PALM SUNDAY
REFLECTION
We begin our Holy Week celebration with palm branches in our hands, recalling the crowds that cried both “Hosanna!” and “Crucify!” While we cannot walk the streets of Jerusalem of two thousand years ago, we can walk with Jesus Christ through our world today proclaiming his salvation, especially in the most desolate and downtrodden places as well as in the well-worn paths of our own lives. These branches, and we who carry them, will now be blessed so that the mission of Jesus Christ will, like our loud hosannas, be proclaimed to the entire world.
What is the face of Christ presented to us in the readings today? Is it the one plucked and spat upon in the reading from Isaiah? Is it the glorified one honored by the bending of every knee in the hymn penned by Saint Paul? Is it the one disappointed and abandoned by his own disciples and left to die in ignominy on a cross? Or is it the one of whom the centurion said, “Truly, this was the Son of God? Which face to you see today?
FINANCES
Last Week’s Offertory$3,239.00
Utility Fund40.00
250th200.00
Christmas in April55.00
Easter Flowers220.00
Other163.50
Thank you for your continuing generosity!
If you gave a donation on March 15th in the form of a loose check (not in an identifiable envelop), please call the rectory office 301-475-8064 and let us know so that we can give you credit.
LECTOR SCHEDULE
Apr 44:00pm1st Reading Becky MacDonald
2nd Reading Mark Boruta
Apr58:30 am1st Reading Landon Wells
2nd Reading Rebecca Johnson
11:00am1st Reading Robert Stancil
2nd Reading Robert Stancil
ALTAR SOCIETY
Week of Apr 4/5Susan & Sonny Copsey
ALTAR SERVERS
8:00pm / 8:30am / 11:00amApr
4/5 / B Johnson
S Biglin
D Hancock
K Hancock
J Hancock / A Johnson S Bilko
A Watts
H Krissoff / L Bateman
F Van Ryswick
J Van Ryswick
OUR LADY'S PARISH
CELEBRATING ITS 250thANNIVERSARY
We will be celebrating this milestone by having Cardinal Wuerl come down and say mass on Sunday, August 16, 2015 followed by a reception and celebration. We have already begun planning for this occasion.We have chosen St. Mary’s County Fair Grounds, for the reception, and Rita B. Caterers.
Work on the keepsake booklet continues. Thank you for your photos. For information, contact Chris at 301-904-1783 or .
COMMUNION CALLS
Are you experiencing health problems? Are you having difficulty getting to Mass? Please let us know. Arrangements can be made for someone to bring Holy Communion to you. Just call the rectory office 301-475-8403.
SUNDAY, March 29th, 2015 ITS VIGIL
MASS INTENTION REQUESTS
If you would like to request a Mass for a loved one, you may do so by recording their name in the Mass Intention Book on the table near the Sacred Heart Statue. Just select a date from the monthly list of dates, then complete one of the Mass Intention envelopes and include your stipend. The usual stipend is $10. If this is a financial hardship for you, just give what you can or simply make the request. Mass cards are also available. This is a beautiful way to remember our loved ones.
LIGHTHOUSE CATHOLIC MEDIA
CD and Book Rack
Visit our kiosk and find inspirational CDs pamphlets and books on our Catholic faith.
These items are very reasonably priced. Some are an amazing savings compared to online ordering. They make great gifts.
FIRST SATURDAY MASS
April 4th is First Saturday. We will have Mass at 8:00 am followed by the Rosary. Please plan to join us.
Confessions will be heard from 7:00 am to 7:50 am.
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND
Are you looking to put Christ in your marriage? Deepen your communication, rekindle your romance and renew your sacrament by attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend in the Archdiocese of Washington on April 17-19, 2015 in Rockville, MD. For more information and to apply online visit wwme.org, or call301-541-7007, or email at .
SENIOR RIDES PROGRAM
If you are a senior and need transportation assistance for appointments, there is a Senior Rides program operated by the St. Mary’s County Dept. of Aging & Human Services. The program is also accepting volunteer drivers. Flyers are available at the back of the church for more information. Contact Chrissie Hilliard, Senior Rides Coordinator for more information at 301-475-4200, ext. 1066.
LOCAL CATHOLIC GIFT STORE
Heavenly Presents, located at 22697 Washington Street in Leonardtown is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm. The store is operated by volunteers. You can contact us at 301-475-9770. Check us out for sacrament gifts.
LENTEN FOOD DRIVE
The Parish will be conducting a Food Drive during Lent to help restock the Food Pantry at St. Cecilia’s Parish in St. Mary’s City. The Food Pantry provides much needed food for the needy in our community. We will be collecting non-perishable food items each Sunday during Lent. If each Parishioner picked up an extra food item each week when they shopped and dropped it off at Mass it would make a big difference in helping those in need.
Please leave your donations by the Sacred Heart Statue in the rear of the Church.
Also, if anyone knows of a family within our Parish who needs help with food, please contact the Parish Secretary, Mrs. Evelyn Ryce.
Thank you for your generosity.
CHRISTMAS IN APRIL
ST. MARY'S COUNTY
Christmas in April St. Mary's County, Inc. is dedicated to "improving the quality of life for the low income, elderly and disabled homeowners in our community". This important local charity provides free home repairs and maintenance to those in need.
Volunteers. Our Lady's Church is assembling a group of volunteers to help out with the 25th Annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors Day on April 25, 2015. A sign-up sheet is located by the St. Joseph statue. The last day to sign up is Sunday, March 8th. Both skilled and unskilled volunteer workers are welcome to participate.
Donations. Contribute to the effort for 2015! Our monetary contribution will help cover the cost of much needed materials and supplies for home repairs. To contribute please use the blank donation envelopes located in the back of the church or any envelope. Write "Christmas In April" on your donation envelope and put it in the regular collection any time before Sunday, April 19th. Thank you for your generosity!
CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING
AS AN EUCHARISTIC MINISTER
Fr. John is looking for people to volunteer as Eucharistic Ministers. This would involve training and then taking Communion to the homebound. We generally take Communion to the homebound on Fridays after the 8:00 am Mass.
If you are interested in helping, please call the rectory at 301-475-8403.
TRIP TO SPAIN
Join Father Jerry Gamrotfor an exciting pilgrimage to a strikingly beautiful and historically rich part of Spain to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the birth of Saint Theresa of Avila. We will travel to Avila, Segovia, Salamanca, Toledo and one of the most important pilgrimage destinations – Fatima in Portugal. Don’t miss this wonderful program and the chance to travel with Father Jerry to celebrate our religious heritage and explore the wonderful food and culture of Spain and Portugal. To learn more about program details, itinerary, inclusive features, and cost, call Michael Hartwig at Illume 1-800-368-6757 x 131.
Travel Dates are September 26 - October 4, 2015.
RICE BOWLES
Please plan to return your Rice Bowles on Easter. Thank you for your generosity.
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SEASONAL HELP
Camp Maria Retreat Center in Medley’s Neck is accepting applications for seasonal help. We are looking for DEPENDABLE cooks, dining hall assistants, and cleaning crew. All positions INCLUDE working weekends, serving between 40 – 160 people between the hours of 6:30 am start and 8 pm finish in shifts. This may be ideal for school cafeteria worker. Please send resume with references to MeMe Stauffer, Camp Maria Retreat Center, 41290 Camp Maria Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or email to .
HOLY ANGELS CHURCH
ANNUAL SEAFOOD DINNER
On Sunday, March 29th, 2015, from 11:30 amtil 4:00 pm, Holy Angels Church in Avenue will be serving a delicious Seafood Dinner. The menu includes: Fried Oysters, Steamed Spiced Shrimp, Crab Balls, Fried Chicken, Parsley Potatoes, Green Beans, Cole Slaw, Pickled Beets, and all the trimmings! Served buffet style -- all you can eat! Adults - $26.00; Children (6 to 12) - $8.00; and Children (5 & under) - Free. Carry-outs are available at $24.00. There will be delicious homemade desserts and a craft table! The Raffle Prize this year is for a total of $1,500 in cash!First prize is $1,000 and the second prize is $500. You do not need to be present to win. Holy Angels Church’s address is 21340 Colton Point Road, Avenue, Maryland 20609. For more information or to purchase advance tickets, please call the rectory at 301-769-3332 or email
CHRISTIAN MUSIC LEGEND
JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT
Will conduct a special two night Mission at Saint Mary Church, Newport on April 21-22 at 7pm. The Church is located at 11555 Saint Mary’s Church Rd. in Charlotte Hall. This is a free event, but a love offering will be collected to support ministries of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.
PRAYER SHAWLS
Making Prayer Shawls is a spiritual practice of knitting or crocheting a shawl with the person who will be using the shawl in mind. You pray for that person while you work. You may never know who that person is, but you pray for them while you are making the shawl and continue to pray for them long after the shawl is given.
We have compiled the directions to knit a shawl and we are accepting donations of yarn and needles. There is a plastic tub in the alcove near the St. Joseph statue. You may pick up the directions there. You may also drop off donations in the same tub. If you are able to knit, but cannot afford the materials you can take the materials needed from the box and bring back the completed shawl. We will make sure that it goes to someone in need.
We have also received requests for directions to crochet shawls. If you have directions to share, please let us know.
This could be a family effort with parents and children sharing in the process. Each shawl will be presented with a card explaining that you are praying for the recipient. You may sign the card. Perhaps you would only want to sign your first name.
If you know of someone who is in need of comfort and prayers, please call the rectory office to put their name on a list
TAKE ME OUT TO
THE BALL GAME
Sunday, April 26th DC Padres vs St. Mary’s Ryken H.S. at the Blue Crabs Stadium. The Blue Crabs play at 2 pm, and The Padres and Knights will take the field afterwards, around 5 pm.
GOOD FRIDAY
IS A
DAY OFFAST ANDABSTINENCE
Abstinence from meat (beast or fowl) is to be observed by all Catholics fourteen years old and older. 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 in not permitted.
ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON
JUBILARIAN MASS
FOR MARRIED COUPLES
On Sunday, June 21, 2015 at 2:00pm, Cardinal Donald Wuerl will celebrate the annual Mass at the Basilica of the national Shrine of The Immaculate Conception honoring couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more years of marriage.
Personalized certificates from Cardinal Wuerl will be distributed after the Mass. Registration forms are available at the doors. Please complete and return form in the offertory basket no later than April 13th.
ST. GEORGE CATHOLIC CHURCH CHOIRS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MRS. BARBARA CARPENTER WILL SING THE DIVINE OFFICE OF TENEBRAE ON THE EVENING OF WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK, APRIL 1ST AT 7:00 PMIN THE CHURCH.
Tenebrae, Latin for shadows or darkness, is an ancient monastic office traditionally sung by monks during the Sacred Triduum, where the mood is somber, quiet, and reflective. This mournful service is expressed in Psalms and Lamentations with the gradual extinguishing of lights in the church, in commemoration of Jesus’ death.
THE CARE NET PREGNANCY CENTER
The Care Net Pregnancy Center will hold training for those interested in volunteering as a Client Advocate on April 21, 23, 28, 30, May 5 and 7. We are offering morning classes at 9:30-12:30 in Calvert County and evening classes at 5:30-8:30 in St. Mary’s County; so pick the time and location most convenient for you. The whole training takes approximately 18 hours and is split up into 6 sessions. Please call our offices to sign up or for more information at 301-737-4604 or 410 326-6866.
OUTDOOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Rev. Robert J. Kosty of the St. Ignatius Loyola parish in Hilltop and the St. Catherine parish in McConchie will lead the devotion of the way of the Cross in the St. Mary’s Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, MD. The devotional will begin at 12:00pm on Good Friday, April 3, 2015 and all are welcome to participate. For more information or directions, please call the Catholic Cemeteries Southern MD Regional office at 301-475-5005.
CATHOLIC STUDENT CENTER
@ UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
50TH ANNIVERSARY
Current and former Catholic Terps, friends, and family are invited to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of The Catholic Student Center at the University of Maryland on Saturday, April 25th. This fun and family-friendly event begins with Mass at 5pm, followed by a pig roast, BBQ dinner, raffles and much more! Tickets are required. Visit CatholicTerps.org for more information.
DISCOVER THE HISTORIC BEAUTY AND RICH FAITH OF OUR CATHOLIC HERITAGE THIS FALL, SEPT 29-OCT. 8, with a tour of English cathedrals. Enjoy an unforgettable exploration of pre-Reformation Catholic England in Canterbury and Wells, Oxford and London and other scenic cities. Travel with Capuchin Father Francis Russo. $4,699 per person. For more information, contact: 202-529- 2188. Email: .