Gospel Reflection for Ascension of the Lord
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord celebrates and confirms God’s wondrous promise to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Jesus Christ. He has triumphed over death and we, through the gift of faith and Baptism, share in his Divine Life. Although we will experience the death of the body someday, God’s promise is that we too will rise and share with him in the everlasting glory of heaven.
In the Ascension, Jesus did not leave us to go far away only to observe us from a distance. The account given in the Acts of the Apostles states that Jesus was taken from their sight in a cloud. He “ascended” to the Father. [Acts 1: 9] We also hear the words of Mark’s Gospel: “they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.” [Mark 16:20] From this we know that while physical sight does not perceive him, he wonderfully remains with us as the work of salvation continues in his Church. In the Fifth Century, St. Augustine taught this truth in these words: “The Son of God, who did not leave heaven when he came to earth, did not leave earth when he returned to heaven.”
Our own human nature, which the Lord assumed completely, has been carried up to the very throne of God where he is now seated at the right hand of the Father. As Son of God and Son of Man, he has dominion over all creation. At the same time, Jesus remains present in the Church which is his Body, and we are members of that Body. The Lord is not distant from us. He remains with us, involved in our daily lives and struggles. He hears our prayers. He forgives our sins. He nourishes us constantly with himself in the Eucharist. Moreover, he continues to direct the work of salvation every day, giving his disciples the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The precious gift of faith allows us to have unwavering confidence that the Lord is with us. This is the same faith that impelled the Apostles and Martyrs to endure extreme persecution and suffering so that the Gospel could reach the ends of the earth. Although we do not see him with physical sight, we experience his love and power in many ways every day, especially in the Sacraments and prayer and works of charity.
We rejoice in the Ascension of the Lord. We rejoice because of his promise that we who remain in him will share in his glory with the Blessed Mother and all the Saints. We rejoice because we know that he remains very near to us even now. Although we do not see him, we experience his presence. We rejoice also because he has allowed us to share in the work of salvation. Because we are his disciples, our lives bear witness to God’s saving Love, and we have become instruments of his Love for the world.
If you cannot join us for the Sunday liturgies, please know that we will be praying for you. We encourage everyone to participate in the Masses offered online and on TV https://adw.org/live-streamed-masses-and-prayers/. Remember to pray for Spiritual Communion.
On May 18, 1968
Father Perkins was ordained
to the priesthood.
That's 53 years ago!
Congratulations, Father Perkins!
Please join us on Tuesday, May 18th for the Triumph of Mary Tour featuring a certified "exact full-size replica" of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The image will be in our church from 8:30am-12:00noon. There will be a brief presentation after the 8:30am Mass and time for veneration until noon. Come for a short visit or the whole morning. This special missionary image is associated with many miracles and healings. Join us in praying for an end to the pandemic and the conversion of our country.
THANKSGIVING NOTES
TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER
During the month of May please join us in offering prayer intentions or thanksgiving notes to our Blessed Mother. Following each Mass, parishioners will be invited to write down their prayer intentions and offer them to Our Lady along with notes of thanksgiving for her motherly love and intercession. The notes will be placed in a sealed box which will remain on our Blessed Mother’s altar in the church throughout the month of May. As children of Mary, let us approach Our Lady’s mantle of mercy and tenderness in unity as we offer her our hopes, our sorrows and our joy.
CURRENT SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil Mass - 5:00 pm in Church
Sunday Outdoor Mass - 9:30 am (rain or shine)*
Sunday Mass – 12 Noon (live-streamed) in Church
Weekday Masses are offered Monday thru Saturday at 8:30 am in Church
On Saturdays, Confessions are heard from 9:00 to 10:00 am.
*Outdoor option for 9:30 am Mass on Sundays – Fr. Robert will celebrate this Mass on the steps of the Church if weather permits. If it does not, he will move inside. You may come inside (Covid restrictions continue). Alternatively, you may remain outside in your car with engine off. Speakers will broadcast Mass (weather permitting). You are welcome to bring your blankets and chairs and sit on the grass. Eucharistic Ministers will distribute Communion outdoors. Ushers will take up a collection. To make a contactless, one-time donation to Holy Cross, visit the parish website (www.hcrosschurch.org) and click on “One-Time Donation.” The link will take you to a Faith Direct option where you can use your credit card and you do not have to enroll.
Eucharistic Adoration at Holy Cross
Every Friday from 3 to 6 pm in the main Church.
Come spend some time with Our Lord!
Poor Box – This week's Poor Box will benefit The Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County “Care For Kids”, which provides access to primary care for low-income, uninsured children living in Montgomery County. Funds raised will cover specialty, medical and dental care for these children. To learn more, visit their website, www.primarycarecoalition.org. Next week’s Poor Box will go to Catholic Charities Behavioral Mental Health Services (formerly Anchor Mental Health Services).
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Those being remembered in our Mothers Day Novena - May 17 (M), 8:30 am
Dr. Peter Francis Kratz, III - May 18 (T), 8:30 am
Rita Kratz - May 19 (W), 8:30 am
Maria Sun and Peter Choi - May 20 (Th), 8:30 am
Fr. Secondo Casarotto - May 21 (F), 8:30 pm
Diane Scheper - May 22 (Sat), 8:30 am
Herman August John Rehder, Jr. - May 22 (Sat), 5:00 pm
Families of Holy Cross - May 23 (Sun), 9:30 am
Edward Leonard (living) - May 23 (Sun), 12 Noon
To schedule a Mass intention, email parishsecretary@hcrosschurch.org or call the office at 301-942-1020.
The 2021
Annual Appeal
is still underway.
Please help
Holy Cross
reach our goal.
Please keep the sick and elderly of our parish in your prayers, especially…
Melinda Alde, Evelyn Articola, Marion Ballmann, Teresa Basso, Jerry Behnke, Albena Borisnova-Petkova, Molly Chantry, Michael Chettle, Joyce Choi, Tom Choi, Young Choi, Luis Alejandro Guevara Coello, Dorothy Conroy, Ray Dean, Barbara Desiderati, David Dikel, John Paul Durkin, Karen Dwyer, Joe Gagnon, Kathleen Gagnon, Demos Georganas, Myriam Gonzalez, Michael Gouzoulis, Susan Grisby, Eileen Haggart, Betty Harrison, Rudy Heglas, Carlos Hernandez, Evan Hilburn, Stephanie, Hipsley, Charlene Hubbard, Bo Hunt, Dan Johnson, Doris Johnson, Jamie Kaufmann, Mary Lee Leonard, Mary Dell Levandosky, Ray Mitchell, Palmer Jane McNeill, Markie Mlynarczyk, Richard Moellering, Jr., Nelson de Melo Dias Neto, Ellen Noland, Estelle Nguyen, William Nothwang, Sue Numrich, Silvia Pugliese, Dan Reinwall, Jessica Ringler, David Roberts, Alma Rusley, Nancy Rupertus, Rebecca Shepherd, Patricia Spodnik, David Skola, Patricia Tellish, and Philip Wright.
Please contact the Parish Secretary to add or remove someone’s name from our list.
Remember in Prayer those who have died.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen
Ways for you to continue your support of Holy Cross.
Donate by credit card via Faith Direct -
Visit our website: www.hcrosschurch.org. Click on One-Time Donation.
You may make a donation without enrolling in Faith Direct or,
if you are enrolled in Faith Direct, you can choose to not log in.
Enroll in e-giving at www.faithdirect.net or call 866-507-8757 (toll-free)
to use your bank account or credit card for recurring donations.
Use your bank's bill pay.
Drop off your contribution in the mail slot in the Rectory office door
Mail your offering to Holy Cross Church, PO Box 249, Garrett Park, MD 20896
Thank you!