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Parish Staff

Laura Bell

Head of School

703.759.4129

Maggie Radzik

Head of Pedagogy

703.759.4129

Anson Groves

Dir. of Religious Ed.

703.759.3530

Sharon O’Donnell

Religious Ed Secretary

703.759.3530

Anson Groves

Dir of Catholic Youth Org

702.759.3530

Nancy Caro

Sacristan

Rick Webb

Gen. Mgr. Financial Dir.

703.759.4350

Dr. Kimberly Hess

Director of Music

703.759.4350

Judy Wood

Parish Secretary

703.759.4350

Jackie Fox

Bulletin Editor

703.759.4350

Guillermo DeLeon

Director of Facilities

703.638.4301

Email address:

deleonscs@gmail.com

Emiro Soto

Maintenance

Rosa Hernandez

Support Staff

Stephen Dolenc

Web Master

stephendolenc

@gmail.com

Mass Intentions

Sunday, December 13

8:00 a.m.

Deacon Clyde Jackson

10:00 a.m.

Pro Populo

12:00

Thomas McDonald

Monday, December 14

9:00 a.m.

Marie Cattaro

Tuesday, December 15

9:00 a.m.

Louise Soave

Wednesday, December 16

9:00 a.m.

Jack Markland

Thursday, December 17

9:00 a.m.

The Michael Hoyt Family

Friday, December 18

9:00 a.m.

Joseph Dunne

Saturday, December 19

9:00 a.m.

Joseph Calderazzo

5:30 p.m.

Michael O’Connell

READINGS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sunday – 3rd Sunday in Advent

Zep 3:14-18a, Is 12:2-6, Phil 4:4-7, Lk 3:10-18

Monday – St. John of the Cross

Nm 24:2-7,15-17a, Ps 25, Mt 21:23-27

Tuesday – Weekday in Advent

Zep 3:1-2,9-13, Ps 34, Mt 21:28-32

Wednesday – Weekday in Advent

Is 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25, Ps 85, Lk 7:18b-23

Thursday – Weekday in Advent

Gn 49:2,8-10, Ps 72, Mt 1:1-17

Friday – Weekday in Advent

Jer 23:5-8, Ps 72, Mt 1:18-25

Saturday – Weekday in Advent

Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a, Ps 71, Lk 1:5-25

Parish Stewardship

Thank you for your generous offerings of November 5/6.

The regular collection brought in $14,130 and the Poor

Box yielded $269.

The Poor Box offerings for November (other than the first

week) will go to benefit Nicaragua Missiomary Sister of

The Fiat of Mary and Divine Mercy Care. .

The Second Collection on December 19th/20th is for

Strings for Midnight Mass.

She laid Him in a manger

That cold and wintry night.

The shepherds gathered close

To view the wondrous sight.

The Christ Child looked to

heaven

His Father smiled at Him.

The light of David glowed

Through the star of Bethlehem.

Mary held Him close

A mothers love was near.

As she kissed the face of God

The one she held so dear.

She looked down at the hands

Of her newborn baby Son.

It was then she shed her tears

As she knew what was to come.

Her tears fell on His face

And He looked into her eyes.

It was then she felt the peace

Of her gift to all mankind.

On this Christmas Eve

Look up into the sky.

You will see the Son of God

As a star shines o'er the night.

There are many dates in the upcoming weeks and months

that are available for Mass Intentions. Please contact the

office to arrange for an intention and to get a Mass card.

Pray for the Sick and Homebound of our Parish

Elaine Elizabeth Abraham, Joshua Basile, Bryan Cox,

Flora DeLeon, Betsabe de Soto, Marjorie Dolak,

Christa Drummond, Larry Dublin, Marilyn Flynn,

Jackie Fox, Danny Frey, Brian Hack, Elizabeth Hooten,

Marjorie Horan, Carol McCarty, Susan McQuade,

Canon Craig Merkel, Peter Milchalski, David Murphy,

Fr. Paul Richardson, William Schrepel,

Murray Schooner, Lien Shinta, John Spencer,

Cris Ternisky, Abby Trepacz, Ana Laura Valdez,

Anthony Yantiss

Pray for Those Who have Fallen Asleep in Christ

James Anthony, Maryann Barron, Philip Calanchini,

Joe Cassella, Bill Corr, Joseph Dunne, Bill Hale,

Mary Elizabeth Jones, Cynthia Randall, Victor Wouters

Pray for our Armed Forces Personnel

Patrick Bouchoux, Jordan Bowren, Dane Doocy,

Brendan Dunne, Mark Falcon, Christopher Frediani,

Michael Holtz, Brian Horn, Kathleen Mahoney,

Josh Moore, Matthew O’Neil, Mathew Rowell,

Justin Smallwood

The

Blessed Sacrament

THIS IS MY BODY – THIS IS MY BLOOD

A Holy Hour is simply an hour set-aside totally for the

Lord; an hour consecrated to God. It is a time to

recollect our mind, heart and spirit in order to focus them

on God and more specifically our Eucharistic Lord. To

make a Holy Hour is to make a decision to spend one

hour with our friend, our Savior and Lord who is truly

present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.

Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Hour

The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic

worship. Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of love. Let

us be generous with our time in going to meet Him in

oration and in contemplation that is full of faith, and ready

to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the

world. May our adoration never cease.

– John Paul II

To sign up for adoration or for information regarding

adoration please contact Diane Cieslak 703.678.3919.

24 hour Eucharistic Adoration begins after the 9:00 a.m.

Mass on Wednesday and ends with reposition of the

Blessed Sacrament at 8:55 a.m. on Thursday.

24 hour Eucharistic Adoration also begins after the 9:00

a.m. Mass on every First Friday of the month and ends with

reposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 8:55 a.m. on

Saturday.

Holy Hour is every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

Communion and Blessings

A very common liturgical abuse of our times happens

during the reception of Holy Communion when persons

who cannot receive Communion nevertheless line up with

their arms crossed over their chest, as a “message” to the

priest that they want a blessing instead of Communion.

This is liturgically incorrect on a number of levels. First and

foremost, the time for Communion is the time for

Communion. The Communion line is not, and should not

be, the blessing line. Secondly, the liturgical actions of the

priest during Mass are highly regulated, and quite specific

of what to do and when to do it. The actions of a good

liturgist may seem spontaneous, but they are not and

should not be.

Unfortunately, owing to the confused time in which we

live, some people are instructed to present themselves,

arms crossed, before the priest at Communion time for a

blessing. To make things even more confused, some

people present themselves with crossed arms as a sign

that they wish to receive on the tongue! Children who have

not yet made their first Communion may come up with their

parents who are receiving, but should not present

themselves individually for a blessing. Others, who cannot

receive, for whatever reason, should remain seated. The

proper time for the blessing follows the prayer after

Communion, which blessing all receive together.

Annual Christmas Open House

Save the date: December 23rd

Father Drummond will be hosting

the Parish Christmas

Open

House.

All parishioners are

cordially invited to attend this

annual event. The date to save is

Sunday, December 23

rd

. The

evening will begin at 7:00 p.m., at

the Rectory.

A Gift of Music

The St. Catherine Choir CD, From

Glory to Glory: A Celebration of the

Church’s Spring, will be available in

the Narthex after all Masses in the

season of Advent for a donation of

$25.00. The CD is a live recording of

the concert presented by the choir

this past May. Works by Lassus,

Tallis, Haydnn, Vaughan Williams,

Stanford and Nestor can be heard on

this recording. The CD would make a great Christmas

present for family as well as friends who enjoy beautiful

music and would also help to support the music program.

Thank you, Dr. Kimberly Hess, Director of Music.

The Knights of Columbus News

Consider This Opportunity to Serve!

The Knights of Columbus are the largest Catholic Men

fraternal organization – are you a Knight?

For information please contact Kevin Trissell at

703.464.8393 or trissellkofc@verizon.net.

Keep Christ in Christmas!

Christmas cards with the

focus on Christ. The

joyous Christmas season

is once again

approaching. The

Knights of Columbus are

offering, for sale, our

beautiful, “Keep Christ in

Christmas” cards. The

cards will be available after all Masses or through Kevin

Trissell at 703.464.8393, or

trissellkofc@verizon.net.

Annual Christmas Tree Sale

The Knights of Columbus

is holding their annual

Christmas fresh-cut tree

sale beginning Sunday,

November 29

th

.

A beautiful selection

including trees up to 12

feet tall. As always local

delivery is free. Shop

early!! Proceeds help support the Knights Charities.

Please contact Grand Knigh Kevin Trissell at

trissellkofc@verizon.net or at 703.464.8393 with any

questions.

Christmas Party for the Children

Come join us on Tuesday, December 15

th

from 6:30 –

8:30 p.m. in Bishop Justs Hall for a Christmas Party

hosted by the Knights of Columbus. All children will get

to talk to Santa and receive a free photo. A hot dog

dinner will be provided. Contact Grand Knight Kevin

Trissell at 703.464.8393 or trissellkofc@verizon.net with

any questions.

Over 50 Club

2009 Trips

December - White House Christmas Tour

Waiting for confirmation date. Event will be either the 9

th

or 10

th

. Confirmation date expected to be set 3 weeks

prior to selected date. $32 per person. This is a limited list.

Call for details.

2010 Trips

March 5 –“Philadelphia Flower Show: – The theme is

Passport To The World, which takes you on a breathtaking

floral trip around the world: India, The Netherlands,

April 14 – Sight & Sound in Lancaster will present its

newest show “Joseph” the inspiring journey and restoration

of his family especially important in today’s world. Sound

track with 14 original songs, 30 foot high Egyptian palace

on a 300 foot stage that wraps around three sides of the

audience. A wonderful buffet at Miller’s included. Do not

miss this outstanding show $89 complete.

April 28 – 30 Great Shrines & History of Philadelphia.

A magnificent trip with 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, 1

lunch, 1 dinner, daily Mass. Visit the National Shrine of St.

Katherine Drexel, Shrine of St. John Neumann and Our

Lady of Czestochowa. Stop at Longwood Gardens and

Winterthur. We will have a priest join us. $444/Dbl,

$544/Single.

May 10 – 14 Trapp Family Lodge. We stop at Lake

George on the way up and back, then 2 nights at the Lodge

with magnificent scenery. Visit the famous Cold Hollow

Cider Mill, Stowe Village, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and

other attractions. Breakfast and dinner included $659Dbl,

$824/Single.

Membership in the Club is not required to travel with us!

Please call the following for more information and/or

registration. Mary Ann at 703.404.8677 or Connie at

703.759.2939

Christ House Food Donation Drive

St. Catherine’s continues its efforts to support the work of

Catholic Charities. Please help us to help others.

The following non-perishable food items are requested:

Canned meats (corned beef, spam, chicken), canned

tuna, canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly,

cereal, pasta, instant potatoes, macaroni & cheese kits.

Please be so kind as to limit contributions to these items,

and please check the expiration dates.

Labeled bins will be placed in the narthex of the church.

Gift cards from Giant or Safeway are another option that

you might find more convenient. Please place gift cards in

an envelope marked “Christ House” and place in the

collection basket at Mass or drop off at the Parish Office.

Office of Religious Education

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when

he is old, he will not depart from it - Proverbs 22:6

The Office of Religious Education is closed on Fridays

Catechist Corner

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine

CCD Class Calendar

December

14,15 All classes in session

21,22 All classes in session

28,29 No classes

January

4,5

All classes in session

11,12 All classes in session

18

No Monday classes

19

All Tuesday classes in session

25,26 All classes in session

Other Important Dates

February

20

First Penance at 9:00 a.m.

March

13

Boys retreat for Holy Confirmation

20

Girls retreat for Holy Confirmation

May

15

Mass of First Holy Communion at 10:30 a.m.

Catholic Youth Organization

Please see the CYO bulletin board for all upcoming events

Senior CYO – 8

th

– 12

th

grade

Meetings on the first Sunday of the month 6–8 p.m.

Junior CYO – 4

th

– 7

th

grades

Meetings on the first Friday of the month 6-8 p.m.

2009 – 2010 Adult Bible Study Series

Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.

We will meet in Bishop Justs H all

Fall 2009 - September 30 to December 16

The Gospel of St. John – The Glory of Jesus Christ!

Join us as we read and study the gospel written by St.

John: the beloved disciple.

Through this Bible study you will learn:

- What is the Holy Bible, and how do we read it?

- Who was St. John?

- Basic theology and doctrine about Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

- What it means to be a child of God, how God loves

you and wants to glorify you!

Bring a Bible; bring a friend; save a soul! A light breakfast

will be served.

Winter 2010

The Epistles of St. John & Pope Benedict’s “God is Love”

Spring 2010

Revelation, The Apocalypse of St. John

Siena Academy News

Mission Statement

Our mission is to give glory to God and to assist parents

in the role as primary educators of their children by

offering specially prepared environments founded upon

the principles made by Dr. Maria Montessori..

eScrip

Do you shop online for Christmas presents?

If so, please support Siena Academy (ID number:

500003075) by using the eScrip Online Mall. Shop at over

1,000 of your favorite online merchants and earn up to 16%

for Siena Academy. Enroll with www.escrip.com., click on

Online Mall logo at www.escrip.com and then shop at your

favorite brand name store and automatically donate to our

group. Vendors include eBay, Nordstrom, Barnes and

Noble, The Home Depot, Toys R Us, Disney among others.

Recycle Your Old Cell Phones

Do you have old laptops, ipods, or cell phones? Printer

toner cartridges or inkjet cartridges? You can donate these

at the conveniently located eScrip bin in the Narthex of the

Church. Please make sure the laptops are bootable and

have the power cords with them if we want to get credit.

Accessories such as external drives are not needed or

accepted. Thanks for your support! If there are questions

please contact Betsye Richardson at betsyer@verizon.net.

Bereavement Support Group

St.

Catherine

of

Siena

Bereavement

Support

Group

invites you to join us on Tuesday,

December 22

nd

at 7:30 p.m. in

Padre Pio Hall to a discussion of

coping with our losses through the

holidays. If questions please call

Nancy Tanner 703. 757. 0045.

In the Diocese & Other Events

Website: www.arlingtondiocese.org

Some white-collar jobs are more challenging than others

From the Office of Vocations

Are you seeking “knowledge and full insight to help you

determine” your vocation in Christ as a priest, deacon or

in consecrated life? Call Father Brian Bashista (703)

841-2514, or write: b.bashista@arlingtondiocese.org

.

United Way/Combined Federal Campaign

Let your workplace giving support the services of

Catholic Charities throughout the Diocese of Arlington.

Select United Way #8055 or CFC #24770 as your

designated charity when you make your donations.

Catholic Charities serves 21 counties in northern Virginia

through a soup kitchen, Christ House on Wheels food

delivery program, counseling, homeless shelter, adoption

program, senior center, and other programs

(www.ccda.net).

Help After Abortion

Are you experiencing feelings of shame, guilt, regret and

sadness? Have you lost a child to abortion? Contact

Project Rachel post-abortion healing ministry for

confidential referrals to trained clergy, professional

counselors, retreats and/or aftercare gatherings at (703)

841-2504 or www.arlingtondiocese.org/rachel .

2009 Men’s Group Day of Discernment:

Saturday, December 19, 2009

If you are 17 years or older and would like to meet in

fraternity with seminarians and other men discerning Our

Lord’s call, please join us at the Franciscan Monastery,

1400 Quincy St. NE, Washington, DC 20017. Mass,

Adoration, and the Sacrament of Penance will be

available. Lunch and dinner provided. For more

information or to register, please contact the Diocese of

Arlington Office of Vocations at 703-841-2514 or e-mail

the office at vocations@arlingtondiocese.org

“Our” Seminarian’s

When writing your Christmas cards, please include our

seminarian’s. Please keep them in your prayers as they

continue their studies. They would be more than happy to

receive some encouraging words.

Mick Kelly, & Brian McAllister (a parishioner):

Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary

16000 Old Emmitsburg Road

Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727-7797

Mike Isenberg & Nick Barnes

North American College

00120 Vatican City State

Europe

Christmas Poem

Sweet Baby Jesus

Sweet Baby, Jesus, gentle and mild

Born in a manger, sweet, Holy, Child,

Shepherds and Wise Men came from afar,

Seeking a Savior, they followed a star,

Sweet Baby, Jesus, sent from above,

Son of our Father gift of God's love,

In realms of glory, angels did sing

Heavens rejoiced as they welcomed a King.

Sweet Baby, Jesus, Mary's sweet Child,

Light of our life, sweet Babe so mild,

There in a manger, Thou art adored,

Jesus, we greet Thee, our Savior, our Lord.

Sweet Baby, Jesus, send peace to earth,

Lift up all hearts through Thy holy birth.

Now at Thy crib, as evening draws nigh,

Hear this our praises from earth to the skies.