COVER SHEET
CHURCH NAME:
MAILING ADDRESS:
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
310 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
PHONE:
703.836.4100
CONTACT PERSON:
Mayra Saunders or Emily Liutkus
SOFTWARE:
Microsoft Office Publisher 2007
Adobe Acrobat 8 Standard
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2
PRINTER:
HP Laserjet 1320 PCL 6
BULLETIN NUMBER:
511428
NUMBER OF PAGES SENT:
1 through 11
SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION:
December 5, 2010
TRANSMISSION TIME:
2:05 P.M.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
God bless you! Thank you!
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
FOUNDED IN 1795
310 SOUTH ROYAL STREET • ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
Rev. Dennis W. Kleinmann, Pastor
Rev. Robert L. Ruskamp, Parochial Vicar
Rev. Michael J.R. Kelly, Parochial Vicar
Rev. Jean Claude Atusameso, In Residence
Mr. Jason Burchell, Seminarian In Residence
Rectory
310 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 • 703-836-4100 • Fax: 703-549-3605
Website: http://www.saintmaryparish.net
St. Mary’s School (PK-8) - Mrs. Janet Cantwell, Principal (703-549-1646) • Fax: 703-519-0840;
Main Building 400 Green Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; Website: http://www.stmarys-alexva.org
Stephens Hall (Jr. High & Registrar) 703-549-3488
St. Mary’s School of Religion (CCD) and (RCIA) - Jeanne Guerin, Director of Religious Education,
(703-836-5450), Marianne Skees - Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Outreach (571-319-1975)
Director of Music - Dr. Charles Saik (703-684-5308)
Sunday Masses:
Saturday Eve Vigil - 5:00 PM
Sunday - 7:00 AM & 8:30 AM, (9:15 AM - Children’s Mass, St. Mary’s School, 400 Green St.),
10:00 AM (Nursery in Lyceum, 313 Duke St.)
11:30 AM, 1:00 PM & (Vespers - Evening Prayer 4:30 PM) 5:00 PM
Weekday Masses:
Monday through Friday - 6:30, 8:00 AM, 12:10 PM
Federal, National Holidays and Holy Days - Please see bulletin for schedule of Masses
Saturday - 8:00 AM only
Novenas and Adoration at the Church:
Miraculous Medal Novena - Monday - noon
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - Thursday 12:30 to 7:30 PM
Mother of Perpetual Help Novena and Holy Hour Thursday - 7:30 PM
Nocturnal Adoration - every First Friday, 9 PM to Saturday 6 AM
Holy Hour for Life - every First Saturday following 8:00 AM Mass
Confessions:
Monday - Friday following the 12:10 PM Mass
Saturday - 4:00 to 5:00 PM and 7:00 to 7:30 PM
Thursday - 7:30 PM (during Holy Hour)
First Saturday - 8:30 AM (during Holy Hour)
Baptisms:
Every Sunday at 2:15 PM. Please call the Rectory
to register in advance and obtain regulations
concerning godparents, etc.
Marriages:
Contact Parish Priest at least six months before
possible wedding date. Couples who are living
together will be asked to live separately during
marriage preparation time.
Project Rachel, Post-Abortion Help 1-888-456-HOPE
Gabriel Project, Pregnancy Help
1-866-444-3553
Arlington Catholic Charities, Adoption Services
703-425-0100
Page Two
December 5, 2010
FROM GREEN TO GOLD
6:30
8:00
12:10
7:30
A.M.
A.M.
P.M.
P.M.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2010
Lambert Sebastiani
Special Intention: James Saunders, Birthday
Martin Wagenhoffer
Elmer Breidert
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2010
6:30 A.M. Sr. Mary Wei
8:00 A.M. James Manos
12:10 P.M. Albert and Maria Giuseppe
7:30 P.M. Special Intention: The O’Connor Family
6:30
8:00
12:10
7:30
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2010
A.M. Special Intention: Rev. Juan Alvarez and
The Crusaders of St. Mary
A.M. Guy A. Giancarlo, Anniversary
P.M. Parishioners of St. Mary
P.M. Jennie Basila, Birthday
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2010
6:30 A.M. Special Intention: Chiota Family
8:00 A.M. Samuel Ferris, Anniversary
12:10 P.M. Florence “Cissie” Jordan
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2010
6:30 A.M. Special Intention: Emile Conradle
8:00 A.M. Jeff Moore
12:10 P.M. John J. Burke
8:00
5:00
7:00
8:30
9:15
10:00
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2010
A.M. Geneive Wagnor, Anniversary
P.M. Mary Chow Woon Lueng, Birthday (Fr. Jean Claude)
A.M.
A.M.
A.M.
A.M.
11:30 A.M.
1:00 P.M.
5:00 P.M.
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 12, 2010
Pete Singleton (Fr. Ruskamp)
María Alcala (Fr. Ruskamp)
Clay Robertson (Fr. Kelly)
Edward W. Sudder, Sr., Anniversary 12/11
(Fr. Kleinmann)
Robert F. Dodd, Anniversary (Fr. Kelly)
Ms. Adella (Fr. Kelly)
Parishioners of St. Mary (Fr. Kleinmann)
The altar flowers are donated in honor of the wedding of
Alexis Delaney and Jeff Walker.
The flowers at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Shrine last week were donated in
memory of Jeb Miller.
We welcome through the Sacrament of Baptism
Patrick Alexander Beretsel
Elsie Marie Fisher
Therese Anne McCall
Violet Perpetua Torres
For the past three weeks here I have spared you any
discussion of football. Instead I focused on the many reasons
to be grateful, especially as we were approaching
Thanksgiving Day. It was brought to my attention that there is
one set of volunteers whom I have never thanked by name in
this column. I assure you this was not intentional, but rather an
oversight on my part for which I apologize, as I am very grateful
for those from our parish who assist at Christ House,
Carpenter’s Shelter, and Alive.
These area outreach
organizations serve a vital role in Alexandria. Our parishioners,
who volunteer there, are to be commended. This is a
wonderful way to represent our parish and do some good for
others.
Briefly, during my football discussion hiatus, my
Packers did quite well, winning four straight games. That
ended, however, last Sunday. In fact I had hoped three teams
would have had victories—the Packers, the Redskins, and the
Eagles. Of course it was all for selfish reasons: I always want
the Packers to win, the Redskins would have beaten the
Vikings, who I always want to see lose. Similarly, I always
want the Bears to lose. All three of “my” teams lost last
weekend. Obviously, it was disappointing, but there’s always
this week.
What was not disappointing was how many of you
attended the Holy Hour last Saturday evening. There wasn’t
much notice as I explained in last week’s bulletin here. Despite
that I was impressed by how many took the time on a Saturday
night over Thanksgiving Day weekend to come to church and
pray. The church certainly wasn’t full. But there were truly a
good number of you who came. I commend and thank you for
that. It was a wonderful way to bring in the new Church year
and start the season of Advent. It was also an opportunity to
be enriched spiritually.
Another opportunity to grow in holiness and be
spiritually enriched begins Monday evening with a special
Mass at 7:30 P.M. This will open our annual 40 Hours
Devotion. Immediately as Mass ends the Blessed Sacrament
will be exposed on the altar and remain so until Wednesday
night at 7:00 P.M. We will have the privilege of adoring Our
Lord around the clock. (Security is being provided during the
nighttime hours.) As in years past, please sign up in the back
of church, taking one or more hours.
Such a devotion is a great blessing for a parish and is
also a great way to work on deepening our personal
relationship with God. This in turn will help add to the spiritual
nature of the Advent season, which seems to be often lost with
all the pre-Christmas expectations. We have to work on
maintaining the somewhat penitential, definitely prayerful spirit
of this holy season as we prepare for another year’s
celebration of Jesus’ birth, when Our Lord came in history, and
for the time when He will come again in His majesty. He
comes to us now in hope; that is, in the hopeful expectation
that His grace is with us to help us live the lives we are called to
live, turning from past and avoiding future sin, and being men
and women of great faith. With all this tremendous things can
come, here on earth and someday in heaven. It is also a
wonderful way to prepare for the celebration of our parish’s
patronal feast day, the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of
obligation as well. As a side note, the Advent Reflection series/
holy hour on Tuesdays is replaced this week by the vigil Mass
of the Holy Day. The series continues next week with Fr. Kelly
speaking instead of Fr. Ruskamp, who will be on retreat. Fr.
Ruskamp will conclude the series the following week.
In Christ,
Fr. Kleinmann
Second Sunday of Advent
VOCATIONS
Lord Jesus, Christ our King, Your kingdom is within each baptized soul where
You reign by Your grace. Regard our longing for true holiness and grant that all
come to know and love You through faithfulness to our unique vocations. Amen.
Are you called to be “A herald’s voice in the desert” preparing the way of the Lord
in the hearts of His people? If you are considering a vocation to the priesthood or
consecrated life, call Father Brian Bashista at 703.841.2514, or write:
[email protected].
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You!
LEGION OF MARY meets at 7:30 P.M. in the St. Joachim Room in St. Mary's
Lyceum. Meetings include the Rosary and discussion on works performed. For
more information please contact Fidel Delgado, 703.721.9677 or [email protected].
TEENS AT ST. MARY’S
CHRISTMAS PARTY TODAY!!! We are having a Christmas party and service
afternoon. It’s a great opportunity to get to know the other teens in the parish and
to give back this Christmas season. Please bring either a gift for a new mom (ex:
diapers, bottles, clothes) or items for children in Afghanistan (ex: soccer balls,
toys, clothes). We’ll be in the Lyceum from 3-5 P.M.
RETREAT: Interested in getting away from the busyness for a weekend? The
teens of St. Mary’s are going to be attending a retreat hosted by the Mount St.
Mary seminary Feb. 11-13. Registrations are due by December 16th. Please
call the office for forms and more information 571.319.1975.
WORK CAMP!!! If you are interested in attending our week long diocesan work
camp filled with fun, community service, worship and more, the date of the camp
is July 23-29. Call or email the office for more details and the commitment
forms. [email protected].
DONATIONS: the new youth room is still in need of a few more items, another
DVD player, coffee tables, any old game systems (Wii, PS3, etc.) and games for
either of those. Thank you to all of those who have already donated!!!
Volunteers – we are always looking for more people who are willing to share
their time and faith with the teens at St. Mary’s. If you are interested in learning
more about this opportunity, please contact Marianne Skees at 571.319.1975 or
[email protected].
ST. MARY’S YOUNG ADULTS
(Singles & married in their 20’s & 30’s)
1st SUNDAY DINNER: Join us after the 5 P.M. Mass for a potluck (make sure
you bring some food or a little money) with the other young adults in the parish.
3rd Friday Holy Hour – We start at 7 P.M. with a holy hour in the Church followed
by some sort of social event after. For December we are going to be caroling.
For more about what is happening with young adults in the parish go to http://
saintmarysyoungadults.wordpress.com/.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: Since 1795, the decoration of our church and
sanctuary has been an important expression of the joyful celebration of
Christmas. With a rich heritage of more than two centuries, St. Mary Catholic
Church has a more distinctly historic appearance. In keeping with this history
and the liturgical calendar, the Mary Martha Guild will install Christmas
decorations on December 24th 2010, to remain through January 9th, 2011, when
the Christmas Season ends. Decorations will include native berries, greens and
flowers, accented by beautiful poinsettias, which were first introduced to the
Commonwealth in 1811 by Elizabeth and James Monroe. Our church
decorations, flowers and vintage crèche figures, designed to give glory to “our
newborn King,” also remind us of the great gift of the Catholic faith our ancestors
have handed down to us. To protect and preserve Christmas decorations for
future generations, we ask everyone to please refrain from touching the crèche
figures, Christmas flowers and ornaments – instead, let them prayerfully touch
you.
40 HOURS DEVOTION: Please sign-up to spend an hour in adoration with Our
Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament. Our 40 Hours Devotion starts after the
7:30 P.M. Mass on Monday, December 6, 2010, and ends on Wednesday,
December 8 at 7:00 P.M. Sign-up book located at the back of the church.
You are all beautiful, O Mary; in you there is no trace of original sin.
Page Three
PRO-LIFE CORNER
"The mystery of the Incarnation reveals
the specific value of the dignity of human life.
God gave us this gift and sanctified it when the Son
became man and was born of Mary.
It is a gift that must be protected,
from conception until natural death.
With all my heart I join people involved in various
initiatives aimed at respecting life and
promoting a new social awareness."
Pope Benedict XVI
Immaculate Heart of Mary, please pray for us.
GIFT FOR LIFE “GIVING TREE”: As you prepare for Christmas, include a Gift
for Life on your shopping list by supporting the Gabriel Project. Your taxdeductible contribution will make a big difference in the life of an expectant
mother. It’s easy to give! Just take a gift tag from the giving tree in the back of
the church and follow the directions, or give your gift to the giving tree volunteers
who will collect donations on December 11th and 12th.
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
is a Holy Day of Obligation.
A Vigil Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 7 at 7:30 P.M.
Mass on Wednesday, December 8 will be celebrated at
6:30 A.M., 8:00 A.M., 12:10 P.M. and 7:30 P.M.
PRAYER TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from thy sublime height turn upon thine
eyes of pity. Filled with confidence in thy goodness and knowing full well thy power, I beseech
Thee to extend to me thine assistance in the journey of life, which is so full of dangers for my
soul. And in order that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, but may ever live with
my heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to thee. I consecrate my heart to thee
forever, my only desire being to love thy Divine Son, Jesus.
Mary, none of thy devout servants has ever perished; may I too be saved. Amen.
ST. MARY’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE SALE
Now through Sunday, December 12th
Weekdays: 6-8 P.M. Weekends: 8-6 P.M.
Fresh Trees, Wreaths and Garlands will be on sale. This year delivery service
will be available this weekend for a fee for homes within 5 miles of the school. All
proceeds will benefit St. Mary's School and your support is greatly appreciated.
NEWS FROM ST. MARY’S SCHOOL
At the beginning of the year, The Catholic Daughters of America
donated a statue of Our Lady of Fatima to the school. The statue will spend time
with all the grades this year. The first stop has been 7th and 8th Grade, where the
students spent time in Religion, learning and researching more information about
Our Lady of Fatima. 8th Graders are also preparing for confirmation in the spring
and are working on making a personal connection to their confirmation saint by
doing some in depth research for upcoming presentations. They also took their
annual confirmation retreat to Mount Saint Mary’s University at the end of
October.
6th Grade held their annual Consumer Science Fair in early
November. Students spent time this fall getting a better understanding of
scientific procedures, collecting data, and writing a hypothesis and conclusion on
two related products. Products on display this fall included tennis balls, laundry
detergent, football trading cards, and orange juice.
4th Grade spent a day in Williamsburg this fall, where they toured the
Governor’s Palace, capital building, and learned more about life in the 1600’s.
To prepare for the trip, they spent time this fall learning about early Virginia
history, including what the life of a nine year old would be like.
3rd Grade has spent time this fall, learning about communities, with
the Flat Stanley project. It is meant to facilitate a letter writing campaign by
students and to learn more about different communities around the world. This
year, Flat Stanley traveled to such locations as London, Pittsburgh, South
Dakota, Uruguay, and Ghana.
Students in Pre-K through 2nd Grade participated in the Annual All
Saints Parade on November 1. They dressed in their favorite saint costume and
paraded several blocks through the south end of Alexandria, returning to school
through the Royal Street gates, where they were enthusiastically welcomed back
by the students in Grades 3-8.
December 5, 2010
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: He shall bring justice for the afflicted; the earth shall overflow with the
knowledge of the Lord (Isaiah 11: 1-10).
Psalm: Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever (Psalm 72).
Second Reading: Glorify God by living in harmony with one another, welcoming each other
as Christ welcomed you (Romans 15: 4-9).
Gospel: Produce good fruit worthy of your baptism; repent, for the reign of God is near
(Matthew 3: 1-12).
Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Saturday:
DIVINE MERCY CORNER
"Tell My priests that hardened sinners will
repent on hearing their words
when they will speak about My unfathomable
mercy, about the compassion
I have for them in My Heart.
To priests who will proclaim and extol
My mercy, I will give wondrous power and
I will anoint their words and touch the hearts
of those to whom they will speak.
I desire that priests proclaim this great mercy
of Mine toward the souls of sinners.
Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me.
The flames of mercy are burning Meclamoring to be spent;
I want to pour them out upon all of these souls.”
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Is 35: 1-10; Lk 5: 17-26
Is 40: 1-11; Mt 18: 12-14
Gn 3: 9-15, 20; Eph 1: 3-6, 11-12; Lk 1: 26-38
Is 41: 13-20; Mt 11: 11-15
Is 48: 17-19; Mt 11: 16-19
Sir 48: 1-4, 9-11; Mt 17: 9a, 10-13
Is 35: 1-6a, 10; Ps 146; Jas 5: 7-10; Mt 11: 2-11
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Second Sunday of Advent
St. Nicholas
St. Ambrose
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Juan Diego
Blessed Virgin Mary; St. Damasus I
Please pray for all those who are ill, including:
Ebosa Aguele
Richard Alger, Jr.
Chris Ballard
Baby Dana Barber
Gary Barteldt
Nicholas Bartick
Lucille Bassett
Tori Benecchi
Raymond Bergmann
Chris Bosworth
Rosemary Brice
James Carroll, II
William Carroll
Ron Celeste
James Clark
Liz Clark
Terri Clark
Dina Clemmer
Ann Conjura
Thomas Connor
JoAnne Conte
Wallace P. Cooney
Dorothy Cotton
Carolyn Daly
Chandler John D’Antoni
Mary F. Davis
Cecilia Dawley
Dan De Celles
Theresa DeFore
Columbine Delenclos
Patricia Dobrzynski
Eileen Doherty
Carla Dutzman
Monica Estill
Baby Lily Fitzgerald
Sean Franko
Barbara Furey
Katie Gaietto
Vincent Gaudioso, Jr.
Elizabeth German
Georgia Gleason
Catherine Gomez
Lovanne Graham
JoAnn Griffin
Jean Heins
Debra Hill
Daniel Scott Holden
Mark Holenchik
Rosemary Wolf Hogan
Steve Hoogland
Phyllis Hook
Helen Hoover
Tyler Hovey
Becky Hsu
Mark Hulkower
Denise Jensen
Dick Johnson
Sylvia Johnson
Bob Johnston
Sheila Jurinski
Erik Kemp
Breda Kiely
Emily Knisley
Mary T. Kocourek
Jack Koehler
Karen Kollmansperger
Barbara Kramer
Jim Lake
Brenda LaRochelle
Conrad Lass, Sr.
Joe Leonard
Etelvina Leon
John Linehardt
Jane Lewis
Anthony Lodato
Michael Lodato
Paul Lopapa
Thomas Lovely
Lauren Luzier
Fred Macguire
Harry Marson
Rev. Francis Martin
Karen Martinez
Christy Matthias
Holden Mauk
Constance McAloon
Mike McKeon
Gina McReynolds
Robert McWhorter
Frank Medico
Patricia Medley
Julie Meskill
Dorothy Mickler
Baby Bennen Manahan
Richard Molleur
Bishop David Monroe
Ronnie Morris
Rachel Ann Mydell
Rosemary Naegele
Thomas Naegele
Ellen Whelan Norris
Rev. Francisco Núñez
Doris Oshinsky
Laura Palmer
Ray Paquette
Clayton Parker
Anna Therese Parks
Kristy Parnell
Peggy Pascotti
Marietta Phillips
Elton Pollock
William Powell
Betsy Raposa
Colleen Rogers
Walter Robinson
Agnes Roesner
Ceil Rooney
Jaymie Rowland
Charlotte Ruelas
Janet Russell
Eddie Salomns
Deanna Satterthwaite
James Saunders
Mary Beth Saunders
Jean Schilling
Frank Sellitto, Jr.
John Shannon
Mike Stachura
George Thomas
Chris Thurlow
Dr. Trimber
Lofton White
Carmina Young
New additions to the sick list are in bold print.
Please pray for all the deceased, including
Paul Barsanti, Harold Bursch, Betty Cleveland, Ardith Dentzer, Elva Rocha Guzman,
1stLt Robert Michael Kelly, Charlotte Kerns, and Katherine Tolhurst.
St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, please pray for them. Amen.
Page Four
(Jesus to St. Faustina)
THE DIVINE MERCY CENACLE meets continuously throughout the year on
the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 10:30 A.M. in the Saint Joachim
room of the Lyceum. For further information, please call Harry or Lynne Dolton
at 703.960.0592. All are welcome!
RCIA (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS): Are you interested in
becoming Catholic? Or in learning more about the Catholic Faith? On
December 6, Father Kleinmann will talk about THE SACRAMENTS (OCF Art. 1,
CCC 1113-30, 1210-11). (This is the CLASS #1 for Catholic adults who are
attending RCIA only as preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.) This
class will meet in the Lyceum's St. Joseph Room (downstairs). Please note:
The Morning of Reflection scheduled for December 12 has been canceled.
While classes are directed to those inquiring about the Catholic faith, ALL are
welcome. Parish priests lead the 90-minute sessions in a systematic review of
the teachings of the Catholic Church.
CCD CLASSROOM AIDES: We are still looking for classroom aides for our
CCD program, which is held Sundays from 10:15 A.M.-11:15 A.M. in St. Mary’s
School. If you are high school age or above, we would like to invite you to be an
aide.
Please email [email protected] if you are interested in
volunteering.
ADVENT HOLY HOUR AND REFLECTION SERIES: December 7: There will
be no Advent Holy Hour and Reflection Series since 40 Hours continues this
night.
PREDESTINATION: CATHOLIC TEACHING AND THEOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVE: All Catholic adults are invited to the monthly Patricians
discussion group on December 18th, 9 - 11 A.M. (date changed due to
Christmas) in the Holy Family Auditorium of St. Mary’s Lyceum. Patricians
allow lay Catholics an opportunity to grow in their knowledge of the faith
while discussing an aspect of Catholic life in the comfort of a prayerful, family
setting. Fr. Kelly serves as spiritual director and provides additional commentary.
Refreshments provided. Contact Linda Melone at 703.725.8526 or
[email protected].
St. Nicholas, St. Ambrose, St. Juan Diego and St. Damasus I,
pray for us.
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR PARISHIONERS SERVING IN THE MILITARY
AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING:
Christy Barry
Seamus Barry
Christopher Bryant
Jeffrey Camerato
Matthew Constantino
Edward Culbert
Peter Culbert
Carolyn Theresa Frazier
Felix Gumbiner
Tom Hanifen
Andrew Lennox
Matthew Lennox
Ryan Maple
James Thomas Martin
Allbert Martins
Mark Martins
Edward Joseph Parry, III
Brian P. Riva
Keith Sylvia
Frederick Tackaberry
Michael J. Turner
Gerard Wager
Ezra Wells
MILITARY FAMILIES: If you have a relative or friend serving in the military, at
home or overseas and would like to include their name in our prayer list, please
call the rectory office at 703.836.4100.