Thursday, February 11, 2021 LENT BEGINS NEXT WEEK ON FEBRUARY 17 ASH WEDNESDAY
Because of Covid, during the Masses on Ash Wednesday the priests will sprinkle ashes on each person's head instead of tracing a sign of the cross on the forehead. Remember, Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation and receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday is not obligatory.
Mass times on Ash Wednesday are 8:15am, 12pm, 7pm
PASTORAL REFLECTION SR RITAMARY MAYAN
Will You Be My Valentine? "Peter, will you be my valentine?" "Jesus, you know everything. You know I want to be Your valentine" (rough translation of Jn 21:17)
A SWEET WAY TO SUPPORT LITTLE FLOWER SCHOOL! Sarah's Handmade Ice Cream and Treats has created a special flavor, Cardinal Crunch, to celebrate Little Flower School and to represent our red and white colors! Cardinal Crunch is house-baked red velvet cake pieces in vanilla ice cream with chocolate chips!! Sarah's will donate 15% of the proceeds to Little Flower School now through the end of February. Sarah's is located at 5241 River Road (next to Ledo's.)
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.
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 February, a short reflection, some suggested actions, and more. This month, it asks us to reflect upon the reality that, through the gift of human life, we are invited to encounter God in a profound way, and to remember that mothers fulfill this call in a special way, nurturing the lives of their children within themselves. It asks us to pray that all expectant mothers may see within their children the light of Christ the Savior.
PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED – Please pray for the repose of the souls of Kathleen Annarella, Michael Bradshaw, 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, John Sweeney, 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 Lent and the Stewardship of our Faith and Spiritual Lives Ash Wednesday this week begins our spiritual journey through Lent. As a suggestion for a Lenten regimen, we refer to the spiritual practices recommended by Cardinal Timothy Dolan in his book "Called to be Holy" The practices are daily prayer; daily Mass attendance; Liturgy of the Hours; daily spiritual reading; regular consultation with a spiritual director; frequent confession; and growth in virtue; especially in Faith, Hope and Charity. A Lenten thought from St. John Vianney: "…(W)e should practice mortification in many things to make reparation for our sins. There is no doubt that the person who lives without mortifying himself is someone who will never succeed in saving his soul." Poor Box Donations – February donations will go to St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth and Families. The Center provides safe housing and supportive services to young mothers, children and families who are affected by abuse, neglect, teen pregnancy and homelessness. St. Ann's offers health services, secondary education, parenting classes, life and job skills training and developmental child care. Sister Mary Bader, St. Ann's Administrator, is a graduate of Little Flower School.
ONLINE OFFERTORY 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 gift online. God bless and many thanks.
MEN'S DISCERNMENT RETREAT
Cardinal Gregory invites men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, who are interested in learning more about the priesthood, to attend a discernment retreat led by priests and seminarians of the Archdiocese of Washington. The retreat will be held March 26 to March 28 at Saint John Paul II Seminary and the Washington Retreat House in Washington, DC. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. For more information, contact Fr. Mark Ivany at 202-636-9020. Please note that COVID-19 protocols will be in place.
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