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Sunday, September 7, 2008
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, ST. PETER CLAVER

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, WEEKDAY

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, WEEKDAY

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, HOLY NAME OF MARY

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP, DOCTOR

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, EXALTATION OF THE CROSS

It’s the Year of St. Paul … and in answer to last week’s question — It was St. Anthony of Padua who compared St. Paul to a rhinoceros. The following is from his homily aides for the Second Sunday after Easter: “Pergamus (‘dividing the horns’ or ‘cutting the valley’) is skill in speaking from what one has learned, which divides the horns of the proud, and cuts the valley of the carnal. The Lord says through the Prophet: ‘I will break all the horns of sinners.’ (Ps 74:11); and in Job: ‘Canst thou bind the rhinoceros with thy thong to plough, or will he break the clods of the valleys after thee?’ (Job 39:10) — The rhinoceros, an animal with a sharp horn on its nose, resembles St. Paul, who, though he breathed threats and slaughter when he went to Damascus, was bound by the thong of divine power, and set to plough (that is, to preach). So the Lord said to Ananias: ‘This man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.’ (Acts 9:15)”

CCD classes begin Sunday, September 14^th!

Registration will continue this Sunday, September 7^th, after all Sunday Masses (only). Registration will be held in the School Hall. For more information, please call Parish DRE, Betsy Nunn at 703-836-1356.

Praise & honor to the Most Holy Name of Mary!

Parish Financial Update Regular collection … August 30-31, $11,947 Additional R&R donations … $914 Miscellaneous donations are received each week, but are not included in these totals. Cascia Account (for the needy) … $98.61

It’s time to picnic and have some fun!

TODAY — Sunday, September 7^th
from 4-7 PM at Ft. Ward Park—

Need directions?

See the goldenrod sheets found in each vestibule,
or check out the flyer on each bulletin board.

Proclaiming the Word of God: Have you ever considered becoming a lector to help proclaim the Word of God at Sunday and Holy Day Masses, and other special occasions? This is an important lay ministry, one worth considering. Take some time to think and pray about your decision, and if you’d like to volunteer, or just know more about this work, please call the Rectory Office at 703-836-1640, ext. 10, or the Lector Coordinator, Steve Dixon at 703-836-3538. God will reward you.

Bible Study Series to begin: Father Horkan’s Bible Study Series will begin next Sunday, September 14^th at 7:30 PM in the Parish Center Reception Room. This series will continue through May 2009. Registration is not required. Flyers are available in each vestibule.

Young men in the 4^th grade or higher … who have received their First Communion and are interested in becoming altar boys should call Mr. McKeague at 703-768-1474, or email mckeague6@cox.net. Call soon as training begins this month!

Wednesday, September 17th is Back-to-School Night, beginning at 7:00 PM. Please keep our teachers and students in your prayers. May God bless them & Mary keep them.

News from the Office of Religious Education: Our Catechists enjoyed an in-service training and Pot Luck Dinner on Sunday, August 31^st. — A second in-service training is scheduled for this Sunday, September 7^th at 9:45 AM. School Principal, Mary Pat Schlickenmaier will share information on New Technology in the Classrooms. — Catechetical Sunday is scheduled for September 21^st, with our Catechists being commissioned during the 8:30 Mass. Please keep our CCD teachers and students in your prayers. PAX 

On Monday, September 8th, we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Looking for the perfect gift? How about spending some time with our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. True devotion to Mary always leads to her Son.

Meeting With The Stars!

“St. Rita STARS” is a newly formed parish group for all adults around the age of 50 or older. The STARS will do it all: Social, Travel, Adventure, Religion & Service. Our planned events will be great opportunities to make new friends and renew old acquaintances. To find out more about STARS, plan to attend our first event on Thursday, September 11^th at 7:30 PM in the Parish Center. Guest speakers will discuss their recollections of this tragic day in our history and how its impact has forever changed the way we live our lives. During the evening, you will be able to meet other members and receive a copy of STARS upcoming events. See this week’s bulletin insert for more information.

Our Respect Life Mass for September will be celebrated on Saturday, September 27^th at 8:00 AM. The Rosary will follow at approx. 9 AM at the Duke Street abortion facility. The Mass intention is for the conversion of Catholic politicians who favor legalized abortion. — Pray as well for those Catholic politicians who either intentionally, or through ignorance, distort the teachings of the Church regarding Respect Life issues, especially abortion.

Marriage Jubilee Mass: Couples celebrating either their Silver (1983) or Golden (1958) Wedding Anniversaries are welcome to call the Rectory Office to register for the 2008 Marriage Jubilee Mass to be celebrated on Sunday, October 26^th at 2:30 PM at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. The Rectory Office must submit all registrations to the Diocese by October 3^rd. If interested, please call Joanne at 703-836-1640, ext. 10.

News from Elsewhere

The Office for Family Life and Catholic Charities will host a conference entitled, “Pregnancy Loss, Sexual Trauma and Unresolved Grief” on Wednesday, September 24^th at Top of the Town in Arlington, VA. Licensed Professionals are eligible to receive 6.5 Continuing Education Credits. Theresa Burke, Ph.D., and Kevin Burke, L.S.W., founders of Rachel’s Vineyard Healing Retreats and Ministries will be the keynote speakers. For more information or to register for this seminar, please call 703-841-2504 or email projectrachel@arlingtondiocese.org. On-line registration brochures can be found at www.arlingtondiocese.org/rachel.

Is your marriage in trouble? Retrouvaille can help; they have a 75% success rate. Please call 703-351-7211 or visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com. All calls are confidential.

Presentation on the Marriage Nullity Process in the Diocese of Arlington: The next presentation is scheduled for September 25^th at St. Luke Parish in McLean. Call Joyce Wagner at 703-841-2502 for details and to register. Handout count requires pre-registration.

THE GIFT OF COUNSEL

A good parent sets clear rules for children and keeps order, but also allows the children as they grow to make choices and be in charge of some things themselves, for growing involves making difficult decisions. Likewise, good teachers gives students the information and principles of a subject, but also call for them creatively to apply that knowledge in situations where the answer is not obvious. In addition, in order to develop a spirit of charity and openness to the goodness of others, parents, teachers, coaches and the like also encourage teamwork that people may arrive at solutions together. Likewise, our Father and Christ the Teacher set forth certain clear rules, such as the Ten Commandments. See, e.g., Duet. 5:6-21; Matt. 5:17-20; Mark 10:19-20. But God also calls for us to apply divine principles in situations where the answer in not obvious, and to sense the wisdom of other people, especially within the Church, that we may grow together in charity. See, e.g., Matt. 10:16. The gift of counsel guides us to apply Christian principles in such situations and recognize the wisdom of others.

Thus, in the early Church, Christian community responded to the outpouring of the Spirit by speaking in the Spirit and recognizing the fulfillment of ancient prophesies, always acting together and accepting Peter’s leadership. See Acts 2:1-41. They lived in harmony, composing prayers and acting with such creative goodness that the people recognized the Spirit at work. See Acts 2:42-3:10. St. Paul praises the early Christians for being enriched by the Spirit in speech, knowledge and the ability to witness to Christ, telling them that they are being prepared to judge the world. See 1 Cor. 1:4-7, 6:3. But he also criticizes them for being so filled with their own plans and expectations that they formed factions to advance their ideas; and he instructs them to be united within the Church even if that involves putting their own interests aside. See 1 Cor. 1:10-17, 2:1-4, 6:1-8. Likewise, St. Peter speaks of the glory of all Christians as a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of [God’s] own” and says that each of us should be ready with a defense of our faith. See 1 Pet. 2:9, 3:13. But he also reminds us of the importance of acting within the Church and respecting proper authority. See 1 Pet. 5:5-6.

On the natural level, prudence allows one to make good decisions in ambiguous situations and recognize the rightful authority and wisdom of others. However, there is a greater level we are called to, a level of thinking in the Spirit, which often contradicts human wisdom. See, e.g., 1 Cor. 2:6-16. The gift of counsel enables us to make decisions in that wisdom, judging as God does, not as man does, and to recognize the Spirit working in others, whether authorities or people who are seemingly simple. See, e.g., Luke 10:21, 18:17. We see this gift at work in the lives of saints, as they have joined or formed religious orders, explained the faith well, and responded to needs by creating such things as schools, missions and lay groups. But also in our daily lives, we are called to live out this gift of counsel to make decisions, ranging from regular questions such as what to say to someone to greater matters such as deciding whether to commit to a project to life choices such as discerning a career or even more a vocation. If, through prayer, careful discernment, and openness to the wisdom of others, we are open to the Spirit, then individually and as a Church we will, like the faithful servants in the parables of the gold coins and the talents, be able to use our gifts well and train on earth for the inheritance God has prepared for us in His eternal kingdom.

— Father Horkan