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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, March 7

8:00 a.m.

Sandra Copone

10:00 a.m.

Pro Populo

12:00

Denis Hannah

Monday, March 8

9:00 a.m.

Marge Kennedy

Tuesday, March 9

9:00 a.m.

David P. Simon

Wednesday, March 10

9:00 a.m.

John Magner

Thursday, March 11

9:00 a.m.

Connie Philion

Friday, March 12

9:00 a.m.

Joseph Cascio

Saturday, March 13

9:00 a.m.

Jackie Fox

5:30 p.m.

Fr. James Orthmann

READINGS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sunday, Third Sunday of Lent

Ex 3: 1-8a, 13-15, Ps 103, 1 Cor 10: 1-6, 10-12, Lk 13: 1-9

M

onday. Weekday in Lent

2 Kgs 5: 1-15b,Pss 42 &43, Lk 4: 24-30

Tuesday, Weekday in Lent

Dn 3: 25, 34-43, Ps 25, Mt 18: 21-35

Wednesday, Weekday in Lent

Dt 4: 1, 5-9, Ps 147, Mt 5: 17-19

Thursday, Weekday in Lent

Jer 7: 23-28, Ps 95, Lk 11: 14-23

Friday, Weekday in Lent

Hos 14: 2-10, Ps 81, Mk 12: 28-34

Saturday, Weekday in Lent

Hos 6: 1-6, Ps 51, Lk 18: 9-14

Parish Stewardship

Albeit the collections for the month of February were

seriously down in the month of February, the recorded

collections are as follows:

Faith Direct contributions: $ 16.721.

Regular Collections: $54,082.

The Poor Box: $1,293.

A Word From Fr. Drummond

About thirty years ago the Australian writer Morris West,

best known for his novel The Shoes of the Fisherman,

published another novel called The Clowns of God. This is

a loose sequel to Fisherman involving a pope who

abdicates and, quite literally, the Second Coming. The title

The Clowns of God refers to severely mentally

handicapped children. It is meant as an affectionate

expression to reflect that these innocent ones give joy to

God as clowns give joy to children. Both as a child and as

an adult, I have never really liked clowns, finding them

somewhat creepy so the metaphor is not one I would use.

Nevertheless I do truly appreciate the spirit of West’s

expression, that a child with heavy mental and/or physical

handicaps is especially beloved by God. Even thirty years

ago, this flew in the face of popular reasoning that still

encourages expectant mothers to have their unborn

children tested for any “abnormalities” with the idea of

aborting any that might test positive. Many people would

oppose abortion in other cases, but condone it when the

unborn child is not “perfect”. The idea that these children

are made in the image and likeness of God either does not

occur to them or is disregarded.

When I was at my first parish, there was a young boy

who suffered from cerebral palsy. He had difficulty walking

and every single word he spoke was a struggle for him to

get out. Yet he attended the regular CCD class and when

his class made their first confessions, he was the only one

who could say the whole Act of Contrition unassisted and

who did not need to be reminded of a word or phrase. My

eyes still fill with tears when I recall that. At the same

parish there was a young woman of twenty-one. She had a

very severe case of Downs Syndrome. For the longest

time she also was on oxygen, and one morning, shortly

after she got up, her body simply failed. Her mother had

died some months before and her father could not have

been more devastated when she too was called home. I

shall never forget the sight of his gently cradling her body

to his heart weeping and saying over and over “my baby

girl”. No one could ever tell him that his child was not

perfect and deserving of Life.

At her funeral I

acknowledged that society viewed her as “handicapped”,

but also noted that in her twenty-one years she had never

been guilty of personal sin because of her condition. And

we call that handicapped?

Sadly even some Catholics who would never consider

aborting such a child before birth would still encourage the

parents of such a child to just let him or her go. But I don’t

see how parents can do that. True, the Church does not

require that extraordinary means be used to keep a person

alive. But what parent, who has the ability to do so, would

not use any and every means they can to keep their child

alive if that is what it takes. In not requiring extraordinary

means the Church is setting a minimum, but can a

minimum be set on a mother’s love, or God’s? Some

children are given to us only for a small amount of time,

and often even that has to be fought for.

But is that not part of what makes them so very precious

and worth fighting for? Each of these children is a

particularly powerful receptacle of the Love of God and

tends to transform all who come in contact with them as

only the Love of God can do. For myself,I am not only

grateful for each and every such child I have met (as well

as their parents), but I also feel honored by the experience.

The Lenten Season

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be

holy.

Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is

holy.

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is

holy.

Guard me, O Holy Spirit, that I myself may always be holy.

- St. Augustine of Hippo

Lenten Season

This penitential season of six Sundays and forty weekdays

prepares for the high feast of Easter. Lent begins on Ash

Wednesday and ends with the beginning of the Mass of the

Lord’s Supper in the evening on Holy Thursday (not Holy

Saturday noon, as formerly).

Stations of the Cross will be offered each Friday during

Lent at 7:30 p.m. in the Church. Take time to participate in

this venerable tradition of the Church and meditate on our

Lord’s sacrifice for our sins.

Church Regulations Regarding Fast and Abstinence:

Abstinence from meat (beast or fowl) is to be observed by

all Catholics fourteen years old and older on Ash

Wednesday and on all the Fridays of Lent. This obligation

prohibits the eating of meat, but not eggs, milk products, or

condiments of any kind, even though made from animal fat.

Fasting means limiting oneself to one full meal on a given

fast day. Catholics who are eighteen years of age but not

yet fifty-nine are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and

Good Friday. On fast days two additional smaller meals

are permitted if necessary to maintain strength. However,

the two smaller meals together may not equal one full

meal. Moreover, eating solid foods between meals on fast

days is not permitted.

Pray for the Sick and Homebound of our Parish

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,

Carol McCarty, Susan McQuade, Peter Milchalski,

Peter Nam, Murray Schooner,John Spencer, K.L. Sypal,

Chick Wilson, David Wilson, Jr.,

Jan Wouters, Anthony Yantiss

Pray for Those Who have Fallen Asleep in Christ

James Anthony, Maryann Barron, Philip Calanchini,

Joe Cassella, Peter Choo, Moira Connor, Bill Corr,

Joseph Dunne, Br. David Eddy, George Gibson,

Bill Hale, Mary Elizabeth Jones, Joan Keller,

Cynthia Randall, Victor Wouters

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 Light Is On For You

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Confession schedule during the season of Lent

beginning February 24

th

through March 31

st

.

Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Saturdays from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Holy Hour on Wednesdays will occur as scheduled

unless otherwise announced.

Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage Experience

Please mark your calendars!

When: Sunday, March 7

th

at 1:00 p.m.

Directly following the Noon Mass

St. Catherine’s will host the North American Lourdes.

Volunteers will present a 90 minute spiritual and

prayerful pilgrimage which includes apparitions and

message of Lourdes in the footsteps of Bernadette.

During this guided virtual tour you will touch a piece of

the Grotto, experience the baths with water from the

Spring at Lourdes, receive a Eucharistic Blessing and

experience a decade of the Rosary procession. Each

pilgrim receives a bottle of Lourdes water to take home.

For further information please call: Kathy at 703-450-

2827.

The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be

tempted by the devil.

He fasted for forty days and forty nights.

- Matthew 4:1

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.

Lenten Dinners

Beginning Friday, February 19

th

the Knights of Columbus

will support Lenten dinners each Friday during Lent, not

including Good Friday. Please join us in Bishop Justs Hall

from 6:30 p.m. until 7:15 p.m.

Stations of the Cross

will be prayed in the Church

following the Lenten Dinner. Please stay and pray with

us.

Annual Free Throw Contest

When: – March 7th (see times below)

Where: Forest Edge Elementary School – Reston

The Padre Pio Council of the Knights of Columbus

invites all area girls and boys to the Annual Basketball

Free Throw Contest This is an open event for all girls

and boys (bring friends and neighbors) that is free of

charge and requires no pre-registration. Girls and boys

ages 7 thru 9 will begin at 1:30 pm and ages 10 thru 14

at 2:30 pm. Prizes will be awarded for the girl and boy

winners in each age group. If you have questions, please

call Jim Hanlon at 703.759.6539.

Office of Religious Education

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

March

8,9

All classes in session

15.16 All classes in session

22,23 All classes in session

29, 30 No classes (Holy Week)

Other Important Dates

First Holy Communion

March

20

First Penance at 9:00 a.m.

May

14

First Holy Communion Practice - 6:00 p.m.

15

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

Confirmation:

March

13

Boys retreat (7

th

and 8

th

grade boys)

20

Girls retreat (7

th

and 8

th

grade girls)

April

26

2

nd

Confirmation Report Due

September

8,15

Final Confirmation Classes in Bishop Justs Hall

22, 29 Final Confirmation Classes in Bishop Justs Hall

October

TBA

Confirmation

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.

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,

Over 50 Club

April 14(Wednesday_ and 17 (Saturday) –

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 25 Spy Museum & Ford Museum – Guided tour,

lunch on your own at the Museum, then history and tour of

the Ford Museum. See where Lincoln was shot. $61.

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 Call

number below for price..

June1 – 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 he Nation) They make rosaries from dried

roses. Do not miss this wonderful trip. $99.

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.

The Over Fifty Club of St. Catherine of Siena

Extending an invitation for any Senior to

join our Social Club. We meet on the 2nd

and 4th Tuesday of each month in Bishop

Justs Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

There are interesting speakers, trips,

special luncheons and a fun social time to

meet new people. We also have a social

bridge group that meets the 1st Friday of

the month at 10:00 a.m. Single’s or

couples are warmly welcomed. For more

information contact Mary Ann at 703.404.8677, or Madeline

at 703.759.2605.

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), 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.

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.

Win a Car or Cash!

Siena Academy is participating in the All-Saints Car

Raffle. In 2008, a lucky winner came from our parish.

Siena Academy keeps $3 of every $5 ticket sold. If

you'd like more tickets, they are available in the school or

Parish Office. All proceeds go to the Siena Academy

Annual Fund.

Toddler Program Openings

Beginning in March, Siena Academy will have space

available for children ages 18 months to 2 ½ years in our

Toddler Program. The Toddler Program meets two

mornings a week from 8:30-11:15 a.m. If you are

interested, please call the Siena Academy office at 703-

759-4129.

Sagra del Siena Academy

Join us on April 24th for our annual fundraiser to benefit

Siena Academy. The evening will include Italian cuisine

and wine, a live auction, silent auction, raffle, and a look

inside Siena Academy. Contact Siena Academy for

more information.

Men’s Prayer Group

Gentlemen, feeling pulled to

"pick up the pace" in your

prayer life? Come join your

silent prayers with ours in

Adoration before the Blessed

Sacrament in support of our

pastor, parish and school. Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00

a.m. For further information: ksypal@yahoo.com.

In the Diocese & Other Events

Website: www.arlingtondiocese.org

Some white-collar jobs are more challenging than others

From the Chancellor’s Desk

When may crosses, statues and other images be

covered?

- In the Dioceses of the United States, crosses in the

church may be covered from the conclusion of the Mass

for Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent until the end of

the celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday.

Images in the church may be covered from the

conclusion of the Mass for Saturday of the Fourth Week

of Lent until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

Paul VI Catholic High School

Close Up for Prospective Students and Parents –

Looking for smaller classes and a greater sense of

community for your child? Please come and explore the

benefits of a Catholic High School Education on March

10

th

at 7:00 p.m.at Paul VI Catholic High School in

Fairfax. For more details contact: ehanley@paulvi.net.

Diocese of Arlington’s

First Men’s Conference

When: Saturday, March 13th from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: St. Joseph Catholic Church

(Banquet Hall),

750 Peachtree St., Herndon

We will hear Capt. Guy Gruters talk about his

experiences as a fighter pilot in Vietnam, and

imprisonment for five years as a P.O.W. in the Hanoi

Hilton. We will learn about the challenges to living

faithfully in the halls of Congress from Catholic

Congressman Chris Smith. Fr. Paul Scalia, Pastor of St.

John the Beloved Parish, will reflect on the manly virtues

as lived in modern life, and Bishop Loverde will join us to

celebrate Mass. Time for Confession will be available

during lunch. All attendees must pre-register before the

even. Registration at the door will not be available.

Registration $45. Register at www.arlingtondiocese.org,

or call Rick Webb at the Parish Office 703.759.4350.

The Institute of Catholic Culture Presents:

The Institute of Catholic Culture is a non-profit

educational Institute dedicated to the re-evangelization of

our society through educational seminars offered to the

public at no charge.

Byzantine Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts

Time: Wednesday, March 10th at 6:30 p.m. Introduction;

7:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy; 8:30 p.m. Lenten

Supper. Location: Holy Transfiguration Melkite Catholic

Church, 8501 Lewinsville Road in McLean

True Justice & the Mercy of God:

An Introduction to the Cardinal Virtues

Presenter: Fr. Daniel Hanley

Time: Saturday, March 13th at 7:30 p.m.

Location: St. Leo the Great Catholic Church,

3700 Old Lee Hwy. in Fairfax.

A Warm Welcome to Newcomers

If you are a visitor who regularly attends Mass at St.

Catherine’s, it is very important we know who you are!

Please fill out a simple card at the Parish Office that will

allow us to serve you better. Being on the rolls of St.

Catherine gives you a few benefits. Mainly, the Priests get

to know their flock by name, essential in times of illness or

death and for receiving some of the Sacraments. By using

offertory envelopes with your name on them we can

provide year-end tax information that is unavailable to

those who place checks or cash in the collection. Year-end

proof of donations will be required on tax returns.