Thursday, May 20, 2021 PASTORAL REFLECTION Sr Ritamary Mayan, IHM
Happy Pentecost Pentecost is an invitation for us to choose to share our love, to choose to move into action, and to choose to be the "Risen Christ" to others. Jesus promised to the apostles the Holy Spirit, and He fulfilled His promise. He filled them with the Holy Spirit so they could go forth to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. As good stewards we are also called to inspire others by sharing our talents, gifts and treasures.
The Parish Respect Life Committee invites you to participate in our annual "Baby Shower." The past years have been overwhelmingly successful due to your extraordinary generosity. The recipients are so grateful and continually send their heartfelt thanks. This year we will be supporting two local centers, Centro Tepeyac Women's Center and Shady Grove Pregnancy Center. During the month of May, we will be collecting donations through our secure online form. Thank you so much for your kind support of these wonderful centers and the mothers in need!
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, Vincent Rodriguez-Harrington, 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 Poor Box – Donations during May will go to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul which, in a spirit of justice and charity, seeks to help the "least among us" through direct personal involvement. We are all familiar with the great work done by the Society at the grass-roots level. What should we give? Christ's answer was echoed by St. Vincent de Paul in one word – more. He was referring not only to Treasure but also to our Time and Talents – to do more, more than we thought we could do. Saints as Model Stewards – May the saints whose lives we commemorate next week inspire us to use our own God-given talents and opportunities as He would have us do. We pray for their intercession for our special needs. On Tuesday we commemorate three remarkable saints: - Bede the Venerable, a Benedictine and the only English Doctor of the Church, was considered the outstanding ecclesiastical author of his time (673-735). Bede used his God-given intellectual gifts for the Church he loved. - By courageously instituting reforms, including changing the practice of royalty controlling the appointment of Church officials, Pope Gregory VII (d. 1085) incurred the wrath of Emperor Henry IV, whom he excommunicated twice! The first time Henry repented; the second time, he forced St. Gregory into exile. - Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi (d. 1607) became a Carmelite against the wishes of her influential Florentine family. She wrote numerous letters to the Church hierarchy, even the Pope, urging reforms to perfect her beloved Church. Wednesday is the memorial of the cheerful Philip Neri (d. 1595), minister to the poor of Rome and founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, whose motto is sola caritas (love alone – the theme echoed in Pope Benedict's Deus Caritas Est.) In the morning he prayed "Lord, remember your son Philip so that he may not betray you yet again." And he was a saint! Lord, may we always give ourselves cheerfully in our work for the glory of your name and the good of our neighbor. (From the Prayer over the Offerings) Thursday is the memorial of the charismatic Augustine of Canterbury (died 605?) who used his great gifts to evangelize southeastern England. Following the advice of Pope Gregory, he retained as many of the local customs as possible without compromising the faith. Saturday is the memorial of Pope Paul VI (d. 1978), whose greatest accomplishment is considered to be the completion and implementation of Vatican II. Pentacost Sunday Thank you, Lord, for bringing me to the beginning of a new day May the Holy Spirit take full possession of me forever May his heavenly wisdom reign in my heart His understanding enlighten my darkness, His counsel guide me, his fortitude strengthen me, His knowledge instruct me, and his piety make me fervent Give me grace to be thy faithful soldier So that by fighting the good fight of faith I may be brought to the crown of everlasting life, Through the merits of thy Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
We can put our lives in proper perspective by starting each day with this perfect prayer.
Virtual Spiritual Retreats with Spiritual Direction
During this time of physical separation, Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center is providing virtual retreats so that you can connect with others and feed your soul. Currently, these programs are being offered at no cost, and a suggested donation of only $75 per person is greatly appreciated. Click HERE to find more information and upcoming dates.
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 Easter gift online. God bless and many thanks.
GUIDELINES FOR MASS
The Church of the Little Flower is open at reduced capacity for Sunday and weekday Masses. We are still adhering to important safety measures. The guidelines can be found 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. |