Fifth Sunday of Lent  April 2, 2006

Fifth Sunday of Lent
April 2, 2006

Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." 
- Jn 12:23-24 

St. Mary’s Parish Breakfast will be held in the parish hall on Sunday, April 9th after the 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. Mass. Come and enjoy a scrumptious breakfast and great fellowship. Donations will be accepted.

The First Anniversary of His Death — How at times it seems just yesterday that we were praying for John Paul II as he wrestled with his personal agony in the garden of life. Yet, we gather capable of uniting in prayer for his soul, motivated by love and tender respect. His life continues to be an inspiration to the world. The secular media finds itself reflecting on his passing by means of various specials over the weekend. The Church will continue to digest the legacy of teaching bequeath to it by John Paul. Many of us were born and lived part of our life knowing no other Pope. Others recall other popes; however, their memory seems to have faded in the light of his long papacy. As to his historical influence, many will study and be granted advanced degrees in Church History, Mariology, and Moral Theology. Yet, the true legacy of Pope John Paul is the imprint left on the vast number of young people who have responded to his call to unite with Christ and to not give in to fear. Many young people have stepped out of temptation and with generosity of heart accepted His invitation to follow Him into religious life. May we, who pray for his soul, not lose the opportunity to continue to learn about our loving God and respond with greater sincerity. May he rest in peace. Amen. “If anyone would serve me,” says Jesus in today’s Gospel, “let him follow Me; where I am, there will my servant be.” In what ways is Jesus inviting me to follow Him? What service is He asking me?

Is your child happy at his or her school? We are currently taking applications at St. Mary’s School; however, we are being selective and accepted applicants will be on a first come first serve basis. Please call Cathy Wall at (301) 292-2522 to schedule an appointment, to schedule a private tour, and testing for your child. 

Mary’s School Family Picnic and Reverse Raffle will be held on Sunday, April 30th at 1:30 p.m. The raffle prizes will total $5000, with a Grand Prize of $2,500, a First Prize of $1,500 and a Second Prize of $1,000. 

Raffle tickets may be purchased from a school family for $100 each. The picnic will be held outside or in the hall in case of rain. Tickets may be purchased at the picnic for food and games. Come and have some fun!

New parishioners should fill out a registration form found in either the gathering place of the Main Church, Chapel or at the parish office. If you have a new address, phone number, e-mail address or a new member of your family, please contact Susan at (301) 292-0527 or parish@stmaryspiscataway.org. Thank you!

SEPARATED AND DIVORCED CATHOLICS
UPCOMING EVENTS

“Accept the Challenge; Capture Today” is a day-long conference on Saturday, April 22nd, for separated, widowed, divorced or remarried Catholics at Loyola College Graduate Center in Columbia, MD. For more information call (410) 485-8313.

MOUNT CARMEL MINI-RETREAT

The Restorers of Mt. Carmel are sponsoring a mini-retreat at Mt. Carmel Monastery in La Plata on Saturday, April 22nd. The mini-retreat is open to everyone. The retreat theme is Divine Mercy. For more information, please call Suzanne Carr at (301) 645-5203.

ARE YOU BEING CALLED TO A RELIGIOUS LIFE?

On Friday, April 21st–Sunday, April 23rd the Sisters of Bon Secours, at the USA Provincial House, 1525 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville, MD will be hosting a Vocation Discernment Retreat for young single Catholic women between the ages of 19 and 49 years old. If interested please contact Sister Patricia Dowling, CBS at 1-877-742-0277 or send an e-mail to include your name, address, day and evening phone, time of arrival, desire for optional ministry tour to CBSVocations@bshsi.com or their website at; www.bonsecours.org/vocations/registration_form.htm.

ST. JOSEPH’S BASKET BINGO 

Join us for Basket Bingo on Friday, April 28th at St. Joseph’s Church in Pomfret. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; games start at 6:45 p.m. There will be food, door prizes, raffles and Longaberger baskets. Cost: $20 admission, $1 specials. Call Beth at (301) 743-3148 to reserve a table.

“SAVE DAFUR: Rally to Stop Genocide”

Come join in a rally to stop the genocide in Dafur on Sunday, April 30th at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (between 3rd & 4th Streets in front of the US Capitol). For more information please contact Chuck Ties, Rally Director (202) 478-6302 or their website at www.savedafur.org. 

PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY

Pilgrimage to Italy for 9 days (September 27th through October 5th). Please join us for an unforgettable journey through Italy, including Florence, Assisi and Rome. Our itinerary includes a special trip to the North American College (American seminary) in Rome and a papal audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Package includes round-trip airfare aboard Air France, breakfast and dinner daily, superior hotel accommodations and land transportation. The cost is $2,699 per person, double occupancy. Please call St. George Catholic Church (301) 994-0607 for full-color brochure and itinerary. 

HOME SCHOOL FAMILIES 

If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic home school support group, Traditions of Roman Catholic Homes (TORCH) in Charles County, please contact Lori Laughrey at (301) 705-6542.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION

The Office of Family Life offers marriage preparation to assist parishes in fulfilling their responsibility to prepare engaged couples for marriage as a supplement to any parish-based marriage preparation. The engaged couples’ meetings with their priest are essential. Also, for a truly effective preparation, engaged couples are encouraged to take a pre-marriage inventory and meet with a mentor- married couple. For more information about training, mentor couples and marriage inventory evaluations, please contact Peter Murphy at (301) 853-4546 or pmurphy@adw.org.

DOMINICAN HOUSE OF STUDIES

Are you hungry for a more adult understanding of your faith? Please join the Dominion House of Studies at 487 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C. for their Fall courses. Courses include: Early Christian Biography, Theological Virtues, Introduction to Church Law, and Images of God in the Bible. Please call Rev. Reginald Whitt, O.P. at (202) 529-5300 ext. 166 for further information. 

Book Discussion Group meets every Sunday morning 10:45–11:45 a.m. in the faculty lounge or behind the school depending on the weather. Come for good fellowship, donuts and hot drinks! 

 St. Mary’s Parish School of Religion (PSR) is held every Sunday from 10:45–11:50 a.m. in our school. Children can still register for PSR; fees are $85 for one student; $105 for two students or $120 for three or more students. 

 Baptismal Classes for parents wishing to have their child baptized will be on the 4th Sunday of the month after the 12:00 p.m. Mass. Please contact Bill Keimig if you would like to attend or for further information.

Natural Family Planning Classes will be held at the Keimig’s home (1500 Schall Road, Accokeek) on the following Sunday afternoons: April 2nd, 23rd, May 21st, and June 18th from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Please contact Heather at (301) 203-9293 to pre-register.

 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 7:30–9:00 p.m. (except major holidays) in the school library. New participants are welcome at any session.

Mom’s Fellowship and Prayer Group will meet on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. for playtime and for prayer at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady’s Chapel. Moms with kids in tow or any other ladies who desire to learn to love our Lord in the Holy Eucharist and our Lady through the rosary. Contact Heather Keimig at (301) 203-9293 for meeting location each week.

Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) will meet on Tuesday evening from 7:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. in the school library through June. All are welcome who are considering becoming a Catholic or just want to find out what the Catholic faith is all about.

 Bible Sharing on the Book of Romans with Deacon George Ames will meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the conference room of the parish office through May 17th. Contact person: Deacon Ames (301) 292-0527 Ext. 105 or Gbamesjr@cs.com.

Living in the Spirit: St. Mary’s Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) prayer group meets weekly on Thursday nights from 7:30–9:30 p.m. at 1305 Christopher Lane in Ft. Washington. Join us for singing, strong fellowship and new friendships! Please call Bob Ryan at (301) 203-8203 for directions.

The Life of St. Teresa of Avila, a beautiful video series on the dramatic life of the great Carmelite mystic and Doctor of the Church, will be shown on Friday evenings, April 21st through June 2nd from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the school library. The discussion afterwards will be facilitated by Father Gary Villanueva.

Cenacle Prayer Group meets Friday evenings (except for the 1st Friday of the month) from 8:00–9:00 p.m. in Our Lady’s Chapel. Family prayer focused on interceding on behalf of priests and petitioning Mother Mary to protect our families. Children of all ages are welcome! Contact person: Joan Yates (301) 283-2206.

 

ADORATION Mrs. Joan Yates (301) 283-2206

Can YOU watch with me for just one hour? Adorers and visitors are welcome to attend any hour of adoration. We are also in need of regular adorers and substitutes. Please contact Joan Yates if you have questions or would like to be an adorer. 

Mark Your Calendar Now: Stephen D. McKimmie’s ordination as a new deacon on Saturday, June 3rd at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception from 10:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. More information will follow.

 

This year’s Jubilarian Mass will be held on Sunday, June 11th at 2:00 p.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Please fill out a registration form in the gathering place of either Church and return it to the parish office prior to Thursday, April 20th.
 

St. Mary’s Holy Name Society is looking for new members. Holy Name Society is a group of Catholic men that promote reverence for the name of God and sanctification of members, supports the clergy and works for the good of the Parish. Come and join us every 1st Tuesday of the month (April 4th) from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the parish office conference room for good fellowship and for the betterment of the larger church community. Please contact Frank Kane if you have any questions.

Sodality is a group of Catholic women willing to work together in service of Christ’s Church and the world in every area of life: family, work, professional, civil and ecclesial. Sodality meets every 1st Sunday of the month (April 2nd) after the 9:30 a.m. Mass in the school hall. New members are welcome to attend! For further information, please contact Mary Parker at (301) 292-6656 or Vicki Burton at (301) 292-9012.

There will be a Retreat for Sodality on Friday, April 28th–Sunday, April 30th at the Washington Retreat House. 

The Sodality Mother/Daughter Brunch will be held on Sunday, May 21st in the parish hall after the 9:30 a.m. Mass. 

St. Mary’s Youth Ministry Calendar

Saturday, April 8th 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Service Opportunity: Parish Clean-up.

Friday, April 21st 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Pizza Night: 8th grade classroom.

Please contact Mrs. Carts if you would like to join us!

Liturgical Publications, Inc., our bulletin publisher, had to reschedule their week at St. Mary’s due to the illness of their representative. They have rescheduled their visit to the week of April 24th. The new representative, Jim Schneeman, will be glad to help anyone interested in placing a new ad or renewing their ad. Thank you for your patience!

084,868,097 viewed and updated since 04/05/05