bulletin - Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic ...

Twenty-fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time 22 Sept 2013

SaintMaryoftheImmaculateConceptionRomanCatholicChurch F R E D E R I C K S B U R G, V I R G I N I A

what’scoming

september 22 Sunday, Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Coffee and Donuts after morning Masses, Parish Life Center. Parish Life Weekend - Ministry Tables after all Masses. 11:30am, New Family Registration Meeting, church. 12noon-1:45pm, English as a Second Language Classes, 2nd Fl., Parish Life Center. 6pm, Catholic Youth Ministry Dinner, Parish Life Center. 7-8:30pm, CYM Youth Group, Parish Life Center.

SAINT MARY of the

I M M A C U L AT E CONCEPTION

Roman Catholic Church

23 Monday, Pio, Priest of Pietrelcina 10am, Legion of Mary, Room 100, Parish Life Center. 7:30pm, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, church. Topic: God the Father, Creation. All parish adults welcome. 8:15pm, small group discussion continues for RCIA candidates in Parish Life Center. 8pm, Young Adult Ministry meeting, John Paul II House. 24 Tuesday, Weekday 7:30pm, Life in the Spirit Renewal Prayer Group, Courtyard Meeting Room. 25 Wednesday, Weekday 6:30-8pm, YOUCAT - Youth Ministry Program, JP II House. 7pm, Legion of Mary, Room 100, Parish Life Center. 26 Thursday, Weekday (Ss. Cosmas and Damian, martyrs) 9:30am, Craft Group, Room 100, Parish Life Center. 7pm, Spanish Prayer Group, John Paul II House. 27 Friday, St. Vincent de Paul, priest 9:30am, St. Ann’s Sisters in Faith (Mom’s Group), John Paul II House

28 Saturday, Weekday (St. Wenceslaus, martyr; St. Lawrence Ruiz and companions, martyrs) SCRIP Sales after 5pm Mass. 29 Sunday, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Coffee and Donuts after morning Masses, Parish Life Center. SCRIP Sales after Masses. 12noon-1:45pm, English as a Second Language Classes, 2nd Fl., Parish Life Center. 6pm, Catholic Youth Ministry Dinner, Parish Life Center. 7-8:30pm, CYM Youth Group, Parish Life Center. 30 Monday, St. Jerome, priest and doctor of the church 10am, Legion of Mary, Room 100, Parish Life Center. 7:30pm, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, church. Topic: The Son of God, Incarnation. All parish adults welcome. 8:15pm, small group discussion continues for RCIA candidates in Parish Life Center. 8pm, Young Adult Ministry meeting, John Paul II House.

october 1 Tuesday, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the church 7pm, Altar Server Meeting for Servers and Parents, church. 2 Wednesday, Weekday (St. Hedwig and St. Margaret Mary of Alacoque) 6:30-8pm, YOUCAT - Youth Ministry Program, JP II House. 7pm, Legion of Mary, Room 100, Parish Life Center.

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expressannouncements expressannouncements expressannouncements c This is Parish Life Weekend. Please take time to visit the ministry tents before and after all Masses and consider which ministry or group you would like to join this year. Next weekend is Commitment Weekend, when we will offer our completed commitment cards to God along with the gifts of bread and wine at all Masses. c Seats are still available on the bus for our Diocesan Pilgrimage at National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 12. The deadline to sign up is Monday, September 23 at 9am in the Parish Office. Don’t miss the bus! c RCIA is beginning on Monday nights in the church, starting at 7:30 (following our weekly novena of the Miraculous Medal). If you or anyone you know is interested in being a part of the Catholic Church, please know all are welcome to come and see, and learn how. It’s not too late. c SCRIP is on sale in the Parish Life Center after all Masses except Saturday 7pm and Sunday 2pm. Please use SCRIP in all your purchases, and a percentage of what you would spend anyway will be applied to our school. c Sunday Coffee Shop is open this weekend after the 7, 8:30 & 10:30 Masses. c Please note the time change for the Young Adult Ministry. They will meet this week on Monday, September 23 at 7:30pm in the church. c Watch here, please, in future bulletins for the latest news of the week, and stay tuned for updates in our parish website soon that will improve our communication with you online: www.stmaryfred.org.

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S A I N T M A R Y of the I M M A C U L A T E C O N C E P T I O N www.stmaryfred.org

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this week’s bulletin: 5 education 8 liturgy 10 operations 11 outreach 13 parish life

fromthepastor

Dear Good People of Saint Mary,

SAINT MARY of the

I M M A C U L AT E CONCEPTION

Roman Catholic Church

many you start with. It has everything to do with what you do with what you have been given, and in prudence, use our equal potential to make equally pleasing returns to God, even though they may not be quantitatively the same.

I’ve always had an issue with today’s Gospel. It seems to me that Jesus could very easily be thought to be saying something I would be uncomfortable saying. Here a guy who is cheating his master, and the master commends him (the “dishonest steward”) for acting prudently.

How many times have we learned that the judgment of comparison is an unworthy exercise? Since we were children. Yet how A kind of “honor among thieves,” it would often do we not try because it seems “unfair” seem. that someone got a better deal than we did? It isn’t a matter of fairness; it is a matter of Maybe that is the key, a story in the conwhat you did with what you were given. text of a world that is not perfect. A master When we speak of our gifts and how we who, in this case, maybe doesn’t represent use them, we often use the word “stewardperfectly the same Father that sometimes is ship”; for people of faith, I prefer the word represented in Jesus’ stories as the Master, “discipleship” as a more fitting synonym, Groom, King, or Landowner. Maybe in because as students of faith (the word “disthis case Jesus is stretching us a little to find ciple” means “student” in its Greek origin), it glimpses of truth even in that part of our is as followers of Christ that our lives and the world where truth is sometimes hard to find. fruitfulness of our lives take on a new meanMaybe even in ourselves. ing. A great purpose that goes beyond ourselves and connects us to a responsibility to God brings good out of evil despite our the care of all of God’s people, the goodness world everyday. Perhaps you have known of his creation that surrounds us, the task of this in your own life. Where God seems far- helping one another to get to heaven. thest away you suddenly catch a glimpse of him. Of course, he doesn’t move, we do, so Then the phrase from the Gospel today, “The the distance must somehow be due to us. one who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones” begins This idea of perfection can be the most difto make more sense. We all realize, in our ficult one, at times, when we hold ourselves small way, the same great process which, to a rule that demands perfection. But, as in Christ, allowed for our forgiveness and always at some point, we realize that only salvation. God is perfect, that he has given us a Church as the place where we, as a community, can We live the life God gave us, and we live it as help one another as instruments of God’s best we can, and in this small way we realize grace to be perfected. That we can exerour potential. cise the Cardinal Virtue of prudence -- that which orders the other Cardinal Virtues of Make connections this Parish Life Weekend justice, fortitude and temperance -- work with God’s call to you, and stop before and with our limited gifts and use them to return after Masses and make a connection with to God a greater yield of gifts, of grace, of people in the parish who invite you to get glory. involved in the work of Christ in our parish and community. There are so many small You see, all these stories of gifts and exways to answer this call of God to much pected returns, the whole Gospel concept of greater things. talents being given out doesn’t hinge on how God bless you. _____

W E W E L C O M E Y O U H O M E. 540-373-6491

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education

holycross

Learning and Growing

All over the school, students and teachers are working together in large groups, small groups, individual sessions and just about any configuration you can imagine to make this a year of learning and growing in every way.

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f you stopped by third grade last week you would have seen the students choosing six random playing cards to make the largest hundred-thousands number possible. They wrote the number correctly on a paper car, placing the comma in the right spot. Each group of students completed several activities: ordering the cars according to the numbers from least to greatest, writing the word form of the car’s number, writing the numbers in expanded form, and answering questions about the numbers, such as “Which car has the greatest number of tens?” The colorful Place Value Speedway is on display in the hall outside of the classroom.

If you want to learn about our school and all that we can do for your child, please call us at 540286-1600 or visit our website, www.holycrossweb. com. For St. Mary Preschool, please call 540-3737553. Holy Cross Academy is a place where each child can flourish and grow. We would love to hear from you and will gladly give you a tour of our National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and tell you all about the wonderful things happening here.

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A National Blue Ribbon School, 2012

education

religioused.

and Behavior in class. The parents and children then went to the child’s classroom to meet their catechist.

Classes Begin

Almost a thousand children are registered for Religious Education classes. It will be over a thousand soon. We began with a short meeting with all parents and children. After our Opening Prayer we discussed the following : Parish Theme “Liturgy Is Life Is Mission,” Children going to confession, Parent Gathering, Religious Education Charities, Sunday Mass Attendance, Teaching Mass in October, Attendance and Absence – Reminding parents that sports is important but that Religious Education is even more important,

It was inspiring to see so many parents attending their child’s first Religious Education class. It helps the child appreciate the importance of Religious Education.

Catechetical Sunday

Our primary activity for Catechist Sunday was the Profession of Faith at three Masses. After the homily we made our Profession of Faith then placed our signed professions on a table in front of the altar, offering them to God as a sign of our commitment to “Open the Door of Faith” to the children we teach and the families we touch. Special thanks to the catechists for making the Profession of Faith. It shows our commitment to passing on our faith to our children with the support of our community.

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education

Diocesan High School Rally

Youth Ministry registration is ongoing.

youth

Join us for the Diocesan High School Rally on Sunday, October 27. This event is a celebration of our faith and love of the Lord. We will gather for over eight hours of live music, games, inspirational speakers, and Sunday Mass with Bishop Loverde. Cost is $25 and a permission slip. Permission slips available online.

Youth Ministry registration is ongoing. Please make sure you get your high school teens involved in our high school Youth Group and/or YOUCAT programs. For more information see our website or contact our Director, Leo Chavarria.

Yankee Candle Fundraiser

Middle School Youth Group

Yankee Candle Fundraiser: Please support Youth Ministry as we raise funds for our programs through our fall Yankee Candle fundraiser. Starting the week of September 30 all students in Religious Education, Holy Cross Academy and Youth Ministry will receive a Yankee Candle fundraising packet to take home. For every $50 that you sell your name will go into our iPad raffle. If you sell $500 or more all your entries will be DOUBLED which means more chances to get that iPad.

Our first Middle School Youth Group will be held on Sunday, October 6 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in the Parish Life Center. All 7th and 8th graders are invited to join us. To to be placed on our Youth Ministry email distribution list, please contact [email protected].

adulted.

cristiana (Bautismo, Eucaristía o Primera Comunión, Confirmación).

English as a Second Language

FREE English as a Second Language classes are held each Sunday from 12noon-1:45pm. Classes are free and are walk-in (no pre-registration). Classes are held on the second floor of the Parish Life Center.

Recuerden que si nunca se bautizaron o les falta alguno de los sacramentos de iniciación cristiana (Primera Comunión o Confirmación) no pierdan la oportunidad de tomar sus clases y recibir los sacramentos. Llame a la oficina a Ismael Bermudez, 540-373-6491 o [email protected]

Thinking of becoming Catholic? Or need to learn more? Come and see.

The Catholic Church offers you an opportunity to see what being a Catholic is all about through the Rite of Christain Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

Stewardship Reflection

In Jesus’ parable of the Unjust Steward, we encounter a financial manager who has wasted his master’s wealth and faces dismissal from his position. To overcome the crisis confronting him, the steward reduces some very considerable debts owed by poor neighbors to his master in order to help them out. Though the steward has sinned against God and his master by squandering what belongs to someone else, both the prudent way in which he goes about resolving the crisis coupled with relieving people who are in need can be seen as a way to better steward the gifts entrusted to us by God. Although good stewards today acknowledge that they may never use their God-given gifts in a way that completely conforms to the demands of the Gospel, a commitment to using their gifts with prudence and for the purpose of helping their neighbors wins God’s favor.

The St Mary RCIA program began September 9, but you can still join us. We meet every Monday evening from 7:30 to 9:15pm in preparation to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil on April 19, 2014. The program also welcomes baptized Catholics who have not received Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. We also offer an Adult Confirmation class in late Fall for those who have been Baptized and received First Holy Communion. Please contact the Parish Office at 540-373-6491 or email [email protected] to sign up. There is no obligation; come and see what it’s all about.

Ven y mira.

Ya se están tomando registraciones para que puedan completar sus sacramentos de iniciación

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COME + AND SEE

RCIA

liturgy

church Daily Mass Intentions and Readings

September

23 MONDAY 6:30 +Inasu Paul 9am Mark Doherty Ezr 1:1-6; Lk 8:16-18 24 TUESDAY 6:30 +Nancy Garcia 9am David Mathers Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20; Lk 8:19-21 25 WEDNESDAY 6:30 +Robert Busch 9am +Joseph Trinh Trung Ezr 9:5-9; Lk 9:1-6 26 THURSDAY 6:30 Special Intention 8:20* +Marjorie Britton 9am +John Doherty Hg 1:1-8; Lk 9:7-9 27 FRIDAY 6:30 Sister Janet Stolba 9am +Theresa Boehringer Hg 2:1-9; Lk 9:18-22 28 SATURDAY 9am Bob Rooney 5pm +Antoinette DeTrane 7pm Addie Comerford Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a; Lk 9:43b-45 29 SUNDAY 7am +Stefan Wolanski 8:30 Don & Kathy Beal 10:30 +Polone Bazile 10:30* For the parish 12:30pm Our Military, Living & Deceased 2pm Jose Martinez & Irma Campos 5pm St. Vincent de Paul Society Members and Benefactors 7:01pm +Thomas Alfano Am 6:1a, 4-7; Ps 146; 1 Tm 6:11-16; Lk 16:19-31

Eucharistic Holy Hour for Life and Marriage: September

Please join us for a Eucharistic Holy Hour immediately following the 2pm Mass on Sunday, September 29. Exposition will begin at the end of Mass and a Rosary followed by Benediction will complete an hour of prayer for Life, Marriage and Religious Liberty. The program will finish at 4:30pm. We will hold a Eucharistic Holy Hour for Life & Marriage on the last Sunday of each month during the Year of Faith.

All Night Adoration, First Friday, October 4

Our First Friday evening Mass at 8pm is followed by All Night Adoration until 9am Saturday morning. At least two people need to be present with Our Lord at all times during Adoration. Please sign up today to adore Our Lord and to honor His Holy Mother by saying the Rosary in His Divine Presence. October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. “It is not to remain in a golden ciborium that He comes down each day from Heaven, but to find another Heaven, the Heaven of our soul in which He takes delight.” – St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Feast Day October 1

St. Mary Prayer List

Please Pray for those who are sick or in need, especially: Patty Rajapakse, Theresa and Keith Kovalesky, Ellie Mitchell, Frances Schwab, John Charles Hathaway, Martin McDermott, Nicholas Monchak, Ken Schmitz, Betty Ann Dateno, Frank Moehler, Joseph Mascetta, Virginia Rose, Peter Fisher, Josephine Kreider, Eleanor McGill, Harold Gardiner, Loli Ibarra, Julie Smith, Charles Leonard, Charles Kendall, Helen Kozyra, Nancy Sturtevant, Joseph Bozicevic, Julie Fabula, Kristen Meade, Ree Messer, Martha Clements, Amelia McDevitt, Gerald Gardiner, Melanie Weart, Rico Santos, Rebecca Lowe, Erma Dean, Beverly Winful, Judy Larkin, Catherine Thompson, Lynn Jacobs, Katie Bailey, Holly Smith, Donald Estes, Frederick Brems, Jordan Rizer, Jeri Carone, Joseph Terreri, Dawn Walter, Anna Castagna, Tim Murray, Tom Gibbs, Douglas Moore, Bill Luck, Mary Ullmer, Georgene Burton, Joe O’Connor, David Silberman, Anthony Yantiss, Hieu Nguyen, Katie Billing, Audrey Wolski, Morgan Wolski, Ruth Weaver, Lucy Holzworth, David Arnold, Linda Moler, Matt Miller, Wilma Evans, Hoop Hooper, Rita Wainwright, Marianne Ford

Please Pray for all the men and women in our military and civilian support services overseas, especially: Javier Acosta, Leah April, Joel Asher, Miguel Ayala, Crystal Black, Ned Brownell, Jr., Derek Brostek, Christopher Burton, Matthew Campos, Leslie Capuano, Bruno Carriero, Jonathan Catalano, Frank Creamer, Sal Contreras, James Cook, Brad Cowan, Sam Del Grande, Glenn Dickinson, Aaron Doble, Anthony Dowden, John Dussault, Sandy Dussault, Travis Eades, Doug Ebenal, Christopher Eckert, Tim Evan, Christopher Ewers, Paul Fischer, Jonathan Fleming, Roberto Fuentes, Jason Geary, Ramon Guerra, Jr., Andrew Hamilton, Harry Hamilton, Ronnie St. Mary has a schedule of Eucharistic Hamilton, Maria Harbeson, Andy Haskell, RayMinisters who visit Mary Washington mund Haskell, Robert Haynes, Michael J. Herbek, Hospital. If you are admitted to the James Helm, James Hoffnagle, Jr., Robert Horner, hospital and would like to be on the list Danny L. Howard, Jr., Anthony Howell, Christine to receive Holy Communion, please be Kaila, Matthew Kearney, Daniel Kramer, Julio sure to submit your name, your parish Laffitte III, Chris Lammers, Stephen Lammers, Scott LaRousse, Ryan Larsen, Jeffrey Lawrence, and room number to the Chaplain’s Kenneth Linstrom, Ryan Lynch, Sean Malloy, Office at the Hospital. This can also Geoff Mann, Josh Martin, Samantha Martin, Justin be done when you pre-register or, if McClelland, Patrick McGroarty, Nathaniel McNayou are admitted through the Emermara, Roger Mitchell, Joseph Moore, Joseph Mulgency Room, once you are assigned to doon, Corey Nash, Mindy Niemann, James Kevin O’Donnell, Bryce Parson, Joshua K. Pastell, Sean a room. Penczak, Dominick Joseph Petro, Scott Price, If you would like to receive the SacraNick Schulz, Duayne Scott, Tim Smetek, Andrew ment of the Sick (Anointing), please Smith, Douglas Stransky, Tommy Tellson, Tommy Tharp, Shawn Tupta, Heidi Urben, Christopher call the Parish Office. Williamson and Daniel Zeytoonian.

Ministry to the Sick

*indicates Mass at Holy Cross Academy

Please pray for all the faithful departed: especially all the benefactors of St. Mary Parish.

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liturgy

community

Prayer and Dialogue for Peace Sunday, September 29, 7pm

Diocesan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine

Mary, Star of the New Evangelization, Increase Our Faith Saturday, October 12- 9:30am to 4:30pm Confessions ✠ Adoration & Benediction ✠ Mass with Bishop Loverde ✠ Global Broadcast & Rosary with Catholics around the World

Above: the rose window of the Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi

In the Spirit of Assisi

Join your Parish and Diocese during this Year of Faith on a journey with the Universal Church throughout the world. In an unprecedented display of Faith, in unity with our Holy Father, Catholics at 10 Marian Shrines around the world will join together to pray the Holy Rosary for a deeper call to evangelize and an increase in faith. Two buses will leave St. Mary at 7:30am on October 12 and will return at approximately 6:00pm. 110 seats are available on the buses and the suggested donation is $25 per seat, paid in advance at the Parish Office, to help defray the cost of the buses. You may bring your own lunch or buy lunch at the Shrine. Stop by the Parish Office to reserve your seat on the bus. Deadline to sign up is September 22

This year we will gather again: Baptists, Buddhists, Sikhs, Muslims, Lutherans, Hindus, Jews, Mormons and Catholics, welcoming people of all religious traditions to join together for reflection and prayer for peace by local religious leaders followed by discussion and fellowship. Please join us, and invite your friends to join us. Sunday, September 29, 2013 at 7pm St. Francis of Assisi Parish / Triangle, Virginia 18825 Fuller Heights Road, Triangle, VA 22172 (703) 221-4044 This second annual gathering is sponsored by the Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs Commission, Fr. Don Rooney, Director, and the Peace & Justice Commission, Fr. Gerry Creedon, Director, of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Fr. Kevin Downey, OFM, Pastor.

Have a prayer need?

There are people praying for you here everyday. Our Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales are always happy to receive your intentions for prayer. Also, there is a Franciscan Prayer Tree who will pray for your intentions! Send your specific prayer request to [email protected]. Or you may call Maggie Fischer at 540-371-7244 or Rose McCeney at 540-786-8348 for information.

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parish information and staff

operations

staff

www.stmaryfred.org 1009 Stafford Ave., Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Weekly Offertory

Offertory Collection 9/15/13 $35,618. SUNDAY Saturday Vigil 5 & 7pm Monthly ACH Offertory MASS Sunday 7, 8:30, 10:30am, 12:30, Deposit 9/10/13 13,686. 2pm (Spanish), 5pm, 7:01pm 10:30am at Holy Cross Academy Parish Building Fund 9,888. Religious Education DAILY Mon.-Fri.: 6:30 & 9am; Sat., 9am MASS Collection (addl) 1,936. First Friday 8pm Holy Days of Obligation, as announced Poor Box for St Vincent de Paul week ending 9/15 137. DEVOTIONS Adoration & Benediction, Wed., 7-9pm Novena with Exposition, Mon., 7-7:30pm SCRIP profit All Night Adoration, First Friday $ 176. Miraculous Medal Novena, Mon., after 9am Mass (9/9 -9/15/2013) Divine Mercy, Wed., 3pm SCRIP YTD profit 417. (9/2013 - present) CONFESSIONS Wed., 7-9pm; Sat., 8am & 3:30pm, or by appt. Thank you for your continued genPARISH 540-373-6491, fax 371-0251 OFFICE erosity! Please remember to use your [email protected] Mon.-Fri., 8:30am - 4:30pm; Offertory Envelopes to ensure the ac students staff office weekdays until 9pm, curacy of your end of year statement. Saturdays 9-5pm, Sundays 9:30-1:30pm The “Children’s Envelope” proceeds will not be recorded on family state Pastor, Fr. Don Rooney Fr. Keith Cummings ments.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE YOUTH MINISTRY BAPTISMS MARRIAGE JOIN US

Next weekend is the Annual Collection for the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States – The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Founded in 1887, Catholic University is the only higher education institution founded by the US Bishops and chartered by the Vatican. Every dollar given directly supports financial aid for more than 4,000 students from dioceses across the country, including many from the Diocese of Arlington. Your generous support is appreciated.

Volunteer with SCRIP

Stop by the Scrip table at Parish Life Weekend and find out all the ways you can volunteer with Scrip. Most activities do not take a lot of time and it’s a The children’s charity that will great way to help raise money benefit from Children’s Offertory for St. Mary/HCA. Why not Envelope donations in September pick up a few gift cards for your is the Rappahannock Council groceries, gas and entertainment for Children and Parents (RACpurchases while you are there?! CAP). The Council has been When you buy Scrip gift cards helping and supporting parents the retailer then gives back a and children for over a decade, percentage to the us to help us providing education and supportraise money for HCA. Set up an ive services to the community. 373-7553 online account today and start They help educate parents about Director, Nanci Scharf ordering! positive parenting techniques. 373-6491 RACCAP works with other local, To set up an account go to www. Director, Aristides Lucas state and national organizations shopwithscrip.com, use our Associate Director, Karen Sturtevant to help families by implementschool code, 7B876EBB188L2, so ing new and innovative child 373-6491 Holy Cross Academy gets credit Director, Leo Chavarria abuse prevention and awareness for your purchase. Thanks for programs. Children’s Offertory using SCRIP! Parish registration (90 days) and class required. Envelopes are available through Please contact the parish office to schedule the Religious Education Office. the date at least four weeks in advance. All proceeds from the envelopes Parish registration required; contact parish St. Mary receives the weekly go to a different children’s charity six months in advance to begin preparation. bulletin free-of-charge due to each month. the support of our advertisers! New Family Registration meetings are held monthly in the church on fourth Sundays, Please support them and let following the 10:30 Mass. Please notify us of them know you saw their ad in any telephone/address changes. the bulletin.

Fr. Stephen Holmes Fr. Lino Rico Rostro Deacon Alberto Bernaola Deacon Dick Delio Executive Assistant, Rick Caporali Business Manager, Elaine Stanislawski Director of Sacred Music, David Mathers Administrative Assistant, Kelly Keiser Secretary, Mary Fitch HOLY CROSS 540-286-1600 ACADEMY 250 Stafford Lakes Parkway Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406-7234 Principal, Sr. Susan Louise Eder, O.S.F.S. ST. MARY PRESCHOOL

Collection for Catholic University of America on Sept 28/29

Articles must be submitted two weeks prior to publication. Send articles to [email protected]. Thanks!

Children’s Offering for September

Support our advertisers

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outreach

“asIhavedoneforyou

Manna Project Helps the Eighth Annual Volunteeer Hungry Appreciation Dinner Congratulations to the parishioners of St. Mary for a very successful Food and Funds Drive on September 7 & 8. St. Mary Manna Project volunteers collected 1,915 pounds of food and goods, plus $5,157 in cash and checks, during the two-day drive. Donations will be presented to the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank to help needy families in our area. Our thanks to the Manna volunteers and the generous members of St. Mary parish for making the Food and Funds Project a huge success.

Do you serve as a volunteer in one of our many ministries or at our parish school? You are cordially invited to attend our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, October 24 at 6pm at Holy Cross Academy. This is our way of saying “Thank you for all that you do!” There is no cost for the meal and dress is casual. Seating is limited—adults only, please. To make your reservation, contact the Parish Office at 540/3736491 or via email to kkeiser@ stmaryfred.org by Monday, October 21.

SHARE

Funds needed for Shelter Dinners

St. Mary parish volunteers have a strong commitment to the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter. We provide two dinners a month for the residents AND while we are there we make bag lunches for the following day. Many thanks to those who have donated funds in the past to purchase ingredients for the dinners at the Homeless Shelter. It is much appreciated by the residents. If you can donate funds for ingredients, please call Patti Kaila at 540-786-3825. Every dollar helps!

Self Help And Resource Exchange is a cooperative food distribution program that that is being introduced this year at St. Mary Church. The ministry is multi-faceted providing wholesome and nutritious food to families and individuals at a reduced cost while at the same time promoting volunteer service within our Parish and building partnerships with other community organizations. Several areas for volunteering are available: coordination and ordering, pick up of bulk food at the local distribution center here in Fredericksburg, packaging teams to assemble and distribute the packages from the Parish Life Center - this is a perfect opportunity for team building within an existing ministry or youth program. Most areas of this ministry require a commitment of one to two hours per month. Distribu_____

tion of packages takes place the third Saturday of the month from 6am to 9am. Attention to detail at the ordering and fulfillment stage of the process; light lifting and a willingness to serve others, early riser with a pleasant demeanor before the first cup of coffee! Teams of volunteers are forming now. Please contact Rick Caporali, 540-373-6491,[email protected] for more information. Food Package purchases are available to everyone. Watch the bulletin later this month for October’s Menu and details. Order deadline for October will be Friday 10 October. Purchase one for your family or for a friend or family in need.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The SVDP Thrift Shop is located in Greenwich Plaza off Lafayette Blvd and open Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm, 540-898-9066. Monetary donations may be placed in the Poor Boxes near the church doors.

Migration and Refugee Services

Once again, the Catholic Charities Migration & Refugee Services office is expecting new families and is in need of basic household goods and furniture. Please contact Rosetta Dupree, Volunteer Resource Coordinator, Catholic Charities-Migration & Refugee Services, 540-8996507, or [email protected] if you have items to donate.

Micah Ecumenical Ministries

Micah Ministries serves the homeless population in our region through their office at


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outreach

soyoumustalsodo” 1013 Princess Anne Street. They are currently seeking donations of the following items: Men’s Jeans (size 30/32 to 40/36); Men’s Underwear (new- all sizes); Men’s Undershirts and t-shirts (L and XL); Women’s Panties (size 5 to 7); white socks; large hoodies; long johns; bras; batteries; tarps, rope, backpacks; toothpaste; deodorant; razors and shampoo.

They offer a hot breakfast every morning to their clients and need donations of eggs, milk, juice, cooking oil and individual sized fruit cups.

Knights of Columbus Yard Sale, Sept 28, 7am-1:30pm

The Annual Yard Sale will be held Saturday, September 28 at our Council 4034 Hall on Harrison

Rd. Donations are still needed and can still be dropped off as late as Friday, September 27.

The Knights invite you come by, bring your friends and neighbors and hopefully find some things you need at very reasonable prices. We have lots of Furniture, Appliances, TV’s, Clothes, Shoes, Purses, Books, Movies, Small electronics, Sports equipment, Toys, Kitchen & Bathroom Items, Garden Items, Mowers, and much more.

Proceeds from the Yard Sale help the Knights support the church and the community throughout the Holiday season. Thanks, hope to see you there, and may God Bless you for all of your support.

Al Anon Surviving the Weekend Group

Al Anon is for those who have been affected by someone else’s drinking, and members come together to learn a better way of life and how to find happiness. Directions from St. Mary: Take It’s important to know that you Route 1 South; turn right on are not alone and there is help. Harrison Road; Council home is There is an Al Anon meeting on left approximately 200 yards from Rt. 1 at 4722 Harrison Road. every Saturday at 10am in Room 204 of the St. Mary Parish Life Contact Tim Fleming at Center. [email protected] with any questions about the event.

Go with St. Mary on an unforgettable and faith life-changing pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We will start advertising in other parishes in a few weeks!

We are planning to visit these places:

Fr. Rooney is planning yet another trip to the Holy Land (Israel and Jordan) in February of 2014. Our proposed dates are from Sunday night, Feb. 9 to Friday, Feb. 21, 2014. If you might be interested, please call Margaret Ford at 373-6900. We are still pricing the trip based on your response (the more, the merrier). We will cancel with plenty of notice if we don’t have at least 35 travellers, so please contact us soon. There is no substitute in faith formation for an actual visit to the places where Jesus, lived, worked and changed the world. Please don’t miss this opportunity. photo: The tomb of Jesus at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

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TEL AVIV/JOPPA HAIFA/MT CARMEL ACRE/MEGIDDO MT TABOR GALILEE tours of many shrines CAPERNAUM CANA (renewal of vows) NAZARETH JERICHO QUMRAN THE DEAD SEA MASADA BETHLEHEM JERUSALEM (2.5 days) tours of many shrines JORDAN LOST CITY OF PETRA WADI RUM AMMAN/MT NEBO JERASH

parishlife

Commitment Sunday September 28/29

All registered familes in the parish should have received our 2013-2014 Parish Ministry Catalog and Annual Report. Please be sure to take your time and read through all of the material and learn about how you can become involved in the parish and live our theme - Liturgy is Life is Mission. This weekend take a few moments to visit our Ministry Fair and ask questions about the ministries that interest you. Next weekend is Commitment Sunday. We ask that you bring your completed Commitment Card to Mass next weekend or mail it to the parish office using the envelope provided.

Fatima - Prayer Circle

“Public prayer is far more powerful than private prayer to appease the anger of God and call down His Mercy, and Holy Mother Church, guided by the Holy Ghost, has always advocated public prayer in times of public tragedy and suffering.” ~ St. Louis de Montfort Please ask family and friends to gather together to pray a rosary for our country, outside in our Courtyard on Saturday, October 13, at 10 am, near the time of The Miracle of the Sun at Fatima, Portugal.

St. Anne Sisters in Faith

Join us Friday, September 27 as we continue our Study, Courageous Women by Stacy Mitch. We will discuss Lesson 3. Join us for Mass at 9am followed by refreshments at 9:45 at the JPII house. Babysitting is available. Please contact Rocio at [email protected] for more information.

Blessing of the Animals

The traditional blessing of animals for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi will take place on Saturday, October5 at 10am in the parking lot at the statue of St. Francis in front of the Parish Office Building. Please park away from the building to allow space for our “rambunctious” pets. Please also come prepared to clean up after your pet in case of “accidents”. All animals should be contained or leashed.

on Tuesday, October 8 from 12noon to 3pm. Please note that food will be served only between 12 noon to 1:45pm. All seniors in the parish are invited. If you plan to attend please call Mrs. Judy Wingert at 540-786- 8403 or Gonzalo Guacena at 540-786-6575 by October 6 so that the volunteers can prepare well for the occasion. Please come and enjoy the company of your fellow seniors in the parish.

Bishop O’Connell HS

Bishop O’Connell High School Open House - Sunday, Sept. 29, 1-3 pm. Bring your family for a full tour of our facilities. See our brand-new science labs, learn more about our curriculum, meet our teachers, administrators and coaches, and chat with current students. No RSVP necessary. Presentation begins at 1 p.m. in the auditorium. For more information, visit www. bishopoconnell.org/open or call 703-237-1433. Bishop O’Connell High School is located at 6600 Little Falls Road in Arlington.

Christendom College Open House

Christendom College will host its annual Fall Open House for All adults in the parish are ininterested high school students vited to a spirited night of BUNand their families on Columbus CO in the Parish Life Center on Day, Monday, October 14, from Friday, September 27. Come 9am to 2:30pm. The day will at 7pm, game starts promptly include an address from College at 7:30pm -- it is EASY to learn Need more grace in your life? President Dr. O’Donnell, a tour Join with other men and women and FUN to play! A $6 donaof campus, classroom visits, tion is suggested, $5 to be given who want to make a difference Holy Mass, presentations about back in prizes and $1 to help in the community and parish. our Financial Aid and Career Visit a Legion of Mary meeting, cover refreshments. For more Development programs, and information please call Rhonda the sooner the better. Mondays more. To register, please visit at 10am or Wednesdays at 7pm Smetek at 540-834-0164. christendom.edu. For quesin the Parish Life Center. tions, please email Associate Director of Admissions Zac Inman The parish senior luncheon will at [email protected] or be held at the parish life center call 800.877.5456 ext 1293.

Friday Night Bunco

Legion of Mary

Senior Luncheon _____


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