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Staff Directory
Maggie Radzik
Head of School
703.759.4129
Anson Groves
Dir.of Religious Ed.
703.759.3530
Theresa Melendez Coord. Religious Ed.
703.759.3530
Nancy Caro
Sacristan
Rick Webb
Gen. Mgr. Financial Dir. 703.759.4350
Dr. Kimberly Hess
Director of Music
703.759.4350
Dr. Neil Ewachiw
Director of Choirs
703.759.4350
Mary LaPlante
Parish Secretary
703.759.4350
Jackie Fox
Bulletin Editor
703.759.4350
Guillermo DeLeon
Director of Facilities
703.638.4301
Emiro Soto
Maintenance
Rosa Hernandez
Support Staff
Stephen Dolenc
Web Master
stephendolenc
@gmail.com
Mass Intentions
Sunday, December 23
7:30 a.m.
Barbara Gorlinsky
8:45 a.m.
Jill Shafer
10:30 a.m.
Pro Populo
1:00 p.m.
Special Intention
Monday, December 24
9:00 a.m.
Lucille Calderazzo
5:30 p.m.
The Kerhli and Caruso families
Midnight
Pro Populo
Tuesday, December 25
8:30 a.m.
Holy Souls in Purgatory
10:30 a.m.
Pro Populo
1:00 p.m.
John & Anne Ochs
Wednesday, December 26
9:00 a.m.
Judith Arriagada
Thursday, December 27
9:00 a.m.
Jill Shafer
Friday, December 28
9:00 a.m.
The LaPlante family
Saturday, December 29
9:00 a.m.
Linda Esquivel
5:30 p.m.
Kathleen Abela
Daily Scriptures
READINGS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE WEEK
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Is 7:10-14, Ps 24, Rom 1:1-7, Mt 1:18-24
Monday – Vigil of Christmas
2 Sm 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16, Lk 1:67-79
Tuesday – The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Vigil: Is 62:1-5, Ps 89, Acts 13:16-17,22-25, Mt 1:1-25
Midnight: Is 9:1-6, Ps 96, Ti 2:11-14
Day: Is 52:7-10, Ps 98, Heb 1:1-6, Jn 1:1-18
Wednesday – St. Stephen
Acts 6:8-10;7:54-59, Mt 10:17-22
Thursday – St. John
1 Jn 1:1-4, Jn 20:1a,2-8
Friday – The Holy Innocents
1 Jn 1::5-2:2, Mt 2:13-18
Saturday – Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
1 Jn 2:3-11, Lk 2:22-35
Remember in your prayers the sick of our
Parish
Maryann Baron, Joshua Basile,
Heather Black, Baby Madison Black,
Jose Campos, John & Moira Connor,
Baby Natasha deSa, Marjorie Dolak,
Maria Keran, Joan Loftis, Carol McCarty,
Baby Peter Michalski, Lien Shinta,
Baby Anthony Yantiss
December 25
th
is a day of Holy Day of Obligation
A Word from Fr. Drummond
Snow and Christmas go together like coffee and cream;
indeed few things seem to complete Christmas like a nice
snowfall. The song, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,”
as recorded by Bing Crosby broke all records, and
continues to be a staple of secular “Christmas” music.
There is something ironic about this connection between
snow and Christmas as snow is rare in the Holy Land, and
there is nothing in Sacred Scripture that suggests that the
weather was cold when Christ was born.
On the other hand, one can easily see a certain
symbolism in the drab gray world being covered by a fresh
blanket of snow, everything white and glowing and pure.
Unlike rain, snow falls silently, decorating everything on
which it falls. A light dusting of snow on Christmas Eve
adds to the mood of wonder and delight.
A light dusting of snow is beautiful, but a heavy snowfall
can be treacherous. Every year we have at least one or
two really “good” snowfalls. Sometimes these occur on
weekends (to the dismay of all schoolchildren), and when
we have weekend snowfalls we should exercise prudence
and caution. Mass at parish churches is seldom, if ever,
canceled because of snow. However, the obligation for
Sunday Mass does not bind when the weather makes
going outside or driving dangerous. Sometimes I think God
may be telling people, “Stay at home today, and have a cup
of hot chocolate.”
As we approach the great Christ Mass, I would like to
wish everyone a very Holy, Healthy and Happy Christmas.
†
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Birth of all births,
Light of all lights,
Child of all children,
Night of all nights.
Pray for our Military Service Personnel
Please keep in your prayers our men and women
serving in various, and dangerous parts of the
world, especially:
Jordan Bowren, Jeff Campbell, Douglas Dillon,
Christopher Frediani, Joe Gibson, Chad Godfrey,
Bryan Grimes, Erik Hood, Brian Horn, Brendan
McCarthy, Matt McKee, Chris Nagle, Mark O’Neil,
Matthew Rowell.
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St. Catherine of Siena - Christmas 2007
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Christmas
Holy Day of Obligation
December 24, Monday
5:30 p.m. Family Mass with Treble Choir
11:30 p.m. Choral Prelude
12:00 Midnight
Solemn Latin Mass (Novus Ordo) Choir & Strings
December 25, Tuesday
Masses at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m.
Octave of Christmas – Feast of the Holy Family
December 29, Saturday – Vigil Mass at 5:30 p.m.
December 30, Sunday - Masses at 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m.,
10:30 a.m. (Latin), and 1:00 p.m.
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Holy Day of Obligation
December 31, Monday - Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m.
January 1, Tuesday
Masses at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon
Notice:
Please note that the Parish Offices will be closed
December 24
th
, 25
th
and 26
th
. The St. Catherine of Siena
Office Staff wishes you a very Merry Christmas!
Lost & Found
For lost items please contact the parish secretary at
703.759.4350 or stop by the rectory.
Parish Stewardship
Thank you for your generous offerings of December 15/16.
The regular collection brought in $20,421 and the Poor
Box yielded $208.
Annual Christmas Open House
Save the date: December 23rd
Father Drummond will be hosting
the Parish Christmas Open House.
All parishioners are cordially
invited to attend this annual event.
The date to save is Sunday,
December 23
rd
from 7:00 p.m. until
9:00 p.m., at the Rectory.
The Blessed Sacrament
THIS IS MY BODY – THIS IS MY BLOOD
Words to reflect upon from the Saints:
Jesus! What a lovable contrivance this holy Sacrament was
– that you would hide under the appearance of bread to
make Yourself loved and to be available for a visit by
anyone who desires you.
– St. Alphonsus Liguori
If in this world there be any knowledge of this mystery
keener than that of faith, I wish now to affirm that I believe
in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in this Sacrament,
truly God and truly man, the Son of God, the Son of the
Virgin Mary. This I believe and hold true and certain.
– St. Thomas Aquinas
Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Hour
There are times when a scheduled adorer may need a
substitute to fill in for them. When this happens, please
utilize the substitute call list.
To sign up for adoration or for information regarding
adoration please contact Diane Cieslak 703.678.3919.
Holy Hour is at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday and First
Friday.
24 hour Eucharistic Adoration is every Wednesday and
every First Friday, beginning after the 9:00 a.m. Mass and
ending the following morning just before the 9:00 a.m.
Mass.
Opus Dei Recollection
A priest of the Opus Dei prelature presents an “Evening of
Recollection” for women on the 3
rd
Monday of each month
from 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. in the church.
The schedule for “Evenings of Recollection” for men may
be obtained by visiting Website: restonstudycenter.org. For
further information call (703) 689-3433
.
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Catechist Corner
Confrater
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD)
Class Calendar 2007 - 2008
December
24,25 No classes in session
31
No classes in session
January
1
No classes in session
7,8
All classes in session
9
Confraternity meeting
14,15 All classes in session
21
No classes in session
22
All classes in session
28
No classes in session
29
All classes in session
Let no one despise your youth, but set the
believers an example in speech and conduct, in
love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
Catholic Youth Organization 2007
Upcoming Events:
Bowling, Skiing, Paint Ball, Laser Tag, and a Lent Lock-in!
CYO
January 6
Meeting
Junior CYO
January 11
Meeting
St. Catherine of Siena Adult Bible Study
“From Adam to Jesus
– A Journey through the Bible”
Evening Session
Thursdays 7:30 p.m. in classroom 11.
Morning Session
Fridays 10:00 a.m. in Bishop Justs Hall
12/19 & 12/20 Israel’s apostasy and the building of God’s
sanctuary – Exodus chapter’s 32 to 40.
12/26 & 12/27 No class
1/3 & 1/4 Israel in the desert – The Book of Numbers.
1/10 & 1/11 Numbers continued.
St. Catherine of Siena Website
For everything you ever wanted to know about
St. Catherine of Siena Parish, but forgot to ask during office
hours, you may visit the parish Website at
http://st-catherines.net.
Siena Academy News
Children’s Corner
The Siena Academy bake sale was a big success. We
raised about $210, and still have the remaining $300 from
the bake sale of last year. We donated $100 to the
Missionaries of Charity.
We donated the food from the Thanksgiving food drive to
the Parish of St. Anthony’s.
St. Anthony’s was very
grateful because they have to feed at least six families
every day and their “Cupboard” was running out.
Some of the Children’s House’s most popular activities
are shoe polishing, working on bead chains, and tasting
bottles, which are used to help develop the four taste areas
of the tongue.
The Siena Academy Elementary Class had lunch with the
Over 50 Club on Tuesday, December 11. The Irish
Dancers from Siena Academy performed a group dance for
them. Thank you, Over-50 Club!
- submitted by Monica Ryland, student
Epiphany Family Dance & Celebration
Save the Date! January 6th
Siena Academy will host an Epiphany Family Dance and
Celebration on Sunday, January 6
th
. Come join us after the
1:00 p.m. Mass for refreshments. Dancing will begin at
2:30 p.m. All ages are encouraged to come.
Siena Academy Mardi Gras Gala
River Bend Golf & Country Club!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Please join your fellow parishioners for the social event of
the year! Saturday, January 26, 2008, marks the date of
our exquisite evening of fine dining, Silent and Live Auction
and program to benefit Siena Academy. Some highlights
from our auction inventory include: “Fine Dining for ten (10)
with Fr. Drummond,” round of golf at Congressional Golf
Course for three (3), five to seven day stays at vacation
homes in Deep Creek Lake, Montana and an Ocean front
condo in Ocean City, a restaurant frenzy of gift certificates
from favorite local restaurants, custom jewelry, one-of-a-
kind experiences and much more! Please mark your
calendar and RSVP by January 11, 2008. Any questions,
please contact the Gala Chair, Shannon McLaughlin at
703.532.3935. Thank you for your support and we hope to
see you all there!
The Pro Life Committee
Thank you to all those who purchased Christmas greenery
in support of “A Woman’s Choice,” a pro life group that
helps women in crisis pregnancy. Over $2,00 was raised
which will benefit “A Woman’s Choice.” Please remember
to keep babies who are in danger of abortion in your
prayers. May God bless you and Happy New Year!
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The Women’s Association
The next WA meeting will be held on
Thursday, January 10
th
, 2008.
The Over Fifty Club of St. Catherine of Siena
Extending an invitation for any Senior to join our Social
Club. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
in Bishop Justs Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There
are interesting speakers, trips, special luncheons and a fun
social time to meet new people. We also have a social
bridge group that meets the 1st Friday of the month at
10:00 a.m. Single’s or couples are warmly welcomed. For
more information contact Mary Ann at 703.404.8677, or
Madeline at 703.759.2605.
The Over 50 Club Scheduled Senior Trips
Greenbrier Resort – West Virginia
March 4 -13 - A ten-day trip to Spain, Portugal and
Fatima. Includes: Madrid, Granada, Seville and Lisbon.
Depart from Dulles Airport. Must have registration by
January 1, 2008.
March 14 - A day trip to the new Newseum (The
interactive Museum of News) in Washington, D.C. $56.00
April 4 - Featuring the Biblical story of Daniel. At the
magnificent Sight & Sound Millennium Theatre in
Lancaster. Buffet dinner included after the performance.
Complete package $109. Almost filled!
April 16 - 17 - An overnight trip to the Greenbrier
Resort, (5-Star) in W. VA., Dinner, breakfast, tea, bowling,
indoors pool and tour of the Bunkers (former U.S.
Government Relocation Facility) facilities for 1,100 people
underground – Project called “Greek Island”.
April 25 - Day trip to Mt. Vernon (beautifully
redecorated), includes a three-course luncheon with
Martha Washington. $59.00.
May 15 & 16 – Atlantic City (overnight).
May 21 – Day trip to the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre to
see Guys and Dolls. Motor coach pick-up at church
parking lot.
September - EWTN trip is being scheduled. Please
call for details and registration.
October 8 to 22 - England, Scotland and Wales (15
days).
Includes tours of Edinburgh, Lake District,
Snowdonia, Cotswolds, London. Departure from Dulles
Airport.
You do not need to be a senior to join us, or a member of
the Club. Please call the following for more information
and/or registration.
Mary Ann at 703.404.8677 or Lorraine at 703.448.9181.
In the Diocese & Other Events
Website: www.arlingtondiocese.org
Vocations Awareness
Some white-collar jobs are more challenging than others
Vocation Prayer:
Lord Jesus Emmanuel! Open our hearts and minds to
the gift of Your presence within us which we received in
baptism and celebrate at Christmas. May the Holy Spirit
prepare us to receive Your call to holiness and help us to
respond to You with joy. Give us generous hearts and
choose many more among us to serve You and Your
kingdom as priests, sisters, brothers and deacons. Amen.
“When Joseph awoke he did as the angel of the Lord
directed him.”
Are you prayerfully vigilant about
discovering your vocation in Christ? Might He be inviting
you to the priesthood or consecrated life? Call: Fr. Brian
Bashista at 703.841.2514,
or write: b.bashista@arlingtondiocese.org.
Gabriel Project & Project Rachel
Below are two assistance programs sponsored by the
Catholic Diocese of Arlington. These programs are open to
anyone in need, regardless of their faith.
Gabriel Project provides pregnancy assistance to women
and men in crisis pregnancy. Call: 703.841.3810 or visit
gabrielproject@arlingtondiocese.org.
Project Rachel provides assistance to those women and
men who have suffered an abortion. Call:(703) 841-2504
or: projectrachel@arlingtondiocese.org.
Evening Retreats for Men
Sponsored by Regnum Christi – two locations
Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center
The first Wednesday of every month from 7:00 p.m.-9:45
p.m. Retreats begin with Mass and include dinner and
opportunities for Confession. Located at 7007 Bradley
Blvd., in Bethesda, MD. Information: 302.365.0612.
St. Timothy Catholic Church
Every 2
nd
Wednesday of the month from 7:00 p.m.-9:30
p.m. Includes Mass, two talks, opportunities for Confession
and refreshments. All men over 18 years of age are
invited. Located at 13807 Poplar Tree Rd., Chantilly.
Information: 703.631.4976.
A Ministry to Traveling Catholics
To locate a Catholic Church while traveling visit
www.masstimes.org. Search by using the name of the
town you are traveling to, or by zip code. You will find
information on the closest Catholic Church to your
destination, along with parish Mass times and directions.
Eighth Graders attending Public/Private
(Non-Diocesan) Schools
The High School Admissions/Placement Test (HSAPT) for
the Class of 2012 for the Class of 2012 will be administered
at Bishop O’Connell High School on Saturday, January 5,
2008.
For
registration
materials,
visit
www.bishopoconnell.org or call Mary McAlevy at
703.237.1433. Bishop O’Connell’s priority application
Page 5
deadline for grade 9 is January 25.
From the Vatican
The Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for
December 2007
General:
That human society may be solicitous in the care of all
those stricken with AIDS, especially children and women,
and that the Church may make them feel the Lord’s love.
Mission:
That the incarnation of the Son of God, which the Church
celebrates solemnly at Christmas, may help the peoples of
the Asiatic Continent to recognize God’s Envoy, the only
Savior of the world, in Jesus.
St. Francis called it a “crèche,” the French word for
cradle. Francis created the first crèche using real people, a
real manger, a real ox and ass, and real shepherds. The
Incarnation – Christmas – was a key component in the
spirituality of Francis. He wanted to celebrate the
Incarnation in a special way. He wanted to do something
that would help people remember the Christ Child and how
He was born in Bethlehem.
Francis wanted people to see and experience how He lay
in a manger with an ox and an ass standing by – how He
lay upon the straw where He had been placed.
It was Christmas Eve in the year 1223. At the appointed
time, Franciscan Brothers came to the new Bethlehem.
Men, women, and children from the area also came to
celebrate. The torches they carried lit up the night as they
approached the crèche. Once again shepherds were
walking in the night to come and adore Him. All were filled
with joy over the mystery of the Incarnation. And a great
tradition began.
Silent Night
The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce
The truce began on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1914,
when German troops began decorating the area around
their trenches in the region of Ypres, Belgium, for
Christmas. They began by placing candles on trees, and
then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols,
most notable Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The British troop
in the trenches across from them responded by singing
English carols.
The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings
to each other. Soon thereafter, their were calls for visits
across the “No Man’s Land’ where small gifts were
exchanged – whisky, jam, cigars, chocolate, and the like.
The artillery in the region fell silent that night. The truce
also allowed a breathing spell where burial parties could
bring recently fallen soldier back behind their lines. Proper
burials took place as soldiers from both sides mourned the
dead together and paid their respects. At one funeral in
“No Man’s Land,” soldiers from both sides gathered and
read a passage from the 23
rd
Psalm:
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me
to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the
still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the
path of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil.
The truce spread to other areas of the lines, and there are
many stories of football matches between the opposing
forces. In many sectors, the truce lasted through
Christmas night, but in some areas, it continued until New
Year’s Day.
A cross, left near Ypres in Belgium in 1999, to
commemorate the site of the Christmas Truce in 1914.
The text reads 1914
The Khaki Chum’s Christmas Truce
1999
85 Years
Lest We Forget.