HOLY ROSARY CHURCH
Washington, DC

Serving Italians and all Catholics on the move in the Greater Washington DC Area since 1913

Bulletin
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

July 20, 2008 – Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
9:00 Anthony Oliveto
10:30 Nunzio DiPerna
12:00 Elena Mariggio
Monday, July 21, 2008 – Weekday
12:05 Vincent Berzinskas
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 – Mary Magdalene
12:05 Edward Howerton
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 – Weekday
12:05 Salvina Klatoski
Thursday, July 24, 2008 – Weekday
12:05 Thanksgiving to the Infant of Prague
Friday, July 25, 2008 – Weekday
12:05 Antonio Oliveto
Saturday, July 26, 2008 – St. James, Apostle
11:00 Padre Pio Prayer Group
July 27, 2008 – Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
9:00 Annunziata Ruzzi
10:30 Amalia & Agostino Silvio Pillon
12:00 Teresa Iezzi
 

The Collection for Sunday July 13 was $2,616.00
 

LECTORS THIS SUNDAY
9:00 Anne Giese
10:30 Marco Randazzo and Adriano Romano
12:00 Alex LoBianco
 

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ story of the weeds and the wheat tells us of God’s mercy and patience. It warns us not to be less merciful and patient than God as we survey other members of the church. Which of us would not like to be part of a church in which there are no hypocrites? But creating a completely pure church is God’s work, not ours; and the time for God’s final purification is not yet. That “not yet” is an encouragement for us: the encouragement of knowing that God’s church and ours has “plenty good room” for everyone.
 

SEDICESIMA DOMENICA DEL TEMPO ORDI-NARIO
Nel vangelo di oggi Gesù dice: “Lasciate che il buono e il cattivo crescano insieme fino alla mietitura.” Bene e male si confondono sempre, al punto che sarebbbe illusorio pretendere di separarli nettamentne, e sarebbe presuntuoso classificare le persone in due categorie ben distinte: i buoni e i cattivi. Ognuno deve essere lasciato libero di fare le sue prove, per manifestare quello che è in realtà.

 

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Readings for the Week of July 20, 2008
Sunday: Wis 12:13, 16-19/Rom 8:26-27/
Mt 13:24-43 or 13:24-30
Monday: Mi 6:1-4, 6-8/Mt 12:38-42
Tuesday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20/Jn 20:1-2, 11-18
Wednesday: Jer 1:1, 4-10/Mt 13:1-9
Thursday: Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13/Mt 13:10-17
Friday: 2 Cor 4:7-15/Mt 20:20-28
Saturday: Jer 7:1-11/Mt 13:24-30
Next Sunday: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12/Rom 8:28-30/
Mt 13:44-52 or 13:44-46

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IS THERE A CATHOLIC VOTE?

 Even before talking of a “Catholic” vote, we should consult the Bible, which still does not figure at the center of Catholic life, as stated in the document to be discussed at the coming 12th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. This is partly due to the fact that “other pastoral priorities have frequently overtaken the appropriation of the Gospel,” stated Drew Christiansen, s.j., “as the center of Catholic pastoral practice and everyday culture.” Pro-life activities were considered of greater pastoral importance. Setting up abortion as the litmus test for Catholic identity overshadowed the biblical foundation of Christian morality.

Looking at the coming political elections from a biblical perspective will help us not to fall prey to the fallacy that a Catholic must vote Republican because the Republican platform is pro-life while that of the Democrats is pro-choice.

As an institution, the Roman Catholic Church does not tell believers for whom or against whom they must vote. The moral guiding principle was given by the U. S. Bishops in their 2007 document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” “The responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience.” Certainly Catholics must seriously consider any candidate’s stance on “intrinsic evils” such as abortion, racism, and torture, wrote Gerald J. Beyer, professor of theology at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Catholics may not vote for a candidate who supports an intrinsic evil if the voter’s intent is to support that position. Yet Catholics may choose a candidate who does not unequivocally condemn an intrinsic evil for other truly grave moral reasons. Catholics ought to choose a candidate who is least likely to promote intrinsic evils and the most likely to promote “other authentic human goods.” So the question becomes: Are there “grave moral reasons” that permit Catholics to vote for a candidate despite his pro-choice stance?

In the U. S. political context, where no candidate perfectly mirrors Catholic teaching on issues such as abortion, war, stem-cell research, poverty, discrimination, gay marriage, and immigration, voting is a difficult matter of conscience for Catholics. A Catholic vote has to based on the evidence where a candidate stands on values and policies akin to the Catholic vision of solidarity, social justice and the common good.

WE WELCOME INTO THE CHURCH Natalie Rose Houchins, daughter of Michael Eugene and Kris-Andra Mary (Pekar) Houchins; Enzo Yamasaki, son of Fernando and Elaine Cristina (Figueira) Yamasaki; and Lucas Yamasaki, son of Mario and Alessandra (Martins Silverio) Yamasaki, who were baptized in our Church on July 13, 2008.

LET US REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS LORRAINE HOLLIS, who passed away recently. She had a lifelong devotion to the Holy Rosary and to Saint Anthony of Padua.

NEXT WEEK IS THE 2008 COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCH IN LATIN AMERICA. Your gift helps fellow Catholics in Latin America and the Caribbean who are rich in spirit but lacking in material resources to participate more fully in the life of the Church. Collection proceeds are used for training seminarians and religious men and women, providing pastoral care to the sick, providing formation training to pastoral ministers within parishes, strengthening family ministries, and developing ministries to youth and indigenous people. Please contribute generously. For more information, please see www.usccb.org/latinamerica.

2008 ARCHBISHOP’S APPEAL: The 2008 Appeal goal for Holy Rosary Parish is $12,861.00. As of July 2, 2008, the total amount pledged by Holy Rosary parishioners is $17,490.00 and the total amount received so far is $11,470.00. Donations for only $1,391.00 would get Holy Rosary Parish over the goal. A gift to the Archbishop’s Appeal will touch the lives of many people throughout the Archdiocese of Washington in a very special way. Please contact the Archbishop’s Appeal office at (301)853-5376 if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

DIAMO IL BENVENUTO NELLA CHIESA a Natalie Rose Houchins, figlia di Michael Eugene e Kris-Andra Mary (Pekar) Houchins; Enzo Yamasaki, figlio di Fernando e Elaine Cristina (Figueira) Yamasaki; e Lucas Yamasaki, figlio di Mario e Alessandra (Martins Silverio) Yamasaki, che sono stati battezzati nella nostra Chiesa il 13 luglio 2008.

RICORDIAMO NELLA PREGHIEA LORRAINE HOLLIS, che morì recentemente e che aveva una profonda devozione al Santo Rosario e a Sant’Antonio di Padova.

LA SECONDA COLLETTA LA PROSSIMA SETTIMANA è per l’America Latina. Le vostre offerte aiuteranno i Cattolici in America Latina e il Caribe, che sono ricchi in spirito ma mancano di risorse materiali. Il ricavato della colletta sarà usato per formare seminaristi e religiosi, a provvedere assistenza pastorale agli ammalati, a provvedere formazione e preparazione per il ministero parrocchiale, a rafforzare il ministero alle famiglie e sviluppare l’assistenza ai giovani e agli indigeni. Siate generosi. Per ulteriore informazione potete visitare il sito www.usccb.org/latinamerica.

L’APPELLO DEL VESCOVO PER IL 2008: La nostra parrocchia del Santo Rossario è tassata $12,861.00 per il 2008. Al 2 luglio 2008, i parrocchiani del Santo Rosario promisero $17,490.00, ma finora pagarono $11,470.00. Con offerte di $1,391.00 la nostra parrocchia raggiungerebbe l’ammontare richiestoci. Un contributo all’Appello del Vescovo toccherà tante persone nell’Arcidiocesi di Washington in un modo molto positivo. Favorite contattare l’ufficio dell’Appello del Vescovo al (301)853-5376 se avete domande o bisogno di ulteriore informazione. Grazie per lavostra gentile considerazione e generosa risposta.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS: Mark your calendar!