201 St. Mary's Avenue

P.O. Box 1390

La Plata, Maryland 20646-1390

(301) 934-2261 (301) 870-3895

www.sacredheartlaplata.org

www.facebook.com/SacredHeartLaPlata

Twitter: @SacHeartLaPlata

WEEKEND MASSES:

Saturdays: Vigil Mass at 5:00 PM (Rosary before Mass)

Sundays: 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM & 11:30 AM

8:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Monastery (Carmel)

DAILY MASSES:

Monday, thru Friday - 12:00 Noon

7:15 AM at St. Joseph’s Monastery (Carmel)

Saturday - 8:00 AM (Carmel), 9:00 AM (Sacred Heart)

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION AND FEDERAL HOLIDAYS:

As Announced.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:

7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily in the Adoration Chapel

7:00-9:00 PM each Wednesday in the Main Church

BAPTISMS:

Last Sunday of the month after 11:30 AM Mass.

Attendance at Baptism Class Required. Contact Deacon

Al Graham at 301-932-0968.

ADULT BAPTISM OR RECEPTION INTO

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH:

Please call the parish office to arrange for the instructions about

our faith. Classes are held on Tuesdays (October thru May).

PENANCE/RECONCILIATION:

- First Fridays: 6:00 - 7:00 PM

- Wednesdays: 7:00—9:00 PM

- Saturdays: 3:30 - 4:30 PM

- By appointment

MARRIAGE:

Couples must contact a priest or deacon at least six months

before the anticipated date. Please do not make any other

arrangements until a date is set with a priest or deacon.

Participation in a preparation program is required.

ITEMS FOR UPCOMING BULLETIN DUE TO PARISH OFFICE BY 9:00 AM TUESDAY!

PASTORAL STAFF & OFFICES

REV. LAWRENCE C. SWINK, Pastor REV. MARTIN E. FLUM, Parochial Vicar DEACON ANTHONY T. BARRASSO, Permanent Deacon

DEACON ALBERT E. GRAHAM, JR., Permanent Deacon

PARISH OFFICE: 205 St. Mary’s Avenue - (301) 934-2261 or (301) 870-3895

(E-mail) shclp@verizon.net Fax (301) 934-5435

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Mrs. Christine Knecht, Administrative Assistant Mrs. Patricia Lane, Secretary

ARCHBISHOP NEALE SCHOOL: 104 Port Tobacco Road - (301) 934-9595 or (301) 870-3679

Grades Pre-K thru 8. After school day care. Mrs. Linda Bourne, Principal SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: 203 St. Mary’s Avenue - (301) 934-3386

(Office located in lower level of the Church) Deacon Anthony T. Barrasso, Dir. of Religious Education

MINISTRY TO HOMEBOUND, HOSPITAL & NURSING HOMES: 205 St. Mary’s Avenue - (301) 934-2261

Deacon Walter G. Rourke, Director YOUTH MINISTRY: Sacred Heart Convent, 104 Port Tobacco Rd. - (301) 934-5400

Ms. Anna Albrittain YOUTH NIGHT: (Grades 6-12) Second Saturday, Sept. thru May, 4:00-8:00 PM

MUSIC MINISTRY: Music Office - 205 St. Mary’s Avenue - (301) 934-2261

Mrs. Patricia Lane, Director of Music Ministry

CHURCH PLANT MANAGEMENT: 205 St. Mary’s Avenue - (301) 934-2261 or (301) 870-3895

Mr. John Hayden, Director

LANDINGS (Ministry to Inactive Catholics): Mr. Bill Wannall, Director — 240-416-3407

FIRST FRIDAY: Confessions 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Mass & Devotions to the Sacred Heart at 7:00 PM

MARIAN DEVOTIONS: Weekly during May & October. Miraculous Medal Novena & Rosary after 8 AM Mass each Saturday.

SCHOOL OF RELIGION: K thru Grade 8, meets Sundays, 10:15 - 11:15 AM at ANS, September thru May. Confirmation students in grades 7 & 8 contact Religious Education Office for schedule.

PARISH COUNCIL: Meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, September thru May.

PARISH MEMBERSHIP: We welcome all new members to our parish family. Please register as soon as possible. To be eligible for admission to our CCD program, reception of the Sacraments or to receive testimonial letters for sponsorship outside the Parish, an individual must be a registered participating member of the parish, known to the pastor, attending the sacraments and supporting the ministries of the church. When moving from the parish, please notify the office.

SACRED HEART CHURCH, LA PLATA

The most holy trinity

Throughout the Easter Season, we have been celebrating the work of the Trinity. Perhaps that is why the Church celebrates the Holy Trinity on this first Lord’s Day after Eastertime. It helps to remind us of what we celebrate every Lord’s Day. The Risen Christ sends the Holy Spirit to be God’s presence in us and in all God’s creations. As Christians, we are called to begin and end whatever we say or do, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

SUNDAY BREAKFAST: The Knights of Columbus are host-ing a breakfast in the Friendship Room this Sunday, May 22, from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM. No charge. Donations accepted. Come and enjoy a wonderful breakfast! For questions, please contact James Hojnowski at jhojnows@kent.edu.

BAPTISM PREPARATION: Those wishing to ar range for a baptism during the month of June are asked to call the parish office before the end of May. Please keep in mind that those presenting their children for baptism must be active participating members of Sacred Heart Parish who have been registered and attending Mass on a regular basis for a minimum of three months.

TRAVELING SOON? Making plans for your summer holi-day? Don’t miss Mass. Visit www.masstimes.org for detailed information on finding Mass times when traveling.

SUNDAY, MAY 22, THE MOST HOLY TRINITY 7:00 AM Mary Gene Smith

8:00 AM Eleanor Ripple 9:00 AM Ralph M. Coan, MD

11:30 AM Ashley Howard

MONDAY, MAY 23, WEEKDAY 7:15 AM Connie Harris 12:00 PM Mary Gene Smith

TUESDAY, MAY 24, WEEKDAY 7:15 AM Deceased, Charles County Catholic Cemeteries 12:00 PM Helen Rice

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, ST. BEDE THE VENERABLE; ST.

GEGORY VII, POPE; ST. MARY MAGDALENE DE PAZZI 7:15 AM Jared Carter 12:00 PM Sierra Wilson

THURSDAY, MAY 26, ST. PHILIP NERI 7:15 AM Mary Weimer 12:00 PM John Rehovich, Sr.

FRIDAY, MAY 27, ST. AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY 7:15 AM Intentions of Fr. Larry Swink

12:00 PM Helen Forbes

SATURDAY, MAY 28, WEEKDAY; VIGIL: CORPUS

CHRISTI 8:00 AM Robert Vacin 9:00 AM Mary Gene Smith

5:00 PM Intentions of Fr. Larry Swink

Please note that the 8AM Saturday and Sunday Masses, and the 7:15 AM daily Mass take place at Mt. Carme1 Monastery. All other Masses are celebrated at Sacred Heart..

FAITH DIRECT: Are you star ting to plan your summer vacations? Consider enrolling in eGiving through Faith Direct so that your gift can reach us even when you cannot. Visit www.faithdirect.net and use our church code: MD244. Your gifts through Faith Direct will help stabilize our parish finances through the busy (but beautiful) summer months. Thank you for your continued support of our parish family with your time and talents as well as treasure!

ALTAR FLOWERS: The flowers on the altar each week can be donated in memory of a loved one or to commemorate a spe-cial occasion in our lives. To do so, please fill out the form be-low and return to the parish office.

ALTAR FLOWERS

I would like to have flowers placed on the altar

IN HONOR OF __________________________________________________

Weekend of ____________________________________________________

Given by _________________________________�

�Please drop this form in the collection basket or return

to the Parish Office. Flowers are not placed on the

altar during Advent or Lent.

Suggested Donation — $30.00

Readings for the Week of May 22, 2016

Sunday: Prv 8:22-31/Ps 8:4-9/Rom 5:1-5/Jn 16:12-15

Monday: 1 Pt 1:3-9/Ps 111:1-2, 5-6, 9-10/Mk 10:17-27

Tuesday: 1 Pt 1:10-16/Ps 98:1-4/Mk 10:28-31

Wednesday: 1 Pt 1:18-25/Ps 79:8-9, 11, 13/Mk 10:32-45

Thursday: 1 Pt 2:2-5, 9-12/Ps 100:2-5/Mk 10:46-52

Friday: 1 Pt 4:7-13/Ps 149:1-6, 9/Mk 11:11-26

Saturday: Jude 17, 20b-25/Ps 63:2-6/Mk 11:27-33

Next Sunday: Gn 14:18-20/Ps 110:1-4/1 Cor 11:23-26/Lk

9:11b-17

THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

Rev. Cary Hill, Sr. Ann Parker, IHM, Deacon Al Feneis, Christine Bowles, Frederick Holton, Mary Harter Bailey, Barbara Ridgely Varva-glione, Joseph Ridgeley, Davisha Wade, Baby Hayden Clarke Hettel, Gene Fries, Sheryl Hodges, John Jennifer, Sr., Julia White, George Thomas, Pamela Hanes, Patricia Howe, Kenny Wagner, Debbie Bruc-culeiri, Barbara Carpentier, Timmy Hepner, Marie Bowie, Elroy Hemsley, Dena Whalen, Dean Brooks, James Hicks, Tia Rhodes, Ryan Lane, Margaret Foster, Cecil Short, William Brown, Nancy Chase, Rose Radcliff, Leila Hicks, George Lane, Barbara Mohler, Virginia Rehovich, Patty Gyorda, Marie Martin, Fritz & Jane Hoffmann, Marvin Pitts, Eleanor Hancock, Joe Gardiner, Cindy Brigman, Mitchell Runyan, Maggie Wyman, George Jackson, Dan Bowes, Dave Forbes, Samuel Posey, Ann Yates, Mary Barkofsky, Margie Simpson, Gianna Grace, Jamie Seith, Randy Martin, Judy Clopton, Bobby Jacobs, Maria McGuigan, Miriam Cappers, Cecelia Kozlowski, Mary Ellen Starkey, Norma Hancock, David & Kathryn Newman, Tim Knecht, Audrey Ellis, Lisa Frazer, Mya Gahan, Mary Krug, Marilyn Hoffmann, Carolyn Posey, and Mikey Raymond.

Names will remain on the above prayer list for 60 days from the time

they are requested. At the end of that time, you may renew your

request.

Do science and faith in God contradict each other? Today is Trinity Sunday and we celebrate GOD! We meditate on the fact that God is three persons in one God. The Father is 100% God, Jesus is 100% God, and the Holy Spirit is 100% God, but they all form one God. In other words 1+1+1=1. We know that God is a Trinity from Scripture.

In Scripture, God says: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the na-

tions, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the

Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19. In the Book of Genesis, it says: “Then

God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness . . .’” Gen 1:26. Notice, it says “let us,” not “let me.” God is more than one person.

Yet, how do we prove to an atheist that there is a God? If they do not believe in Scripture as being the Inspired Word of God, can a person know that God exists? Yes! Thomas Aquinas gave five proofs of God’s existence. Let’s look at three of the five —

1. FIRST MOVER: Some things are in motion, anything moved is moved by another, and there can’t be an infinite series of movers. So there must be a first mover (a mover that isn’t itself moved by another). This is God. In other words, something has to have been always in existence to cause things to move.

2. FIRST CAUSE: Some things are caused, anything caused is caused by another, and there can’t be an infinite series of causes. So there must be a first cause (a cause that isn’t itself caused by another). This is God.

3. NECESSARY BEING: Every contingent being at some time fails to exist. So, if everything were contingent, then at some time there would have been nothing — and so there would be nothing now — which is clearly false. So not everything is contingent. So there is a necessary being. This is God. In other words, in order for something to exist, there had to be something that caused it to exist.

Frank Sheet explains it this way: “We ourselves exist, but we would not

have existed if a man and a woman had not met and mated. The same

mark can be found upon everything. A particular valley exists because

a stream of water took that way down, perhaps because the ice melted

up there. If the melting ice had not been there, there would have been

no valley. And so with all the things of our experience. They exist, but

they would not have existed if some other thing had not been what it

was or done what it did.” I hear so many times: “He is an atheist because he is a scientist, and there is no proof of God in science.” Well, you can’t prove how the world came into being without the existence of something that always existed that could have made the world we see come into existence! Whether or not there was a “Big Bang” that led to the eventual world as we see it come into existence, the question is who started the Big Bang. A bang cannot come out of nowhere. Something would have caused it to happen. Interestingly enough, the scientist credited in the 1930’s with what came to be known as the “Big Bang Theory” was Georges Le-maitre, a Belgian physicist and a Roman Catholic priest. A sign hung in Albert Einstein’s office that read: “Not everything that can be counted counts; not everything that counts can be counted.” Science is not con-tradicted by God. There are things in science that cannot be explained without the belief in an omnipotent God.

In Christ, Fr. Larry

THIS MONTH’S APOLOGETICS CLASS will take place on Tues-day, May 24, at 7:00 PM in the Friendship Room. Deacon Al Graham will speak to us on “Mary Our Mother — The Rosary and Family Pray-er.” Please plan to join us for this class which will help us understand and be able to defend and explain our Catholic faith to others.

LORETTA & MARY’S PANTRY will be holding a food distr ibu-tion this coming Saturday, May 28, 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Donations of any non-perishable food items may be left at any entrance of the church or dropped off at the parish office.

POT LUCK DINNER IN HONOR OF FR. LARRY’S 10th

ANNIVERSARY AS A PRIEST: On May 27, Fr. Larry will be celebrating his 10th anniversary as a priest, and in honor of the occasion, we will have a Pot Luck Dinner in the Friendship Room following the 5:00 PM Mass on Saturday, May 28. All parishioners and their families are invited to attend the 5:00 PM Mass and join us downstairs in the Friendship Room afterwards. We ask that you

please bring a covered dish to share and join us as we celebrate Fr. Larry and show our appreciation for all the wonderful things he has done, and continues to do, for each of us and for our entire parish community!

THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI is next Sunday, May 29. Since the Middle Ages people wanted a joyful day to celebrate Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist, and so was born the custom of the Cor-pus Christi (Body of Christ) procession. After the 11:30 AM Mass next Sunday, Sacred Heart will have a Corpus Christi procession through the center of the town of La Plata, culminating with Adora-tion and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament here at the Church. Please plan to join us as we celebrate as a parish community Jesus’ great gift of the Eucharist.

MAY 22, 2016�

SUPPORT ARCHBISHOP NEALE SCHOOL: ANS provides a quality education with special emphasis on faith foundation and Chris-tian values. AdvancED, the school offers a wide variety of extracurric-ular and sports activities, daily 4-year-old Pre-K, and full-day Kinder-garten, and an After-Care Program with homework supervision. Tui-tion assistance is available. Please contact the school at 301-934-9595 for additional information or a campus tour.

COMMUNITY CATHOLIC

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS

PLEASE DONATE! In order to help pay for the cost of our tr ip to Steubenville, the CCYM youth will be selling discount cards. For $20 you will receive a year’s supply of discounts from 18 local busi-nesses such as Pizza Hotline, Hunan Star, Foster’s Grille, Great Clips, and more! Please consider purchasing a card. Contact Anna Albrittain for more information.

CORNERSTONE CLUB AND UPPER ROOM RENOVA-

TIONS: All high school students are invited to join us on Fr i-days from 7:00 to 11:00 PM for Cornerstone Club, located at the “Upper Room” (106 Port Tobacco Road, La Plata). In addition, we are planning some much-needed renovations and updates at the Up-per Room. Donations of needed items or financial gifts will be glad-ly accepted. New carpeting or tile is also desperately needed in several of the rooms. If you are able to help us out or have questions about how you can help, please call Anna Albrittain (240) 412-4532.

Check out www.ccymcharlescounty.wix.com/ccym for announcements, forms, pictures and more! Follow us on Instagram @ ccymcharlescounty. Don’t forget to register for Community Catholic Youth Ministry on Sacred Heart’s Flocknotes. To respond for any event or if you have questions, or want to be added to the CCYM email list, send an email to ccym.coordinator@gmail.com or call/text Ms. Albrittain at 240-412-4532.

FOR A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME, BRING

THE WORLD TO YOU! Seeking local families to host a high school aged Spanish student this summer (June 27—July 25) and/or a high school aged French student (July 8-27). Students come with their own spending money, health insurance, and a desire to participate in our American culture. The students speak English, but are looking to improve. Please call the local coordinator, Monique Graham at 301-542-3090 or email her at cciforeignexchange@live.com for more infor-mation. Other CCI programs: Outbound program (American students studying abroad), AYP program (host a student for an academic school year). Visit www.cci-exchange.org for more information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PROJECT GRADUATION

2016: Project Graduation is celebrating its 31st anniversary this

June 2, 3, and 4. This annual event provides all Charles County

Graduating Seniors with a FUN and FREE party to celebrate their

milestone. This is a substance-free party with food, beverages, ar-

cade games, music, door prizes, gifts and photos. Volunteers are

needed to help chaperone for a 2 or 4 hour shift on one of those

nights. You don’t need to be a parent, just an adult who cares about

our young graduates. Our entire community benefits as there have

been ZERO highway fatalities of any senior coming home from this

big event! That makes our roads safer for all of us. Please send a

tax-deductible donation to Charles County Citizens for Substance

Free Youth (memo Project Graduation), P O Box 338, La Plata, MD

20646. Call John Hayden at 301-934-9047 to sign up to volunteer.

PARISH CEMETERY: Thank you to all who keep Sacred Heart Cemetery beautiful. Parishioners and friends of Sacred Heart Church donate gifts of time and treasure to maintain this sacred ground. We invite all who visit here to help us. Please clear away dead flowers and all trash. Our landscape crew will mow the grass, but those who visit are invited to maintain the monuments on their loved ones’ gravesites. Artificial flowers, solar lights and other decorations are permitted, but must be placed on the graveside so as not to impede the grass mowing equipment. Please report any improper activity to the Parish Office. Please report any illegal activity to the La Plata Police. Please continue to pray with us for the Souls of the Faithful Departed that they may rest in the Peace of Christ until the Great Day of Resurrection.

FAITH FOUNDATIONS: Would you like to know more about the faith we profess in a God who loves you beyond all telling? Have you ever felt at a loss to describe the mysteries of our faith? Faith Foundations, adult formation courses for the Archdiocese of Washington, provide you with the opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ and his Church. If you don’t think you have the time to attend meetings, the courses are available online. If you would like to enjoy the company of others as you explore the riches of our faith, then the in-parish course option is for you. To learn more or to sign-up for these programs, visit the Archdiocese of Washington Adult Formation page at www.adw.org/adult-faith-formation.

PREGNANT? NEED HELP? CALL 202-526-BABY or 201

-441-1472 for the Birthing & Care Program for prenatal care and assistance.

Start your summer with our 100% Catholic Vacation Bible School! Sacred Heart will host VBS at Archbishop Neale School from June 20—24, 8:45—11:45 AM. Kids will be in-spired to set goals and aim for excellence in their Catholic faith during this Olympic-themed weeklong camp. Each day the kids will enjoy Bible stories, stories of the saints, snacks, games, crafts and much more. Please email Crista (cfawls@me.com) by June 10 to register your child and start your summer out right!

GARDEN TOURS AT THE HISTORIC FRANCISCAN

MONASTERY: Get an insider ’s tour of one of Washing-ton’s “hidden gems”: the gardens at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land. Learn about the plants, architecture, history and shrines. Free tours every Saturday, 11:00 AM and Noon, are led by guides from the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild. Meet at the Visitor Center, 1400 Quincy St., NE, Washington, DC; myfranciscan.org and fmgg.org, 202-526-6800.