Fifth Sunday of Easter  May 14, 2006

5th Sunday of Easter Mother's Day May 14, 2006

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does He prunes so that it bears more fruit." 
  - Jn 15:1-2

The good steward lives the advice of St. John, loving in deed and in truth, rather than just talking about it.

Mother’s Day is upon us. This is the greatest day for the restaurant business, a thrill for candy makers, the threshold to heaven for florists, and we won’t speak about the card industry. Yet, this is a day for all of us to thank God for the woman who said “yes” to our life. Her “yes” made it possible for each one of us to grow and develop our uniqueness. 

Most importantly, we are destined to one day be united with God in heaven. For many of us, our mothers have many stories that can be told, and they should be told and shared. For some of us a certain mystery accompanies our mothers. These women somehow are the instrument of God to our becoming a person. Let us commend them to the Lord, and with reverent love let us pray for those mothers in our parish who have been called home to the Lord. 

Confirmation is the last of the initiation rites of the Church. This Sunday, Bishop Francisco Gonzalez will administer the Sacrament to our 8th graders. They will be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. They will be given the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit. They will share in the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit. Yet, as I have mentioned so many times before, how many of us adults still remember and employ these gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. Spring is a time when many people do a clean-up of the yard or even the house. They rediscover lost items and the like. Perhaps, we can rediscover the power of the Holy Spirit from our Confirmation so long ago. Let us pray that these new Confirmands will be a source of encouragement to us in living out our call as disciples of the Lord.†

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.

 

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.

Can YOU watch with me for just one hour?

Division Captains

Tues & Wed 6 a.m. to Noon Pam Rizzo (301) 292-5191
Tues & Wed Noon to 6 p.m. Karen Clink (301) 292-2611
Tues 6 p.m. to Midnight Rose Antonio (301) 292-9576
Wed 6 p.m. to Midnight Esther Baraquio (301) 567-0170
Thursday All Day Don Benedict (301) 292-9517

THE JEWELER’S SHOP

The Jeweler’s Shop is a drama about love by Pope John Paul II. This is a moving theatrical experience about the trials, tribulations and triumphs of love. Performances are held at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, 3900 Harewood Road, NE, Washington, D.C. on the weekends of May 19th through June 18th (no performances the weekend of May 27th-29th). Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for Students & Seniors, $12; Clergy & Religious, $10; Group rate (10 or more), $15/ticket; and General Admission, $17. Please call (202) 635-5468 or (877) 767-3872 for reservations.

DINNER DANCE

Holy Spirit Church, Forestville, Maryland, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary on Pentecost Sunday, June 4th with a Dinner Dance. All former parishioners are invited to join the celebration at the Knights of Columbus Sarto Hall, 3611 Stewart Road, Forestville, Maryland from 4:30–9:00 p.m. The menu consists of: garden salad, rolls/butter, Steamship Round of beef, baked salmon, garlic mashed potatoes, red roasted potatoes, vegetable medley, dessert, coffee, tea or soda. The cost is $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight. The deadline for reservations is Monday, May 15, 2006. Please contact Mary Oliver at the Parish House (301) 336-3707 if you wish to attend.

RETREATS FOR YOUNG MEN

Please join Father Panke and the Seminarians of the Archdiocese of Washington for a retreat aimed at helping young men discover how to live an authentic Christian life. Please contact the Vocations Office for a registration form at (301) 853-4580 or vocations@adw.org.

Senior High Boys’ Retreat June 9th-11th at Our Lady of Mattaponi Retreat Center

Junior High Boys’ Retreat June 28th-29th at Our Lady of Mattaponi Retreat Center

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.

AN EVENING OF PIANO MUSIC 2006

The students of Shirley Smith will present a performance on Saturday, June 9th from 6:00 to 10 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in the Main Church.

The students of the Marilou Padilla-Gallardo Piano/Organ/Keyboard Studio will present a keyboard extravaganza “An Evening of Piano Music 2006” on Saturday, June 17th at the John Addison Concert Hall, Harmony Hall Regional Center at 7:00 p.m. For more information and reservations please call (301) 567-7973.

NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC CATHOLIC CONVENTION 2006

June 30th–July 3rd

An experience of Asian Pacific spirituality, faith practices, prayer forms, cultural and social customs. This will include workshops, group and individual sessions, and family oriented activities. For more information please contact Jojo Manato (301) 632-6480 or Al Leyson (301) 292-5181.

COVER THE UNINSURED 

The Archdiocesan Health Care Network, AHCN, provides access to health care and comprehensive services for low-income uninsured members of our community. Together physicians, dentists, medical facilities, clinics, agencies, businesses, governments, churches and other groups work together to provide medical services. AHCN links uninsured families to low cost or free health programs for those in need. Services include specialty care, lab and x-rays, eye exams, hearing aids, physical therapy, mental health, dental, prescriptions and hospitalization. 

YOU CAN HELP!

• Your donation will support emergency medications, laboratory testing and dental laboratory fees.
• Volunteer to treat AHCN uninsured patients.
• Volunteer to supply office support.

To find out more information, make a contribution or join the Archdiocesan Health Care Network as a provider, please call (202) 481-1427.

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. 

St. Mary’s School will be holding our Third Annual Faith Fair on Thursday, May 18th and Friday, May 19th. On Thursday morning, the children will participate in a special cinematic followed by an opportunity to learn new prayers and try out new forms of art. On Thursday afternoon there will be a Talent Show, which will include skits, songs, oratory, and competitions based on religious themes. On Friday morning, after Mass, the entire school will assemble for team competitions followed by Carnival games. 

Congratulations to the following students who made their First Communion at St. Mary’s last Sunday:

Andrew  Alldafer Lauren Bland Erika Cabot  Daniel Campos Mia Anee Countiss Justin Deeb Aaron Dimapilis Celine Gragasin William Greer Laurent Guichard Shannon Gwiazda Dominic Hanus Andrea Kline Christopher MacKay

Giselle Barcia Namata Hayley Nasatka Zachary Osborn  Alessandro Penalver Nicholas Rouse Mariel Santos Jared Saunders Johnny Sawyer Joseph Scudellari Casey Shows Alisson Swegle Anthony Wallace Benjamin Watson xxx

 

Reverse Raffle Winners Grand Prize $2500    - The Abebe Family First Prize $1500       - The Kelley Family Second Prize $1000  - The Kerr Family

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Director of Religious Education: Bill Keimig (301) 292-0527 Ext. #104

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: 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.

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.

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 (June 6th ) 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 (today, June 4th) 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. See the bulletin insert for further details.

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