SPECIAL EDITION Thursday, November 19, 2020 PASTORAL REFLECTION Msgr. Peter J Vaghi
Thanksgiving 2020: The Eucharist - the New & Eternal Thanksgiving
The Mass, our thanksgiving, is about sacrifice, presence and a banquet. You and I thank God for the unbloodly sacrifice of the Mass, His real presence, and the banquet that transforms us into His body and blood.
CARDINAL-DESIGNATE WILTON GREGORY Archbishop of Washington
Washington Archbishop and Cardinal-Designate Wilton Gregory released a new statement on the Vatican McCarrick Report.
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.
Annual Thanksgiving Day Mass at Little Flower November 26, 2020 at 10 am Musical Prelude at 9:45 am There is also an 8:15 am Mass
All are welcome to join us for a special Thanksgiving Day liturgy with music provided by cantor, violin and organ. Selections include America the Beautiful, God Bless America, Meditation from Thais and the National Anthem. Principal Celebrant and Homilist: Monsignor Peter J. Vaghi. (Due to Covid restrictions, music will be sung by the cantor only, from the choir loft and the number of attendees will be limited to 25% of our capacity.)
ST NICHOLAS GIFT CARD & TOY COLLECTION Cosponsored by the John Carroll Society & Church of the Little Flower
Our annual Gift Drive to benefit children in need is underway! This year, we have 3 ways to safely make a donation: 1. Purchase Gift Cards online by clicking HERE. 2. Drop gift cards you purchased in the offertory baskets during Mass. 3. Bring an unwrapped toy to the collection truck which will be parked in front of the church during Mass times on the weekend of December 5-6.
BOY SCOUT CHRISTMAS TREE SALE The 16th Annual Little Flower Troop 15 Christmas tree sale will take place Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6 on the parking lot adjacent to Monsignor Kane field. Trees are $75 if pre-ordered, and $85 if purchased on-site. Please click below for an order form.
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, Kathleen Kelley, 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.
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. Father all-powerful, your gifts of love are countless and your goodness infinite. As we come before you on Thanksgiving Day with gratitude for your kindness, Open our hearts to have concern for every man, woman, and child, so that we may share your gifts in loving service. (Collect for Thanksgiving Day Mass)
Saints as Model Stewards – May the saints whom we commemorate inspire us to employ our own God-given talents and opportunities as He would have us do. Monday - St. Columban (d.615), "the greatest Irish missionary," writes one commentator. Columban went to Gaul and Italy, after they had been ravaged by barbarians, to re-evangelize them and establish monasteries. Monday - St. Clement I (d. c. 97), our third pope, was martyred c. 97. Exhorting the faithful to stewardship, he said "Each of us should be subject to his neighbor in accordance with the grace given to each. The stronger should care for the weak…The wealthy should give to the poor….Since, therefore, we have all this from (God), we ought to thank Him for it all." Monday - Blessed Miguel Augustin Pro (1927), a Mexican Jesuit who was martyred when he continued his ministry in secret because of the government ban on public worship. What does my discipleship cost me? Am I willing to pay the price? Tuesday - St. Andrew Dung-Lac (d. 1839) and 116 other Vietnamese were tortured and martyred for their faith. Unfortunately, persecution of our fellow Catholics again exists in Vietnam. Am I willing to make joyfully whatever small sacrifices of my time, talent and treasure that discipleship requires? Wednesday – St. Catherine of Alexandria (d. circa 305) was of noble birth and "learned in the sciences." When she was only 18, she presented herself to Emperor Maximinus, who was violently persecuting the Christians, and upbraided him for his cruelty. He detained her and summoned numerous scholars to try to prove the fallaciousness of Christianity. Instead, Catherine converted several of them - who were summarily executed. Then the empress, eager to see so extraordinary a young woman, went to the dungeon with the head of the troops. They too were persuaded by Catherine to become Christians – and were also martyred. Finally, the furious emperor had this troublesome Catherine beheaded.
If we really want to pray, we must first learn to listen, for in the silence of the heart God speaks. (T. S. Eliot)
OFFERTORY DURING THE SEASON OF THANKS & GIVING 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.
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.
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