A Reflection on Today's Gospel
Jesus Among the Doctors by Paolo Veronese, 1558
Spreading freedom and hope
What impressed the people the most about Jesus' teaching in today's Gospel was the way in which he spoke. The words that came out of his mouth were "gracious" and without condemnation. Jesus delivered his words with a sense of hope and we must too. Words are so powerful. When they tumble out of our mouths, they have energy and power to either encourage or to humiliate others.
Our words can either build up or destroy the body of Christ. God desires that we think before we speak by offering what Jesus offered to us - grace, mercy, and love. A willingness to step outside of our comfort zones to encourage others is a start. Once there, we'll be empowered by God's grace to speak freedom and hope to those who may be bound by attachments, gripped by spiritual darkness or imprisoned by past hurts.
How will you respond to this call?
-Lori Stanley is the Executive Director of Loyola Institute for Spirituality in Orange, CA
Father Tony and CCM Students
are Safe!
Puerto Rico experienced several earthquakes this week while Father Tony and CCM were there on a mission trip. Thankfully, they are safe and will return on schedule. Deo gratias!
Economic Justice
presented by Paul Amhrhein
January 26 | 12:15pm
Parish Hall
Lunch and Nursery Provided
About Paul:
After receiving a degree in forest resource management I entered the Peace Corps and served in Niger, West Africa where I developed a deep love for the people of Africa and had a conversion experience. I continued to steward God’s creation in my work including a return to Africa to begin a forestry project in the refugee camps of Somalia after which I became a Franciscan brother for 6 years. Shortly after leaving the Franciscans I finished my Master’s degree in environmental policy (essentially economics) with an emphasis on “third world development.” In the mid 90’s I began a career working for the church as associate director of parish social ministry for the diocese of Wilmington. I then joined a former Franciscan classmate working at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Raleigh as the social concerns minster until taking my current position at St. Bridget, in Richmond. I also volunteer as a member of the faculty for the RUAH School of Spiritual Direction at Richmond Hill.
My passions are advocacy, camping with my family, Catholic Social Teaching, organic gardening, hiking, spiritual direction and wineJ
Bicentennial Mass
The jubilee year commemorating the bicentennial of the Diocese of Richmond (1820-2020) will begin on January 18-19. That weekend, all parishes will celebrate Masses for the Particular (local) Church, with special readings and prayers, in place of the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. These diocesan-wide Masses will inaugurate the bicentennial year; commemorate the arrival of the Right Reverend Patrick Kelly, the first bishop of Richmond; and recognize the Catholic presence in the Eastern Vicariate of the diocese. More information about this and all of the bicentennial events is available at 2020.richmonddiocese.org
Catholic Diocese of Richmond Bicentennial Book for Sale
Shine Like Stars is a book celebrating of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Richmond Diocese. It contains extensive and fascinating information about the history of our Diocese, as well as each and every Parish church within it - all written by our very own Rector, Father Tony Marques! There are also many pockets inside the book containing beautiful postcards, holy cards, and more. Shine Like Stars is now available in our Cathedral Gift Shop for $50.
All Gift Shop proceeds will benefit Cathedral ministries.
Bible Study Begins
NEXT WEEK
Help Needed for Cathedral's New Ministry
Cathedral is participating with CARITAS in preparing lunches every third Friday of the month. Volunteers are needed to bring lunch supplies, help assemble the lunches, and deliver lunches to The Healing Place. As little or as much help that you can provide is greatly appreciated!
Friday, January 17 will be our next Lunch Assembly.
Click below to see what needs are available and to sign-up:
Community Sunday
January 19
Following the 9 and 11 O'clock Masses
Please join us for coffee, doughnuts, and fellowship following the 9 and 11 am Masses in the Parish Hall. See you there!
Special Concert to Benefit the
Pipe Organ Campaign
VCU Health Orchestra will perform on Friday, January 24th, at 7:30 pm
This is a free concert, open to all. Donations will taken for the pipe organ campaign. No tickets required.
This is a free concert, open to all. Donations will taken for the pipe organ campaign. No tickets required.
SAVE THE DATE!!!
We are in need of volunteers to be extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and altar servers. If you are willing and able to serve, please contact the parish office. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of these important ministries!
Next Wednesday Mass
The 7:00 pm Wednesday Mass, followed by confessions, will resume with the return of students on January 15.
Thank you for all of your support to provide meals for those RCIA members seeking to join the Catholic Church. The RCIA program relys on the generosity of cathedral parishioners for meals on their Tuesday night sessions.
Please consider supporting this ministry by bringing dinner on January 21, February 11, or February 25.
Email Maria Thorsen at: mthorsen@richmondcathedral.org
Provide a meal for RCIA
First Penance and First Holy Communion
Sacramental Preparation for First Penance and First Holy Communion takes place in Second Grade and includes formation classes for the children and parents. Children who are beyond second grade who have not received their First Holy Communion are welcome and encouraged to attend these classes.
All classes begin with a Pot-Luck Family Lunch at 12:00pm in the Parish Hall. Our first class is Sunday, February 16th at noon in the Parish Hall. Need to register? Contact: Joy Weir jweir@richmondcathedral.org or download form from www.richmondcathedral.org
Money Counters Needed
Money counters are responsible for counting weekly collections and preparing the envelopes for permanent records. There are three teams who rotate by the month. We are in need of some volunteers for the January, April, July, and October team. If you are interested, please contact Tiffany Baham at tbaham@richmondcathedral.org
Pastoral Council
The parish pastoral council will meet on Thursday, February 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the parish office. According to the Code of Canon Law, members of the pastoral council “assist in fostering pastoral activity” within the community by means of consultation with the pastor (or in the case of a cathedral, the rector) (canon 536 §1).
Please visit the Cathedral website to review the Adult Faith Formation programs for 2019-2020
www.richmondcathedral.org
Come Home to Catholic Education - Admissions Deadline Coming Up!
St. Benedict - RVA's oldest parochial school - is now enrolling students in grades JK-8 for the 2020-2021 academic year. Come and learn about our challenging classical curriculum, our beautifully diverse school, our well-prepared graduates, and our warm, family-like community! At St. Benedict, learning together, playing together and praying together is a normal school day for our students. As a small-school community, with one class per grade, your child is known, loved and supported academically and spiritually throughout their journey. Come home to Catholic education - - call us today to explore how! JK & K screenings are taking place in January and our Admissions deadline is January 27th for first-round acceptance. Register for a tour or upcoming screening on our website at www.saintbenedictschool.org or call us at 254-8850. St. Benedict Catholic School is centrally located in the Museum District and has been nurturing a love of God, a love of service and a love of learning since 1919.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
to the Sick and Homebound
This is a wonderful ministry whereby you will meet some of the nicest and most grateful people imaginable. The time commitment is minimal and the reward is everlasting!
If you can commit to spending a few moments once a month, taking the Eucharist to those who would otherwise not receive it, contact the Eucharistic Minister Coordinator.
If you can commit to spending a few moments once a month, taking the Eucharist to those who would otherwise not receive it, contact the Eucharistic Minister Coordinator.
John Aune
jraune@outlook.com | (217) 649-5566
Updated Weekend Bulletin
Give with Vanco
You can give:
• online through QR code or visit
www.richmondcathedral.org/give/
• through Mobile App by downloading the
‘GivePlus Church’
• or by texting the amount you wish to give to 804-315-0903. You will have to enter your credit card or bank account number the first time you give. For more information please call the church office 804-212-3898
Parking Voucher
The parking vouchers for the VCU Decks have been updated. Please use this QR code to vacate the decks and avoid paying for parking.
Bulletin Update!
Please check out our weekly bulletin for more in-depth information regarding events at your Cathedral!
Bulletin Update
More events and information found here:
Wednesday, August 15, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Please join us for a Solemn Mass at 12:00 Noon with special music sung by the Cathedral Schola Cantorum or a sung Mass at 6:00p.
"When speaking of families, often the image of a treasure comes to my mind.
Today's rhythm of life, stress, pressure at work, and also the little attention paid by institutions, could put them in danger.
It's not enough to talk about their importance: it's necessary to promote concrete means and to develop their role in society with a good family policy.
Today's rhythm of life, stress, pressure at work, and also the little attention paid by institutions, could put them in danger.
It's not enough to talk about their importance: it's necessary to promote concrete means and to develop their role in society with a good family policy.
Together, let us ask Jesus that any far-reaching decisions of economists and politicians may protect the family as one of the treasures of humanity."
-Pope Francis
HOLY SMOKES!
PREK-Middle School Open House
Sunday, Sept. 9 | 10:00 - 11:00 am
Join us in our new church offices on the first floor to learn about our wonderful year of children’s formation and middle school youth group. You will get a chance to meet your child’s catechist or group leader. Coming from the church, go past the bathrooms through the hall and two sets of doors to reach the new office. Coming from the street, you can enter directly through the double doors at 823 S. Cathedral Place.
High School and Confirmation Open House
Sunday, September 9 |12:00-1:00pm
Join us in our new church offices on the first floor to learn about our high school youth group meetings and the chance for service hours. If you are in your sophmore year or older and would like information on the Sacrament of Confirmation, please attend this open house. Coming from the church, go past the bathrooms through the hall and two sets of doors to reach the new office. Coming from the street, you can enter directly through the double doors at 823 S. Cathedral Place.
Bible Timeline: A Story of Salvation History
*Now Mondays* 7:00p - 8:30p | Parish Hall (New Location)
Dates: September 17th, September 24th, and October 1st
“To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; to seek Him, the greatest adventure…” St. Augustine. The Bible Timeline is a Catholic approach to Scripture that invites us into a transformative encounter with Jesus Christ.
Everyone is invited. Please attend and bring a friend!
Please note temporary change of location:
The Nursery will be located in the large classroom on the lower level for about 4 weeks. All nursery supplies have been stored as the rooms are cleaned and painted, so we are asking that you bring a bag of toys that the children can share each week. Please have diapers available, if needed.
If you have any questions please email:
Women's Book Group
Fridays at 10am | Parish Hall
Sept 28, Oct 5, Oct 12, and Oct 19
“Through her unique gift for
storytelling, combined with profound
spiritual insight, Sr. Bridget
Haase's Doors to the Sacred will invite
readers to open the door to the room of
daily experience, stand under its
ceiling of providence, walk the floors of
faith, and explore its nooks and
crannies of divine surprises and
disguises. By so doing, they will
discover that each event of life is holy,
saturated with God, and filled with
hope.” – Paraclete Press
