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MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, December 20, 2009 – Fourth Sunday of
Advent
9:00 Nick Catucci
10:30 Josephine & Walter Peters
12:00 Angela Romolo Smith
Monday, December 21, 2009 – Late
Advent Weekday
12:05 William & Kathleen Mazzullo
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 – Late Advent Weekday
12:05 Philip
John Lauria
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 – Late Advent Weekday
12:05 Lorenzo Cipriani & Giovanni B. Vanni
Thursday, December
24, 2009 – Vigil of Christmas
12:05 Fr. Angelo Solini
11:15
Christmas Carols
12:00 Midnight Mass for All Parishioners
Friday, December 25, 2009 – Nativity of the Lord
9:00 Famiglie
Carannante & Lubrano
10:30 Antonio & Anna DeFalco
12:00 Mary
Grapentine
Saturday, December 26, 2009 – St. Stephen
11:00 St. Pio Prayer Group
Sunday, December 27, 2009 – Holy
Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
9:00 The Grimaldi Family
10:30 Vincenzo Avallone
12:00 Peter, Bambina & Alexander Carlino
The collection for Sunday, Dec 13th was $2,375.
The 2nd collection for the Retirement Fund for Senior Religious was
$781.
LECTORS THIS SUNDAY
9:00 Anne Giese
10:30
Marco Randazzo and Adriano Romano
12:00 Alex LoBianco
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Today’s Scripture readings tell us nothing of Mary’s journey to her
cousin Elizabeth’s home. We are given only vague details telling us
that it is somewhere in the hill country and that Mary hurries there
because of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. It probably was a grueling trip for
her to make. But Mary does it willingly to be where she is needed. And
when her own pregnancy nears completion, she will take another
difficult journey, this time to Bethlehem to fulfill the words of the
prophets. Mary is bringing to Elizabeth the presence of the Messiah
for the first time. And it has a dramatic effect on her and on the
baby John in her womb. Neither would ever be the same again.
With Christmas only days away, we are challenged to bring that very
same presence to all whom we touch this holiday season. Mary has
become the embodiment of what we are called to be and do as Christians
in our service to one another.
QUARTA SETTIMANA DI AVVENTO
Il mistero dell’Incarnazione viene presentato nelle letture di oggi in
linea con le antiche promesse messianiche: “Gioisci, figlia di Sion,
il Signore tuo Dio è in mezzo a te.” Ma nella sua realizzazione
sconvolge tutti i piani umani: il Figlio di Dio nascerà da una donna.
Gerusalemme e’ stata ripudiata, ma Dio non tradisce le sue promesse;
vi sarà una nuova città santa nella persona di Maria. Non è più una
città o un popolo che simboleggia l’alleanza, ma una persona umana,
nella libera adesione al piano di Dio.
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 Elizabeth,
filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled." - Lk 1: 41, 42, 45
Readings for the Week of
20 December 2009
Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a/Heb 10:5-10/Lk 1:39-45
Monday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Lk 1:39-45
Tuesday:
1 Sm 1:24-28/Lk 1:46-56
Wednesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Lk
1:57-66
Thursday: Morn.: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Lk
1:67-79
Friday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17,
22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25
Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14
Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20
Day: Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn
1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14
Saturday: Acts 6:8-10;
7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22
Next Sunday: Sir 3:2-7, 12-14 or 1
Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52
HOW TO PREPARE FOR MASS
(Part 1)
If Most events in life require preparation. Preparation is important
for a successful event. The same holds true for Mass. Taking time to
prepare for Mass is essential for the priest to prepare a homily,
lectors to review the readings, the music director to select the
appropriate hymns, the choir to practice, the Altar Society to clean
the church, press the altar linens, and arrange the flowers. But what
is also important is for the people in the pews to prepare for Mass.
The following things can help you enter more deeply into the
celebration of the Mass and achieve a more intimate union with Christ
and the other members of the worshiping community:
1.
Know why you are there: You come to Mass not as a spectator
but as a participant. You join with other members of the parish
community in prayer, worship, thanksgiving, and communion. You are an
important part of the Body of Christ. Take a few minutes each week to
think about your place in this Body. It will give you a deeper
appreciation of who you are with unique gifts and talents and will
give you a deeper appreciation of other people.
2.
Reflect on the readings: Set aside a few minutes each week to
read the First Reading, the Psalm, the Second Reading, and the Gospel
for the following Sunday. What is the Lord saying to you in these
readings? You can find the weekly readings in any Sunday Missal or on
line: www.usccb.org. When you
hear the readings proclaimed and listen as the priest gives the
homily, the insights you receive will be more profound, and you will
have heightened spiritual awareness.
(cont’d)
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WE WELCOME INTO THE
CHURCH Sofia Ornella DiSandro, daughter of Antonella
DiSandro, who was baptized in our Church on Sunday, December 13, 2009.
THE OFFERING ENVELOPES
FOR 2010 are now available and can be picked up at the
entrance of Casa Italiana. Taking them personally saves the Church the
expense of mailing them. Envelopes are also available for new users.
Extra calendars can also be picked up in the same area. We have them
both in English and in Italian.
THE 2010 CALENDARS HAVE
BEEN MAILED OUT to all our parishioners and friends. Please,
return your Christmas offering in the enclosed envelope. Needless to
say, the Church depends heavily on this collection to meet its
year-round expenses. Thank you!
AT THIS TIME WE ARE
TAKING DONATIONS for the Christmas flowers that will adorn
our Church during the holy days. Each flower pot costs $20 and can be
donated in memory of a loved one or as an outright donation. Special
flower envelopes are found in the back of the Church and can be placed
in the regular collection basket.
THERE IS A CHRIST CHILD
TREE IN CASA ITALIANA: adorned with paper stars showing the
name, age, and gift suggestion for each child in the Tenants
Empowerment Network, a program of Catholic Community Services of
Washington, DC. Gifts must be new and wrapped. Please put the star
ornament with child’s name on the outside of the wrapped gift. If
giving a certificate, write the amount on the outside envelope. The
last day to leave gifts under the “giving tree” is Sunday, December
20, 2009. Questions can be addressed to Kathy DiGiacomo or Sharon
Hughes, 202.546-0707.
A WORLD OF THANKS
to our parishioners Mr. Salvatore Mazzuca and Mr. & Mrs. Frank Kulla
for donating the Rose Chasuble, and to Mr. Nick Ferrante for donating
the Altar wine.
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DIAMO IL BENVENUTO NELLA NOSTRA
CHIESA a Sofia Ornella DiSandro, figlia di Antonella DiSandro,
che è stata battezzata nella nostra Chiesa domenica, 13 decembre, 2009.
LE BUSTE PER L’OFFERTA
DOMENICALE PER IL 2010 sono ora disponibili all’entrata di
Casa Italiana. Se le prelevate voi stessi, si risparmiano le costose
spese di spedizione. Ci sono pure scatole di buste per nuovi utenti.
Sempre all’entrata di Casa Italiana si posssono trovare extra
calendari in inglese e in italiano.
I CALENDARI PER IL 2010 SONO
STATI SPEDITI a tutti i nostri parrocchiani e amici. Favorite
usare la busta allegata per mandare il vostro dono di Natale alla
parrocchia. La vostra offerta natalizia è necessaria per poter andar
incontro alle spese di tutto l’anno. Grazie!
FIORI PER NATALE: Si
ricevono ora offerte per fiori che adorneranno la nostra Chiesa
durante le feste natalizie. Il prezzo di un vaso e’ di $20 e puo’
essere donato in memoria di un familiare oppure solamente come
donazione. Buste apposite si trovano all’entrata della Chiesa e
possono essere messe nella colletta regolare.
C’E’ UN ALBERO DEL BAMBINO
GESÙ IN CASA ITALIANA: E’ decorato con stelle di carta col
nome e l’eta’ di un bambino del Tenament Network, un programma dei
Servizi Comunitari Catttolici di Washington. Doni incartati (con
attaccato l’ornamento della stella di carta) devono essere messi sotto
l’albero di Natale prima di domenica, 20 dicembre. Chi offre un buono
bancario deve precisare l’ammontare sulla busta o su l’ornamento. Per
ulteriori informazioni, contattare Kathy DiGiacomo o Sharon Hughes,
202.546-0707.
TANTISSIME GRAZIE ai
parrocchiani Salvatore Mazzuca e Mr. & Mrs. Frank Kulla per il dono
della Casula rosa, e a Nick Ferrante per la donazione del vino da
Messa.
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