Mass Intentions Sunday, February 26 7:30 AM Robert and Molly Schminky 8:45 AM Jeanne Harrison 10:30 AM Parishioners of St. Catherine 1:00 PM Bill Borland V Monday, February 27 6:30 AM 9:00 AM Martha Rief V Tuesday, February 28 6:30 AM 9:00AM Michael J. Ronayne V Wednesday, March 1 6:30 AM 9:00AM Pope John Paul II.V Thursday, March 2 6:30 AM 9:00 AM Ted Skiba V Friday, March 3 6:30 AM 9:00 AM Intercessory Prayer Intentions V Saturday, March 4 9:00 AM Martha and Raymond Roder V 5:30PM Michael Ternisky, Sr. V Sunday, March 5 7:30AM Catherine Carrozza V 8:45AM Pope Benedict XVI 10:30AM Parishioners of St. Catherine 1:00 PM Maria Jennett Bless the Lord who is full of love and compassion, who is espoused to us forever. Our bridegroom, Christ, has come, and will come again in glory. His Spirit gives us life. Daily Scriptures READINGS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE WEEK Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Hos 2:16b,17b,21-22; 2Cor 3:1b-6; Mk 2:18-22 Monday - Weekday 1 Pt 1:3-9; Mk 10:17-27 Tuesday – Peter Damian, Bishop, Doctor 1 Pt 1:10-16; Mk 10:28-31 Wednesday –Ash Wednesday Jl 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Mt 6:1-6,16-18 Thursday –Lenten Weekday Dt 30:15-20; Lk 9:22-25 Friday – Katharine Drexel, Virgin Is 58:1-9a; Mt 9:14-15 Saturday – Lenten Weekday Is 58:9b-14; Lk 5:27-32 Remember in your Prayers Joshua Basile, Marjorie Dolak, Stephen Kennedy, Ruth Kernan, Carol McCarty Jan Michalski, William Meyer, David L. Wilson, Jr., Ash Wednesday March 1, 2006 is Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent. Masses will be held at: 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. A Word from Fr. Drummond The Diocesan branch of Catholic Charities is one of the beneficiaries of the Bishop's Lenten Appeal. Although it receives a relatively small amount of the Lenten Appeal, this small amount goes a long way. One of the ministries of Catholic Charities is Christ House in Alexandria. Christ House runs a food pantry, a hypothermia unit during extreme weather as well as an overnight shelter. In addition, Christ House has a clothing bank and provides emergency assistance for rent and utilities on a case by case basis. In addition to Christ House, Catholic Charities runs the St. Martin de Porres Senior Center. Here elderly persons on a fixed income can drop in for the day to socialize, get a meal or help with some of their basic needs. In a society that glorifies youth, seniors (particularly those on fixed incomes) can fall through the cracks and be left behind. The St. Martin de Porres Senior Center strives to remedy this tragic aspect of our society. Catholic Charities also provides much needed Catholic counseling through its Family Services office. Here people can benefit from counselors who are not led astray by the trends and moves of modern society, but counsel people in a way that will not only help them to cope with the challenges and pressures life has to offer them, but, will also help them to grow in the Faith. There is a sliding scale of rates for those who otherwise would not be able to afford counseling at all. Other services provided by Catholic Charities include adoption services, foster care, help for crisis pregnancies and services to persons with disabilities and prison ministry. In giving to the Bishop's Lenten Appeal, we are helping Catholic Charities in its mission to bring the love of Christ to some who may be counted among the "heart of my brothers." Altar Boy Schedule FEBRUARY 25/26 5:30 L.Krohns, L. Fowler, Z. McCoy, A. Giordano 7:30 The Stevens, J. Wilinson, K. McQuade, the Hadfords 8:45 The Webers, S. Cynkar, S. Goodwin, A. Elias, N. Scalia 10:30 P. Falcone, R. Ivany, the Manns, the Moriartys, M. Ronayne, the Santorums, C. Smedberg 1:00 A. Kotoriy, the Webers, A. Giordano, J. Brake, J.P. Plummer March 4/5 5:30 T.Bylund, The Maldonados, The Rielings 7:30 The Kerans, A.Spalding, The Stevens, J. Wilkinson 8:45 The Galbraiths, J. Walburn, S.Goodwin, L. Flowler 10:30 P. Falcone, R.Ivany, The Manns, The Moriartys, M. Ronayne, C.Smedberg 1:00 N.Appel, A. Ferguson, A. Giordano, Z.McCoy, W. Twetten Holy Hour-March 1, 2006 March 1, 2006 is Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent. There will be no Holy Hour at 7:30. Religious Education CYO FUNDRAISER Rai$ing Dough The Rai$ing Dough Doughnut Sale will be held on Sunday, February 26th After All Masses Help raise $$ for the CYO so we can do more stuff for free! Bishop O'Connell HS 2nd Quarter Honor Roll Congratulations to our students who made the Bishop O'Connell High School 2nd Quarter Honor Roll. Marie Bernier 12 First Honors Kathleen Daley 9 First Honors Adam Baumgartner 12 Second Honors Robert Craw 10 Second Honors Stephanie O'Neill 9 Second Honors Ian St. Martin 12 Second Honors Kate Ziegler 12 Second Honors Pilgrimage to Italy Travel with Bishop Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington and President of The Catholic Distance University on an eleven-day pilgrimage to Italy from September 19 to September 29, 2006. The itinerary features Rome, Sicily including Catania, Siracusa, Agrigento, Palermo and Naples, Pompeii, San Giovanni Rotondo (tomb of St. Padre Pio) and Monte Cassino. Optional excursions are available as well. An audience with Pope Benedict XVI, if he is in residence, and daily Mass with Bishop Loverde will make this a most treasured pilgrimage. The cost is $3.099 per person, double occupancy. For more information, contact Carolyn Forman at 1-888-254-4CDU or 540-338-2700 X703 or cforman@cdu.edu. 2006 Bishop's Lenten Appeal Begins In Justice, In Love and In Mercy (Hosea 2:21) A mailing from Bishop Loverde that begins the 2006 Bishop's Lenten Appeal has already been sent to many of you. If you received the mailing, please review it carefully. The programs, services and ministries supported by this appeal require financial support of each of us in order to continue to meet the challenges of the rapid growth in our area. The year's theme is "In Justice, in Love and In Mercy". As you reflect on this theme, consider all of the work that is accomplished in our parishes and our diocese that falls under this guidance from God to the nation of Israel. There is much yet to be done and it cannot be accomplished without our financial support. Please respond generously. From the Office of Bishop Loverde Although Roman Catholics over the age of 14 are obliged to abstain from eating meat on the Fridays of Lent, Catholics of the Diocese of Arlington are dispense from the obligation on March 17, 2006, in observance of Saint Patrick's Day as long as they choose another day during the week of March 13-18 to abstain. Silent Retreat All adult members of the parish are invited to a morning silent retreat here at St. Catherine with Fr. Hathaway immediately after 9:00 a.m. Mass on Saturday, February 25th. Lenten meditations and confession will be available. Cost is $10 and includes lunch. Siena Academy Continuing our look at the characteristics of "The Normalized Child" The Discipline that is revealed in a Montessori environment comes more from within then without. Moreover, it does not come into existence in a day, week, or even a month. It is, in Maria Montessori's words, "the end of a long process of maturation" (The Absorbent Mind). This inner discipline will not reveal itself at all if there is a complete dichotomy between the home and school environments. If the home environment is indulgent and permissive, or stultifying and rigid, it will not be possible to foster self- discipline in the short period of time children are in the school environment. However, if the true purpose of a Montessori education is understood—if children experience similar (not identical) environments at home and school—this discipline will appear. In The Absorbent Mind, Montessori describes the atmosphere of a classroom environment of self-disciplined children in this way: "The period in which discipline becomes established (is one) of active peace, of obedience and love, when work is perfected and multiplied, just as when flowers in spring get their colors and prepare a distant harvest of sweet and nourishing fruit." Christmas at Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan Bill Kelley is a parishioner of St. Catherine's and an active member of our KOC Padre Pio Council. A member of the Reserve, Bill was called to active duty to serve in as a JAG in Afghanistan. He was due to return home shortly, but was instead reassigned to Iraq. The following is a description of his Christmas in Afghanistan. The Padre Pio Council of the KOC was crucial in obtaining incense as well as getting Holy Water fonts for the Chapel. Please keep Bill and his family in your prayers in a special way. Christmas at Bargram Airbase, Afghanistan, 2005 In this land of high vigilance, I barely noticed signs that Christmas was approaching while deployed to Bagram Air Field (BAF) in Afghanistan. A few strands of colored lights around task force entrances and small Christmas trees on desks were the most prominent reminders that our favorite end-of-year Holy Day was upon us. We are in a non- Christian land where we are asked not to flaunt our faith for fear of offending our hosts. Being Catholic in a Non-Christian Land "Enduring Faith Chapel" had been housed for three years in a beat-up old hut that was dropped in by a crane. The old chapel is located next to a bank of two story Conex boxes that have been made into offices for base operations. On the other side of the chapel is another hut that houses the only recreation facility on BAF—the "Dragon Center" which shows videos and has 12 desktop computers with Internet connections that are unreliable and slow. This old chapel can seat about 150 on folding chairs. The altar is made of ply board and wobbles when you place a candle in the corner but stabilizes when place a second candle on the opposite corner. A collection of two electric pianos, a set of drums, amplifiers, speakers and guitars—many donated from professional musicians stopping through BAF on USO tours—take up much of the floor space in front. In any hostile location where troops are stationed, music and faith are paramount. The old saying holds true, "There are no atheists in fox holes." The number of congregations which share this small area is so numerous that scheduling for services and activities is a major task. One of the first things I noticed about Fr. Joe Orlandi, a diocesan priest from Paterson, New Jersey, is that he likes to sing. My first Sunday at BAF was in late September. As with each Sunday, Fr. Joe inquired of any new arrivals. I introduced myself as a judge advocate (JAG) working in detention operations for the military commission. Father solicited volunteers and after mass he found out that I have been commissioned as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and sacristan in the Military Archdiocese. But, he wanted a choir! Another male voice is "Manny from Miami," a fellow JAG reservist working in claims and legal assistance for the current task force out of Vicenza, Italy. By mid-October, Manny was regularly stopping by my office at 7:15 pm on Wednesdays to escort me to choir and make sure I didn't miss any more practices. The Choir ranks don't grow because operational requirements and redeployments steal away our voices. Each Mass, Father continues to plead for singers and musicians. In late November, Manny and I devised a new strategy. In true Army fashion, we "volunteered" people to join us in the choir. By the end of Advent, the choir was getting too big for the limited floor space in this old chapel. A New Chapel and Its First Mass During my time here, I have been able to witness the completion of the new Enduring Faith Chapel—a priority of which was elevated by the current commanding general. Now, BAF is closer toward providing a more homey presence characteristic of other permanent garrisons that the U.S. Forces occupy overseas. The daily Mass on Friday, December 23, 2005, was the new chapel's first religious service. Midnight Mass for Christmas saw its first Mass of obligation. Nearly 250 filled the chapel for Midnight Mass. In addition to U.S. service members, there were contractor personnel, USG civilians, Christian Arabs, and coalition members from Korea, Australia, France and The Netherlands. (The Polish forces have a priest with them and the Romanians, Slovaks and Germans generally attend their services). At Midnight Mass, we had the largest choir and orchestra composed of pilots, lawyers, medical and intel personnel and riflemen. And because we still had not received the missalette and music issue for the season, we took all our music from the omnipresent Armed Forces Hymnal. On Christmas night, Fr. Joe led the choir on a caroling trip. We visited patients and staff at the hospital, visited the Polish troops who are working QRF (quick reaction force) and stopped by the USO to cheer travelers who were stuck at BAF. The brand new Enduring Faith Chapel was dedicated in January during a visit from the Army Deputy Chief of Chaplains. Thanks to St. Catherine's, we had incense for purifying the altar in the new Enduring Faith Chapel and enough supply to purify monthly. As Fr. Joe joked, "To smoke out the mice and give it that church smell". Fr. Joe left for Baghdad in January and was replaced by Fr. Dan Mode from the Arlington Diocese. In February, Manny is leaving and a new task force will be taking over BAF garrison. Many troops will be returning who have deployed here previously. Stating all this makes my March return seem right around the corner. Thank you St. Catherine's for providing much-needed prayers and support to myself and deployed service members and our families. Your generosity and support are testimony that our sacrifices are appreciated. In the Diocese Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper The Paul VI Catholic High School Campus Ministry Team is hosting its 13th annual Pancake Supper o Shrove Tuesday, February 28, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. The evening will feature entertainment, music, dancing, games, face painting and fun for the entire family. The cost is $6.00 for adults, children under 12: $4.00 and children under 6 are free. Proceeds will go to the Archbishop Chapelle High School in Louisiana for Hurricane Katrina victims. For more information, call the campus minister, Mrs. Denyse Kline at 703-353-0925 ext. 330. Retrouvaille Retrouvaille has helped tens of thousands of couple at all stages of disillusionment or misery in their marriage. This program can help you too. For confidential information about or to register for the April program beginning with a weekend on April 28-30, call 703-351- 7211 or visit the web site at www.helpourmarriage.org. Dying to Know St. Veronica Parish in Chantilly will offer a workshop for healthcare providers on end-of-life issues. Dying to Know will be held on Saturday, March 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Speakers include Marie Anderson, MD, Rev. J. Daniel Mindling, OFM, Cap., STL, STD, and Rev. Marcus Pollard. Contact Claire Paliara-Miller, RN, PHD at 703-773-2013 or cmiller@stveronica.net or visit http://www.stveronicahealth.org for more details. Respect Life Mass Bishop Loverde will celebrate the monthly Respect Life Mass at Queen of the Apostles in Alexandria on Saturday, March 4 at 8:00 a.m. The Mass will be followed by the Rosary led by the Bishop at the abortion facility on South Whiting Street, Alexandria. Natural Family Planning (NFP) Website A great source for upcoming NFP classes is the Couple to Couple League Northern Virginia Chapter. Check the website at www.nova.ccli.org/learn.html Post-Abortion Help Rachel's Vineyard weekends for healing after an abortion are scheduled for Spring 2006 on March 10-12 and April 7-9. These retreats are a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken from abortion. They offer a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where one can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing. Please call Myriam at 703-729-7998 for information or contact us by email at projectrachel@arlingtondiocese.org. Third Annual Phases of Womanhood Conference Are you a busy woman in search of spiritual renewal and focus? Plan to attend the third annual Phases of Womanhood Conference. The conference, presented in collaboration with the Office of Family Life, will be held March 4, 2006, at the Fair Lakes Hyatt in Fairfax. Cost is $60.00. Register early: space is limited. For information or to register, please visit http://www.phasesofwomanhood.org or call Alice: 703- 266-2422 or Marsha: 703-378-2660 Prayer Service for Healing Victims of Sexual Abuse On Saturday, March 11, 2006 Christ the Redeemer Parish will host a Prayer Service for Healing Victims of Sexual Abuse. Father Mark Mealey, O.S.F.S. will preside at the prayer service which begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Voices of Devotion and Me The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales will present Live Jesus 2006 "Voices of Devotion and Me", a day of Lenten reflection and renewal through the lens of Salesian Spirituality on Saturday, March 26, 2006 at Bishop Ireton High School from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8 a.m. Suggested contribution to the Oblate Ministries: equal to one hour's wages. Registration is required—lunch is included. Register online at www.oblates.org or call Bishop Ire ton high school at 703-212-5163. Diocesan Science Fair The Diocesan Science Fair needs individuals with a science background to help judge seventh and eight grade students' research projects for the 2006 Science Fair. These projects encompass such categories as botany, health, chemistry, zoology, behavioral science, engineering, physics, math and other areas of life and physical science. If your calendar allows you to spend the morning (8:00 a.m. to Noon) on Saturday, April 29th at Bishop O'Connell High School to judge projects, please call Janet at the Office of Catholic Schools at 703-841- 2519. High School Summer Program CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE IS PRESENTING a TWO- WEEK program this summer for high school juniors and seniors. Students will enjoy the pastoral tranquility of the Christendom campus while being treated to the rich cultural and historical fare offered by nearby Washington, D.C. More importantly they will be able to attend courses in theology, philosophy, history and literature. Mass and confession available daily. Call (800) 877-5456 or check out the website at www.christendom.edu for more information. February 16, 2006 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, "The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan" (Mk 1:12). At the end of this experience, Jesus emerged strengthened for the beginning of His public ministry. As the Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent states, "…Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God: ‘…The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.'" (Mk 1:15) Like Jesus, we too are being led by the Holy Spirit into the desert of Lent, the Church's annual forty-day retreat which begins on March 1, Ash Wednesday. As a time for spiritual renewal, Lent calls us to more genuine self- discipline, more intense prayer and more gracious charity. These three "works of Lent" stated clearly in the Ash Wednesday Gospel—fasting or penance, prayer, and almsgiving or works of charity—provide us with the means of growing more into the image of Christ Jesus whose very life we began to live at our Baptism. Through fasting or penance, we become more responsive to God's call to deepening conversion and to ongoing reparation for our past sins. Through prayer, we become more transformed into Christ's image as we reflect on His Word in the Scriptures, relive the mysteries of His life in the Rosary and trace His footsteps to death and resurrection in the Stations of the Cross. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we confess our sins sacramentally to Christ and the Church made visible by the ordained priest and receive absolution and a new beginning. In the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, we are made one with Christ and strengthened for our daily Christian witness. Through almsgiving or works of charity, we reveal to those in need the love of Christ present in our hearts, a love that desires to reach out and strengthen them. Yes, we are being led by the Holy Spirit into the desert of Lent. Let us respond whole heartedly to the Holy Spirit's inspiration and guidance as we become more fervent in prayer, more generous in works of charity and more eager in celebrating the sacred mysteries by which we are reborn. If we do so, we shall emerge at the end of Lent more deeply united to Christ and to one another and more strengthened to live the Christian way of life each day as faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. One with you in following the Holy Spirit's direction, I remain, Faithfully in Christ, Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde Bishop of Arlington