Seventh Sunday of Easter  May 28, 2006

7th Sunday of Easter May 28, 2006

"I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your Word is truth." 
- Jn 17:15-17

Flowers this weekend are in memory of John Carroll by his wife, Beverly Carroll.

St. Mary’s Church and School will be closed on Monday, May 28th for Memorial Day. The parish office will reopen at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29th.

NOTE: Next Sunday thru Labor Day, the last Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.

Come and Celebrate Stephen D. McKimmie’s ordination as a new deacon will be held 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. There will be a Thanksgiving Mass on Saturday, June 3rd at the 5:00 p.m. Mass followed by light refreshments in the parish hall.  Deacon Steve McKimmie will be preaching at the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 4th. Prayers would be greatly appreciated! We had great news last week; Steve has been assigned to St. Mary’s Church by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

The Feast of Ascension

Though the Feast has been transformed for the time being from its traditional day of Thursday to Sunday, we are nonetheless given the opportunity to reflect at its meaning in our lives. The past week our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, told us that this Feast reminds us of the end of our lives. The end of our earthly journey is to be with God in Heaven. It raises the question for us to consider: How often and with how much intensity do I think of going to Heaven? I dare to say that most of us get so caught up with the hurly burly of daily life that we scarcely even give thought to the reality that we live each day and night in the gaze of God. Ascension reminds us that Jesus will return and desires to take us with Him to the Father. Just as we, in earthly matters, draw close to those who can advance our journey through life so we should draw close to our Lord, Jesus, who is calling us to union with the Father in Heaven. †

Jesus is the perfect steward—watching carefully over all who had been entrusted to Him by the Father and then sending them all out in the world in service. May I similarly protect and wisely use the gifts entrusted to me!

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!

I am still trying to locate the following former parishioners: Mr. & Mrs. Roberto (Lydia) Correa, and James S. Smith. If you have any further information on locating these parishioners, please contact Susan at the parish office. Thank you!

A great BIG welcome to new parishioners Ms. Lesley Gardiner and her extended family.

ATTENTION VIRGINIA TECH FRESHMEN

Are you attending Virginia Tech in the fall? If so, please e-mail us at ccm@vt.edu so we can introduce you to the Newman Community, a Catholic Campus Ministry, at Virginia Tech. Please include your name, and address; we will send you a letter describing our many activities or you may call us at (540) 951-0032 Ext. #103 and leave a message for Fr. Richard Mooney, Campus Minister. 

PRAYER REQUEST FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Summer students from the University of Maryland will be going on a Pro-Catholic Faith, Pro-Life walk from Augusta, Maine to Washington, D.C. to spread the teachings of the Catholic Church especially through the teachings of Pope John Paul II. They will be traveling with a group called the Missionaries of the Eucharist. Please keep them in your prayers as they seek to spread a culture of life. More information about the Pro-Life walk and their goals can be found at the website www.MissionariesoftheEucharist.org.

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY MASS

The 13th Annual Memorial Day Mass at St. Mary’s Queen of Peace Cemetery will be held on Monday, May 29th at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Msgr. John R. Pennington will be our main celebrant. Mass is offered each year at this time for the deceased members of the Catholic parishes of St. Mary’s, Charles, Calvert and Prince George’s counties and especially for those who have passed away during the past year. The cemetery is located in Helen, Maryland on Dr. Johnson Road adjacent to Mother Catherine Spalding School (Route 238). An enclosable tent will be erected for everyone’s comfort so the Mass regardless of weather. If you need additional information, please contact our office at (301) 475-5005 or (301) 932-1766.

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. 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. Prices for tickets are: 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.

EVENINGS 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.

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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 CONVENTION 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.

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. 

Thanks to Bill Keimig and all his many helpers for making the Faith Fair such a success! Everyone enjoyed two fun-filled days of musical entertainment, competitions and prizes. The event concluded with Adoration in the parish hall.

Upcoming Dates (Both events will be held in the Main Church):

June 4th	8th Grade Graduation	2 p.m.
June 5th	Kindergarten Recognition Day	10 a.m.

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! 

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.

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 July 4th. All are welcome who are considering becoming a Catholic or just want to find out what the Catholic faith is all about.

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

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? 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. Adorers: If you are not able to make your regular scheduled time, please contact your division captain so they can possibly get a substitute. Thank you!

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

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 (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.

Thanks to the many who helped make the Sodality Mother-Daughter Breakfast a success! I understand a good time was had by all.

            Two men crashed in their private plane on a South Pacific Island. They both survived.
            One of the men brushed himself off and then proceeded to run all over the island to see if they had any chance of survival. When he returned, he rushed up to the other man and screamed, “This island is uninhabited; there is no food, there is no water. We are going to die!”
            The other man leaned back against the fuselage of the wrecked plane, folded his arms and responded, “No we’re not. I make over $250,000 a week.”
            The first man grabbed his friend and shook him. “Listen, we are on an uninhabited island; there is no food, and no water. We are going to die!”
            The other man, unruffled, again responded, “No I make over $250,000 a week.”
            Mystified, the first man, taken aback with such an answer again repeated, “For the last time, I’m telling you we ARE doomed. There is NO one else on this island. There is NO food. There is NO water. We are, I repeat, we are going to die a slow death.”
            Still unfazed, the first man looked the other in the eyes and said, “Do not make me say this again. I make over $250,000 per week, and I tithe.”

“MY PASTOR WILL FIND US!”

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