19th Sunday in Ordinary Time  August 13, 2006

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time August 13, 2006

I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the Bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. 
- Jn 6:48-50

Next weekend there will be a second collection for the Catholic Communications Campaign. The Catholic Communications Campaign which spreads the Gospel message locally and nationally by radio, television, in print and on the Internet. Please be generous!

Once again, a number of children have spent an active week exploring the mystery of God’s love for them and for others. Making use of a mixed bag of materials, Mr. William Keimig and his volunteers have enriched the hearts of the participants. This apostolate plants seeds of faith, hope and love in ways that only time will bring forth in the lives of these little ones. I am grateful for the commitment made by Bill and his volunteers to this summer program. The beauty of this experience is that it can be continued throughout the year in the home. Our faith need not be intellectual constructs; rather it can be a lived response to the everyday, ordinary experiences of life in which God makes Himself manifest.   †

In the Gospel today, Peter yearns to do something to make concrete the Transfiguration he had witnessed. But to be a good steward of this spiritual gift, he was instructed to be still, to listen to Jesus, and to wait for His direction. Good advice for us, too!

Run For Vocations

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.

Wine Tasting & Special Seminar on Vocations

Msgr. Robert J. Panke will present “Complimentary Vocations” on Wednesday, September 13th at 7 p.m. at the Wyndham Hotel, 1400 M. Street, NW, Washington, D.C. The cost is $55 per person and includes wine, hors d’oeuvres and soft drink. Cash bar. Proceeds directly benefit the Seminarians of the Archdiocese of Washington. For more information, please contact Carol Flannery at flanneryc@adw.org or (240) 432-4340.

God has created me to do some definite service; God has committed some work to me, which has not been committed to another. I have my mission—I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a band of connection between persons. God has not created me for naught. I shall do good work. I shall do God’s work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve the Lord; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve the Lord; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve the Lord. God does nothing in vain. Therefore I will trust in the Lord.
Cardinal John Henry Newman

WELCOME TO ST. MARY’S CHURCH!

New parishioners should fill out a registration form found in the gathering places of both churches or 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 have received 60% of the parish database update forms back from parishioners. If you have not updated your parish database records, please contact Susan Ritchie at the parish office (301) 292-0527. 

BOOKKEEPER WANTED St. Mary’s Church in Piscataway is looking for a full-time bookkeeper. A high school diploma/GED is required. Also a 2-year degree in Business, Accounting or related field preferred. Minimum experience of 3 years working with basic accounting is required; i.e., payroll, accounts receivable and payable. Candidate must have excellent oral and writing skills and be proficient in Word and Excel. Experience in CMS software a plus. Must demonstrate initiative and commitment and be able to meet deadlines. Excellent Benefits provided! Please fax resume to (301) 292-8786.

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/Mass_Info.htm or go to www.masstimes.org.

Please note that Father David and Father Gary are not usually in the office until after Mass, at around 9:30 a.m., on weekdays. Therefore if you call early in the morning, we can only give you their voice mail or take a message. If you have an emergency regarding the death of a parishioner or a parishioner on the way to the hospital, a priest can be reached by calling our emergency number at (301) 292-6904. Thank you.

Quilters Wanted: St. Mary’s piece makers are working on the quilt for 2006. The group meets 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. 

Volunteers are needed at the Millennium Nursing Home to help residents get to Mass. Please contact Joan Yates at (301) 283-2206 for further information.

UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS

THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

The Little Sisters of the Poor will be visiting St. Mary’s on September 2nd & 3rd to take up a collection after all the Masses at the doors of the church. The Little Sisters care for many elderly residents. They are assisted in their work by your generosity. 

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!

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 
TOOTSIE ROLL SALE

The John F. Kennedy Council Knights of Columbus will be hosting a tootsie roll sale on the weekend of October 7th and 8th after all the Masses to benefit retarded citizens in Prince George’s and Charles counties.

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.

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.

Upcoming Dates:

8/19    Meet the Principal and School Clean-up
8/22     New Family Picnic
8/25    Open House
8/28    Open School Liturgy TBA
8/29    First Day of School for Students
9/1      Early Dismissal 12:15 p.m.
9/4      Labor Day School and Parish Closed 

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.

PSR (Parish School of Religion) Registration

Registration for St. Mary’s Parish School of Religion (PSR) or Sunday School (Kindergarten through 8th grade) will take place during the next four Sundays (August 13th through September 3rd). There will be a sign-up table available in the vestibule of the Main Church after all Masses. PSR will officially begin on Sunday, September 10th. There will be a late fee accessed for registering your child after the 10th. When you come to register, you will receive a schedule for the entire PSR year. We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure that love for Jesus Christ and His Church gets passed down to the next generation.

African National Eucharistic Congress

The African National Eucharistic Congress will be held on Saturday, September 2nd and Sunday, September 3rd at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Please pick-up a brochure in the gathering place of the main church if you are interested.

Want to join St. Mary’s Contemporary or Traditional Choir? Please call Dr. Mickey Terry at (202) 581-6304 if you are interested in joining. Come and share your talents while worshiping Him!

SODALITY  Corinne Prebble (301) 292-6297 E-mail: cprebble@stmaryspiscataway.org

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 (September 3rd) after the 9:30 a.m. Mass in the school hall. New members are welcome to attend! Please contact Corinne Prebble for further information.

ST. GEORGE’S ANNUAL DINNER

Join us for an ALL YOU CAN EAT dinner of crab cakes, fried chicken and ham and all the trimmings on Sunday, August 20th from 12–5 p.m. St. George is located on 19197 St. George Church Road, Valley Lee, Maryland. Cost for tickets are: Adults, $18; Children 6-12 years old, $8; Carry-outs, $18. Please call (301) 994-0607 if you need further information.

PRE-LABOR DAY RETREAT FOR
MEN & WOMEN AT LOYOLA

Loyola Retreat House in Faulkner, Maryland will hold a retreat for men and women on the weekend of September 1st through 3rd. The theme will be the “Living Mystery of the Church”. The suggested offering is $200. To register, please send a deposit of $100 to Loyola Retreat House, P.O. Box 9, Faulkner, MD 20632-0009. For more information, please call (301) 392-0819 or www.loyolaretreat.org. 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CATHOLIC?

Find out at EPS (Education Parish Service), which offers day and evening programs to educate Catholics to understand, live and share their faith at 125 Michigan Avenue, NE (campus of Trinity University). Classes in the redesigned Washington Day certificate program begin with the exploration of “The Gift of Revelation and the Teaching Mission of the Church,” and run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., Tuesdays, Sept. 12th through Oct. 31st. The course is also open to EPS graduates and parish ministers who are currently unable to enroll in the certificate program but have their pastor’s approval. The Washington/Virginia evening certification program will begin study of “Documents of the Second Vatican Council,” with orientation from 7:00-9:15 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 5th. Contact Ann Kitterman, EPS Washington Community Liaison, (202) 884-8446 or kittermana@trinitydc.edu, or visit their website at http://eps.trinitydc.edu.

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