Thursday, April 15, 2021 View Msgr Vaghi's Annual Appeal Message
The 2021 Annual Appeal is underway. If you have not yet made a donation, please consider a commitment to the 2021 Annual Appeal this weekend at home or in-person. Your gift will be credited toward our parish goal. Learn more about the Annual Appeal at appeal.adw.org.
PASTORAL REFLECTION Deacon Jim Shanahan
John's Gospel last Sunday also reminds us that we are called to join in Christ's ministry, a ministry characterized by peace and reconciliation: As the Father has sent me, so I send you (Jn 20:21). In essence, God offers us divine mercy; in response, we are to offer human mercy.
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 5 - Creative, Courageous Father I never considered creativity and courage to be qualities that described me, but I often found myself needing these gifts. As the possibility of redemption for our world became a reality through the presence of Jesus in my midst, I gradually discovered how God was courageously entrusting me to care for His Son. I needed courage to walk beside that donkey carrying Mary to Bethlehem and creativity in turning a stable into a delivery room and a welcoming home for God's Son. Being told to go to Egypt was another unexpected, courageous journey when I needed some creativity. There were many other times when, with God's help, I learned to find creative solutions to problems. Jesus and Mary were very special to me. I took my role of guiding and protecting them seriously and have become known as Guardian of the Redeemer and of the Church. Awesome titles, for which I felt unworthy. The poor, needy, and suffering people in today's world are special to me. I hope they can experience some of the ways I felt God's love for me as I carried out my mission.
Reflection & Sharing
Prayers: St. Joseph, guide and inspire me when I have to deal with something difficult in my life or family.
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
CONGRATULATIONS We wish to congratulate and welcome those who celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation this Easter Season and the 48 students who were recently confirmed by Bishop Mario Dorsonville.
As you continue your journey of faith, may you use the gifts given to you to love and serve your brothers and sisters in Christ. Know of your parish community's continued prayers!
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
"Turn aside for a while from your ordinary employment. Put aside your worldly cares. Let your distractions wait. Free yourself for a while for God, and rest in Him. Enter the inner room of your soul, shut out everything except God and that which can help you in seeking Him. And when you have shut the door, seek Him. Now my whole heart, say to God 'I seek your face: show me your face.'"
Saints as Model Stewards – The above quotation is by St. Anselm, Doctor of the Church (d. 1109), whose memorial is on Wednesday. The Italian-born Anselm, as Archbishop of Canterbury, so vigorously defended the freedom of the Church that he was exiled twice. An insightful theologian, Anselm is also known as the "Father of Scholasticism." As we strive to emulate his stewardship of spiritual talents, we might use his prayer: "Oh God, let me know you and love you so that I may find my joy in you: and if I cannot do so fully in this life, let me at least make some progress every day, until at last that knowledge, love and joy come to be in all their plenitude." Friday is the memorial day of Sts. George, martyred c. 303, and Adalbert, archbishop (d. 981). To paraphrase St. Peter Damian, St George gave up the rank of tribune to enlist as a soldier of Christ, giving all his worldly possessions to the poor. St. Adalbert, a Benedictine, was invited by the new Christian Princess Olga to convert her Russian subjects. After her death he was expelled but spent the rest of his life evangelizing the Wends, Slavs living near Germanic areas. Is what we are clinging to compromising our Christian witness? Saturday is the memorial of St. Fidelis (d. 1622), a lawyer who took the cases of the poor and oppressed. His example may thus inspire lawyers in our parish to join the Archdiocesan Legal Network, which provides pro-bono legal services to indigent and low-income persons in the DC and Maryland. If you would like to know more about the Network, please phone James D. Bishop, Esq., at 202-628-4265.
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.
Celebrating Special Wedding Anniversaries 2021 Jubilarian Mass
Are you celebrating a special wedding anniversary? Each year the Archdiocese of Washington honors couples married 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70+ years at the annual Jubilarian Mass. This year's Mass will be held Sunday, June 27 at 3:00pm at the Cathedral of St. Matthew. Seating is limited to allow for social distancing and the Mass will be live-streamed. To receive a signed Jubilarian anniversary certificate or to register to attend the Mass, please email Patty at pwhitty@lfparish.org before May 14, 2021.
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.
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