Thursday, April 8, 2021
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 11
Beginning at 3:00 pm, we will have a holy hour dedicated to the Divine Mercy. The holy hour will include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and an opportunity for Confession.
PASTORAL REFLECTION Msgr Peter J Vaghi
There are fifty days between Easter and the Pentecost. This Easter season is one of the most beautiful seasons in the Church's liturgical year. So central and essential is the resurrection to our faith that it takes more than one day to ponder its meaning for us and celebrate its importance.
SEVEN WEEK ST JOSEPH SERIES On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter "Patris Corde - With a Father's Heart." It commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Saint Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church. He proclaimed 2021 as the Year of Saint Joseph. The Apostolic Letter features seven fatherly qualities of St. Joseph. I have reflected on these qualities and will share one with you each week beginning with the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19th) and ending on the Feast of St. Joseph, the Worker (May 1st) They include a Message, Reflection and Prayer, which have been adapted for you to ponder in your life of faith in today's world. I invite you to prayerfully reflect on the life and messages of St. Joseph and perhaps share your thoughts with your spouse, children or friends. - Sister Ann Parker IHM WEEK 4 - Accepting Father If I am to be seen as an "accepting" father, I must say that it did not happen easily. My first challenge was to accept Mary's pregnancy and the startling angelic news that her child was conceived, not by me, but by the Holy Spirit. A boy, who would be named Jesus, not Joseph. And….that he would save people from their sins. I had heard the rabbi read that message from the prophets, but this news was impacting my life. If Jesus was to see me as an accepting father, I needed to be obedient and willing to accept God's Will for me. My life with Jesus and Mary is often described as a "hidden" life. We had our family routines and practiced our Jewish faith. Life was not as hectic and complicated for us as it might be for families today. Jesus often came to my carpenter shop and wanted to assist me with my projects. Those were special times for both of us. I often remembered the words "do not be afraid", which gave me courage when frustrations and disappointments occurred. My faith and belief in God was a guiding light for me, as well as for my family.
Reflection & Sharing What have you accepted in your life that has been difficult? How did you experience God's assistance? How was faith practiced in your childhood family life? Your family life today? Describe a situation when you have had to accept God's plan for you.
Prayers: St. Joseph, help me to accept God's Will in situations when I want mine to prevail.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. - Pope Francis
PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED – Please pray for the repose of the souls of Kathleen Annarella, Michael Bradshaw, Madeleine Brown, Jeremiah Collins, Vincent DeSomma, DDS, Thomas Dimond, Agnes Donahue, William Gildea, Kathleen Kelley, Robert Keyes, Daniel Klug, Beatrice Larson, Christopher Lent, Bonnie Marosy, Deacon John McGinness, Grace Mulvihill, Gale O'Laughlin, 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.
GUIDELINES FOR MASS
The Church of the Little Flower is open at reduced capacity 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.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER Stewardship of our Faith - Let us rejoice that we are again this year being joined in the Church by thousands in the US, many during last week's Easter vigil, including adult "catechumens," i.e., those who were not previously baptized, and those who had been baptized in other Christian communities and were received into full communion with the Catholic Church. If you know or meet anyone who has recently come into the Church, please welcome them warmly and assure them of your prayers. Time and Talent – "Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworm destroy them and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor woodworm destroys them and thieves cannot break in and steal. Remember, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Mt 6:19-21)
Saints as Model Stewards – Only one saint is on the Church's calendar this week – and what a significant figure he was in the Church's history. Tuesday is the memorial of St. Martin I, the last pope to be venerated as a martyr. By condemning the theology of the Patriarch of Constantinople, St. Martin angered the emperor, who had him imprisoned and tortured. He died from this brutality. "The real significance of the word martyr comes not from the dying but from the witnessing…." ("Saint of the Day" by Leonard Foley, OFM) Could an outside observer tell from the sacrifices that we are willing to make what is most important in our lives?
Poor Box – Donations during April will be for the Little Sisters of the Poor, founded in 1839 by St. Jeanne Jugan, who now serve in 30 countries. Locally, they provide for the daily needs of the elderly poor men and women in their care -- safe-shelter, a comfortable and loving home, clothing, nutritious food, enriching activities, medical and nursing care.
"We are not merely imperfect creatures who must be improved; we are rebels who must lay down our arms." (C. S. Lewis)
ONLINE OFFERTORY We appreciate your financial support, especially during Easter. 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 Easter gift online. God bless and many thanks.
|