HOLY ROSARY CHURCH
Washington, DC

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

Bulletin
Sunday, 29 March 2009
The Fifth Sunday in Lent

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

March 29, 2009 – Fifth Sunday of Lent
9:00 The Gervasio Family
10:30 Ennio DeBandi
12:00 Isidoro, Liduina, & Oliva Flaim
Monday, March 30, 2009 – Lenten Weekday
12:05 Edit Moran
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 – Lenten Weekday
12:05 Vincenzo, Raffaello & Biagio Iacono
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 – Lenten Weekday
12:05 Michele Ronca
Thursday, April 2, 2009 – Lenten Weekday
12:05 Louis Grapentine
Friday, April 3, 2009 – Lenten Weekday
12:05 Pietro & Udilia Gobbato
Saturday, April 4, 2009 – Lenten Weekday
No Mass
April 5, 2009 – Palm Sunday
9:00 Cristino Marinucci
10:30 Nick D’Angelo
12:00 Rocchina Amelia & Antonio Pompa

The collection for Sunday, March 22nd was $3,311.00.

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

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
It just seems so unfair that we have to start giving up the things of this life to get the things of eternal life. But that’s the deal. With every life comes one and only one guarantee; that it will end in death. Thus the invitation is to get on board now with the whole business of giving up so that we might leave this world empty-handed, not clinging to what is passing away. It’s the practice of letting go now that will prepare us for the final let-go. The Lord is concerned only with our welfare, our ultimate well-being. And he shows us the way. He is the way.

QUINTA DOMENICA DI QUARESIMA
Nel vangelo di oggi è condensato il paradosso del vangelo: essere vincitori della morte significa lasciarsi inghiottire da essa; vedere il Cristo vuol dire attendere che egli scompaia; l’ora del trionfo è l’ora del supplizio; vivere è morire; guadagnare è perdere. Gesù parte, non per abbandonare, ma per ritrovare più profondamente; muore, non per decomporsi, ma per riprodursi in una moltitudine. Le scelte dolorose che il presente impone non sono più solo delle perdite, ma dànno vita a un avvenire più bello. Per l’evangelista Giovanni, non c’è un venerdi santo disperato: salire sulla croce significa andare verso la gloria.

Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." - Jn 12:23-24

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Readings for the Week of 29 March 2009
Sunday: Jer 31:31-34/Heb 5:7-9/Jn 12:20-33
Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62/Jn 8:1-11
Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9/Jn 8:21-30
Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95/Jn 8:31-42
Thursday: Gn 17:3-9/Jn 8:51-59
Friday: Jer 20:10-13/Jn 10:31-42
Saturday: Ez 37:21-28/Jn 11:45-56
Next Sunday: Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16 /Is 50:4-7/ Phil 2:6-11/Mk 14:1---15:47 or 15:1-39

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LET’S BE POSITIVE!

The role of religion in the public square has been sharply No one ever said life would be easy. The ongoing meltdown of our economic system is proving this once more. And it’s certainly understandable that when many people talk about the difficulties, even the tragedies of their lives, they often ask “Why?” followed by “Why me?”

There is no simple answer to the question of suffering. Yet, we still have to face the challenge to coping today – and tomorrow.

Common sense recommends that we ride the storm, not buck it. In other words, we must reject negativity, choose to be positive and move beyond the tough times. We have the freedom to make that choice. Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.

One of the most practical ways to nourish a constructive attitude is with a sense of humor. President Abraham Lincoln noted that “If it were not for my little jokes, I could not bear the burden of this office.”

Clearly, humor is part of God’s creation, so why don’t we give it more attention? St. Francis of Assisi advised, “Leave sadness to the devil. The devil has reason to be sad.” And St. Theresa of Avila prayed, “From somber, serious, sullen saints, save us. O Lord.”

WE WELCOME INTO THE CHURCH Sebastiano Antonio Caruso, son of Carmelo and Patricia Renee (Morales) Caruso; and Ava Celeste Kort, daughter of Joel and Eugenia (Deleon) Kort, who were baptized in our church on Sunday, March 22, 2009.

LASAGNA DINNER, BAKE SALE & BAZAAR: Holy Rosary Parish Annual fundraiser will be held today at Casa Italiana from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The menu includes homemade lasagna and meatballs, salad, Italian bread, desert, orange drink, coffee & tea. Tickets: Children 5 & under: Free; 6-12: $8.00. Adults: $20.00. Our spring bazaar and bake sale takes place in the lower church hall with many hand made goods, baked goods, and the flea market items, all at very good prices! All are welcome!

THE SODALITY OF MARY will meet next Sunday, April 5, 2009. Members are asked to attend the 9:00 AM Mass followed by a meeting in the lower church hall.

THE SECOND COLLECTION NEXT SUNDAY is for the renovation fund. This money will be used for making handicapped-accessible the restrooms facilities for Casa Italiana, enlarging its kitchen, and restoring the church hall.

WE ARE ACCEPTING EASTER FLOWER DONATIONS for the repository on Holy Thursday, and the main altar on Easter Sunday. Please, use the appropriate envelopes marked “Easter Flowers” which can be found in the bulletin or at the church entrance. Each pot costs $20. Offerings may be given in memory of a loved one or as an outright donation.

PLEASE RESPOND TO THE EASTER MAILING sent out to all parishioners and friends last week by using the enclosed reply envelope for your Easter Offering to our Church. The parish depends heavily on this collection to meet its year-round expenses.

THE 2009 FESTA ITALIANA will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2009, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year’s featured region is Puglia. Please mark your calendar to join us. Volunteers are needed to assist with the cultural activities, children’s entertainment, and silent auction prizes and other logistics. Please contact Melanie Pedri with FIERI INTERNATIONAL, at 240.687.1106.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION CLASS will resume on Sunday, April 19th after the 9 AM Mass in the conference room in the lower level of the Rectory.

DIAMO IL BENVENUTO NELLA CHIESA a Sebastiano Antonio Caruso, figlio di Carmelo e Patricia Renee (Morales) Caruso; e Ava Celeste Kort, figlia di Joel e Eugenia (Deleon) Kort, che sono stati battezzati nella nostra chiesa domenica, 22 Marzo, 2009.

IL PRANZO DELLA LASAGNA & BAZAAR: Questo popolare evento annuale della parrocchia del Santo Rosario avrà luogo oggi, dalle 11.30 alle 16.00. Il menu include lasagne e polpette fatte in casa, insalata, pane italiano, dolce, bibite, caffè e te. I prezzi sono modici: bimbi sotto i cinque anni: gratis; bambini tra i sei e dodici anni: $8.00; adulti: $20.00. Il nostro Bazaar di Primavera si tiene nella sala sotto la chiesa con tanti articoli fatti a mano, con dolciumi fatti in casa come pure articoli da mercato della pulce. Tutto a prezzi bassissimi. Tutti sono benvenuti!

IL SODALIZIO DI MARIA si incontrerà domenica prossima, 5 aprile 2009. I membri sono invitati a perticipare alla Messa delle 9 a.m., a cui segue la riunione nella sala sotto la chiesa.

LA SECONDA COLLETTA LA PROSSIMA SETTIMANA sarà per il fondo restauri. Questo fondo sarà usato per rendere accessibile agli endicappati i servizi di Casa Italiana, di allargare la cucina e di restaurare la sala sotto la chiesa.

VENGONO ORA ACCETTATE OFFERTE PER I FIORI DI PASQUA, che adorneranno il Santo Sepulcro il Giovedì Santo e l’Altare Maggiore la domenica di Pasqua. Favorite usare le buste marcate “fiori di Pasqua,” che si trovano nel bollettino o all’entrata della chiesa.

FAVORITE RISPONDERE ALLA LETTERA PASQUALE inviata a tutti i nostri parrocchiani e amici la settimana scorsa, usando la busta di risposta con la vostr offerta della Santa Pasqua. La parrocchia depende molto da questa colletta per coprire le spese di tutto l’anno.

LA FESTA ITALIANA avrà luogo domenica, 28 giugno, 2009, dalle 11.30 alle ore 17.00. La regione d’Italia che sarà illustrata quest’anno è Puglia. Marcate il vostro calendario e programmate di participare. C’è bisogno di VOLUNTARI che assistono nelle attività culturali, giochi per bambini, lotteria, e altre attività. Favorite contattare Melanie Pedri di FIERI INTERNATIONAL al 240-687-1106.

LA CLASSE DI RELIGIONE PER ADULTI riprenderà domenica 19 aprile, 2009.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS: Mark your Calendar!