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MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
December 23, 2007 – Fourth Sunday in Advent
9:00 James W. Croghan
10:30 Maria Giuseppa Ventresca
12:00 Filippo Finelli
Monday, December 24, 2007 – Vigil of Christmas
11:00PM to Midnight: Confessions
11:15PM Christmas Carols
12:00 Midnight Mass: For All Parishioners
Tuesday, December 25, 2007 – Nativity of the Lord
9:00 Lorenzo & Giovanna B. Vanni
10:30 Per Le Anime Sante
12:00 Mary Grapentine
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 – St. Stephen
12:05 Metaura Spadone, Marcello & Milena Gallo
Thursday, December 27, 2007 – St. John the Apostle
12:05 Carannante & Lubrano Famiglie
Friday, December 28, 2007 – Holy Innocents
12:05 Fosca Pellegrini Vanni
Saturday, December 29, 2007 – St. Thomas Becket
11:00 Baptism of Paolo Isidoro Flaim
Sunday, December 30, 2007 – Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
9:00 St. Gabriel Society
10:30 Dario Flaim
12:00 Peter, Bambina, & Alexander Carlino
The collection for Sunday December 16 was $2,146.00
LECTORS AND SERVERS THIS SUNDAY
9:00 Silvio Colandreo
Altar Servers: Gabriella & Catherine
10:30 Adriano Romano and Enzo Brunitto
Altar Servers: Biagio and Stefano
12:00 Alex LoBianco
LECTORS AND SERVERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE
12:00 Midnight Mass Salvatore Mazzuca and Adriano Romano
Altar Servers: Brooks and Biagio
LECTORS AND SERVERS FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
9:00 Joseph Harchick Altar Server: James
10:30 Adriano Romano and Enzo Brunitto
12:00 Alex LoBianco Altar Server: Gabriella
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Like Joseph in today’s Gospel, many people come to face a dark night
of fear, pain, confusion and frustration. It’s right there, in the dark
night of doubt and anguish that God directs our hearts to follow God’s
will. Because we have received angels as messengers of God, we must serve
as angels to others. If our hands are sinless, our hearts are clean, and
ours desires are centered on God we’ll be ready to celebrate the birth of
Emmanuel, God-with-us.
QUARTA DOMENICA DI AVVENTO
Nel Vangelo di oggi Dio chiama anche Giuseppe a collaborare
nell'incarnazioine del Figlio col compito di inserire legalmente Gesù
nella famiglia di Davide. L'incarnazione avviene in questa collaborazione
degli uomini. Giuseppe accetta il segno del Bambino nato dalla Vergine, a
dispetto di ogni paura e di ogni scrupolo. E noi, in che modo
collaboreremo alla nascita di Cirsto nel mondo di oggi?
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Readings for the Week of
December 23, 2007
Sunday: Is 7:10-14/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24
Monday: Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Lk 1:67-79
Tuesday: 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
Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22
Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a, 2-8
Friday: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2/Mt 2:13-18
Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35
Next Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Col 3:12-21
or 3:12-17/Mt 2:13-15, 19-23
CATHOLIC TEACHING AND
POLITICAL LIFE
The church calls for a
political engagement “shaped by the moral convictions of well formed
consciences and focused on the dignity of every human being, the pursuit
of the common good, and the protection of the week and the vulnerable,”
the U.S. bishops say in a statement approved Nov. 14 at their fall meeting
in Baltimore. The bishops’ quadrennial statement on politics and
elections, released before presidential elections for more than 30 years,
this year titled “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to
Political Responsibility From the Catholic Bishops of the United States,”
has been approved by the full body of bishops. The bishops say Catholics
should be guided more by moral conviction than political party affiliation
and that “Catholics may feel politically disenfranchised, sensing that no
party and too few candidates fully share the church’s comprehensive
commitment to the life and dignity of every human being from conception to
natural death.” Opposition to the direct and intentional destruction of
innocent human life “is not just one issue among many,” the bishops say.
The moral distinction between this issue and other issues should not be
used “as a way of dismissing or ignoring other serious threats to human
life and dignity.” The statement is available at the internet site of the
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Voting is one of the strongest moral obligations we have as citizens in
view of the fact that Catholics often face difficult choices about how to
vote, the U.S. Catholic Bishops stated: “When all candidates hold a
position in favor of an intrinsic evil, the conscientious voter faces a
dilemma. The voter may decide to take the extraordinary step of not voting
for any candidate or, after careful deliberation, may decide to vote for
the candidate deemed less likely to advance such as morally flawed
position and more likely to pursue other authentic human goods.
In making these decisions it is essential for Catholics to be guided by a
well-formed conscience that recognizes that all issues to not carry the
same moral weight and that the moral obligation to oppose intrinsically
evil acts has a special claim on our consciences and our actions. These
decisions should take into account a candidate’s commitments, character,
integrity and ability to influence a given issue. In the end, this is a
decision to be made by each Catholic guided by a conscience formed by
Catholic moral teaching.”
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WE WELCOME INTO THE CHURCH Reed
Alexander Parker, son of David G. & Sara D. (Reedy) Parker who was
baptized in our Church on December 23, 2007.
WE ARE STILL TAKING DONATIONS FOR THE CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
that will adorn our Church during the holydays. Each flower pot costs
$20 and can be donated in memory of a loved one or as an outright
donation. Special envelopes are inside today’s parish Bulletin and in
the back of the Church, and can be placed in the regular collection
basket.
THE OFFERING ENVELOPES FOR 2008 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 2008 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!
THE DATE OF THE CELEBRATION OF CAR-NEVALE 2008 has been changed,
because the original date conflicts with Super Bowl Sunday. The new date
is Sunday, February 10, 2008, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Casa Italiana.
This event includes dinner, dancing, games and prizes for children, and
best costume competition for everyone. Please mark your calendar with
the new date. Look for more information in Voce Italiana in January
2008.
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DIAMO IL BENVENUTO NELLA CHIESA
a Reed Alexander Parker, figlio di David G. e Sara D. (Reedy) Parker,
che fu battezzato nella nostra Chiesa Domenica, il 23, dicembre 2007.
FIORI PER NATALE: Si ricevono ora offerte per fiori che
adorneranno la nostra Chiesa durante le Feste Natalizie. Il prezzzo di
ogni vaso è di $20 e può essere donato in memoria di un familiare oppure
semplicemente come una donazione. Apposite buste si trovano dentro il
Bollettino parrocchiale di oggi e all'entrata della Chiesa, e possono
essere messe nella baschetta della colletta regolare.
LE BUSTE PER L'OFFERTA DOMENCALE PER IL 2008 sono adesso
disponibili all'entrata di Casa Italiana. Se le prelevate voi stessi, si
risparmiano le costose spese di spedizione. Ci sono pure scattole di
buste per nuovi utenti. Sempre all'entrata di Casa Italiana, si possono
trovare extra calendari in inglese e in italiano.
I CALENDARI PEL 2008 SONO STATI SPEDITI a tutti i nostri
parrocchiani e amici. Favorite usare la busta allegata per mandare il
vostro dono di Natale. La vostra offerta natalizia è necessaria per
poter andar incontro alle spese di tutto l'anno. Grazie!
LA DATA PER LA FESTA DI CARNEVALE 2008 è stata cambiata perchè
era in conflitto con la domenica della Super Bowl. La nuova data e’
domenica 10 febbraio 2008 dalle ore15 alle ore19 in Casa Italiana. La
festa include pranzo, ballo, giochi e premi per bambini e competizione
per il migliore costume. Ulteriori informazioni si posssono trovare in
Voce Italiana di gennaio 2008.
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NEW YEAR’S EVE FAMILY
DINNER CELEBRATION
Monday, 31 December, 4:00 PM.-8:00 PM. in Casa Italiana Renaissance
Hall.
595 Third St. NW – (Metro Red Line Judiciary Sq. Stop)
“Addio al 2007 e Benvenuto al 2008 Italian time.” Music by Live DJ.
Hors d’Oeuvres & Wine at 4:00 PM.:
Antipasto platters at each table – cured Italian meats and cheeses –
colorful roasted vegetables – olive and grape leaves - basket of rustic
Italian breads – Grissini w/extra virgin olive oil – white pizza with
roasted garlic. Cocktail tickets to be sold: wine - $7:00/bottle,
$3:00/glass.
Buffet Dinner at 5:00 p.m.: Penne pasta - Caesar salad – chicken
cacciatore over linguine – eggplant Parmesan – Flank steak stuffed with
vegetables – carrots and green beans almandine – garlic bread
Beverages: Bottled water at the table – Soda available upon request –
coffee station: fresh coffee (Regular & Decaf).
6:00 P.M.-Midnight in Italy: Asti Spumante toast – tiramisu cake –
fresh berries with mascarpone cream.
Paid Reservations must be made by Wednesday, 26 December. $50/person;
$20/children 13 and under; Children 5 and under (no charge). Call Ann Marie
Leali, 703.971.7599 or Eileen Verna, 202.244.3050 or the Rectory Office at
202-638-0165. |
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