410-535-0223 (Office)
410-535-4395 (Rel Ed)
410-414-9099 (FLC)
410-286-1944 (Food Pantry)
On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him.
-- Mark 16:5 & 6.
Dear Friends in Christ:
This Sunday we celebrated the 5th Sunday of Lent. This season of Grace is coming to an end and I personally am grateful for many blessings in the midst of a trying and difficult time.
I can’t speak for everyone, but enough of you have said this winter was plain hard. Between the cold, the pandemic and many folks in our area struggling, it has not been easy. It’s left many people asking when will it be over! Well, the answer is soon. Spring and Easter bring us the promise and the reality of new life. We may need to “tough it out” with the pandemic a bit longer, but there is hope and promise for the future especially as more people get vaccinated.
Signs of this new life have already come in the blessings of this Lent to our parish community. Your desire for a more profound walk with Christ is made evident in the generous donations you are making to our Lenten outreach programs. This is also evident in the commitment to a deeper life of faith that many people have made through their participation in the “Lenten Prayer Challenge,” attendance at Mass, Stations of the Cross and reception of the sacraments. Each of these are signs of faithful people walking with Christ no matter the troubles we may face.
Finally, I want to thank you for your continued financial generosity to the parish. Yet, I need to ask you to be especially generous to our Easter collection. Many of you stepped up at Christmas and I need to ask you to do the same at Easter as well.
We are still struggling with the effects of low attendance and this will likely not change in the next several weeks. We are navigating the effects of the pandemic but we are still operating with big losses due to the pandemic. With your help, we can continue to be a vibrant parish even in the midst of difficult times.
On behalf of our deacons, ministry leaders and staff, we pray for you and invite you to join us for a blessed and joyful Easter celebration.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Joseph B. Pierce,
Pastor
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Year B
Lectionary: 35
Reading I: Jer 31:31-34
Resp. Psalm: 51:3-4,12-13,14-15
Reading II: Heb 5:7-9
Gospel: Jn 12:20-33
Scrutiny Year A Readings
(RCIA-Will be celebrated @ 8:00 am)
Lectionary: 34
Reading I: Ez 37:12-14
Resp. Psalm:130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Reading II: Rom 8:8-11
Gospel: Jn 11:1-45
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God bless you today and always!
Below is a copy of our bulletin for this weekend. On Saturday evening, it will be uploaded to our Parish website. (click here) You may also find a history of our parish bulletins using that link.
40 Day Lenten Challenge - The Lenten 40 day Contemplative Challenge as an opportunity to deepen our relationship with our Lord in the Trinity. Details and a simple sign up form can be found here: (click here)
Exposition - During Lent, following morning daily mass on Weekdays (Mon-Fri) there will be an opportunity to stay and participate in Exposition and Morning Prayer. In remembrance of our dearly departed will will pray Psalm 130 following Morning Prayer in our Festival Room.
Reconciliation - Wednesdays at 6:00-7:30 pm during Lent. 1st Fridays and Every Saturday after the 8 am Mass. For times at other Catholic Churches in the Archdiocese of Washington, go to www.thelightison.org for a complete listing.
Stations of the Cross - Every Friday through March 26, Stations of the Cross will be at 6:00 pm in the church with the exception of Good Friday. On Good Friday, April 2nd Stations will be at 12:00 noon
Below is a PDF version of the Powerpoint for The Way of the Cross (with text from Scriptures) should you wish to follow along on your phone. A print version has also attached for your use. These documents can also be found under documents on our the Resources for Lent page on our website.
Prayer for Vocations During Lent we ask you to pray for Vocations and for the Seminarians of our Archdiocese. The Prayer and photographs of our Seminarians can be found on our Prayer for Vocations page on our parish website. (linked here).
Join the Diocese of Arlington Peace & Justice Committee’s conference, “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love” with keynote speaker Cardinal Wilton Gregory.
Cardinal Gregory will be the principal celebrant and homilist, and Bishop Michael Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, will concelebrate alongside priests from the Diocese of Arlington. Mass will also be live-streamed. Keynote will begin at 7:00 PM. Following the keynote, Cardinal Gregory, Bishop Burbidge and diocesan parishioners will participate in a panel discussion and Q&A.
Click here to watch the Mass livestream at 5:00 PM.
Click here to watch the keynote livestream at 7:00 PM.
Upcoming Racial Justice Reflections
SAVE THESE DATES!
3/20/2021 4:00 pm – Law Enforcement
4/17/2021 4:00 pm – Role of the Church
5/15/2021 4:00 pm –Discuss a plan of
action to combat the sin of Racism. Join us for 90-minute presentations
Meeting ID: 870 7499 6020
Passcode: 084074
Each year, we honor couples celebrating milestone marriage anniversaries of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 51+ years at a special Jubilarian Mass. This year’s celebration will be live-streamed.
Please contact the parish office for more information on how to register for this year’s Mass. Couples registered after the deadline will be accepted, but their names will not appear in the Jubilarian program due to printing deadlines.
To register for the Mass or to receive a certificate, please complete and return the registration form to the parish office before April 30th!
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church - Spring Oyster Fest
Saturday, March 20. from 12:3
Seating or Driver-Thru Options available - Reservations are required.