May 5, 2019
MASS SCHEDULE
St. Catherine: Saturday – 4:00pm (Vigil), Sunday - 10:30am
St. Ignatius: Sunday - 8:30am
Monday – Friday - 6:30am at St. Catherine Church
with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 7:00am to 8:00am
Confessions: St. Catherine: Saturday-3:00-3:45pm
St. Ignatius: Sunday 7:45am to 8:15am
Catholic Community of
St. Catherine of Alexandria &
St. Ignatius of Loyola
www.STCATHERINEMD.org www.STIGNATIUSMD.org
Office and Pastoral Staff
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 278
Port Tobacco, MD 20677
Phone: 301-934-9630
Fax: 301-934-8620
Emergency: 202-251-0199
Pastor
Rev. Kenneth J. Gill [email protected]
Administrative Assistant
M-W-F 10:00am – 3:00pm
Linda Harrigan
Bookkeeper
Theresa Wegand
St. John Paul II
Faith Formation Program
Director
Bill Wannall 301-934-2261 ext. 107
Youth Ministry
Anna Albrittain
301-934-2261 ext. 105
Archbishop Neale School Principal
Linda Bourne
301-934-9595
archbishopnealeschool.org
Catholic Counselor
Rebecca Mullan
301-927-6684 x13
Winnie Fox, Benjamin Stolzfus, Barbara McCarthy, Julie Jameson-Thomas, Robert Ansell, Robin Proctor, Madonna Parent, Sarah Smith, Peyton Greer, Daniel Jameson, Sissy Cooper, Rita Brauner, Craig Doshen, Kari Richey, Joe Cooper, Albert Heard, Becki Dement, Irene Proctor, Aubrey Proctor, Robert Altiero, Jennifer Hancock, Jean Carter, Shane Jackson, Michael DeLane, Dawn Walters, Brenda Greer, Raymond DiGiovanni, Henry Jamison, Hailey Sellers, Linda Welch, Vincent Jamieson, Glen Palmer, Sr, Baby Hayden, Clarke Hettel, Jean Ambrose, Janet Jordan, Agnes Neal, DeAngelo Ball, Ralph Stancil, Carina Gibbs, Kayla Kiley, John Shifflett, William Spriggs, Betty Wood, Xenia Hernandez, Steve Pavlot, Joe Raub, Logan Willey, Ray Delwiche, Robert Cecil, Lisa Tuono, Debbie Hancock
Please keep in your prayers those with long term illnesses and their caregivers.
To have names added to or removed from the prayer list or if you need a priest at the hospital, nursing home or assisted living facility, call 301/934-9630. Please leave your name/phone #, person's name, facility and room #.
Sacrificial Giving
Weekend of April 21, 2019
Thank you for your generous support of our church & ministries.
St. Catherine
Offertory: $1,866
St. Ignatius
Offertory: $548
St. Catherine Parish Council Dottie Clements
Scott Farren
Lionel Gray
Sue Greer
Tracy Mattingly
Vickie Pickeral Gloria Riley
St. Catherine Finance Council Ruth Cooper
Kenny Fish
Marshall Garino
Bobby Mattingly
St. Ignatius Parish Council Aaron Cantu
Susan Collins
Mary Minichino
Keith Smoot
Connie Thompson
St. Ignatius Finance Council Kellie Burch
James Carter
Rob Collins
Julie Smoot
From the Desk of Father Ken,
“So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer
dishonor for the sake of the name” (Acts 5:41).
This past week I had a pleasant surprise when two of my cousins and their husbands came for
a visit from St. Louis. They had tickets to the Cardinals v. Nationals game on Thursday afternoon, so
they decided to spend a week vacation in our region. On Thursday they came for a visit here. I took
them on a tour of our two churches, gave them a brief history lesson of each and then we had a very
nice meal at The Blue Dog.
One thing we talked about was the number of Religious Freedom signs on the roadways in our
area (you don’t see them in St. Louis). I shared with them the story of oppression and struggles that
Catholic families lived with when the practice of our faith was suppressed by the government from
1700-1750. They were not aware that there was religious persecution against Catholics that was
authorized by the government and they were amazed by some of the stories of perseverance that
families endured including sending their children to Jesuit schools in France in order that they might
receive a Catholic education. Of course, we know now that some of these same children returned as
adults as Carmelite sisters, priests, and public servants.
In some circles in our country today anti-Catholic sentiment is stirring once again. For
example, some legislators in California want to remove the seal of privacy from the sacrament of
reconciliation. As hard as they may try, whether in California or here, there is one thing I can assure
you of, and that is most priests, yours truly included, would rather suffer dishonor and even jail
before we would ever break the sacred seal of confession, we would never dishonor Jesus in that way.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
GOSPEL MEDITATION – Third Sunday of Easter
"Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.'" Peter is a favorite apostle for many people. I wonder if it is because of his flawed, relatable humanity. Today's Gospel takes place after Jesus appears to the disciples and breathes the Holy Spirit upon them. And yet, Peter finds himself returning to his old way of life, to comfortable habits he formed long before following Jesus. Is something still lingering in him? Is something still lingering in us? Lent is over, and we should be rejoicing! But do you feel like you're still holding onto something? Or perhaps you had an excellent Lent. You encountered Jesus in a new way and grew in faith. But as the weeks since Easter have slipped by, some of your newfound devotion has begun to waver. The closeness you felt in your Lenten commitments has given way to humdrum status quo or turn-of-the-season busyness. “Simon, son of John, do you love me?'" Peter has endured so much in his walk of discipleship! But something is still weighing on him. In today's Gospel, Jesus confirms Peter's devotion three times, a redemption of his earlier threefold denial. The call of the Lord must come again, as if heard anew for the first time. So often, this is the pattern of the Christian life. We discover God and experience a new desire for our faith, but in time, our enthusiasm begins to wane. Perhaps something happens that startles us, or we startle ourselves by a poor decision. Then we discover God anew! Our joy returns...for a while. Even the Apostles were no strangers to the cyclical nature of spiritual growth. Our disappointments or frustrations should not be cause for giving up. Like Peter, we too can recommit and start anew. This Sunday and every day of our lives, Jesus is waiting to say again, "Follow me.”
Mass Intentions & Readings
Monday May 6 – Easter Weekday 6:30am Elaine Tinker Acts 6: 8-15 Jn 6: 22-29 Tuesday May 7 – Easter Weekday 6:30am Holy Souls in Purgatory Acts 7: 51, 8: 1a Jn 6: 30-35 Wednesday May 8 – Easter Weekday 6:30am “Bird” Howard Acts 8: 1b-8 Jn 6: 35-40 Thursday May 9 – Easter Weekday 6:30am Mary Smoot Acts 8: 26-40 Jn 6: 44-51 Friday May 10 – Easter Weekday 6:30am Holy Souls in Purgatory Acts 9: 1-20 Jn 6: 52-59 Sunday May 12 – Fourth Sunday of Easter 4:00 pm Loring Williams 8:30am Nunziata Sottile 10:30am People of the Community Acts 13: 14, 43-52 Rv 7: 9, 14b-17 Jn 10: 27-30
The Knights of Columbus a Catholic Men's Fraternal organization dedicated towards the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. If you are interested in joining, please contact WGK James Hojnowski at [email protected] or 301-861-6407 for more information.
Clothing Drive Announcement
The Knights have partnered with Turnkey Enterprises in order to collect clothing and fundraise. If you have any clothes you want to give away, please consider putting them in a bag into the storage shed outside the St. Catherine's Meeting Hall.
To Have Your News Item placed in the bulletin, please call
Linda Harrigan or send your article or text to
Linda Harrigan at: admin.stcatherine-
by Monday 12:00 Noon for the following Sunday’s bulletin.
Public Notary Available
Did you know that our Administrative Assistant, Linda Harrigan is also a
Public Notary?
If you need a notary, you may see Linda Mon, Wed, Fri from 10:00am -
3:00pm.
Child Protection Policy
The Archdiocese has mandated a policy for all volunteers to complete the process of getting certified to volunteer where you come in contact with children. Your first step is to register for an account on VIRTUS. www.virtusonline.org This is where all of your information is uploaded. Complete the volunteer application and bring it with you for your background check appointment.
ANS will be host the required “Protecting God’s Children” workshop on Monday, June 3rd at 6:30 pm in the school cafeteria. You can sign up for the workshop when you set up your VIRTUS account. At this workshop, you will receive the ADW Child Protection Policy Booklet and a certificate of attendance of the workshop.
Electronic background checks are by appointment at the Rectory. The cost is $18.50person and you need 2 forms of ID. One must be a photo ID, also a passport, Work ID, military ID or birth certificate. Please call the Rectory for more information.
Reminder: 2nd Collection Next Sunday for Catholic Relief Services
Installation Mass for Archbishop Wilton Gregory
Archbishop Designate – Archbishop of Washington
When: Tuesday May 21, 2019 Where: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 400 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. Time: 2:00pm (procession begins at 1:30pm)
Reception to meet our new Archbishop immediately following the installation Mass will also be at the Basilica.
All are welcome, there will be sections of seating open to
the public.
St. Ignatius Recycling Project
$345 was made for the months of Jan-April 2019. We can always use cans!
Please contact John Minichino for pick up. 301-643-3210 or 301-743-3514
Quo Vadis Camp – The Office of Priest Vocation annual Quo Vadis Camp for high school aged young men will be held at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary July 28-31, 2019. For four days, high school aged young men, who desire to grow in holiness, will have an opportunity for Mass, prayer and Eucharistic adoration, as well as time for fraternity, sports, and reflection. Bus transportation is available. More information is available and registration is open at www.DCpriest.org. Please contact the Office of Priest Vocations [email protected] or 202/636-9020 with any questions.
Night at the Races
It's time of year again for the annual Night at the Races sponsored by The Restorer's of Mount Carmel of Maryland.
The festivities will be in Sacred Heart Church Friendship Room, 201 St. Mary's Avenue, LaPlata, MD on Saturday, June 1; doors open at 5:30 pm. An All American Gourmet Buffet is 6:00-7:30 PM, followed by races and betting from 7:00-10:00 pm. Cos is $20.00 per person or $160 for a table of eight. Cash bar is available and there will be a 50/50 cash drawing. For another $20 you can purchase and name a horse (also choose what race and position). This is a real bargain; gas, food, clothes, everything is going up - but not at our Night at the Races.
Owner of winning horses win $100 plus what you win on betting. And what money is raised goes to help the Nuns at Mount Carmel. For making a dinner reservation and/or to purchase a horse, please call Sharon Vaughan at 301-934-2983. Thank you all and we look forward to seeing you June 1. And they are off!
Rice Bowl
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Rice Bowl Project. We raised $1,464.46.
Shelves of Hope Food Pantry
Food Items for May
Peaches, Mixed Fruit, Apple Sauce
(Cinnamon & Regular/Six Pack)
Pantry is open on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at 9:30am
Volunteers are welcome to help out
ALL POOR BOX DONATIONS SUPPORT OUR PANTRY
May 6 St. Catherine Hall A/C project begins
May 11 Community Picnic & Outing (Melwood)
May 11 Shelves of Hope Food Pantry
May 11-12 First Communion/Mother’s Day/Bake Sale
May 15 Confirmation (Sacred Heart) May 15 Caregivers Support Group
May 18 St. Catherine Finance Council Meeting
May 21 Archbishop Gregory Installation Mass
May 25 Shelves of Hope Food Pantry
May 29 A Grateful Plate
June 2 Feast of the Ascension
June 8 Shelves of Hope Food Pantry
June 14 Movie Night under the Stars
June 15 Priest Ordination (BNSIC – DC)
July 21 St. Ignatius 160th Anniversary Mass July 27 Shelves of Hope Food Pantry July 29 A Grateful Plate August 10 Shelves of Hope Food Pantry August 24 Shelves of Hope Food Pantry
Calendar
St. Catherine Hall Closed
Please note that St. Catherine Hall will be closed between Monday May 6th – Friday May 24th for the Air Conditioning Replacement Project.
Thank you for your patience and support.
Mother’s Day Remembrance & Spiritual Bouquet Cards
Now Available
Mother’s Day ~ Sunday May 12th
If you would like to have your mother (living or deceased) remembered in Father’s intentions during the Mass, you may pick up a spiritual bouquet offering envelope on the credenza at the entrance to the Church. You may return it to the office or place it in the offertory basket next weekend.
Also, special Mother’s Day remembrance cards & envelopes are available in the parish office. See Linda for more details.
St. Ignatius 160th Anniversary
Wine Tasting
A special thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this event a huge success. Good food, good
wine and a good time had by all! We netted over $3,800!
Mother Theresa Vocation Society – Monthly Reflection
This month I was asked to write the reflection for May. For the benefit of those who do not receive the monthly reflection here it is.
Mary, Our Model for Persevering in the Truth “And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God” (Jn 19-21). These words from John’s Gospel to begin the month of May, a month dedicated to Mary, remind us of the fact that spiritual forces, good and evil, light and dark do exist. Mary experienced in her life the best and worst of these realities. In the Annunciation she experienced the light of the will of God for her life through the message of Gabriel. In fleeing to Egypt, she experienced what the innocent suffers when rulers fear for their power. On Calvary she stood at the Cross as the forces of darkness tried to kill the one who is Truth and Light and Love itself. On Easter she experienced the joy of the Resurrection of Her Son, the Light defeating the darkness forever. Mary’s witness is a testimony to the power of perseverance in living the truth, staying faithful to Jesus, no matter what the circumstances, no matter the cost. It is this perseverance to her vocation as a witness to the Truth, in the good times and bad, that has inspired millions of people throughout the centuries and given hope to those is darkness. As we express our love for Mary this month through prayers, songs, and devotions, let us pray for the grace that we too may persevere in living the truth so that our works as with Mary’s “may be clearly seen as done in God.” Sincerely in Christ, Rev. Ken Gill What is the Mother Theresa Vocation Society (MTVS)?
The Mother Teresa Vocation Society (MTVS) is a prayer apostolate that asks for your commitment to pray daily for vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life.
The MTVS was founded in 2004 through the Office of Priest Vocations of the Archdiocese of Washington following the beatification of Mother Teresa in 2003. The society is a prayer apostolate that promises a daily commitment to prayer for an increase in the response to God’s call and for the perseverance of priests, deacons and those in consecrated life.
It requires a daily commitment to prayer. There are no dues or meetings. The society offers Days of Reflections throughout the Archdiocese, Holy Hours for Vocations, and Holy Hours in anticipation of the ordinations to the diaconate and priesthood.
To register go to https://dcpriest.org/mtvs-registration or contact
Maris Moriarty in the Office of Priest Vocations at 202-636-9020.
Parish Spring Picnic & Outing
Saturday May 11 9:00am – 2:00pm
Free Event!
Melwood
Recreation Center
9035 Ironsides Rd,
Nanjemoy
Join us for a fun and relaxing day with family, friends, and neighbors.
Our day kicks-off with an outdoor Mass at 9:00am. The day continues with great BBQ
food with all the fixings’, outdoor and indoor games and activities for kids of all ages
and adults alike. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join us as we get ready
for summer and enjoy the fellowship that is the hallmark of our faith community.
All are welcome!
Growing in Faith – 3rd Sunday in Easter
From the Catechism – The progressive revelation of the resurrection
# 995 To be a witness to Christ is to be a "witness to his Resurrection," to "[have eaten and drunk] with him after he rose from the dead." Encounters with the risen Christ characterize the Christian hope of resurrection. We shall rise like Christ, with him, and through him.
#996 From the beginning, Christian faith in the resurrection has met with incomprehension and opposition. "On no point does the Christian faith encounter more opposition than on the resurrection of the body." It is very commonly accepted that the life of the human person continues in a spiritual fashion after death. But how can we believe that this body, so clearly mortal, could rise to everlasting life?
EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP – Third Sunday of Easter
I am struck by how Jesus addresses the disciples in the 21st chapter of John. They have been fishing all night, and when the dawn comes, Jesus asks, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" They hadn't caught a thing, so he tells them what to do to finally fill their nets. These children thought they knew best, but they couldn't get the job done until they listened to Jesus. Like a child who needs a parent, these early followers of Jesus were learning that real maturity of faith requires trusting in and listening to the Teacher. The stewardship way of life demands of us a certain maturity of discipleship. Just as a child is not yet ready to be a parent, an immature disciple may not yet be ready to sacrifice regardless of the cost or understand the true value of his generosity. So every day, we are challenged and called to respond, sometimes even with little cost to ourselves. But each step, no matter how small, brings with it growth. We are growing not only in maturity, but in the ability to trust in God and how to listen for the call as well. How mature are you in your faith? How much trust do you have in Jesus Christ? How often do you pause to listen to the instructions of your Teacher? The night is now over, and the dawn is upon you. Reflect on the visible fruit of your stewardship, and then listen for the words of Jesus. -Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS
From the writings of the Saints – St. John Chrysostom, Homily on St. John’s Gospel “Our Lord having made Peter declare his love, informs him of his future martyrdom; an intimation to us how we should love: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest. He reminds him of his former life, because, whereas in worldly matters a young man has powers, an old man none; in spiritual things, on the contrary, virtue is brighter, manliness stronger, in old age; age is no hindrance to grace. Peter had all along desired to share Christ’s dangers; so Christ tells him, Be of good cheer; I will fulfil thy desire in such a way, that what thou hast not suffered when young, thou shalt suffer when old: But when thou art old. Whence it appears, that he was then neither a young nor an old man, but in the prime of life.
Kids’ Corner
3rd Sunday in Easter Season
May 5, 2019
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WEEKLY FEATURE
Unlocking the Book of Revelation Dr. Michael Barber, host for Reasons for Faith Live on EWTN, is Professor of
Theology and Scripture at the Augustine Institute. In this exciting presentation, he reveals the deep treasures hidden
in the Apocalypse, demonstrating the practical implications for living in today's modern world. When is Jesus
coming? Listen and discover the surprising truth! Find this audio talk in the Scripture section of LISTEN.
BOOK OF THE MONTH
History of the Catholic Church The Catholic Church is the longest-enduring institution in the world. Beginning
with the first Christians and continuing in our present day, the Church has been planted in every nation on earth.
The Catholic Church claims Jesus Christ himself as her founder, and in spite of heresy from within and hostility
from without, she remains in the twenty-first century the steadfast guardian of belief in his Life, Death, and
Resurrection. The teachings and redemptive works of Jesus as told in the Gospels are expressed by the Church in
a coherent and consistent body of doctrine, the likes of which cannot be found in any other Christian body.
Find this book in READ in the Exploring the Catholic Faith section
OTHER NOTABLES
READ: Life is Worth Living Archbishop Fulton Sheen's renowned and inspiring television series, "Life Is Worth
Living", was watched by millions of viewers from all walks of life and every religious belief. This book contains
the full-length scripts of forty-four of those top-rated programs that drew thousands of letters weekly to Sheen from
his viewers in response to the advice and insights he gave on his shows. It is a book for everyone—of immediate
concern to all people seeking understanding, belief, and purpose in these troubled times.
