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Please pray for the sick…Joan McLoughlin, Jean Paddock, Paul Cardaci, Paul Noga, Sofia Lewis, John Fenk, Sally Kent, David deCastro. (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, III During this Lenten season, when we have been emphasizing the importance of the sacrament of Reconciliation, I've been offering some catechesis on confession in light of contemporary mindsets. Those who are of the grandparent and great grandparent generation may recall the long confession lines on Saturday afternoons in parish churches. Since that time, the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) envisioned an amplification of the Rite of Penance so that the "nature and effect" of the sacrament would be more clearly expressed (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #72). One of the fruits of the revision of the Rite has been the proliferation of parish penance services, especially during the two penitential seasons of the year, incorporating both communal and individual confession. This restored expression, especially of the communal dimension of penance, brings out what another document from the Council says about the Church’s involvement in the sacrament: "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example and by prayer labors for their conversion." (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, #11, emphasis mine) Happily, there seems to have followed a wide appreciation among the faithful of the communal dimension whereby, as the same document says a little earlier, the Church, "at once holy and always in need of purification, follows constantly the path of penance and renewal." (#8) I also wanted to add a few reasons why confessing our venial sins in the sacrament is very beneficial, even though someone may be free—may it please God—of mortal sins. While it is possible and necessary to confess all our mortal sins in kind and number, it would be impossible to confess all our venial sins in totality. Except for some saintly few who enjoy a specially infused charity, for most of us mortals, our venial sins are too numerous to detail. Nonetheless, by the mere fact of articulating a representational number of lighter sins, confession helps us to be more mindful of our particular weaknesses, which left unconfronted can lead to mortal sins. At the same time, receiving the grace of absolution trains the conscience, strengthens our will against temptation and breaks through sinful and destructive habits. What better psychology is there than that? Believe me, if I had known about confession as a child, and with proper catechetical guidance, it would have saved a lot of heartache! Our special parish Penance service in preparation for Easter is Monday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. with visiting confessors. In addition to that, the Light is always On for you—Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons at the usual time. Discover the freedom from sin of the children of God! ~ Fr. David
RCIA - The first scrutiny will be celebrated today at the 11:15 a.m. Mass. The scrutinies are rites of self-searching and repentance for the Elect 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. Today’s Gospel reading of the Samaritan woman at the well will fill the spirit of the Elect with Christ the Redeemer, who is the living water. During our Lenten journey, we should use 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 The Presentation of the Creed will take place at the Wednesday evening Mass on March 10th and the Presentation of the Lord’s Prayer will take place at the Wednesday evening Mass March 24th. It has been the responsibility of the RCIA team to hand on the Christian faith faithfully. It is now, at the end and not the beginning that the community hands on what is most dear and cherished in the community: the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. These two proclamations from the community are symbols of the faith to which the elect have been awakened, in which they have been formed, and in which they now desire to be baptized. On these two key proclamations, the rest of the Catholic Christian faith rests. WOMEN'S SCRIPTURE STUDY – We meet on Wednesday evenings, 8 – 9:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. We will meet on March 10th & 24th. All are welcome to join us! For additional information please call Sue Madison (301) 977-6854 or Mary Dixon (301) 330-4382. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS – The election will take place next weekend, March 13/14. Please see today’s bulletin insert for information on the candidates as well as the display in the Gathering Space.
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! Confirmation Retreat: Saturday March 13 Confirmation Candidates are reminded that there will be a Confirmation Retreat on Saturday, March 13th, beginning in the Parish Center at 9:30 a.m. Parents are asked to attend a Parent Meeting at 3:30 p.m. in the Church and are encouraged to stay for the 5:00 p.m. Mass with the Confirmation Candidates FAMILY STATIONS OF THE CROSS – A special Stations of the Cross for families will be held on Good Friday at 1:00 p.m. Children read a special version of the stations, while youth act out the Way of the Cross in a silent tableau. We need children (Grades 1-5) to read the stations and youth (age 12+) to act in the tableau. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Diane Murray, (301) 943-5169 or drmurray_36@msn.com. THIS IS THE WEEKEND TO PICK UP YOUR BAG TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED – Hunger remains one of the region’s most prevalent issues facing families. Help end hunger through the Share in Hope Food Drive. Please return filled food bags next weekend, March 13 & 14. 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 didn’t pick-up a food bag, you can bring your donation back in any grocery bag. Many thanks for your participation/generosity. BLANKET OF LOVE UPDATE - Last spring, the Right to Life Committee sponsored the creation of a Blanket of Love to celebrate the lives of children who died from stillbirth, miscarriage or abortion. We are pleased to announce that in the very near future, the Blanket of Love for our parish will be complete. All the quilt squares are made, and those people who ordered duplicate squares for themselves should have them. The squares are currently being assembled into a quilt, and we will have a dedication ceremony later this spring. The committee will provide details on the dedication once the quilt is completed. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Diane Murray, drmurray_36@msn.com or Betty Baklarz lbbaklarz@yahoo.com SECOND COLLECTION TO HELP WITH SNOW REMOVAL COSTS - 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 next weekend, March 13/14. Your help will be much appreciated. LAMB OF GOD PRAYER MEETING - Join the Lamb of God Prayer Group for worship and the study of Scripture on Tuesday, March 9th, 7:30 p.m., St. Clare’s Chapel in the Rectory. For details, please call Louise, (301) 977-5217 POOR BOX DONATION – The donations for this weekend will go to Olney Help. Thank you for your generosity. 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 in St. Clare’s Chapel (Rectory) Sunday. TROOP PACKAGES - We are looking for volunteers to help out with the troop packages project this Lent. If you can help please call, Janice Goldschmidt at (301) 438-0385. Thanks. 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 EASTER BASKETS St. Francis will be providing Easter Baskets to poor children through the Missionaries of Charity. If you are willing to put together a basket for a child or teen parent, please pick up your basket the weekend of March 20/21. Baskets must be filled and returned to St. Francis by Sunday, March 28th. If you have any questions, please contact Charles McCarthy, (301) 840-1407. BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING – Next weekend, the Health Ministry will have blood pressure screening in the Sonshine Shop after Saturday 5:00 p.m. and Sunday Masses 8:00, 9:30, 11:15 a.m. Masses. PART-TIME MEDICAL DIRECTOR NEEDED – Mercy Health Clinic is looking for a volunteer to fill this position in their free Medical Clinic. If you are interested, please call Dick Pavlin, (240) 773-0329.
ALAN AMES (International Speaker) – Alan brings an amazing, inspirational message of God’s love and mercy. Thursday, March 11th, 7:30 p.m., Mass, Talk, Healing at St. Catherine Laboure Church, 11801 Claridge Road, Wheaton. For more information call (301) 774-2443 or (410) 695-5456. 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 #4 under the leadership of Rich Cornwell, (301) 208-9570, and ENTRANCE TEAM 1 under the leadership of John Moriarty, (301) 740-9678, will meet on Friday, March 12th, 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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