Second Sunday of Easter April 23, 2006

2nd Sunday of Easter
April 23, 2006

Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." - Jn 20:28-29

A Special Thank You

As I mentioned on Easter Sunday, the celebration of the liturgical year just does not drop down from heaven. There are many individuals that make everything fall in place. Thus, I wish to thank those who volunteered to beautify the parish grounds, the chapel and Church on the rainy Saturday prior to Palm Sunday. Then, there are the many ushers, servers, lectors, commentators, extra-ordinary ministers of Holy Communion who were available for the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week. The valiant individuals who assisted Father Gary decorating the Church and Chapel. The preparation of our baptismal candidates and those received in the Church throughout the year and the team led by Mr. Keimig. Also, the wonderful gift our musicians provide to us under the able leadership of Dr. Terry. There are many who make it happen week after week (including those who do the altar linens). Their love of the Lord and generosity to the service of the parish is a way that helps the rest of us partake of the Mercy and Love of the Lord. Thank you for all your efforts and may the good you have done and continue to do be appreciated by the rest of us in the parish. God for His part will give you the reward for your labors.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Key Points from the USCCB
April 10, 2006

1. Economic policies which consider the root causes of migration and which provide job opportunities for migrants to remain in their homelands to support their families.

2. Reform of the legal immigration system including:

• a legalization and a path to citizenship for the undocumented population in our nation, regardless of national origin;

• a temporary worker program with adequate worker and wage protections for both U.S. and foreign-born workers;

• family based immigration reform to reduce waiting times for families to be reunited;

• restoration of due process protections for immigrants, which have been severely weakened the past several years

3. Border policies which are humane and uphold the human dignity of the migrant.

Apply now…there are still a few openings at St. Mary’s. 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, 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 or through the school office for $100 each before the cut off date of Monday, April 24th. 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 the gathering places of both churches and at the parish office. If you have a new address, phone number, e-mail address, a new member of your family, or you are moving, please contact Susan at (301) 292-0527 or parish@stmaryspiscataway.org. Thank you!

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.

St. Mary’s Mens’ Softball Team is now forming. Any male over the age of 18 interested in playing softball should contact Phil Miller at (301) 297-5360 or smmiller@AOL.com. Experience is not required.

LITURGICAL PUBLICATIONS IS HERE Liturgical Publications, Inc., our bulletin publisher, will be in our office this week. The new representative, Jim Schneeman, will be glad to help anyone interested in placing a new ad or renewing the existing ad. Please call (301) 292-0527 during regular office hours.

There will be a Retreat for Women on Friday, April 28th–Sunday, April 30th at the Washington Retreat House. All are invited to attend!

A BIG welcome to St. Mary’s new parishioners: Nikki Galloway, Mrs. Jennifer Wilson, Mr. Steven Queen and Ms. Ivenise Archange.

Quilters Wanted: St. Mary’s Piecemakers will be starting the new quilt for 2006. We meet once a week and can really use the extra help! Previous experience is not necessary. If you’d like to join us, please call Pat Seaquist at (301) 843-2082.

“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. 

CELEBRATING ARCHBISHOP CARROLL 
HIGH SCHOOL

Please join Bishop Kevin Farrell, Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, Coach John Thompson, and the Board of Directors of Archbishop Carroll High School for the 14th Annual Spring Benefit and Hall of Honor at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, June 12th from 6:00–9:00 p.m. This year’s inductees are John T. Butler, James P. Mumford and Bishop George V. Murry, S.J. For tickets or more information, please call (202) 529-1193.

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. You must pre-register! Please contact Bill Keimig to pre-register 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 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 to pray the rosary. 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 and further information.

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 prayerful 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.

ARISE-Women of Prayer will meet every 2nd Saturday of the month from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. a.m. at Our Lady’s Chapel and till 10:30 a.m. in the school library.

Can YOU watch with me for just one hour?

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 (May 2nd) 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 (May 7th) 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.

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

The winners of the Sodality Union’s James Cardinal Hickey Scholarship Fund’s raffle were: 1st Prize $500 Rita Brewer St. Thomas Moore 2nd Prize $300 Florine Johnson Our Lady Queen of Peace 3rd Prize $100 Cornelia Beaumount St. Martins, D.C. 4th Prize $100 Connie Tardy ST. Benedict the Moor 5th Prize $100 Theolo Lee Incarnation, D.C.  This drawing was held on Saturday, April 1st at St. Gabriel’s in Washington, D.C.

YOUTH GROUP Youth Group Director: Mrs. Paola Carts (301) 283-0167

St. Mary’s Youth Ministry Calendar

Come and join us for Pizza Night on Friday, April 28th. This includes pizza, games and a little religion. Also, on Friday, May 19th at 6:30 p.m. join us for Movie Night featuring “The Chronicles of Narnia.” For further information, please contact Mrs. Carts. 

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