| |
|
|
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, December 6, 2009 – Second Sunday of
Advent
9:00 Aldo Polles
10:30 Dean Calabrese
12:00
Leonardo & Fiorentina Cascioli
Monday, December 7, 2009 –
Advent Weekday
12:05 Saint Maria Goretti
Tuesday,
December 8, 2009 – Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
12:05 Anna Vanni Rebecchi
7:00 Mary Brignolo
Wednesday,
December 9, 2009 – Advent Weekday
12:05 Patricia Walker
Caniglia
Thursday, December 10, 2009 – Advent Weekday
12:05 Giuseppe D’Ascoli
Friday, December 11, 2009 – Advent
Weekday
12:05 Concetta Cotturo Goetzinger
Saturday,
December 12, 2009 – Advent Weekday
11:00 Memorial Mass Tony
Verrone
Sunday, December 13, 2009 – Third Sunday of Advent
9:00 Deceased Members of the Holy Name Society
10:30 Pietro Salvi
12:00 Sebastiano Del Borello
The collection for Sunday, Nov. 29th was $2,402.
LECTORS THIS SUNDAY
9:00 Geraldine Oliveto
10:30
Marco Randazzo and Adriano Romano
12:00 Alex LoBianco
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
We need constant renewal, mentally and physically. And so do we on our
way to Christmas. Maybe we feel overwhelmed by worries, challenges, or
difficulties; perhaps our faith, hope, and love are being extinguished
by cares, concerns, and distractions – maybe even by our preparations
for celebrating Christmas with family and friends. St. Paul encourages
us not only to persevere in conduct that is pleasing to God, but also
do deepen it, expand it, and intensify it. Our God-given power for
good must become a powerful source of warmth and light for us and for
those who live in spiritual cold and darkness.
What parts of us
need mental and physical renewal these Advent days, so that we can
help renew our world in God’s love?
SECONDA SETTIMANA DI AVVENTO
Dopo venti secoli di Cristianesimo, il Vangelo rischia di apparirci
come una storia del passato. San Marco invece lo annuncia come una
perenne “buona novella,” indirizzata a un popolo il quale attende che
si realizzino le sue speranze. San Giovanni Battista annuncia il
Messia al mondo al modo dei profeti: nel deserto, dove il popolo di
Dio si forma nella prova, la “voce” mette a nudo le coscienze e
proclama che la venuta di Dio esige penitenza e la conversione dei
cuori. L’Avvento ci invita paradossalmente alla gioia e alla penitenza,
alla speranza e alla conversione.
|
 John
went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins. - Lk 3:3
Readings for the Week of
6 December 2009
Sunday: Bar 5:1-9/Phil 1:4-6, 8-11/Lk 3:1-6
Monday: Is 35:1-10/Lk 5:17-26
Tuesday:
Gn 3:9-15, 20/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38
Wednesday:
Is 40:25-31/Mt 11:28-30
Thursday: Is 41:13-20/Mt
11:11-15
Friday: Is 48:17-19/Mt 11:16-19
Saturday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Lk 1:26-38 or
1:39-47
Next Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a/Phil 4:4-7/Lk
3:10-18
RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS
The second collection next Sunday, December 13, 2009, is for the
Retirement Fund for Religious, which helps defray the retirement and
health care costs of religious Sisters and Brothers.
Like so
many in our nation, religious institutes have been profoundly impacted
by the downturn in the economy. In addition, escalating elder care
expenses and a dwindling number of members able to serve in
compensated ministry have forced many to make painful decisions to
ensure continued viability.
Three religious institutes in
Pennsylvania recently grappled with such challenges. All struggled
with costly facilities poorly suited to their current needs.
Intensive, multi-year analysis of their finances and priorities
ultimately led to a shared solution. Assistance from the Retirement
Fund for Religious supported their efforts. Today, retired members of
the Sisters of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and the Dominican Sisters of
St. Catherine de’ Ricci, as well as the Discalced Carmelite community,
continue to live out their unique charisms. They just do so under one
roof.
“The help we have received from the Retirement Fund for
Religious,” wrote Dominican Sister Carolyn Krebs, OP, “has given us
the opportunity not only to care for our own sisters but to plan ahead
in using our resources for the foreseeable future for all members of
our congregation.”
|
|
|
|
|
WE WELCOME INTO THE
CHURCH Dominic John Alleva, son of Brian John and Carol Ann (Michalik)
Alleva, and Sofia Grisselle Smith, daughter of Vincent W. and Allison (Rexach)
Smith, who were baptized in our Church on Sunday, November 29, 2009.
THE SECOND COLLECTION
TODAY is for the Restoration Fund. Our next ambitious project
is the renovation of the Lower Church hall.
THE SECOND COLLECTION
NEXT SUNDAY is for the Retirement Fund for Senior Religious:
Your tax-deductable donation supports the care of elderly and frail
religious and helps to provide such basic necessities as prescription
drugs and medical services.
THE SODALITY OF MARY
meets today in the Lower Church Hall after the 9:00 AM Mass. In the
afternoon members of the Sodality are reminded to participate in the
Christmas Party traditionally hosted by the Sodality for the residents
of Villa Rosa Nursing Home.
THE PARISH COUNCIL
MEETS Monday, December 7, 2009, in the Lower Church Hall at
7:00 PM. The agenda will deal with the state of the parish and the
meeting is open to all parishioners.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH
IS THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF OUR LADY,
Patroness of the United States: It is a Holy Day of obligation and
Catholics must attend Mass. In our parish Masses are scheduled at
12:05 PM and 7:00 PM.
|
ADULT FAITH FORMATION CLASS
is held every Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 in the Rectory’s Conference
room. It is coordinated by Ron Maturani and moderated by Father John
Rossi. All adults are most welcome to attend.
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.
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.
HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS AND
SINCERE THANKS to the recipients of the 2009 HRC Award: Anna
Falcone & Tony Falcone, and Bill & Ann Marie Leali for their
extraordinary dedication to our parish.
|
|