27th Sunday  In  Ordinary  Time    ---   October 2,  2005

Imelda Ribargoso-Gragasin was born in the Philippines on July 2, 1966. Her father Argie, was a pilot for the Philippine Air Force and later took over the family business after his father passed away. Her mother Lydia, a beauty queen and valedictorian of her school, is the oldest of five children

She was educated at College of the Holy Spirit and Dominican College for her secondary and primary years. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at St. Paul’s College of Quezon City. She attended an all girls’ catholic school from preschool to college, after which she pursued her master’s degree in psychology at the Ateneo de Manila University. 

After completing her studies, she became a Guidance Counselor at St. Paul’s College for three years then eventually shifted in the industrial arena and worked as a Training Officer for Shrine Galleria Corporation. Her work involved designing and facilitating training programs for employees and clients and conducting case studies and research.

In 1993, she migrated to the United States and joined her sister, Cecille who started her medical practice with her husband, Francis who are both physicians.

Imelda (or Ida) as her friends and family call her has a wide range of personal interest. She loves to read, write, play the piano and ride horses. She also loves to sing – the reason why she is an active choir member of St. Mary’s Church. She shows her devotion to the Blessed Mother by being a part of St. Mary’s Women’s Sodality and also supporting our priests through prayer by joining families in prayer called the Cenacle. She also loves to volunteer her time for needy causes.

In 1994, she married Jojo Logan Gragazin. They have 3 children, Kyle, Celine, and Christina. She has dedicated most of her time in raising her children and also helping out her husband with their graphic design firm.

Financial Workshops will be offered at Harmony Hall Regional Center October 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th on Monday evenings from 7:00–9:00 p.m. For additional information and registration call (301) 203-6040.

Knights of Columbus First Annual Family Picnic on Saturday, October 8th from 12:00–4:00 p.m. at the new Council Hall in Accokeek. The Council will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, sodas and beer. Bring a dish to share (optional). Horseshoe competitions and games. Prospective new members and their families are welcomed! RSVP by October 3rd to Chuck Johnson (301) 758-7278, Hank Sermons (301) 932-8835 or Patrick Fahey (301) 292-9218.

Marriage Preparation Training will be offered by that Office of Family Life for parishes that are using Prepare and Enrich on Saturday, October 8th from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center (Carroll Room). Cost is $100/person. For more information call Peter Murphy at (301) 853-4546 or pmurphy@adw.org.

Annual Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will be held on Sunday, October 9th. This year we honor Mary, Mother of Unity in the Year of the Eucharist. Theodore Cardinal McCarrick will be the principal celebrant and homilist. The Rosary will begin at 2:30 p.m. outside, weather permitting. Those who wish to join in the procession should meet at the East Portico. Mass will begin at 3:00 p.m. The Mass satisfies the Sunday obligation.

Golden Harvest Craft Show and Bazaar at Our Lady of Mattaponi Youth Retreat and Conference Center in historical Governor Bowie Estate in Upper Marlboro. Enjoy handcrafted Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas items, antiques and collectibles, paintings by California artist, Sal Maria, theme baskets, bake sale, white elephant sale, 100 silent auction items, crafts, fruits and vegetables, mums, pumpkins, grand raffle, gift items, food service and more. Dates: Saturday, October 8th from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Sunday October 9th from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. The center is located at 11000 Mattaponi Road (off Route 301 just south of Upper Marlboro). For further information, please call (301) 952-9074.

Post Cana, a social group for widows and widowers, welcomes people of all ages and faiths to an OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, October 9th from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 620 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville MD. There will be refreshments, music and dancing. Invite your bereaved friends to attend, learn more about Post Cana and make new friends. For more information and/or directions, please contact Mary Jo Rodgers (301) 365-9075.

St. Anselm’s Abbey School is sponsoring an Open House on Sunday, November 6th from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. St. Anselm’s is a private, independent Roman Catholic day school for academically gifted young men, grades six through twelve. Contact Patrick Parsons, Director of Admissions at (202) 269-2379 or admissions@saintanselms.org.

Restorers of Mt. Carmel are sponsoring an overnight bus trip on Wednesday, November 30th through Thursday, December 1st to Greensburg, PA to the Patti Page Christmas Show. Prices vary according to lodging arrangements. Cost will include transportation, show, lodging, two breakfasts, two dinners and driver gratuity. Proceeds benefit the Building Fund at Mt. Carmel Monastery. For more information please contact Suzanne Carr (301) 645-5203.

Child Protection Policy Compliance Policies

All employees and volunteers who have substantial contact with children must be in compliance with the Child Protection Policy of the Archdiocese of Washington. 

Initial compliance requirements include:

1. Fill out an application form.

2. Receive and review the Child Protection Policy.

3. Be fingerprinted by the Archdiocese so a complete Criminal History Record Check can be done; call (301) 853-5363 or (301) 853-5381 for an appointment.

4. Attend a session of Protecting God’s Children for Adults; sign up at www.adw.org. Click on Protecting Our Children and then sign up for the current Child Protection Training and follow the registration procedures.

Ongoing compliance requirement:

1. One hour each year of child protection awareness education; this can be completed online. 

Fall is the Time to Apply to a Catholic High School! Families of 8th graders, autumn is the time to apply to a Catholic high school. Mark your calendars now to attend the upcoming Catholic high schools’ open houses in October and November. Go to www.catholicschoolswork.org  for a schedule of open houses, links to high schools’ websites and other information. 

Eighth graders not currently attending a Catholic school in the Archdiocese must register for the High Placement Test (HSPT). It will be offered on two consecutive Saturdays in December: December 3rd and 10th (Catholic school students take this at their school). HSPT registration forms will be available from any Catholic high school in the Archdiocese and online at www.catholicschoolswork.org along with frequently asked questions and answers. For further information please call (301) 853-5304 or e-mail mfosso@adw.org.

Note: *Regular Mass hours are Saturday at 5 p.m., Sunday at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Summer hours (June thru Labor Day) are Saturday at 5 p.m., Sunday at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

The names listed next to a specific Mass indicate an act of love for the living or the deceased member of a family or a friend. If you would like to schedule a Mass for a specific date/intention, please contact Susan Angelini at the parish office. Mass intentions are filled on a first come/first serve basis. Customary offerings are as follows: Mass – $10; flowers: main church – $50, chapel – $35; Sacristy candle – $10/week; tree memorial including a plaque – $500. 

PARISHIONERS

Week 1: Betty White, Marie Williams, James Underwood
Week 2: Acolyte Steven McKimmie

FAMILY AND FRIENDS 

Week 1: Stephanie Corby, Jennifer Lyman, Shana Deane, Joe Keimig
Week 2: Billie Jeane Murray, Filomena Soriano, Lilo Maurer
Week 3: George Kogok, Mel Soriano, Jeannette Fougere
Week 4: Marie Harmon, Nancy Piccicuto

TROOPS IN IRAQ

2nd Lt Albert Elam, II; Patrick O’Bryant, US Army; PFC Kori Arsenault, Natl Guard; LCPL Aaron Norris, USMC; S/SGT Kurt Gartung; Major Alfredo Bandong, Jr.; Capt Marc S. LLacuna, USAF

Please pray for those listed above: Names of those in need of prayer will be published in the church bulletin for one month. If a parishioner still has need for prayer, his or her name will be kept on the prayer list. Please let Susan know when the name can be removed. Thank you!

PARISH NEWS
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 12 Noon/1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bulletin articles must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Friday for publication two weekends later. Bulletin inserts must be in the parish office on the Tuesday prior to the weekend that the insert will be used. Inserts and articles for the bulletin must be approved by the pastor..

ST. MARY'S CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Contact Person: Karen Clink (301) 292-2611

Donations Are Needed For St. Mary’s Annual Christmas Bazaar. We are going to have several NEW theme baskets under the table in the gathering place of the main church to collect items for the Bazaar. The themes for the baskets are Emergency Basket, Breakfast in Bed Basket, Camping Basket, Scrapbook Basket and an Advent Basket. Please help by donating a few items for these baskets. Thank you!

Attention All Crafters! We need your wonderful homemade crafts (no store bought items, please) for St. Mary’s Craft Table. Any finished craft items can be brought to the parish office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Thank you! 

Anyone interested in helping at the craft table this year can contact Karen Macaluso at (301) 248-6242.

Wanted Stuffed Animals in good shape (clean, no holes, no missing parts) for the Christmas Bazaar! Please bring your donated animals to the parish office or school.

SCHOOL NEWS
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Early Dismissal: 12:15 p.m.
Before Care: 6:45 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
After Care: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.