Parish Staff Nancy Caro Sacristan Laura Bell Head of School 703-759-4129 Maggie Radzik Head of Pedagogy 703-759-4129 Anson Groves Dir of Catholic Youth Org 703-759-3530 Anson Groves Dir. of Religious Ed. 703-759-3530 Sharon O'Donnell Religious Ed Secretary 703-759-3530 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, April 25 8:00 a.m. Jahryk &Theresa Bukowski & Family 10:00 a.m. Pro Populo 12:00 noon Patricia Dillon V Monday, April 26 9:00 a.m. Mark and Tonya Bailey & Family Tuesday, April 27 9:00 a.m. Robert Franks V Wednesday, April 28 9:00 a.m. Robert Phillips V Thursday, April 29 9:00 a.m. Judith Arriagade V Friday, April 30 9:00 a.m. Jack Elsner Saturday, May 1 9:00 a.m. Michelle Carter V 5:30 p.m. Peter Kraus V V READINGS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE WEEK Sunday, World Day of Prayer for Vocations & Good Shepherd Sunday Acts 13: 14, 43-52, Ps 100, Rv 7: 9, 14b-17, Jn 10: 27-30 Monday. Octave of Easter Acts 11: 1-18, Pss 42, 43, Jn 10: 1-10 Tuesday, Octave of Easter Acts 11: 19-26, Ps 87, Jn 10: 22-30 Wednesday, Octave of Easter Acts 12: 24 - 13: 5a, Ps 67, Jn 12: 44-50 Thursday, St. Catherine of Siena Acts 13: 13-25, Ps 89, Jn 13: 16-20 Friday, Octave of Eastern Acts 13: 26-33, Ps 2, Jn 14: 1-6 Saturday, First Saturday Acts 13: 44-52, Ps 98, Jn 14: 7-14 Parish Stewardship Thank you for your generous offerings of April 17/18. The regular collection brought in $15,478, and the Poor Box yielded $250. World Day of Prayer for Vocations VATICAN CITY, 16 FEB 2010 (VIS) - "Witness Awakens Vocations" is the title of the Pope's message for the 47th World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Here follow excerpts from the document: "The fruitfulness of our efforts to promote vocations depends primarily on God's free action, yet, as pastoral experience confirms, it is also helped by the quality and depth of the personal and communal witness of those who have already answered the Lord's call to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life, for their witness is then able to awaken in others a desire to respond generously to Christ's call." "In the Old Testament the prophets knew that they were called to witness by their own lives to the message they proclaimed, and were prepared to face misunderstanding, rejection and persecution. In the fullness of time, Jesus, sent by the Father, would bear witness to the love of God for all human beings, without distinction, with particular attention to the least ones, sinners, the outcast and the poor. Jesus is the supreme Witness to God and to His concern for the salvation of all." "Similarly the calling of Peter occurred through the witness of his brother Andrew. This was also the case for Nathanael, Bartholomew, thanks to the witness of yet another disciple, Philip. God's free and gracious initiative encounters and challenges the human responsibility of all those who accept his invitation to become, through their own witness, the instruments of His divine call. This occurs in the Church even today: The Lord makes use of the witness of priests who are faithful to their mission in order to awaken new priestly and religious vocations for the service of the People of God." "A fundamental element, one which can be seen in every vocation to the priesthood and the consecrated life, is friendship with Christ. If the priest is a "man of God", one who belongs to God and helps others to know and love Him, he cannot fail to cultivate a deep intimacy with God, abiding in his love and making space to hear his Word." "In following Jesus, everyone called to a life of special consecration must do his utmost to testify that he has given himself completely to God. This is the source of his ability to give himself in turn to those whom Providence entrusts to him in his pastoral ministry with complete, constant and faithful devotion, enabling them too to become open to meeting Christ, so that his Word may become a light to their footsteps. The story of every vocation is almost always intertwined with the testimony of a priest who joyfully lives the gift of himself to his brothers and sisters for the sake of the Kingdom of God." "A third aspect which necessarily characterizes the priest and the consecrated person is a life of communion. In a particular way the priest must be a man of communion, open to all, capable of gathering into one the pilgrim flock which the goodness of the Lord has entrusted to him, helping to overcome divisions, to heal rifts, to settle conflicts and misunderstandings, and to forgive offences." "[I]f young people see priests who appear distant and sad; they will hardly feel encouraged to follow their example. They will remain hesitant if they are led to think that this is the life of a priest. Instead, they need to see the example of a communion of life which can reveal to them the beauty of being a priest." "It can be said that priestly vocations are born of contact with priests, as a sort of precious legacy handed down by word, example and a whole way of life." "The same can be said with regard to the consecrated life. The very life of men and women religious proclaims the love of Christ whenever they follow Him in complete fidelity to the Gospel and joyfully make their own its criteria for judgment and conduct. They become "signs of contradiction" for the world, whose thinking is often inspired by materialism, self-centredness and individualism." "By letting themselves be won over by God through self- renunciation, their fidelity and the power of their witness constantly awaken in the hearts of many young people the desire to follow Christ in their turn, in a way that is generous and complete. To imitate Christ, chaste, poor and obedient, and to identify with Him: this is the ideal of the consecrated life, a witness to the absolute primacy of God in human life and history." "Every priest, every consecrated person, faithful to his or her vocation, radiates the joy of serving Christ and draws all Christians to respond to the universal call to holiness. Consequently, in order to foster vocations to the ministerial priesthood and the consecrated life, and to be more effective in promoting the discernment of vocations, we cannot do without the example of those who have already said "yes" to God and to His plan for the life of each individual. Personal witness, in the form of concrete existential choices, will encourage young people for their part to make demanding decisions affecting their future." "May this World Day once again offer many young people a precious opportunity to reflect on their own vocation and to be faithful to it in simplicity, trust and complete openness." Papal Blessings and Papal Audiences If you are interested in receiving a papal blessing for an anniversary, birthday or other special occasion, or plan on visiting Rome and would like to attend a general papal audience, please contact the Parish Office at least three months in advance of the event or visit to Rome. Note that the papal audiences are only on Wednesdays and are subject to the Holy Father's health, travels and weekly schedule. Call 703.759.4350. St. Catherine of Siena Rosary Prayer Group Our Rosary Prayer Group meets in the Church on the 2nd of every month at 5:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. We pray all four Mysteries of the Holy Rosary for the conversion of unbelievers. We cordially invite you to join us. For further information please call Nancy Tanner at 703-757-0045. St. Catherine of Siena Website For everything you ever wanted to know about St. Catherine of Siena Parish, but forgot to ask during office hours, you may visit the parish Website at www.saintcatherineschurch.org, Pray for the Sick and Homebound of our Parish Frances Alexander, Joshua Basile, Dianne Burrell, Tom Case, Bernadette Choo, Bernadette Hong Choo, Catherine Choo, Jonathan Choo, Bryan Cox, Dona Curry, Flora DeLeon, Betsabe deSoto, Marjorie Dolak, Eileen Drennan, Christa Drummond, Marilyn Flynn, Gerald Green, Brian Hack, Ed Kondracki, John Larounis, Carol McCarty, Susan McQuade, Peter Michalski, Peter Nam, John Spencer, K.L. Sypal, Chick Wilson,Jan Wouters, Anthony Yantiss Pray for Those Who have Fallen Asleep in Christ James Anthony, Maryann Barron, Philip Calanchini, Joe Cassella, Peter Choo, John Connor, Moira Connor, Bill Corr, Br. David Eddy, George Gibson, Bill Hale, Carol Jones, Mary Elizabeth Jones, Joan Keller Pray for our Armed Forces Personnel Patrick Bouchoux, Jordan Bowren, 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 Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Hour 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. 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 adoration 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. The Women's Association News All women of the parish are cordially invited to belong and participate in our monthly activities and fellowship. We have great camaraderie and encourage you to come and join us. Cha-Cha Dance Class in Bishop Justs Hall All are invited!! Sunday April 25 1:15 - 3:00 pm For more information contact Kathy at mcerroni@aol.com. Siena Academy News Mission Statement Siena Academy is the parish school at St. Catherine of Siena. Its 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 and discoveries made by Dr. Maria Montessori in regard to the unique spiritual and developmental needs of the child from birth to adulthood. Open Registration Siena Academy is now accepting applications for new students for the 2010-2011 school year. Our Toddler Program is for children ages 18 months to 3 years of age. Our Children's House environment is for children ages 3-6 years old. Our Elementary environment is for children ages 6-12. For more information, please call the Siena Academy office at 703-759-4129. Office of Religious Education The Religious Education office fondly Wishes all of St. Catherine parishioners a very Happy and Blessed Easter Please Note: The Office of Religious Education is closed on Thursdays and Fridays. Email the office at reoffice@SaintCatherinesChurch.org for any information. Catechist Corner Confraternity of Christian Doctrine CCD Class Calendar April 26,27 All classes in session Confirmation 26 2nd Confirmation Report Due May 3,4 All classes in session 10,11 All classes in session 17,18 All classes in session 24,25 Final classes First Holy Communion 14 First Holy Communion Practice at 6:00 p.m. 15 First Holy Communion at 10:30 a.m. September 8,15,22,29 Final Confirmation classes October TBA Confirmation Catholic Youth Organization Please see the CYO bulletin board for all upcoming events Senior CYO - 8th - 12th grades Meetings on the first Sunday of the month 6-8 p.m. Junior CYO - 4th - 7th grades Meetings on the first Friday of the month 6-8 p.m. The Week of Graces is scheduled for the week of July 12th. Children between the ages of 5-11 are welcome to participate. We are in need of volunteers to: ? People to purchase, assemble and make crafts before July 12th. ? People (adults & teenagers) to teach in the classrooms ? Someone in charge of purchasing and snacks daily If you can help, please call the Office of Religious Education at 703-759-3530. Adult Bible Study The Apocalypse of St. John the Divine - Christ Will Come Again! Beginning March 24th through May 26th, Wednesday mornings from 10:00 - 11:00 am Join us as we study the last book of the Holy Bible, the mysterious and poetic book of Revelation. Through this Bible study, you will become familiar and comfortable with a book that confuses and frightens many. You will learn more about the Mass. You will learn more about the Holy Spirit and his Holy Church. You will learn about God's messengers to us, His Holy Angels. And you will learn about the great Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary. And mostly, you will learn more about Jesus Christ and the heavenly palace that awaits us. "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth . . . God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more." Book Corner News For Catholics, confession, is a most important part of our faith and our lives. But some of still might have some questions about confession. In Russell Shaw's book, Why We Need Confession, we learn that the fallen nature of man and tendency toward sin is a reality that has lost credibility of late. But for John Henry Cardinal Newman "Original sin became to me almost as certain as that the world exists, as the existence of God." Far from being the breaking of arbitrary and external laws, the author shows us that sin damages not only our relationship with God, but affects the deep bonds of charity and grace linking us with others. Because of this, sin prevents us from developing our full humanity and living as true daughters and sons of God. Only through the sacrament of reconciliation can one retain the harmony of life and grace lost by sin. For happiness can be found solely in the struggle against sin. The rewards of true repentance and sorrow are life, but, as St. Paul tells us, "the wages of sin are death." Why We Need Confession is available on the bookshelf for $9.00. The Padre Pio Council of the Knights of Columbus holds their Business Meetings every first Tuesday and their Social Meetings on every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Membership is open to all Catholic men 18 years or older. Please join us in serving Fr. Drummond and the St. Catherine of Siena Parish. For further information contact Grand Knight, Kevin Trissell at 703-789-4639 or trissellkofc@verizon.net. Over 50 Club u 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, visit the Gaylord Hotel and surrounding area. $40 u May 21- The National Harbor. Motor coach will take us to the pier in Alexandria where we'll board the water taxi to the harbor. Spend the day shopping, have lunch and tour the beautiful area. Returning around 5:00 p.m. $49. uJune1 - Day trip with Father Drummond to Mt. St. Mary's City. Lunch included and tour. Visit the Old State House and Port Tobacco, also the Carmelite Monastery (first convent in the Nation) they make rosaries from dried roses. Do not miss this wonderful trip. $99. u August 1 - 14 England, Scotland and Wales. Call for information. u September 8 -9 Atlantic City overnight staying at the Tropicana Casino. Buffet dinner, breakfast and a bonus package, plus a show if one is scheduled. The 9th is the Resorts Casino with another bonus. The date might be changed to fit the show schedule. $149/dbl - 199/single. u October 16 - 20 Cruise to Bermuda - Leaving from the Baltimore Harbor, on The Enchantment of the Sea. Motor coach from St. Thomas à Becket Catholic Church. Only a few openings left. Range: $837.50 - $1,117.30. 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. In the Diocese & Other Events Website: www.arlingtondiocese.org Some white-collar jobs are more challenging than others To live the Gospel . . . to make a difference . . . Are you being called to the priesthood, diaconate or consecrated life? Call the Office of Vocations at 703- 841-2514. Loving God, Your Son, Jesus, has shown us that an open heart finds the way. Help me to find my way in this world. Keep my heart open to following Jesus' way of serving others in love. Give me the courage to accept the guidance You offer me through my family, my friends, and my parish community. Through the Holy Spirit, You call me to a particular way of life. If it is the way of a priest, sister, brother or deacon, then help me to walk it in joyful service to Your people. With You, my God, I know I can find my way. Amen. St. Catherine of Siena - Doctor of the Church St. Catherine was the youngest of 25 children of a wool dyer in northern Italy. St. Catherine began having mystical experiences when she was only 6 years old, seeing guardian angels as clearly as the people they protected. She became a Dominican tertiary* when she was 16, and continued to have visions of Christ, Mary and the saints. St. Catherine was one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day, although she never had any formal education. She persuaded Pope Gregory XI to go back to Rome from Avignon, in 1377, and when she died she was endeavoring to heal the Great Western Schism. In 1375 our Lord gave her the Stigmata, which was visible only after her death. St. Catherine's letters and a treatise called "A Dialogue" are considered among the most brilliant writings in the history of the Catholic Church. She died when she was only 33, and her body was found uncorrupted in 1430. In portraits, St. Catherine of Siena appears with a sprig of lilies and wearing the black and white habit of the Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic. * A member of a religious Third Order Novena Prayer to St. Catherine of Siena O marvelous wonder of the Church, seraphic virgin, St. Catherine, because of your extraordinary virtue and the immense good which you accomplished for the Church and society, you are acclaimed and blessed by all people. Oh, turn your benign countenance to me who, confident of your powerful patronage, calls upon you with all the ardor of affection and begs you to obtain, by your prayer, the favors I so ardently desire. You, who were a victim of charity, who in order to benefit your neighbor obtained from God the most stupendous miracles and became the joy and the hope of all; you cannot help but hear the prayers of those who fly into your heart - that heart which you received from the Divine Redeemer in a celestial ecstasy. Yes, O seraphic virgin, demonstrate once again proof of your power and of your flaming charity, so that your name will be ever more blessed and exalted; grant that we, having experienced your most efficacious intercession here on earth, may come one day to thank you in heaven and enjoy eternal happiness with you. Amen. Prayer to St. Catherine of Siena Humble virgin and Doctor of the Church, in thirty-three years you achieved great perfection and became the counselor of Popes. You know the temptations of mothers today as well as the dangers that await unborn infants. Intercede for me that I may avoid miscarriage and bring forth a healthy baby who will become a true child of God. l Prayer for the Gifts of St. Catherine of Siena God of Wisdom you made our sister Catherine burn with divine love in contemplating the Lord's passion and in serving your Church. With the help of her prayers may your people, united in the mystery of Christ, rejoice forever in the revelation of His glory, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Everything comes from love, all is ordained for the salvation of man, God does nothing without this goal in mind. - St. Catherine of Siena Eternal Trinity, Godhead, mystery deep as the sea, you could give me no greater gift than the gift of yourself. For you are a fire ever burning and never consumed, which itself consumes all the selfish love that fills my being. Yes, you are a fire that takes away the coldness, illuminates the mind with its light, and causes me to know your truth. And I know that you are beauty and wisdom itself. The food of angels, you gave yourself to man in the fire of your love. - from On Divine Providence by Saint Catherine of Siena