16th  Sunday in Ordinary Time  July 23, 2006

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 23, 2006

When He disembarked and saw the vast crowd, His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. 
- Mk 6:34

This weekend’s altar flowers in the main church were donated by Mr. & Mrs. George Ames for their anniversary.

"Summertime and the living is easy”

This great piece from Porgy and Bess captures in a special manner the place summer can have in our lives. Yet, the reality of this summer can easily rupture the melody of this Gershwin legacy. Right now, so many of our fellow human beings are being caught in a hellish cycle of violence. The desire to escape or eliminate this from our thoughts can easily grow. The summer is slowly passing and the living is not easy. It is becoming hard for many. What can we do? Yes, we can pray. Yes, we can discuss the events. Yes, we can.…We who are called by our Baptism to be disciples of Jesus can accept the Grace to bear witness to God’s Love and Peace. It can only begin, as the hymn says, with me. Let us ask the Lord to assist us in responding to His Grace in becoming a better reflection of His Love and Peace. †

WELCOME TO ST. MARY’S CHURCH!  

New parishioners should fill out a registration form found in the gathering places of both churches and at the parish office. Be sure to introduce yourself to one of our priests so we can get to know you!

UPDATING OUR PARISH DATABASE

We are currently updating our parish database. Two forms have been mailed to all parishioners. Please fill them out and return both forms to the collection basket, the parish office or through the mail. If you have only returned one form, without your name on it, I have no way of recording your form. Please call and let me know so I can record you as a parishioner! Also, if you have an e-mail address, please be sure to send it to us. This helps us to quickly disseminate important information to you during the week. For example, when Pope Paul died and a special Mass was scheduled. Some of you may have received a Second Appeal Notice, please return the single form as soon as possible. THANK YOU VERY MUCH

MISSIONARY COOPERATIVE PLAN APPEAL

A Missionary Cooperative Plan Appeal for the Diocese of Catarman in the Philippines will be held on the weekend of September 30th–October 1st at our parish. Father Cleofas Anonuevo, representing Most Reverend Emmanuel Trance, D.D., will preach at all of the Masses. 

This appeal is made under the auspices of the Propagation of Faith to help with relief needs of children and the poor, formation of lay leaders and the clergy’s health and continuing assistance program. 

Catarman diocese is one of the poorest in the Philippines. Please be generous!

HOLY LAND CHRISTIANS

During the weekend of October 21, 2006, there will be a display of beautiful olivewood handmade carvings from the Holy Land in the vestibule of our church. These carvings are made by the Christians of Bethlehem who use them as their source of income. Please come and support your brothers and sisters in Bethlehem by purchasing some of these beautiful carvings after Mass. For more information, please contact Feras at (202) 302-5889 or visit www.BethlehemCarvings.com.

 

Are you going out of town and need to know where to attend Mass? Please refer to the link at St. Mary’s website www.stmaryspiscataway.org or go to www.masstimes.org.

OUTSIDE OF PARISH EVENTS

PRO-LIFE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Enthusiastic Pro-Life Volunteers needed to work one 3 hour shift per week between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the Gabriel office. Join the Gabriel Project on Thursday, July 27th for our second 2006 Orientation Night. We are seeking individuals who have a heart for helping women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. In this session you will learn about the Gabriel Project and how you can be instrumental in the accomplishment of our mission. A light dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. followed by an orientation session from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Please RSVP to (301) 262-9011 no later than Tuesday, July 25th to reserve your seat. The Gabriel Project is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. As such, donations may be tax-deductible. Please send to: P.O. Box 2116, Bowie, MD 20718.

DAY RETREAT

A day retreat with Father Clement Machado, S.O.L.T. on Sunday, August 13th from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. will be held at Georgetown Prep School in North Bethesda, Maryland. Cost is $30. Pre-registration is required. Father Machado is well known on five continents for his apostolic preaching, evangelization, healing and deliverance ministries. For more information, please call Vicki (301) 926-7014 or e-mail vhschneider1@AOL.com

ATTENTION ALL MEN

On Saturday, September 23rd at St. Louis Parish, Alexandria, VA there will be an important men’s conference featuring a talk by the world renowned author and speaker, Stephen Wood. Mr. Wood is the host of EWTN’s television and radio show “The Carpenter’s Shop”, which features topics of interest to Catholic men such as protecting their families, passing on their faith to their children, managing the family budget and finances, and strengthening their marriages. The conference at St. Louis’ is entitled, “Passing the Torch—the Four Quarters of Fatherhood” and will present vital information on the battle for the souls of our children. Just like a football game, these fathering strategies are divided into four quarters:

            Quarter 1: Keys to fathering the early years; when and how to discipline.

            Quarter 2: How to raise your sons to be real men; keys to successful fathering of daughters.

            Quarter 3: The most effective way to motivate teens; How to keep teens out of trouble; creative alternatives to the dating game.

            Quarter 4: Preparing your children for marriage. 

The conference will begin with Mass at 8:45 a.m. and will conclude at 12:30 p.m. The registration fee is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Please contact the parish office at (703) 765-4421 for details and reference the Steve Wood Conference. The address of the church is 2907 Popkins Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306.

RETROUVAILLE

Is your marriage in trouble? Has your relationship grown cold and unloving? We believe that Retrouvaille (French for rediscovery) can help. It is a Catholic program designed to help hurting couples mend and heal their brokenness. Please call (410) 647-0350 or (301) 468-6764 for more information or go to website www.retrouvaille.org.

Apply now! We are currently taking applications for the 2006-2007 school year. Applicants will be tested to determine our ability to meet their needs. Please call Cathy Wall at (301) 292-2522 to schedule an appointment, a private tour, and testing for your child. 

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.

Catholics Coming Home is an apostolate for those considering returning to their Catholic faith, 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.

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. Prayers are focused on behalf of our priests. We also petition Mother Mary to protect our families. Children of all ages are welcome! Contact person: Joan Yates (301) 283-2206.

Holy Name Society is a group of Catholic men that promote reverence for the name of God and sanctification of members, support the clergy and work for the good of the parish. Come and join us every 1st Tuesday of the month (August 1st) 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 Charles Swanick if you have any questions. 

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

A Vocation Discernment Retreat will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 4th–6th for single Catholic women between the ages of 19 and 49 at the Sisters of Bon Secours Provincial House, 1525 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville, MD (30 minutes from Washington). This retreat, “How is God calling me to live my life?” will help answer questions about discerning a vocation and what is religious life. Come explore these and other questions during this weekend of discussion, reflection, prayer and liturgy, group sharing and leisure. You can register for the retreat on-line at the following Bon Secours’ website: http://bonsecours.org/vocations/registrationform.htm or e-mail your name, address, day and evening phone to CBSVocations@bshsi.com. For more information visit the website: www.justfaith.org. To begin a JustFaith community in your parish, call Mary McGinnity, Archdiocesan Office for Justice and Service, at (301) 853-4547.

Run For Vocations, a team of dedicated men and women are looking for a few more team members to participate in the Marine Corps Marathon. Rookie, experienced runners and race walkers are welcome to join. Come train with us! Fun, fitness, and faith events are planned for our team. For more information and to register, contact Carol Flannery at flanneryc@adw.org (240) 432-4340 or contact Mike Greaney at mikegreaney@comcast.net (301) 949-3699.

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