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Parish Staff

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

Email address:

Director of Facilities

deleonscs@gmail.com

703.638.4301

Emiro Soto

Maintenance

Rosa Hernandez

Support Staff

Stephen Dolenc

Web Master

stephendolenc

@gmail.com

Mass Intentions

Sunday, April 27

7:30 a.m.

Mary & Joseph Fuchs

8:45 a.m.

Elizabeth Zak

10:30 a.m.

Pro Populo

1:00 p.m.

Honesto Ong

Monday, April 28

9:00 a.m.

Patricia Bonedict

Tuesday, April 29

9:00 a.m.

Karen Burns

Wednesday, April 30

9:00 a.m.

James Murphy

Thursday, May 1

9:oo a.m.

Elizabeth Calanchi

Friday, May 2

9:00 a.m.

Jo Campbell

Saturday, May 3

9:00 a.m.

Lyn Maldonado

5:30 p.m.

Andy Serafin

Daily Scriptures

READINGS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sunday – Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 8:5-8,14-17, Ps 66, 1 Pt 3:15-18, Jn 14:15-21

Monday – St. Louis Mary de Montfort

Acts 16:11-15, Ps 149, Jn 15:26-16:4a

Tuesday – ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA

Acts 16:22-34, Ps 138, Jn 16:5-11

Wednesday – Easter Weekday

Acts 17:15,22-18:1, Ps 148, Jn 16:12-15

Thursday – The Ascension of the Lord

Acts 1:1-11, Ps 47, Eph 1:17-23, Mt 28:16-20

Friday – First Friday

Acts 18:9-18, Ps 47, Jn 16:20-23

Saturday – First Saturday

1 Cor 15:1-8, Ps 19, Jn 14:6-14

Remember in your prayers the sick and

homebound of our Parish, especially:

Maryann Baron, Joshua Basile,

Baby Madison Black, Lila Brown,

Jose Campos, Moira Connor,

Baby Natasha deSa, Marjorie Dolak,

Danny Frey, Maria Keran, Evelyn LaPlante,

Joan Loftis, Carol McCarty,

Baby Peter Michalski, Lien Shinta,

Suzanne Willett, Margaret & Jack Wood,

Baby Anthony Yantiss

Please note: The Ascension of the Lord, May 1

st

is a

day of Holy Obligation

A Word from the Pastor

Historians generally agree that the 20

th

century was the

most violent and war-torn century in the history of man.

With two world wars of unprecedented ferocity, revolutions

and countless “small” wars and local conflicts, not to

mention the development of weapons of mass destruction,

such an assessment would seem to have merit. However,

I do not believe that this is so because Man is any more

violent than ever before in history, but rather it results from

massive increases in both population and technology. In

short, there are more people both to commit acts of

violence and to be victimized. Added to this is the greater

technological means by which to inflict violence on even

greater numbers of people. Man’s fallen nature seems to

triumph over his potential for good, and we ask ourselves,

“Where is God in all of this?”

“Where sin abounds Grace abounds all the more.”

Although some might find this expression no more than a

hackneyed bromide, I think it as a good description of the

20

th

century, if we compare the above characterization of

the last century with the popes that Almighty God has been

pleased to send us in the last one hundred years. Although

there were no papal martyrs during the 20h century, their

holiness and commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, and the

spreading of His Gospel of the 20

th

century popes has

equaled that of the earliest popes, for whom part of the job

description was martyrdom. The century began with a

Saint and ended with a Pope called “The Great.” In

between, the shoes of the fisherman were filled by men of

extraordinary piety, devotion and fortitude.

As we look back on the very moving visit of Pope

Benedict XVI to the United Sates we would do well to

reflect on his predecessors of the last one hundred years.

In the next few weeks I will take a look at the popes of the

20

th

century and we will see that for all the challenges of

our times, God raises up the right man to lead His Church

through them.

Pray for our Military Service Personnel

Please keep in your prayers our men

and women serving in dangerous

parts of the world, especially:

Jordan Bowren, Jeff Campbell,

Douglas Dillon,

Christopher Frediani, Brian Horn,

Brendan McCarthy,

Matthew O’Neil, Justin Smallwood

Come Unto Me

The Blessed Sacrament

THIS IS MY BODY – THIS IS MY BLOOD

The Shortest Way

Holy Communion is the shortest, and surest way to

Heaven. There are others, innocence for instance, but that

is for little children; penance, but we are afraid of it; a

generous endurance of the trials of life, but when they

approach us we weep and pray to be delivered. Once for

all, beloved children, the surest, easiest, shortest way is by

the Holy Eucharist. – Pius X.

A Holy Hour is simply an hour set-aside totally for the Lord;

an hour consecrated to God. It is a time to recollect our

mind, heart and spirit in order to focus them on God and

more specifically our Eucharistic Lord. To make a Holy

Hour is to make a decision to spend one hour with our

friend, our Savior and Lord who is truly present in the

Blessed Sacrament of the altar.

Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Hour

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.

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.

Parish Stewardship

Thank you for your generous offerings of April 19/20. The

regular collection brought in $17,280 and the Poor Box

yielded $ 714.

The Pro-Life Committee

The Pro-Life Committee invites you

to join us on April 26

th

(the last

Saturday of the month), from 7:00 –

8:30 a.m. We will pray the Rosary

outside the Falls Church Abortion

Clinic located at 900 S. Washington Street This is not a call

to do any counseling; this is simply a Rosary group. This is

good work, please prayerfully consider joining us.

The Knights of Columbus News

The Knights of Columbus

Congratulations to the following brother’s who have

obtained the degree indicated below:

First Degree:

Josef Koza on 8 April 2008

Third Degree:

Benjamin Carlos, Col., U.S. Army, Ret. on 12 April,

2008.

The Knights of Columbus - Blood Drive

“The Gift of Life”

The Knights of Columbus are

sponsoring the Spring Blood

Drive on Sunday, April 27

th

from

8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please

give for this life saving effort.

Sign-up is available in the

Narthex after all Masses. For

further information please call

George Melendez at (703) 759-

5158.

Patriotic Exemplification

There will be a Fourth Degree (Patriotic) Exemplification at

St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, hosted by Fr. Robert E.

Nudd Council in Chantilly, Virginia on Saturday, May 17

th

.

Third Degree candidates wishing to attend should contact

David Wilson, Sr., at 703.404.1245 for application and

additional information.

St.

Catherine

of

Siena

Dominican Chapter

Cordially Invites All Parishioners and

Friends

Come celebrate the Feast Day of St.

Catherine of Siena at an evening Mass on

Tuesday, April 29

th

at 7:00 p.m. Mass will

be followed by a champagne and cake

reception in Bishop Justs Hall. There will

be a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. in the church.

Parishioner Information Request

All registered parishioners should check with the Parish

Office if they have moved or changed phone numbers to

assure that our records are up to date. The Parish Office

phone number is (703) 759-4350.

Save The Date – Sunday, May 4

th

, 5:30 p.m.

Sister Paula Hidalgo from the Diocese of Leon in

Nicaragua will be visiting St. Catherine’s Parish. Sister

Paula is founder of the Missionary Fraternity of the Fiat of

Mary and her apostolate reaches the poorest of the poor

through orphanages, schools, medical dispensaries,

occupational centers, home for families on the margins, all

nourished through an Eucharistic and Marian focus.

Activities to welcome Sister Paula include a Rosary

procession, a talk to the parish in Bishop Justs Hall and a

reception to follow. Mark your calendars!

Catechist Corner

Confrater

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD)

Office of Religious Education

April CCD Class Calendar

28,29 All classes in session

May CCD Class Calendar

5, 6

All classes in session

12,13 All classes in session

16

First Holy Communion Practice, 6:00 p.m.

18

First Holy Communion, 8:45 a.m.

19,20 Final classes

July CCD Class Calendar

14-18 “The Week of Graces” A weeklong catechetical

enrichment program for children ages 5 to 12 years.

St. Catherine of Siena Adult Bible Study

“From Adam to Jesus

– A Journey through the Bible”

Newcomers are welcome to join us at any time. Please

contact the Office of Religious Education at 703.759.3530

for more information.

All you need is to bring your Bible!

Evening Session Thursdays 7:30 p.m. in classroom 11

Morning Session Fridays 10:00 a.m. in Bishop Justs Hall

5/1 & 5/2

The Books of Kings

5/8 & 5/9

The Prophets

5/22 & 5/23

The Book of Maccabees

5/29 & 5/30

The Gospel of St. Luke

6/5 & 6/6

The Gospel of St. Luke and

Acts of the Apostles

Siena Academy News

Children’s Corner

-No News This Week

The Over Fifty Club of St. Catherine of Siena

Extending an invitation to all Senior

to join our Social Club. We meet on

the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the

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

Let’s get together and enjoy the following:

May 21 – Day trip to the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in

Lancaster to see Guys and Dolls, a wonderful musical with

a delicious luncheon buffet.

August 26 – Odyssey boat cruise around the Potomac

shores with upscale deluxe sit-down lunch. Music and

entertainment, handicapped accessible. $79.

September 10 & 11 – Homestead & Shenandoah Valley.

Visit the new museum and magnificent gardens. Go

through the “Glenn Burnie” house. Have lunch in the

tearoom, then at the Homestead enjoy tea, dinner and a

relaxing evening and full breakfast in the morning.

$369/Dbl, $469/Single – all three meals and tea included.

September 16 – Day trip. American Music Theatre in

Lancaster. The show is “Classic Crooners”, great music

with Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Perry Como and the

recreation of the “Rat Pack,” Dean, Frank and Sammy.

Enjoy lunch at the Cracker Barrell, shop at the outlets.

$80.

September 22– 27 EWTN Mother Angelica. Franciscan

Monasteries of the Eternal Word, Our Lady of the Angels

Monastery, Ava Maria Grotto, Abbey of Gethsemane, daily

Mass and prayer. Includes 10 meals, tour guide and

Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Deluxe motor

coach to Alabama. A priest will be joining us. Total:

$714/Dbl, $914/Single. Deposit $100.

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.

Lost and Found

If you have lost anything please contact the parish

secretary in the rectory. Any items that remain unclaimed

may be given away.

Spring Fashion Show,

Luncheon and Chinese Auction

Sponsored by

St. Catherine of Siena Women’s Association

Mark your calendars and plan to attend!

A Benefit for the Alexander DeFilippis Scholarships

Friday, May 16, 2008

From: 11:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

River Bend Golf & Country Club

Ticket Donation: $40

Featuring Spring Fashions

From: The Pink Palm

For reservations/information

call Kathy: 703.759.7545 or Donna at

703.326.3119.

Scholarship Fundraiser Donations

Parishioners who would like to help the Women’s

Association fundraise for the Alexander DeFilippis

Scholarships can do so in a variety of ways:

□ You can help by donating goods and/or services

□ You can sponsor a table

□ You can place an ad

□ You can make a cash donation

Each year a fashion show/luncheon/auction takes place

and a major source of fundraising are donated items from

the community. Donor forms are available in the Parish

Office or at http://st-catherines.net, under Fashion Show.

Deadline for donations is May 1

st

.

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.

In the Diocese & Other Events

Website: www.arlingtondiocese.org

Vocations Awareness

Some white-collar jobs are more challenging than others

Vocation Prayer:

Heavenly Father, bless our diocese with the grace of

vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, grant to

those You have called the willingness and generosity of

spirit to give of themselves in devoting their lives and

their talents to the service of our Lord and to His Church.

Increase the faith of all within our diocese, and

particularly the faith of those You have called and will

continue to call. We ask this through Christ, Your Son.

Amen.

“Those who love Me will keep my word.” Is your love for

the Lord leading you to grow in holiness as a priest,

deacon or in the consecrated life?

Call Fr. Brian Bashista: 703.841.2514, or write:

b.bashista@arlingtondiocese.org.

St. Catherine of Siena Feast April 29th

Humble virgin and Doctor of the Church, in thirty-three

years you achieved great perfection and became the

counselor of Popes. You know the temptations of mothers

today as well as the dangers that await unborn infants.

Intercede for me that I may avoid miscarriage and bring

forth a healthy baby who will become a true child of God.

Also, pray for all mothers, that they may not resort to

abortion but help bring a new life into the world. Amen.

Pope Benedict XVI’s Message

The Holy Father’s message to Catholics in the United

States during his Apostolic Journey here goes far beyond

the brief fragments that can be found in the secular

media. All Catholics are encouraged to read the full texts

of the Holy Father’s words as he addressed the specific

situation of our country. Written texts are available at

www.uspapalvisit.org.

From the Office of Victim Assistance

Masses & Prayer Services to Pray for Healing for

Victims/Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Saturday, May 31

st

- Prayer Service at 10:00 a.m.

St. John Neumann, 11900 Lawyers Rd., Reston, Virginia

Rev. Mark Mealey, O.S.F.S., presiding.

Monday, June 9

th

– Bilingual English/Spanish Mass at

7:30 p.m.

St. Joseph, 750 Peachtree St., Herndon, Virginia

Bishop Loverde, presiding.

Vatican Website

To access information from the Vatican:

◊ Go to: www.vatican.va

◊ Select: The Holy See English

Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for April 2008

General:

That even in difficult

and complex

situations of present-

day society,

Christians may

never tire of

proclaiming with

their lives Christ’s

resurrection, the

source of hope and

peace.

Mission:

That future priests in

young Churches

may be ever more

seriously formed

culturally and

spiritually in order to

evangelize their

respective countries

and the whole world.

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. Telephone: 703.841.3810.

Website: gabrielproject@arlingtondiocese.org.

Project Rachel provides assistance to those women and

men who have suffered an abortion. Telephone: (703)

841-2504, Website: projectrachel@arlingtondiocese.org.

Virginia Catholic Conference Advocacy

The Virginia Catholic Conference has created an e-mail

advocacy network, so that those who wish to contact

their state legislators about respect life, social justice,

family and education issues can receive regular alerts on

measures considered at the Virginia General Assembly

sessions, throughout the year. Visit www.vacatholic.org

for more information.

Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi)

Married Singles Lifestyle – The Married

Single Lifestyle describes couples that

may have lost a sense of closeness they

once had as marriage partners and are

living more like roommates. Retrouvaille

teaches couples how to survive times like

these in their marriages. This program

has helped 10’s of 1000’s of couples

experiencing difficulty at all levels of marital distress from

disillusionment to deep misery.

For confidential information or to register

call 703.351.7211 or www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

A Warm Welcome to Newcomers

If you are a visitor who regularly attends Mass at St.

Catherine’s, it is very important we know who you are!

Please fill out a simple card at the Parish Office that will

allow us to serve you better. Being on the rolls of St.

Catherine gives you a few benefits. Mainly, the Priests get

to know their flock by name, essential in times of illness or

death and for receiving some of the Sacraments. By using

offertory envelopes with your name on them we can

provide year-end tax information that is unavailable to

those who place checks or cash in the collection. Year-end

proof of donations is required on tax returns.

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.

The Ascension of The Lord

When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord,

are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or

seasons that the Father has established by his own

authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit

comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in

Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends

of the earth.”

When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was

lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they

were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly

two mean dressed in white garments stood beside them.

They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there

looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up

from you into heaven will return in the same way as you

have seen him going into heaven.”

Acts 1:6-12

Jesus commissioned his disciples to baptize in his name,

reminding them that he is always present through his Spirit.

Having ascended to his father amid cries of gladness, we

are to be his witnesses, for we have been gifted with his

Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Let us, therefore, live in a

manner worthy of the call we have received.