May 14, 2023 - Celebrating Centennial Anniversary Death of Father Martin
As I announced in my column last week, here are ideas that emerged from a gathering last Sunday of 20 representatives of the Father Martin Society, pilgrims that had visited Father Martin's birthplace of Aire-sur-la-Lys at one or several pilgrimages in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2023:
SUNDAY AUGUST 6th, the exact date of the 100th anniversary of Father Martin's death, will be the signature event of our plan for multiple days of commemoration (e.g. from August 4 to August 8 and beyond) when we hope to host a delegation of the Archdiocese of Arras (Northern France) in Waldorf.
CREATION of two spiritual pieces to honor Father Martin's memory, a play based on his life and a musical tribute:
- Sandy McGraw, long -time member of the Father Martin Society Board of Directors and member of St Peter's Parish, will take the lead in developing a script with the help of a team, including youth, to produce it. Interested volunteers are welcomed!
- Henri Grunenwald , a noted composer and organist at Saint-Andre Church in Paris, will compose an Offertory Meditation for Organ and Soprano.
The "Father Martin" PLAY is expected to be...
Throughout the Old Testament God, in His great mercy, chose prophets to call His people back to Him. In recent times God is sending His Mother. One of the apparitions of the Mother of God in this century took place in 1917 at Fatima, a little village in Portugal. Our Lady came there to warn us of the harm we would inflict upon ourselves as a result of our sins: wars, famines, plagues, persecution of the Church and the loss of many souls in Hell. God, in His great mercy, wished to save us from these miseries through the Immaculate Heart of His Mother. Our Heavenly Mother revealed at Fatima a plan of hope for this world which continues to plunge headlong toward its own destruction.
Let us respond to Our Lady's messages by living God-centered lives and by fulfilling the requests of Our Lady of Fatima, the fulfillment of our daily duty and the keeping of God's Commandments, making the Five First Saturdays, wearing the Brown Scapular as a sign of our consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and praying the Holy Rosary every day!
EWTN, 2023
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sunday Readings
Reading 1: Acts:8:5-8, 14-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20
Reading 2: 1 Peter 3:15-18
Gospel: John 14:15-21
SAVE THE DATE!
We are celebrating the Feast day of Our Lady Help of Christians, Sunday, May 21. It is also the day our parish acknowledges those who have made their Sacraments this year, and the last day of CCD for the 2022/2023 school year.
The day will begin with Prayer in front of Our Lady at 11 am, leading to the Crowning of Mary. Please plan on attending along with the children who have made their Confirmation, First Communion, and the Marian Group in praying a decade of the Rosary. You are encouraged to bring flowers to place in front of the statue of our Blessed Mother.
The 11:30 Mass will be outdoors! We will have the tents set up for protection from the sun (Father assures us it will not rain that day!). Some chairs will be set up, you may want to bring your own to ensure a seat.
See you there!
If you need a ride, consider carpooling with friends and neighbors! Many people attend by themselves, and would enjoy taking a few people from the Parish. The person you sit next to in Mass may be going and would enjoy your company.
The next time you come to Mass, make a friend and give/get a ride!
If you haven’t paid your fees for the 2022-2023 year, please do so as soon as possible. Speak to Sister if there are any concerns.
To pay in person, please come to the office. To pay online, click below:
Please check your email for further detailed instructions.....
Questions, contact Sr Rosario sister@olhoc.org
Clases de Catesismo
Clases el 14/15 de mayo
Favor de revisar su correo electrónico para obtener instrucciones detalladas, un calendario completo de actividades, horario de clases y asignación de aula...
Spots still available for summer camp,
you don't want to miss this amazing week!
Please check your email and the link below for the most updated information.
Registration for 2023-2024 is open,
click below for details!
Weekly Events
To Join Virtually via Zoom, click below:
https://zoom.us/j/94165603422?pwd=dlg2TjV0QldwOXhKRFJrQi9kQWc5QT09
Meeting ID: 941 6560 3422
Passcode: 968853
https://zoom.us/j/94165603422?pwd=dlg2TjV0QldwOXhKRFJrQi9kQWc5QT09
Meeting ID: 941 6560 3422
Passcode: 968853
RCIA & CATHOLICISM FOR ADULTS
The rite of Christian initiation is designed for adults who seek to know about God and desire to enter the Christian faith. Please see Deacon Rich after Mass, or call the office.
The Heart of the Revival newsletter is the simplest way to stay connected to what the National Eucharistic Revival is all about.
CLICK BELOW & Sign up for dynamic weekly reflections, videos, and resources from trusted voices in every corner of the Church designed to help you enkindle, rekindle, and deepen a living relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.
CLICK BELOW & Sign up for dynamic weekly reflections, videos, and resources from trusted voices in every corner of the Church designed to help you enkindle, rekindle, and deepen a living relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Prayer Chain
Please prayerfully consider being part of the OLHOC Prayer Chain ministry.
Members pray for each other, parishioners, intentions, for the living and the deceased. Pray at your own convenience and use the prayer/prayers you wish.
For more info or to sign-up please e-mail Jeannie at office@olhoc.org
Prayers for the Faithful Departed
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
Parish Registration
If you are moving into our parish, welcome, we are so glad you are here!
Forms to register and more information are on our website: https://olhoc.com/parish-registration
If you are moving out of the parish, we have enjoyed you worshiping with us and hope you will come back and visit.
Please notify the office if you are moving out of the parish (301)645-7112
Update from the Maryland Catholic Conference:
We have been sifting through the bills that passed the General Assembly this year, and wanted to share some of the "wins" and "losses" with you from this year's advocacy.
WINS
- Funding for BOOST scholarships: Approved at $9 million plus an additional $2.5 million for security and nursing at BOOST schools. The application window is expected to open very soon.
- Human composting stopped (“natural organic reduction”): This process, which is against Catholic teaching, was stopped in the House (HB 1060)
- Physician assisted suicide stopped: No committee votes (SB 845/HB 933), but we expect this issue to return next year
- Economic justice: Creates an “express lane” to enroll eligible individuals in the Maryland Children’s Health Program and Maryland Medical Assistance (SB 26/HB 111), and permanently expands the Maryland earned income tax credit and child tax credit (SB 552/HB 547)
- Elder abuse prevention: Establishes the Task Force on Preventing and Countering Elder Abuse to study laws, policies and practices relating to elder abuse and other crimes committed against older adults (SB 0797/HB 1191)
- Environmental protection: Establishes the Local Land Trust Revolving Loan Program for the purchase of land for conservation purposes (Maryland the Beautiful Act) (SB 470/HB 631)
- Fair Wage Act passed: Expedites the implementation of the $15 minimum wage (SB 555/HB 549)
- Protection for children who are being trafficked: Alters the procedures that law enforcement officers/courts must follow when they have reason to believe that a detained child is a victim of sex trafficking (SB 0292/HB 0297)
- Public safety enhanced: Prohibits a person from knowingly wearing, carrying or transporting a firearm onto another person's property without permission; restrict firearms from within 100 ft. of a public accommodation (SB 0001)
LOSSES
- Abortion access was expanded: Several bills to expand abortion passed, including a referendum to be placed on the 2024 ballot seeking to enshrine abortion in the state constitution (SB 798/HB 705).
- The Conference will be providing resources prior to this referendum.
- Informing college students of Title IX Rights: A bill to ensure pregnant and parenting college students have easy access to their Title IX Rights did not move forward (HB 356)
- Medical care for immigrants: A bill to provide undocumented immigrants access to primary health care, reducing serious illness, did not pass (SB 365/HB 588)
- Restorative justice: A bill that would have established a restorative justice program in the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services did not pass (SB 27)
Thank you for being a voice for the preborn and the most vulnerable.
To learn more about why these bills please visit Maryland Right To Life.
To learn more about why these bills please visit Maryland Right To Life.
Assistance for Expectant Mothers and Families
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington provides housing, medical care and counseling to expectant mothers as well as direct assistance to families in need.
Pregnancy Resource Center in Waldorf
Catherine Foundation's mission is to help men and women make informed decisions regarding pregnancy, sexual health, and family. We strongly believe our services should be given out of love, with no judgement and provided to our clients confidentially and free of charge.
Project Rachel Ministry
Project Rachel continues to grow its local and regional ministries that encourage spiritual and emotional healing after abortion. Project Rachel offers reflection opportunities, support groups, and referrals to mental health counseling throughout the Archdiocese of Washington.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799 –SAFE (7233)
The Catholic Faith on Demand FREE, click below!
(thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies... )
Guadalupe Radio Network -WMET 1160 AM
Radio for the Soul
We are here to serve the Church and we endeavor to lead souls back to Jesus Christ through His holy Catholic Church, through the use of the powerful medium of radio.
The GRN now operates 39 radio stations and reaches a population of 24,000,000 potential listeners. We are the only Catholic radio organization establishing Catholic radio stations in both English and Spanish in the same markets.
Are you a lost sheep?
Flocknotes is an online tool we use to communicate with our parishioners. You can read Father Alain’s weekly column, find out Mass times, or any current events happening in our parish. The information is always up-to-date.
Flocknotes comes directly to your email inbox by Friday. Never miss any more news at OLHOC! If you know someone who is not receiving Flocknote please let them know how they can sign up.
Conoces alguien que no recibe los auncios de la parroquia?
Para manternese informado de los horarios de Misa y otros eventos, los invitamos a registrarse a un sistema gratuito de mensajes de texto
Anointing of the Sick, Questions for the Clergy
Clergy is available for calls to the sick—with all precautions observed. Urgent confessions can be said with a home visit. If you have a question for clergy, you can leave a message by phone (301-645-7112) or email (office@olhoc.org) for Fr. Alain or Fr. Jan
Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church
100 Village St
Waldorf, Maryland 20602
301-645-7112