Parish Bulletin:     February 28, 2010

March 1 – March 7
Monday, 3/1		9:00 a.m. Walter McCarthy
Tuesday, 3/2		9:00 a.m. Rev. Samuel Craig
Wednesday, 3/3		9:00 a.m. Salvatore Scali
		07:30 p.m. Drenka Mulle
Thursday, 3/4		9:00 a.m. Rev. A. Neal Ward
Friday, 3/5		9:00 a.m. Barbara Beall
		07:30 p.m. Carmel Fenech
Saturday, 3/6		9:00 a.m. Lorraine Fitzpatrick
		5:00 p.m. Betty & Dave Towey (L)
Sunday, 3/7		8:00 a.m. Margaret M. Lazar
		9:30 a.m. Joseph R. McClernon
		11:15 a.m. Bernadine Janiski
		1:00 p.m. Pro populo
		5:00 p.m. Lee Spurney

Please pray for the sick…Joan McLoughlin, Jean Paddock, Paul Cardaci, Paul Noga, Sofia Lewis, John Fenk, Sally Kent, Christina deCastro & Baby David. (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.)

The Light is ON, continued

During Lent, when we have the Light is ON program for confessions, I would like to continue here with some catechesis on the sacrament of reconciliation. I noted last week that many Catholics seem to be confused about whether or not confession is really even necessary anymore because of the widespread perception that “we can all go directly to God.” In response, the point was made that the question ultimately rests upon the difference between mortal and venial sin. While venial (light) sin weakens and impedes our relationship with Christ, it does not completely extinguish sanctifying grace that we first received in baptism and that is nurtured every time we receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Body and Blood. Indeed, when one is aware of having committed a lighter sin, one can go “directly to God” for forgiveness, as long as it is understood that it is not so much that we go directly to God, but rather, that we receive the mercy of God through the infinite merits of his Son, the One Mediator Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and with whom one is still in the communion of grace despite having committed venial sin. Individual prayer, penances, sacramentals such as the Rosary, and most especially, holy communion, are means to cleanse the soul of venial sins. (The multiple benefits and advisability of confessing our venial sins in the sacrament of reconciliation, as well, will be mentioned later.)

Mortal sin (grave, serious), on the other hand, which does cancel out the life of grace in the soul, is a distinct category altogether. The problem seems to concern how to tell the difference between mortal and venial sin. As we try to teach our young people, there are three qualifications that come together to determine whether one would be culpable of mortal sin. They are: 1. The matter of the sin is serious, 2. there was sufficient reflection in the individual about the serious nature of the act or omission, and 3. the sin was committed with full consent of the will. If the matter was serious and either points 2 or 3 were lacking, one would have committed a serious misdeed, but not be entirely culpable of mortal sin. In the case of mortal sin, when 1, 2, and 3 are present, sanctifying grace needs to be restored in the soul, bringing the sinner once again into communion with Christ and his Church. That is why the sacrament is called “reconciliation.” When one is conscious of mortal sin, the reception of holy communion should be delayed until a sacramental confession is made.

But how does one know what is serious matter? Here, it’s not so easy to come up with a rule of thumb. One needs to refer to the commandments of God and consult the accumulated wisdom of the Church, for example, readily available in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or as summarized in an Examination of Conscience leaflet for the sacrament of reconciliation. (See the Light is ON pamphlets in the Gathering Space.) Suffice it to say here, that many unfortunately and perhaps unwittingly consult secular society in general or their own feelings as to what is or is not a sin and do not realize that, for example, neglecting Mass on the Lord’s Day or use of the sexual faculty outside of marriage is serious matter.

Since confession is our lifeline to grace, there is never cause for despair. The strengthening power of God’s grace is always available to restore our souls and support our arduous journey toward holiness. Christ is with us!

~ Fr. David

WELCOME SUNDAY – March 7th

New parishioners are invited to join us after the 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. Masses on March 7th in the Gathering Space to meet fellow parishioners and to learn more about our parish.

RCIA - –The Penitential Rite will be celebrated today at the 9:30 a.m. Mass. The Penitential Rite is celebrated for the RCIA candidates (those who are already baptized). It serves to mark the Lenten purification of the candidates who are preparing to receive the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist. Along with the Candidates, the sponsors and the St. Francis community also participate in the celebration of the penitential rite. All participants, in their own different ways, will hear the comforting message of pardon for sin, for which we will praise the Father’s mercy.

The Scrutinies will be celebrated March 7th at the 11:15 a.m. Mass, Sunday, March 14th at the 5:00 Mass, and Sunday, March 21st at the 9:30 a.m. Mass. The Scrutinies are rites of self-searching and repentance for the Elect (those who are not baptized) who are seeking initiation into the Catholic faith at the Easter Vigil. They are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak or sinful in the hearts of the Elect; and to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong and good. During our Lenten journey, we should use the penitential rite of the Candidates and the Scrutinies of the Elect to prepare ourselves for Easter. Please, continue to pray for our Elect Adam Greenbaum and Kristin Raker and our Candidates, Lyllian Azucena, Kristen Henseler, Ginny O'Connor, Meghan O'Connor, Monica Sanchez, Alice Welanetz.

SNOW REMOVAL COLLECTION – While winter is always a costly time for our parish due to heating bills, electric and snow removal, this year as you all can imagine, we have been hit extremely hard with snow removal costs – over $28,000 so far this winter! We are asking parishioners to contribute to a snow removal collection. We will be holding a second collection to assist with this expense the weekend of March 13/14 or you can put your donation in a separate envelope marked Snow Removal and place it in the offertory collection. Your help will be much appreciated.

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.

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!

LAMB OF GOD PRAYER MEETING - Join the Lamb of God Prayer Group for worship and the study of Scripture on Tuesday, March 2nd, 7:30 p.m., St. Clare’s Chapel in the Rectory. For details, please call Louise, (301) 977-5217

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT All are welcome! Join the Ministry of Eucharistic Adoration and assist with adoration in the following manner:
     • Become a regular attendee at adoration in the Parish.
     • Commit to a specific hour and faithfully pray during that hour.
     • Pray that Eucharistic Adoration will increase.
     • Foster Eucharistic Adoration in our parish by evangelizing His Real Presence.
     • Deepen your personal relationship with Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
First Friday Mass will be at 7:30 p.m., March 5th, followed by adoration, with Benediction at 9:00 p.m. All-night adoration begins in the Rectory Chapel at 10:00 p.m. and concludes on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m.

FOOD COLLECTION – Hunger remains one of the region’s most prevalent issues facing families. Help end hunger through the Share in Hope Food Drive. On March 6 & 7th, we will distribute bags. Please take one and return the following weekend with the bag filled with food. Today’s bulletin insert lists the types of food needed. Simple actions can make a big difference to our brothers and sisters in need. Our food collection will go to St. Martin’s Food Pantry in Gaithersburg. If you don’t pick-up a food bag, you can bring you donation in any grocery bag.

MARCH 2010 LUNCH - The St. Francis Lunch Bunch will meet at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3rd at Biscotti’s Restaurant, 7212 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood, (301) 990-6560. 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!

MARY & SCRIPTURE CLASS - Lent is a time to re-focus yourself on God and grow in your faith. One terrific way to do this is to come out to a series of edifying talks by Fr. Ralph on Mary and Scripture. The talk will be held on Tuesday, March 2nd, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.

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.

POOR BOX DONATION – The donations for this weekend will go to our Haiti Medical Mission. Thank you for your generosity.

HEALTH MINISTRY PARISH SURVEY Please take time to fill out & return the Health Ministry Parish Survey inserted in today’s bulletin. Your input will help us to better serve the health ministry needs of the parish.

FREE CANCER SCREENINGS – March 7th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., Washington Adventist Hospital and March 21st, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Shady Grove Hospital. Call 1-800-542-5096 to register.

TELEPHONE WORKSHOPS – The American Cancer Society presents FREE monthly telephone workshops to assist those caring for persons with cancer. Workshop topic for March is “Finding Nursing Care or Companions at Home.” Call Dates: Wednesday, March 3rd, 2:00-3:15 p.m. and Monday, March 8th, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Call 1-800-966-3586 to register or visit www.cancer.org/sacaregiversworkshops.

KOC LENTEN MEAL - The Knights of Columbus Council #2323 is hosting a Lenten meal for St. Francis Parish on Friday, March 5th at Hershey's Restaurant in Gaithersburg, 17030 Oakmont Avenue, from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m. Hershey's offers a nice selection of seafood from $8.99 up, including cod, catfish, salmon, shrimp, crab, and so much more! Hershey’s is a great family-owned restaurant. A portion of the receipts go to Montgomery Council #2323 to assist in their charitable mission. Please mention Knights of Columbus when ordering.

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.

MARYLAND MARCH FOR LIFE – Monday, March 8th, at the State House in Annapolis. Go to marylandmarchforlife.org for more details.

CONSIDERING HOMESCHOOLING – “Come & See”, Sunday, March 14th, 2:30 p.m., Parish Center. Meet a panel of local Catholic homeschooling parents to hear how they balance academics, social life, extracurriculars, housework, and the domestic church. Learn about state regulations, college admission, curriculum options for gifted, disabled, and on-grade-level children, and the plethora of Montgomery County homeschooling activities. Shop for bargains at the used curriculum sale, too. For more information, contact Mary Dixon, (301) 330-4382 or visit the local chapter of TORCH (Traditions of Roman Catholic Homes) at www.montgomeryTORCH.org

IRISH MUSIC & DANCE – Sunday, March 7th, 4:00 p.m., St. Aloysius Church, Lower Level, 19 I Street NW. Featuring Pee Moss & the Bog Band, singer Paul Gannon and the Boyle School Irish Dancers. Sponsored by Gonzaga College High School Mothers Club. For more details contact Tom, (202) 842-1112.

BINGO ENTRANCE TEAMS NEED HELP – Friday Night Bingo, which for decades has provided a substantial and regular income for our parish needs your help. Please consider setting aside just 2-3 hours once every 8 weeks to help keep our program functioning smoothly. It is easy, and allows you to help our parish while meeting fellow parishioners. For further details, please contact Linda Foster, (301) 466-1256 or thebchmom@comcast.net

BINGO TEAM #3 under the leadership of Bernard McGuire, (301) 926-2092, and ENTRANCE TEAM 8 under the leadership of Bill Lynch, (301) 774-1232, will meet on Friday, March 5th, 6:30 p.m. Early bird starts at 7:00 p.m. with regular games starting at 7:30 p.m.