HOLY ROSARY CHURCH
Washington, DC

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

Bulletin
Sunday, 18 March 2007
Fourth Sunday of Lent

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 18, 2007
9:00 Pasqualina Leone Bennett
10:30 Isidoro, Lidunia, Oliva Flaim
12:00 Amelia & Antonio Pompa
Monday March 19 2007
12:05 Nunzio DiPerna
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
12:05 Marietta Cotturo
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
12:05 Vincenzo Ferriol
Thursday, March 22, 2007
12:05 Olga J. Vanni
Friday, March 23, 2007
12:05 Alex Carlino
Saturday, March 24, 2007
11:00 Padre Pio Prayer Group
Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 25, 2007
9:00 Rita Del Vecchio
10:30 Nunzia & Francesco Masiello
12:00 Maria S.S. dell’Annunciata

The collection for March 11 was $2,107.00
The second collection for Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe was $725.00

LECTORS THIS SUNDAY
9:00 Salvaore Mazzuca
10:30 Adriano Romano and Enzo Brunitto
12:00 Alex LoBianco

QUARTA DOMENICA DI QUARESIMA
La parabola del figlio prodigo del Vangelo di oggi ci mostra che essere onnipotente e accettare che il figlio minore se ne vada di casa, e accoglierlo a braccia aperte quando ritorna; lasciare perdere tutto e andare ala ricerca della pecora smarrita: questo modo divino di comportarsi si chiama “misericordia”. Ad essa la chiesa deve la propria esistenza. E’ stata necessaria questa sccperta di Dio per fondare il popolo che noi siamo. A nostra volta dobbbiamo essere segno di questa generosità nei rapporti con tutte le persone.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
The message in the story of the forgiving father and the prodigal son in today’s gospel are clear: the father is what God is like and the two sons are what we humans are often like. God is indeed our Father who created us and now cherishes us and cares for us as the father did for his wandering son in today’s gospel. We don’t know what happened to the two boys in the story. But one thing we do know about the father in the story and our Father in heaven: God will always be ready to take back any of his children who return asking forgiveness.

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IMMIGRATION REFORM: A MORAL ISSUE

One of the most dismal failures of the 109th Congress was the non-reform of immigration. Meanwhile, more than 11 million illegal immigrants already here continue to live in the shadows waiting to regularize their status; more cross the border every day; employers keep abusing guest workers, because they know they can ship them home the moment they complain; the 120,000 foreign workers who receive visas to do farm work or other low-skilled labor each year cannot seek other jobs if they are unhappy; immigrant families are routinely detained in prison-like housing that separate young children from their parents.

Now with a majority in the House and the Senate, Democrats have a chance to exercise leadership and secure a victory on a major domestic policy problem by passing a comprehensive immigration reform.

On February 28, 2007, Congress took its first crack at immigration reform with the testimony of the Homeland Security Secretary and the Commerce Secretary before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Unfortunately, both of them ‘slunk away from a central pillar of comprehensive immigration reform: a path to citizenship that would give to illegal immigrants – the ones who wait and prove they deserve it – the chance to participate freely and proudly in the life of this country.’ Instead, echoing the passions of conservative ideologues, the two Secretaries enthusiastically talked up guest worker programs. While keeping any other door to immigrants shut, they would keep guest workers, an underclass of docile, ill-paid foreigners who do America’s dirtiest jobs and then go home.

Real immigration reform does not mean to keep immigrants in their place -- on the other side of the border, in detention or in fear -- ‘toiling silently in the underground economy without recourse to the laws and protections the native-born expect.’ The ongoing immigration debate ‘has lost its balance, overlooking the humanity of the immigrant.’ As a nation of immigrants, we must do better. We must abandon the old path to immigrant exploitation and harassment without hope that have shamed the country at many points in its history.
If the United States needs more workers, we should increase legal immigration and offer immigrants their human rights and not tie them to abusive employers and economic sectors, because immigrants are not cheap muscles but persons who bear rights and sustain obligations.

To Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado and to all nativists we like to remind the unambiguous verses of the Book of Leviticus: “When an alien resides with you in your land, do not molest him. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt.” (Lev., 19, 33-34).

WE WELCOME INTO THE CHURCH Molly Elizabeth Carver, daughter of Darryl Wayne and Maureen (Dempsey) Carver, who was baptized in our Church on Sunday, March 11, 2007.

ALL FRIDAYS OF LENT are days of abstinence. Al Catholics, 14 and over, must not eat meat as a form of penance.

ALL WEDNESDAYS OF LENT CONFESSIONS ARE HELD IN ALL Churches of the Archdiocese of Washington from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

LASAGNA DINNER, BAKE SALE & BAZAAR: Holy Rosary Parish Annual Fundraiser will be held at Casa Italiana on Sunday, March 25th from 11:30 A.M. to 4:00 PM. The menu includes homemade lasagna, homemade meatballs, salad, Italian bread, desert, orange drink, coffee & tea. Price: Children 5 & under – Free: children 6-12 $6; adults: $15.
Together with the Lasagna Dinner, we will also have our annual Bazaar in the Lower Church Hall. We ask our parishioners and friends to bring in their flea market items that have no more use at home but could bring ready cash for the Church. All are welcome!

WASHINGTON WINEMAKERS CELEBRATE THE “VENDEMMIA”: TODAY March 18, 2007, from 1 PM to 3 PM, The Washington Winemakers Organization is pleased to invite you to its annual Celebration della Vendemmia Event to present the new wines made by their members, mostly parishioners of Holy Rosary Church. Cheeses, breads and other foods to compliment the wines and additional soft drinks and water will be offered. Wine glasses will be provided at the door to all attendees. A nominal fee for each wine glass of $6 is requested. This year’s event will support Holy Rosary Church’s children’s soccer “Calcetto” program and partnership with DC United.

2007 ANNUAL JUBILARIAN MASS: The annual Jubilarian Celebration of marriage honoring couples married 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 50 + years will be held Sunday, June 3, 2007 at 2:00 PM at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Archbishop Wuerl will preside at the Mass. Please call the parish office or use the sign up forms in the back of Church to register. Names of Jubilarians need to be turned into the Archdiocese before April 18, 2007.

DIAMO IL BENVENUTO NELLA CHIESA a Molly Elizabeth Carver, figlia di Darryl Wayne e Maureen (Dempsey) Carver, che fu battezzata nella nostra chiesa domenica 11 marzo 2007.

TUTTI I VENERDI DI QUARESIMA sono giorni di astinenza. I cattolici dai 14 in sù devono astenersi dal mangiare carne come una forma di penitenza.

LE CONFESSIONI sono ascoltate ogni mercoledì durante la quaresima dalle ore 19 alle ore 20:30 in tutte le chiese dell’arcidiocesi di Washington.

IL PRANZO DELLA LASAGNA & BAZAAR: Questo popolare evento annuale della Parrocchia del Santo Rosario avrà luogo Domenica, 25 marzo dalle 11:30 fino alle 16. Il cibo squisito è tutto fatto in casa e i prezzi sono modici: bimbi sotto i 5 anni: gratis; Bambini tra i 6 e 12 anni: $6; adulti: $15.
Insieme alla pranzo della lagagna avra luogo anche in nostro bazaar annuale nella sala sotto la chiesa. Chiediamo ai nostri parrocchiani ed amici di portare oggetti per il mercato della pulce che da tempo non sono più usati in casa ma che possono generrare soldi per la cheisa. Tutti sono benvenuti!

I WASHINGTON WINEMAKERS celebreranno la Vendemmia OGGI 18 marzo 2007 in Casa Italiana dalle ore 13 alle ore 15 e sono lieti di invitarvi a questa celebrazione annuale che quest’anno sarà a beneficio del programa giovanile “Calcetto” della nostra parrocchia del Santo Rosario. I membri di questi gruppo vinicolo sono per lo più nostri parrocchiani e anche aiutano Villa Rosa. Formaggio, pane e bevande completeranno i vini offerti durante questo evento. Bicchieri da vino saranno dati all’entrata a tuttti i partecipanti. Ci sarà una picccola offerta di $6 per bicchiere. Per prenotazioni, contattate via e-mail William Meaux a wameaux150@aol.com

ANNIVERSARI DI MATRIMONIO: La Messa annuale in onore di quanti celebrano 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 e 50+ anni di matrimonio avrà luogo domenica, 3 giugno, 2007 alle ore 14 nella Basilica del National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. L’Arcivescovo Wuerl presiederà alla Messa. Favorite chimare l’ufficio parrocchiale o usate le forme di registrazione all’entrata della Chiesa per registrarvi. I nomi dei partecipanti devono arrivare in Diocesi prima del 18 aprile, 2007.