SPECIAL EDITION Thursday, October 22, 2020 RESUMPTION OF PUBLIC MASS
The Church of the Little Flower is open for Sunday and weekday Masses.
The seriousness of this pandemic, however, dictates that we follow strict guidelines and important safety measures. Please carefully read the guidelines HERE.
Masks are required to be worn at all times when in church. Please arrive early as seating is first come, first served.
Dispensation from the Sunday and Holy Day obligation remains in effect. Many options are available for participating in Mass when we cannot be present at the liturgy. View the Archdiocese of Washington list of live-streamed (and recorded) Masses and Prayers. Please view Fr Keith's video below on our parish's ongoing coronavirus precautions
PASTORAL REFLECTION
Msgr Peter J Vaghi But what does it mean to have "purity of heart?" The heart is the core of our will, our thoughts, our knowledge, our decisions, our acts. When the Lord speaks of purity of heart, He means a heart, with all its dimensions, focused on Him and Him alone--oneness of heart. As His disciples, our striving must always be to please the Lord, to be single-hearted, to concentrate on Him and His life-giving and transformative Word.
RCIA- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Are you interested in becoming a member of our great Catholic Faith? Do you know anyone who may be interested in learning more about becoming a Catholic? Our annual Parish Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Process (RCIA) is being held by remote meetings on Thursday evenings. For more information, please contact Deacon Don Longano at deacondonlongano@gmail.com.
Christmas Wreath Sale to benefit Little Flower School These beautifully handcrafted 22" wreaths are decorated with three clusters of hard pine cones and red holly berries and a waterproof red velvet bow. They come individually bagged and boxed so they are well-preserved and easy to transport. The cost remains $35 per wreath! All orders must be placed by November 7th.
2020 Respect Life Summit Throughout October, the Archdiocese of Washington is hosting a weekly webinar series on Thursdays at 3:00 pm to discuss topics about supporting mothers and children in need, and to and highlight resources for them. The topic for October 22th is "Resources for Supporting Parents During Difficult Pregnancies." Click HERE for more information.
PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED – Please pray for the repose of the souls of Kathleen Annarella, Jeremiah Collins, Thomas Dimond, William Gildea, Robert Keyes, Daniel Klug, Beatrice Larson, Christopher Lent, Deacon John McGinniss, Grace Mulvihill, Shane Potts, Joan Wells, J. William Whitty.
FOR THE SICK- Please pray for the sick members of our parish and for all who are in need. Keep these and all the intentions of our parish in your prayers.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER Poor Box Donations – Through the end of 2020, Little Flower will be donating parishioner Poor Box contributions to Catholic student centers at three local universities. The centers' critical missions are to serve the spiritual needs of Catholic students in secular academic and living environments, most of whom are away from their Catholic families and parishes where they had spiritual support. Contributions during September and October will go to Howard University Catholic Center, where Fr. Robert Boxie serves as chaplain. Fr. Boxie formerly lived and served at Little Flower. For more information, please visit huccm.com. Dear Lord, Teach me to be generous, Teach me to serve you as you deserve, To give and not to count the cost, To fight, and not to heed the wound, To toil and not to seek for rest, To labor and not to seek reward, Save that of knowing that I do your will. (St. Ignatius Loyola)
Saints as Model Stewards May the saints whom we commemorate next week inspire us to employ our own God-given talents and opportunities as He would have us do. Only two saints are listed in the Church's liturgical calendar this week. Wednesday is the feast day of the apostles Simon ("the Zealot") and Jude. Why did Jesus select a political extremist and a "nobody" to be among the Twelve? He will use us too if, like Sts. Simon and Jude, we answer "Yes!" when (not if) he calls. The example of these and all the saints brings to mind the passage from Isaiah (6:8) Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Blessed Carlos Acutis was beatified earlier this month. He died of leukemia at the age of 15, but in his short life he promoted exhibits on Eucharistic miracles and apparitions of Our Lady. He said: "I am happy to die because I have lived my life without wasting a minute on those things which do not please God." Read 17 inspiring quotes from Carlo HERE.
"If you don't behave as you believe, you will end up believing as you behave." (Venerable Fulton Sheen)
OFFERTORY We appreciate your continued financial support at this time. Our preferred method of giving is through our online provider, Faith Direct. The secure enrollment process is simple and takes less than 3 minutes to complete. Please consider enrolling in Faith Direct or increasing your level of giving. You may also make a safe and secure one-time gift online. God bless and many thanks.
|