Wednesday, December 2, 2020 FIRST THURSDAY TALK Msgr Peter J. Vaghi
All are welcome to join us for the December installment Tomorrow, December 3 at 7 am in the Church
This talk is entitled: "Transmission of Divine Revelation"
Series Theme: "The Eternal Word in a Covid-19 World"
PASTORAL REFLECTION Msgr Peter J. Vaghi
Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent - Dec 6, 2020
If we would only look squarely at our sin, repent and truly experience the healing and restorative power of Jesus, we would be free from fear -- all our fears.
SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8
Masses at 8:15 and 12 Noon
COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS Join us for our annual day of confessions
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 from 9 am - 12 pm
Five priests will be available to hear confessions from 9 am until 12 Noon in the Church. It is a wonderful time to come as a family to make your Christmas confession.
CONGRATULATIONS CARDINAL GREGORY We send our best wishes and prayers to Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, for being elevated to Cardinal. His Eminence became the first African-American cardinal on Saturday, November 28, among thirteen others elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis at the Vatican.
RESERVATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES THIS YEAR
To accommodate as many people as we can this Christmas, while maintaining safety protocols, Little Flower will celebrate seven Masses using an online reservation system. Signups will begin on Monday, Dec 7 at 6pm
GUIDELINES FOR 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.
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.
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 this weekend, December 5-6.
BOY SCOUT CHRISTMAS TREE SALE The 16th Annual Little Flower Troop 15 Christmas tree sale will take place this 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.
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. 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. Ambrose (d. Good Friday, 397), Bishop and Doctor of the Church, and a man of action as well as scholarship. He instructed and baptized St. Augustine and was his spiritual director. St. Ambrose, referring to the gifts of intellect and preaching, said, "He who reads and understands much, receives his fill. He who is full refreshes others." Tuesday - The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Self-giving is the hallmark of Christian life, and we are blessed with a perfect model of generous self-sacrifice in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In response to God's call, Mary said 'Yes'….No one can say 'yes' for us or take our place in our unique journeys to salvation. Cardinal Newman said that "God gives every person something (unique) to do." Wednesday - St. Juan Diego, the young man to whom Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on December 9, 1531. This saintly steward of the tremendous spiritual gift he had received, humbly cared for the church constructed on the site of the apparition, and for the pilgrims who came to see the image of Our Lady imprinted on his cloak. Friday – St. Damasus (d. 384), sometimes called "the pope of the catacombs" because he honored the martyrs there and urged their emulation as stewards of the faith. During his pontificate, the Church was declared the official Roman religion and his secretary, St. Jerome, began the Latin translation of the Bible.
"…(Mary) is the safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way" to Jesus and to sanctity. ("Treatise on the True Devotion to Mary" by St. Louis de Montfort)
OFFERTORY DURING THIS SEASON OF ADVENT We appreciate your continued financial support. 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 Christmas gift online. God bless and many thanks.
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 this prayer, which features a monthly prayer intention for December, a short reflection, some suggested actions, and more. This month, it calls on us to let the story of the first Christmas inspire us to reach out to expectant mothers in our own communities who are pregnant, poor, perhaps without a home, and in great need.
This Advent, visit findtheperfectgift.org for weekly reflections, videos, and resources. |