SPECIAL EDITION
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
First Thursday Reflections
Msgr. Vaghi's New Series of First Thursday Talks has begun!
The next talk will be tomorrow,
Thursday, November 5 at 7 am in the Church
Series theme: "The Eternal Word in a Covid-19 World"
November talk title: "How Does Our God Continue to Speak to Us in Our Pandemic and Digital Age?"
All are welcome!
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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.
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PASTORAL REFLECTION
Sister Ann Parker, IHM
The Sisters of IHM celebrate 175 Years of Service
"Theresa Maxis, you devoted yourself to Jesus Christ whom you loved, and in whom you steadfastly believed and placed your trust. Stir within us the fire that you hold, that we may extend the redeeming mission of Jesus Christ."
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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.
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Honor a Lifetime of Service of Our Retired Priests
Collection this weekend November 7-8
Our priests touch our lives in many ways: they baptize our children, comfort us in the confessional, witness our marriage vows and hold our loved ones hands as the Lord calls them home. Let's join together to help provide care and housing for our retired priests so they can live their retirement in dignity. To make a gift, you may use the envelopes in the pews or click below to donate online.
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Walking with Moms in Need
As part of the United States bishops' program Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service, the Respect Life Committee would like to share with you the prayer found HERE, which features a monthly prayer intention for November, a short reflection, some suggested actions, and more. This month, it asks us to reflect on how we can support expectant mothers who are considering and choosing whether to place their child for adoption.
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PRAYERS
FOR THE DECEASED – Please pray for the repose of the souls of Kathleen Annarella, Madeleine Brown, Jeremiah Collins, Thomas Dimond, Agnes Donahue, William Gildea, Robert Keyes, Daniel Klug, Beatrice Larson, Christopher Lent, Deacon John McGinness, Grace Mulvihill, Jean Ostmann, Ed Padelford, 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.
Each year we have the opportunity to honor all our loved ones who have died at every Mass in November.
Any names that you submit via this form will be printed and placed on the altar and remembered during these Masses.
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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 November and December will go to the George Washington University's Newman Catholic Center.
O beauty ever ancient, ever new.
Too late have I loved you.
I was outside and you were within me.
And I never found you until I found
You within myself
(St. Augustine, The Classics of Western Spirituality)
Tuesday – St. Leo the Great (d. 461), Doctor of the Church who was pope at a time when barbarians threatened Rome and heresies threatened to erode the faith. He was an effective pope, a gifted homilist and a passionate defender of the mystery of the Incarnation at the Council of Chalcedon. Let the prayers of Pope Leo the Great keep us faithful to Your truth and secure in Your peace.
Wednesday - St. Martin of Tours (d. 397), born in Hungary and raised in Italy, where he became a Christian, and later a monk. He joined St. Hilary in France and established what may have been the first monastery there. Eventually, St. Martin became the bishop of Tours. May we, like St. Martin, be ready to spend ourselves for others.
Thursday - St. Josaphat, bishop and martyr (d. 1623), who worked tirelessly to unify two Ruthenian churches to Rome and was murdered by a mob because of his efforts. May we too have courage and conviction when put to the test.
Friday is the memorial of the first US citizen to be canonized, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (d. 1917). Despite enormous obstacles, she persevered, became the first prioress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and founded 67 (!) institutions for the care of the poor, abandoned, uneducated and the sick.
"All vices are destroyed by self-restraint"
(Pope St. Leo the Great, whose memorial is on Tuesday)
"We are called to acknowledge how beautiful, true and good it is to start a family, to be a family today…We are called to make known God's magnificent plan for the family…as we accompany them admidst so many difficulties." (Pope Francis, Feb. 20, 2014)
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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.
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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.