look for camper registration information, as well as information about volunteer opportunities for adults and teens, later this Spring!
PANCAKE SUPPER – Come join your fellow parishioners as we look to the season of Lent by enjoying a feast of pancakes, eggs, sausage and much more! Tuesday, February 16th, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the St. Francis Parish Center. Come one, come all, come hungry!
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PRAYER CHAIN If you have a prayer request, please contact Marianne Bullen, (301) 963-3420 or mariannebu@comcast.net with your requests.
ROSARY CENACLE OF OUR LADY, QUEEN OF PEACE – 3:00 p.m., Chaplet of Divine Mercy Rosary Cenacle of Our Lady, Queen of Peace to pray for priests, 3:00 p.m. in St. Clare’s Chapel (Rectory) every Sunday. Please join us.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DANCE Saturday, February 6th, 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. Be sure to wear your Hawaiian attire.
PAX CHRISTI - St. Francis' Pax Christi will be kicking off the New Year on Thursday evening, February 4th at 7:30 pm in the Youth Room, with a presentation on the proposal to create a U.S. Department of Peace, by Wendy Green. (See the cards on the Social Concerns Table.) Wendy Greene is a volunteer National Public Spokesperson for The Peace Alliance, which is focused on creating a U.S. Department of Peace and reducing gang violence through advocacy of the Youth PROMISE Act. Daughter of a West Point graduate, Wendy grew up an "Air Force brat," living in six states before the age of five. A member of the Greene family has served in every major U.S. conflict beginning with the Revolutionary War and Wendy currently has family members serving on active duty in both the Air Force and the Marines, and nephew who is a Plebe at West Point. All are welcome! For more information, contact Charles McCarthy 301-8401-407.
LOBBY NIGHT 2009 – Join hundreds of other Maryland Catholics on Monday, February 15th to offer a "Testimony of Charity" at Lobby Night 2010. The 26th annual event brings together bishops, priests, and laity from throughout the state to pray, learn, and lobby! It begins with a prayer service by Maryland's bishops, followed by briefings from Conference staff on key issues, face-to-face meetings with state lawmakers, and a dinner reception with legislators. The event is held in Annapolis, and registration is required so that meetings with lawmakers can be scheduled. This year's theme, "Testimony of Charity," is drawn from Pope Benedict's recent encyclical Caritas in Veritate. Though the issues to be presented at Lobby Night have not been finalized, they are likely to include support for pregnant women, the BOAST Tax Credit for Catholic schools, poverty and state budget concerns, and marriage. We will be doing sign-ups at St. Francis the weekend of February 6/7 after all the Masses.
FEBRUARY 2010 LUNCH - The St. Francis Lunch Bunch will meet at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3rd at Thai Farm Restaurant, 800 King Farm Blvd, #125, Rockville, (301) 258-8829. If you are planning to attend, please contact Mary Lou Habib, (301) 417-0243 and she will reserve a seat for you. Everyone is welcome!
LAMB OF GOD PRAYER MEETING - Join the Lamb of God Prayer Group for worship and the study of Scripture on Tuesday, February 2nd, 7:30 p.m., St. Clare’s Chapel in the Rectory. For details, please call Louise, (301) 977-5217.
WORKCENTER 2010 – The WorkCenter that used to be at St. Francis has moved to Our Lady of Lourdes in Bethesda. Our Lady of Lourdes is at 7500 Pearl St., close to the Metro Station in downtown Bethesda. Workcenter will meet the first Saturday of each month, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Any questions contact Stephano Ratti, at rattigno@yahoo.com.
PASTORAL COUNCIL ELECTION NOMINATIONS Our Pastoral Council is in the process of seeking potential nominees (18 years or older) for the Pastoral Council elections to be held in March. There will be five members whose terms are expiring this year. For additional information on council duties/activities, please contact Fr. David or Council Chair, Mike Goggin (301) 990-9375. To nominate yourself or others, please contact the head of the Nominating Committee, Gary Palmer, (301) 948-6494 or gtdbpalmer@cs.com. Nominations close Sunday, February 14th. Elections will be held the weekend of March 6/7.
KOC GARAGE-ATTIC SALE – Household goods donations are needed for the upcoming KOC Sale at St. Raphael’s Parish. Prompt free pick-up for quality, saleable furniture, in which case clothes and other saleable household goods gladly accepted on same pick-up. Tax deductible (approved charity). Please call (301) 424-6772 to arrange for pick or with questions.
KOC FREE THROW COMPETITION – The KOC Council #2323 will be hosting a basketball free throw competition for boys and girls ages 10-14 (as of Jan. 1) on Saturday, February 13th, 6:30 p.m. in the St. Mary's school gym. Please contact Pat Gilroy (301) 424-3107 or gilroy@comcast.net for more information.
DATE CHANGE - RETREAT FOR PASTORAL MUSICIANS – All parish musicians (including those who sing from the pew!) are invited to the NPM/DC Lenten Retreat to be held at the Franciscan Monastery on Saturday, February 20th. For more information and to register, go online to www.npmdc.org or contact MaryLu Hartsell at mlh827@comcast.net or (301) 814-7792. Registration deadline is February 12th.
BINGO TEAM #6 under the leadership of Bobbie McLaughlin, (301) 926-4032, and ENTRANCE TEAM 4 under the leadership of Bill Lynch, (301) 774-1232, will meet on Friday, February 5th, 6:30 p.m. Early bird starts at 7:00 p.m. with regular games starting at 7:30 p.m.
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