December 21, 2014 - St. Peter`s Church

December 21, 2014 - St. Peter`s Church

A Catholic community
devoted to deep and
abiding friendship
with Jesus Christ
Established 1700
3320 St. Peter’s Drive
Waldorf Maryland 20601
301-843-8916
www.stpeterswaldorf.org
Mission Statement
Saint Peter’s Church is a Catholic community devoted to deep and abiding
friendship with Jesus Christ. We strive to build upon the legacy of faith entrusted
to us by the Catholic pioneers who courageously established Saint Peter’s – an
ethnically and economically diverse community unified through the power of
the Holy Spirit in the truth and love of Jesus Christ. Mindful of this legacy as well
as our need for ongoing conversion amidst new challenges, today, in our fourth
century, we seek friendship with Jesus through our commitments to:
• Understand and proclaim His saving truth revealed in the
Bible in union with the official teaching authority of the
Catholic Church.
• Worship joyfully His living presence in the sacraments,
especially the Eucharist.
• Recognize His face in those we are privileged to serve and
protect, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
• Welcome Him in each other through our fellowship and
unity amidst the rich diversity of our parish community.
• Encounter Him and the beauty of His creation by preserving
our parish as a peaceful and prayerful sanctuary.
• Hear His personal call to holiness and help families embrace it
in all vocations, especially to priesthood or consecrated life.
• Imitate His generous self-giving as a way of life that expresses
our gratitude to Him and our love for God and neighbor.
Mass Schedule/Misa
Monday - Saturday: 8:00 am
Saturday Vigil:
5:00 pm
Sunday:
8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, en Español 1:30 pm
Confession/Confesión
Wednesday:
Saturday:
7:00 pm
3:30 pm
www.stpeterswaldorf.org
Parish Office
Hours: M – F, 8:30 – 4:30
301-843-8916 Fax: 301-843-3163
St. Peter’s School 301-843-1955
Office for Christian Formation
301-843-9583
Rev. Cezary Kozubek
Parochial Vicar
Msgr. J. Wilfrid Parent
Pastor
Deacon Robert Martin
Tom Abell, Parish Facilities Manager
Alice Culbreth, Director of Christian Formation
Sr. Theresa Frere, IHM, Coordinator of Ministry
to the Sick and Homebound
Marianna Hamilton, Coordinator of Christian Formation
Alicia Moore, Parish Secretary
Msgr. Oliver McGready
Msgr. Andrew Cassin
Fran O’Neill, Parish Accountant
Retired
Pastor Emeritus
Cara Tiffin-Johnson, Music Director
J.R. West, Principal, St. Peter’s School
PARISH COUNCILS
PARISH COMMISSIONS
Worship
Parish Life & Service
Christian Formation
Many children in our parish will celebrate the Sacrament of
Reconciliation for the very first time at our Advent Penance Service
today at 4:00 p.m. We asked the families to give us a personal reflection
about how they are preparing for the joy and grace this sacrament
offers our community. Please consider joining us for this great occasion
of God's love for us, as we all prepare to enter the Christmas season
with our hearts open to the gift of the Incarnation!
Preparing to Receive the Sacrament of
Reconciliation for the First Time – A Second
Time- A Kamm Family Perspective
Becoming regular parishioners
of St. Peter’s Church after
returning home to the U.S. from
a three-year tour in Japan, has
provided our family with the
tools and experiences necessary
to enjoy a spiritual reawakening within one “holy,
catholic and apostolic Church.” Our children,
Mackenzie and Christopher Thomas, have
broadened that experience for themselves (and us)
further as students at St. Peter’s School. As a family,
we have assisted both children in their training and
spiritual preparations in order to be good stewards
of the forgiveness offered by our Lord Jesus Christ
through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
So, “what’s in it for me?” …some may ask. Allow
me to share.
Before I was able to be of
any assistance to my children,
it was imperative that I
prepared myself to truly be
(and deserve) to be in a
mentoring role. This required
me to re-educate myself with the importance (and
process) of the sacrament – lest I be asked a
question that I could not answer (or answer
incorrectly). This required a thorough, personal, and
spiritual self-inventory - the results of which were
rather gloomy. Thankfully, with the training offered
by our Pastor at St. Peter’s as well as the Sacrament
of Reconciliation Family Retreats, I was able to not
only come to terms with my own sins and ask for
God’s forgiveness, but truly prepare my children to
do the same.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
As a Marine, I know all too well,
that bad news does not get better
with time. The same holds true
with openly confessing our sins
to God (which He already
knows) and asking for his
forgiveness and the strength to avoid sinning in the
future. Ever since we began to re-focus our energies
on the foundation of our Catholic faith, Mackenzie
and Christopher have become increasingly more
aware of the burdens that unconfessed sins have on
us and that our Lord is all too happy when we bring
our confessions to Him so that our sins may be
absolved (and our burdens lifted from us) through
His priests and our acts of penance. Preparing both
of our children to receive the Sacrament of
Reconciliation for the first time has been a spiritual
process from which our entire family has benefited.
For that, and for all of our blessings, we are grateful
to God and to those who serve
others in His name. Amen.
The McCoy family is preparing
for Zion's Sacrament by
practicing love and forgiveness
in our home and to others. We
are also sharing the love of
Christ at home and with others.
As a family it is exciting to
prepare to celebrate the
sacrament of reconciliation with our eldest child
Kalia as it marks a new chapter in her formation in
the Catholic faith. Our participation in the family
program has provided us as parents with many
opportunities to grow in our own understanding and
appreciation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and
to nurture the faith at home with our three children
through prayer and family activities.
The McClain family
December 21, 2014
Sunday, December 21, Fourth Sunday of Advent
5:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
12:00 noon
1:30 p.m.
Della Janssen
The Stewart family
Parishioners of St. Peter’s
Deceased members of the
Winters family
Intentions of the celebrant
ST. JOHN
APOSTLE & EVANGELIST
St. John, the son of Zebedee, was a
Tuesday, December 23, St. John of Kanty
fisherman like his brother St. James and
8:00 a.m.
Charles Wilson
was among Jesus’ first disciples.
According to St. Mark, Jesus called John
Wednesday, December 24
and James the “sons of thunder.” Along
8:00 a.m.
Leo and Violet Montgomery
5:00 p.m. Vigil
James H. Hawkins
with St. Peter, these three men were the
7:00 p.m. Vigil
Mazie Middleton
closest disciples of Jesus. They were
12:00 midnight
Deceased members of the Hawkins,
present with Jesus at his Transfiguration
Chapman and Brooks families
and during his agony in Gethsemane.
Known as the “Beloved Disciple”, St.
Thursday, December 25, Nativity of the Lord
John was also present at the crucifixion
Christmas
of Jesus and played a leading role in the
8:00 a.m.
Albert Goldsmith and family
10:00 a.m.
Parishioners of St. Peter’s
first Christian community in Jerusalem.
12:00 noon
Christina and Jack Zambernardi
He is traditionally regarded as the author
of five New Testament books: the
Friday, December 26, St. Stephen
fourth Gospel, the book of Revelation,
8:00 a.m.
Susan Lawrence
and three letters (or epistles). St. John is
Saturday, December 27, St. John, Apostle & Evangelist thought to have died a natural death in
Ephesus in approximately 101 A.D.
8:00 a.m.
Hubert L. Reid
5:00 p.m. Vigil
Olivia and Gene Swan
when he was about 94 years old.
Excerpted from LIVES OF THE SAINTS
Sunday, December 28, The Holy Family of Jesus.
by Father Richard P. McBrien
Monday, December 22
8:00 a.m.
Doris M. Stover
Mary and Joseph
8:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
12:00 noon
1:30 p.m.
Prospero Gerardo
Parishioners of St. Peter’s
Deceased members of the Gruss family
Intentions of the celebrant
Fourth Sunday of Advent
The sanctuary light will burn this
week in loving memory of Nunziato
Lusi.
December 21, 2014
Our Parish Prayer Requests
For those who are ill, especially:
John David Yamnicky
Doris Ann Bradburn
Tina Wagner
Belinda Windsor
Angela Vaira Souder
Kathy Carrigan
Peggy Faasen
Leo Bradburn
Mary McGuire
Michael Negbenebor
Navy LT Doug Harrington
Angela Catarineau
David Goff
Evelyn Quijada
Ellamae Hulsey
Frank Townes
Mike Williams
Tijuana Adams
Gail Garcia
Adam Sanchez
Colleen Brett
Tim Reagan
Paula Curiel
Barbars Lueders
Kelly Schwartz
Chuck Gray
Gregg Lanhardt
Kathy Breckenridge
Dee Savoy
•For LCDR Don Manning, U.S. Navy,
who has returned home safely from Afghanistan
•For Lemon Moses who died on December 10
•For an increase in vocations, especially in our parish and
•For our parish priests
St Peter’s Penance Service
St. Peter’s parishioners will have the opportunity to
receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at our parish
Penance Service this Sunday (today) at 4:00 p.m.
Visiting clergy will be available to hear confessions.
No confessions on Wednesday, Christmas Eve.
Mass Schedule for the Christmas Season
Christmas Eve: 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 12:00 midnight
Christmas Day: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 (Spanish)
Wednesday, December 31
Holy Hour with confessions prior to 5:00 p.m. (Vigil) Mass
No confessions in the chapel.
Thursday, January 1
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Masses at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. (bilingual)
The second collection at all the Christmas Masses will be for the poor of Charles County.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 21, 2014
“Wrapping” Up Advent 2014
Invite Someone to “Come Home for Christmas”
Every family experiences misunderstandings and trying times. Parish families are
no different. We all know of Catholics who are separated from the Church because
of past hurts or disagreements. Let’s make our parish a place of loving hospitality.
Think of each act of kindness and invitation as a prayer to be included in our preparations. Invite
someone to be part of the joy of the season here. Let our message to everyone, whether joining us
for the first time or returning after a long absence be the same: We are better when you’re here with
us. Welcome home!
Give Yourself the Gift of Healing and Grace
Today at 4:00 p.m. our parish will celebrate the greatness of God's mercy and
forgiveness at our Advent Penance Service. Consider spending some time in
prayer
and joining our community in the healing process of sacramental confession. What a
great Christmas gift to give yourself! Bring the whole family! Is your "inn" prepared to
receive the Christ-child?
First Penance Preparation Family Reflections Continue…
Laith Harris-Watts is more reflective and conscientious about his prayers. He asks questions
about the content and meaning of his prayers. What I’ve learned is that as a family unit,
prayer has become a learning experience for us all, as I’ve become aware of some of the
changes in my daily prayers.
Laith is excited about what he learns in his weekly classes. He wants to share his experience
immediately after class. He also participates in the Mass by responding to the prayers, and he
reads along with the Missalette. I know that he has grown more reverent since his instruction began. Joyce Harris
As a family we prepare for First Penance by reciting
everyday our traditional prayers and the act of contrition.
We teach our children to love God as well as themselves.
Sharing their love for God will help them improve
themselves in the world. Our experience is helping us
love one another and others. The Brown family
‘Manger on the Mantle’ sighting!!
Today's tasks... take Baby
Jesus with you when you go
out! Haley took him to Target!
We are blessed to have this parish in our lives. This month, the kids will
receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. I remember the first
time I received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I was very nervous, and froze
when it became my turn. I remember my sweaty palms, and Father Breen
leading me as I recited my confession. I believe that both of our kids will
recognize the weight of this Sacrament, but in different ways. Ben and I look
forward to hearing about how they feel once they receive the Sacrament, and
are looking forward to setting a positive example that day. We are honored to
share this experience with the parish, and thank the Catechists and St. Peter's
Christian Formation for their dedication. Jennifer and Ben Blansett
I am so happy to be able to plant the seeds of a Catholic faith
into my granddaughter Ja’Niyah Proctor. I am seeing her grow
spiritually. She is learning new prayers, learning about the Mass.
I am glad to be a part of this. Debbie Ruley
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 21, 2014
Designated Charity: Angels Watch Women’s Shelter
The Designated Charity this weekend is the Angels Watch Women’s Shelter. They
will receive at least 1% of this week’s offertory collection. There are envelopes at
the entrances to church that you may use. Please put your envelope in the regular
collection basket. The Designated Charity next week will be Health Partners.
Social This Sunday
This weekend, we will have our monthly social in the Sank Auditorium after the 8:00 and
10:00 Masses. Please stop over for a cup of coffee and morning snacks. All are welcome,
regardless of what Mass you regularly attend. The ministries scheduled for the social will be
Family Program and Youth Ministry.
Christmas Flowers for the Altar
Honor or memorialize a loved one through a Christmas flower donation.
Envelopes are available at the entrances to church for those who wish to designate
an altar flower in someone’s name. Please print clearly and place your envelope in
the regular collection basket. Gifts of $10 or more received after December 14 will
be acknowledged in the bulletin of January 4.
MEN’S RETREAT 2015.
We are approaching the end of 2014. Are you prepared for 2015? Is your day-to-day
schedule out-of-balance? Maybe it is time to take a break from everyday life with a
week-end retreat at Loyola on the Potomac. If you have never attended a retreat you
will be pleasantly surprised with the peaceful and spiritually fulfilling atmosphere not
to mention the great food. There will be private and group prayer, time for
meditation, group discussion and, if you choose, private consultation with staff. The
annual Loyola Men’s Retreat is a great way to prepare for the year ahead. The theme of this retreat is
“Behold the Face of God”.
The 2015 Men’s Retreat is scheduled for January 9-11, 2015 at Loyola Retreat House in Faulkner, Md.
The suggested offering is $235. No one will be turned away if their circumstances do not permit them to
make the suggested offering. A reduced fee of $185 is offered for first time retreatants and young adults up
to age 30. If you have special financial needs please contact Monsignor Parent. Registration forms and
information are available at the Spiritual Literature Corner or you can register on-line at
www.loyolaonthepotomac.com. Don’t wait to register, sign-up early.
If you are interested and need additional information please contact Bob Baldesari by email at:
[email protected] or by phone at 301-843-1775 or speak to Fr. Cezary.
Parish news and information in our weekly bulletin can also be
found in color on the Parish website at www.stpeterswaldorf.org.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 21, 2014
Members & Friends of Court St. Peter’s 1618, Catholic Daughters of the Americas,Celebrate the Season
Members and friends pause in their enjoyment of dinner and fellowship to mark the occasion with their annual
December photograph on December 11. A wonderful time of delicious food and fellowship was had by all!
Many people are sending out Christmas cards this time of the year. If you would
like to remember a priest who was at St. Peter’s, here are their addresses.
Fr. Harry Stokes
St. Joseph’s Church
4595 St. Joseph Way
Pomfret, MD 20675
Fr. David Beaubien
St. Aloysius Church
P.O. Box 310
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Fr. Martin Flum
Holy Family Hermitage
1501 Fairplay Road
Bloomingdale, Ohio 43910-7971
Fr. Samuel Plummer
Holy Redeemer Church
9705 Summit Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895
Fr. Edward Hegnauer
St. Philip’s Church
5416 Henderson Way
Camp Springs, MD 20746
Fr. Andrew Morkunas
Church of the Little Flower
5607 Massachusetts Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20816
Fr. Aaron Qureshi
Pontifical North American College
00120 Vatican City State
Europe
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Fr. Zygmunt Kurzawinski
Catholic Presbytery
P.O. Box 122 Belhar
7507 Cape Town, South Africa
December 21, 2014
"There's no doubt in my mind that I've been called to be a hermit…"
Father Martin Flum, 11/4/2014
A Visit with Father Martin Flum
St. Peter’s Parochial Vicar 2004 - 2009
Early on the morning of November 4, 2014, St. Peter’s
parishioner Diane Flaim left Waldorf with her daughter,
Rosa Patterson, son Lorenzo, and Rosa’s two children,
three-year old Lenny, and one-year old Carolina.
Crammed into Rosa’s two-door Ford Focus, they were
on their way to Kentucky to visit Diane’s great aunt, then
on to Atlanta, where Rosa and her husband were
relocating. But on their journey, they managed to
squeeze in a visit to the Holy Family Hermitage in
Bloomingdale, Ohio. There they spent a few special
hours with our dear friend and former Parochial Vicar,
Father Martin Flum.
Here’s Rosa’s report of their visit:
We got to the Holy Family Hermitage around four in the afternoon and spent
a few hours with Fr. Flum. (They call him Father Martin at the hermitage.) It’s
run by the Camaldolese Hermits of Monte Corona who have a website at
www.catholicbookmark.com where you can purchase books and learn a little
bit more about them. The Holy Family Hermitage does not have internet
access. Hermits live a semi-eremitical life which means that, although they live
in a community, Father Flum spends a lot of time alone. He works in the
garden and in the kitchen, and told us about some of the things he has planted,
including a bumper crop of Swiss chard this year.
He was happy to see the kids and said he was expecting a visit from his family
the following week. He told us, "There's no doubt in my mind that I've been
called to be a hermit," and he asked for our prayers. He looks the same as he
did when he left us five years ago, just with a few more white hairs. He was in
great health and full of joy. The Holy Family Hermitage needs our support and
would gladly accept any gifts but especially our continued prayers. ~RP~
Muchos niños de nuestra parroquia celebrarán el Sacramento de la
Reconciliación por primera vez en nuestro Servicio Penitencial de Adviento hoy
a las 16:00. Pedimos a las familias que hagamos una reflexión personal sobre
cómo se están preparando para la alegría y la gracia de que este Sacramento
ofrece a nuestra comunidad. Por favor considere unirse a nosotros para esta
gran ocasión del amor de Dios para nosotros, mientras todos se preparan para
entrar en la temporada de Navidad con nuestros corazones abiertos al don de
la Encarnación!
Preparando para Recibir el Sacramento de la
Reconciliación por Primera Vez – Una Segunda
Vez- Perspectiva Familia Kamm
Convertirse
en
regulares
feligreses de la iglesia de San
Pedro después de regresar a casa
a los Estados Unidos de un viaje
de tres años en Japón, ha
proporcionado a nuestra familia
con las herramientas y experiencias necesaria para
disfrutar de un despertar espiritual dentro de uno
“Iglesia santa, católica y apostólica.” Nuestros hijos,
Mackenzie y Christopher Thomas, han ampliado esa
experiencia para sí mismos (y nosotros) más lejos
como estudiantes en la escuela de San Pedro. Como
familia, hemos asistido a dos hijos en su preparación
espiritual y capacitación con el fin de ser buenos
administradores del perdón ofrecido por nuestro
Señor Jesucristo a través del Sacramento de la
Reconciliación.
Entonces, “lo que es en él para mí?” ... algunos
pueden pedir. Permítanme compartir.
Antes de que fuera capaz de
ser de alguna ayuda a mis
hijos, era imperativo que yo
me preparara para verdaderamente ser (y merecen) en un
papel de mentor. Esto requirió que reeducar a mí mismo con la importancia (y
proceso) del Sacramento – para que se hagan una
pregunta que no puedo responder (o responder
incorrectamente). Esto requiere una cuidadosa,
personal y espiritual inventario de uno mismo - cuyos
resultados fueron bastante sombríos. Afortunadamente, con la formación ofrecida por nuestro
párroco en San Pedro, así como el Sacramento de la
Reconciliación familiar retiros, fui capaz de no sólo
llegar a un acuerdo con mis pecados y pedir perdón a
Dios, sino verdaderamente preparar a mis hijos a
hacer lo mismo.
Cuarto Domingo de Adviento
Como un Marine, que conozco
muy bien, esa mala noticia no
mejorará con el tiempo. Lo mismo
ocurre con abiertamente confesar
nuestros pecados a Dios (que Él
ya sabe) y pidiendo su perdón y la
fuerza para evitar pecar en el futuro. Desde que
empezamos a volver a centrar nuestras energías en la
fundación de nuestra fe católica, Mackenzie y
Christopher se han vuelto cada vez más conscientes
de las cargas que pecados tienen sobre nosotros y que
nuestro Señor es muy feliz cuando traemos nuestras
confesiones a él para que nuestros pecados pueden
ser absuelto (y nuestras cargas levantadas de
nosotros) a través de sus sacerdotes y nuestros actos
de penitencia. Preparación de nuestros hijos para
recibir el Sacramento de la Reconciliación por
primera vez ha sido un proceso espiritual de la cual
ha beneficiado a toda la familia. Por eso y para todas
nuestras bendiciones, estamos agradecidos a Dios y a
aquellos que sirven a otros en Su
nombre. Amén.
La
familia
McCoy
está
preparando para el Sacramento
de Sión practicando el amor y el
perdón en nuestra casa y a los
demás. También vamos a
compartir el amor de Cristo en el
hogar y con los demás.
Como una familia es emocionante prepararse para celebrar el
Sacramento de la Reconciliación con nuestro hijo
mayor Kalia como marca un nuevo capítulo en su
formación en la fe católica. Nuestra participación en
el programa de la familia nos ha dado como padres
muchas oportunidades para crecer en nuestro propio
entendimiento y apreciación del Sacramento de
Reconciliación y alimentar la fe en casa con nuestros
tres hijos a través de actividades de oración y familia.
La familia McClain
21 de diciembre 2014