2nd SUNDAY OF LENT        ---         February 20, 2005

 Weekday Mass Schedule

Note: *From June thru Labor Day Weekend, Sunday Mass will be at 11:00 a.m.; the rest of the year at noon. The names listed next to a specific Mass indicate an act of love for the living or the deceased member of a family or a friend. If you would like to schedule a Mass for a specific date/intention, please contact Susan Angelini at the parish office. Mass intentions are filled on a first come/first serve basis. Customary offerings are as follows: Mass – $10; flowers: main church – $50, chapel – $35; Sacristy candle – $10/week; tree memorial including a plaque – $500.

Please pray for the following parishioners and/or friends who are currently serving overseas:

• CPL David Harding, serving in Iraq
• CPL Jacob Godboldt, USMC, serving in Iraq
• LCPL Michael Deshields II, USMC, serving in Iraq
• LCPL Perry L. Ford, Jr. USMC, serving in Iraq
• Charles Haliscak, USMC, serving in Iraq
• Ryan Ray Bael, US Navy, serving in Iraq
• S/SGT. John M. DeGrasse, USMC, serving in Iraq
• 2nd Lt. Albert Elam, III, serving in Iraq

There will be a Soup Supper sponsored by the Holy Name Society on Friday at 6:00 p.m. each Friday from thru March 18th in the Parish Hall. Stations of the Cross and Benediction will follow at 7:30 p.m. in Our Lady’s Chapel. Thanks to the Book Discussion Group for sponsoring last Friday’s Soup Supper!

Are you considering a Catholic education for your child but missed St. Mary’s Open House? If so, please call Cathy Wall (301) 292-2522 at the school office for an appointment and/or a private tour.

PARISH NEWS

Soccer Registration will be held for the Spring 2005 Season on Tuesday, February 22nd from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the parish hall. Any players who will not return this season and have not returned their uniform, please bring it back on the evening of registration. For more information, please call Keith Brightwell at (301) 843-5167 or Tom Birmingham at (301) 843-5764. 

Raffle tickets to benefit the James Cardinal Hickey Scholarship will be sold after all Masses February 27th. First place prize will be $500, 2nd place $300, 3rd place $100, 4th place $100 and 5th place $100. For further information, please call Dorothy Jones at (301) 372-8922.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 

Ten Secrets to Authentic Joy:   Join us for a two session class that will be held on Sunday, February 20th and 27th from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the school library. Come and find out how to find joy in your salvation. For further information please contact Bill Keimig at (301) 292-0527.

Catholics Coming Home is an apostolate for those considering returning to their Catholic faith, needing help with an annulment, a divorce situation, or just wanting to talk about their struggles with the Church. We will meet on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. (except holidays) in the school library. Participants are welcome at any session. Please contact Bill Keimig at (301) 292-0527 if you have questions. 

A Tour of the Doctors of the Church with Father Gary on Tuesday mornings 9:30–11:00 a.m. for 10 sessions through June 7th in the parish office conference room. Thirty-three saints have been given the title “Doctor of the Church” by Popes through the centuries. These saints are specially venerated for their great learning, personal holiness, and value to the life of the universal Church. Come and join us as we take a look at these amazing saints! New members may join at anytime.

Mom’s Group: Come pray the rosary and let the kids play on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Contact Heather Keimig (301) 203-9293 for more information.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults will be held on Tuesday evenings through May 10th from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. in the school library. RCIA is for those considering becoming Catholic; inquirers are always welcome. 

Our Bible Sharing Group will meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. through May 25th in the parish office conference room. Deacon Ames will be sharing the Gospel of Luke.

Life in the Spirit: St. Mary’s newly formed Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) prayer group meets weekly on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. Please call Bob Ryan at (301) 203-8203 for the location. Pope John Paul II stated on October 30, 1998, “The CCR has helped many Christians to rediscover the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, in the life of the Church and in the world; and this rediscovery has awakened in them a faith in Christ filled with joy, a great love of the Church and a generous dedication to their evangelizing mission.”

Hearts Aflame Course, “The Creed”, will be held Monday afternoons (February 28th, March 7th and 14th) from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the school library. Refreshments will be provided. Please call Bill Keimig at (301) 292-0527 for further information.

St. Mary’s Redemptorist Parish Mission will be celebrated from Sunday, April 10th thru Thursday, April 14th and led by Father William Maggs, CSsR. There will be an 8:30 a.m. Mass in the Chapel each day and an 8:00 p.m. Mass in the Main Church. 

               The Archdiocese was commended for child protection efforts by the Child Protection Advisory Board, an independent panel of child welfare experts that monitors Archdiocesan efforts, for a “continued commitment… to fully implementing its Child Protection Policy” in a report released on February 10th. The Archdiocese also was found fully compliant with the national Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People for the second straight year in a separate outside audit conducted for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

               The Child Protection Advisory Board, which revised the Archdiocesan policy in 2003, reported that no allegations were received against clergy in ministry during the new policy’s first year (June 1, 2003–May 30, 2004); two allegations were received against former priests, long out of ministry, and against a custodian whose employer had a contract with a school. Nearly 10,000 employees and volunteers attended safe environment workshops. Over 8,000 people were fingerprinted for background checks (others were fingerprinted prior to the report period). Approximately $440,000 was spent to implement and comply with the Child Protection Policy.

               The Child Protection Advisory Board report, policy and other materials are online at www.adw.org.

“Bear your share of hardship which the gospel entails.” St. Paul tells Timothy in today’s second reading. What sacrifice is asked of me for the sake of the Gospel? How willing am I to bear my share?

SCHOOL NEWS

St. Mary’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner, to benefit the 8th grade class, will be held today from 3:00–7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Adult Tickets are $10, Youth (5–13 years old) $5, and Children (under 5 years old) $3. For further information, please contact Georgette Weiss at (301) 292-8112 or Nikki Bell at (301) 627-7411.