HOLY ROSARY CHURCH
Washington, DC

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

Bulletin
Sunday, 2 December 2007
First Sunday in Advent

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

December 2, 2007 – First Sunday in Advent
9:00 Maria & Domenico Finelli
10:30 Dean Calabrese
12:00 Carannante & Lubrano Famiglie
Monday, December 3, 2007 – St. Francis Xavier
12:05 Catherine Bauers
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 – Weekday
12:05 Rose Jared
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 – Weekday
12:05 Fiorentina & Leonardo Cascioli
Thursday, December 6, 2007 – Weekday
12:05 In Honor of Saint Maria Goretti
Friday, December 7, 2007 – St. Ambrose
12:05 Giuseppe & Margherita Mariggio
Saturday, December 8, 2007 – Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
10:30 Rita Romani
12:05 Mary Brignolo
6:45 Lessons and Carols
7:00 Patricia Lee Walker Caniglia
December 9, 2007 – Second Sunday in Advent
9:00 Deceased Members of the Holy Name Society
10:30 Vincenzo Avallone
12:00 Erminia & Umberto Romano

The collection for Sunday, November 25 was $2,175.00

LECTORS THIS SUNDAY
9:00 Geraldine Oliveto/Nicole Goff
10:30 Adriano Romano and Enzo Brunitto
12:00 Alex LoBianco

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Each year the gospel for the First Sunday of Advent deals with the Lord’s coming at the end of time. The contrasts Jesus makes between the one who will be taken and the one who will be left will be reflected in the parable to follow in Luke: faithful and unfaithful and worthy and unworthy slaves, and wise and foolish bridesmaids. The point is the need for watchfulness, because the Lord may come at any time.

This expectancy means vigilance and preparation and repentance. What will our lives look like if we are ready to welcome Christ?

PRIMA DOMENICA DI AVVENTO
Le letture per questa domenica riflettono l’atmosfera di febbrile attesa del ritorno di Cristo che regnava al tempo dei primi cristiani. Sentivano quindi il bisogno di tenersi pronti. Ma Dio “viene” ogni giorno; è eterno e nello stesso tempo inprevedibile. Non si tratta però di essere tesi e inquieti come di fronte a un’improvvisa catastrofe, ma al contrario di essere attenti e concentrati; non per paura della morte, ma per non perdere l’occasione di essere sempre con Dio.

 

"Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." - Mt 24:42-44

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS 2007
Why We Ask You To Give

Facts

74 is the average age of retirement from compensated ministry for women and men religious. (Most continue volunteer ministry as long as health permits.)

19,521 religious are at institutes that have less than 20 percent of the amount projected for costs of living and health care in retirement.

5,452 religious need skilled nursing care.

$49,850 is the average annual cost of skilled nursing care for a religious. (U.S. average is $65,985)

37,870 religious, mostly women, are now past age 70.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Catholic women and men religious face a financial crisis as they age?
Historically, younger members of religious institutes cared for elderly members. Stipends were invested in ministry. Today, the costly health care environment presents a significant challenge to institutes whose members have aged.

Why do those in vowed religious life receive smaller Social Security benefits than other U.S. citizens?
The FICA (Social Security) payments that religious institutes began to submit in the early 1970s were based on their low cost of living allowances compatible with a vow of poverty.

Doesn’t the Catholic Church pay the health care costs of women and men religious?
No. In the U.S. religious institutes are managed separately from diocesan structures.

How do I know that my donations actually assist elderly religious?
Dioceses must submit donations to the National Religious Retirement Office, which applies approximately 94 cents of every dollar donated to grants that assist with the costs of elder care at religious institutes.

THE SECOND COLLECTION TODAY is for the Renovation Fund. Our ongoing projects are making handicapped-assessable restroom facilities in the Casa Italiana and enlarging its kitchen, and restoring the Lower Church Hall. Please be generous.

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS: The second collection next week benefits elderly women and men religious. To learn more, visit www.retiredreligious.org.

MONONGAH 100 YEARS LATER: We welcome today Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, who celebrates the noon Memorial Mass for the victims of America’s worst mine disaster. The Mass will be followed by a seminar, a photo exhibit, a video, and a reception in Casa Italiana. All are invited to participate.

THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETS TOMORROW, December 3, in the Lower Church Hall at 7:00 p.m. The meeting is open to all parishioners.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a holy day of obligation and Catholics must attend Mass. In our parish Mass is celebrated at 10:30 AM, 12:05 PM and 7:00 PM.

LESSONS AND CAROLS will take place on Saturday, December 8 at 6:45 P. M. before the 7:00 P.M. Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. After the Mass in Casa Italiana refreshments will be served to all volunteers of our parish. These include CCD teachers, members of the Parish Council, the Finance Council, the School Board, the Editorial Board and Board of Trustees of La Voce, choir members, Altar Society members, Altar servers, lectors, ushers, volunteers who mail the monthly La Voce and prepare the weekly parish Bulletin, and volunteers who attend to the special needs of our parish. For adults, their spouses are invited; for children, their parents.

THE SODALITY AND HOLY NAME will have their joint Christmas Party next Sunday, December 9th in the Lower Church Hall after the 9:00 AM Mass. In the afternoon of that same day members of the Sodality are reminded to participate in the Christmas Party traditionally hosted by the Sodality for the residents of Villa Rosa.

AT THIS TIME WE ARE 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 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 and age of a child in the Tenement Network, a program of Catholic Community Services of Washington, DC. Wrapped gifts (with the paper star ornament attached) need to be placed under the tree by Saturday, Dec. 16. If giving a Gift certificate, please write the dollar amount on the envelope or ornament. Questions can be addressed to Gene and Kendra Swann, 703-490-5207.

LA SECONDA COLLETTA OGGI è per il Fondo Restauri. Tra i progetti in corso ci sono quelli di rendere accessibile agli endicappati i servizi di Casa Italiana, di allargare la cucina e di restaurare la sala sotto la Chiesa. Siate generosi.

FONDO PENSIONI PER I RELIGIOSI: La seconda colletta la settimana prossima andrà a beneficio dei religiosi anziani. Per ulteriori informazioni, visitate il sito www.retiredreligous.org.

MONONGAH 100 ANNI DOPO: Diamo il benvenuto oggi all’Arcivescovo Pietro Sambi, Nunzio Apostolico presso gli Stati Uniti, che celebra la Messa Anniversario delle ore 12 per tutte le vittime del più grande disastro minerario degli Stati Uniti. Dopo la Messa ci sarà una conferenza, una mostra fotografica, un documentario e un rinfresco alla Casa Italiana. Tutti sono invitati a partecipare.

IL CONSIGLIO PARROCCHIALE SI INCONTRERÀ DOMANI, 3 dicembre, nella sala della Chiesa alle ore 19. L’incontro è aperto a tutti i parrocchiani.

SABATO 8 DICEMBRE è la festa dell’Immacolata Concezione. È un giorno di precetto e tutti i Cattolici devono ascoltare Messa. Nella nostra Chiesa La Messa è celebrata alle 10:30, 12:05 e alle ore 19.

LETTURE E CANTI NATALIZI avranno luogo sabato, 8 dicembre alle ore 18:45 prima della Messa delle ore 19 per la Festa dell’Immacolata. Dopo la Messa in Casa Italiana un rinfresco sara’ servito a tutti i volontari della nostra parrocchia. Questi includono insegnanti di catechismo, membri del Consiglio Parrocchiale, membri del Consiglio delle Finanze e della Scuola, membri del gruppo editoriale e del direttivo di La Voce, membri del coro, dell’Altar Society, chierichetti, lettori, uscieri, spedizionieri di La Voce, volontari che preparono il Bollettino parrocchiale o che aiutano in tante emergenze della parrocchia. Gli sposi dei volontari adulti e i genitori dei bambini sono pure invitati.

IL SODALIZIO E IL SANTO NOME avranno la loro festa di Natale in comune domenica 9 dicembre nella sala sotto la chiesa dopo la Messa delle 9. Nel pomeriggio, come di tradizione, i membri del Sodalizio organizzeranno la festa natalizia per i residenti di Villa Rosa.

FIORI PER NATALE: Si ricevono ora offerte per fiori che adorneranno la nostrra Chiesa durante le feste natalizie. Il prezzo di un vaso è di $20 e può 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`È UN ALBERO DEL BAMBINO GESÚ IN CASA ITALIANA: È decorato con stelle di carta col nome e l’età di un bambino del Tenement Network, un programma dei Servizi Comunitari Cattolici di Washington. Doni incartati (con attaccato l’ornamento della stella di carta) devono essere messi sotto l’albero di Natale prima di sabato, 16 dicembre. Chi offre un buono bancario deve precisare l’ammontare sulla busta o su l’ornamento. Per ulteriori informazioni, contattate Gene o Kendra Swann, 703-490-5207.