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Parish Staff

Maggie Radzik

Head of School

703.759.4129

Anson Groves

Dir. of 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

Mary LaPlante

Parish Secretary

703.759.4350

Jackie Fox

Bulletin Editor

703.759.4350

Guillermo DeLeon

Director of Facilities

703.638.4301

Email address:

deleonscs@gmail.com

Emiro Soto

Maintenance

Rosa Hernandez

Support Staff

Stephen Dolenc

Web Master

stephendolenc

@gmail.com

Mass Intentions

Sunday, December 7

7:30 a.m.

For an End to Abortion

8:45 a.m.

Julie Ketchum

10:30 a.m.

Pro Populo

1:00 p.m.

For an End to Abortion

Monday, December 8

9:00 a.m.

Melba & Bob Shafer

7:30 p.m.

Elaine Luther

Tuesday, December 9

9:00 a.m.

Nora Edmonds

Wednesday, December 10

9:00 a.m.

For an End to Abortion

Thursday, December 11

9:00 a.m.

Charles Teetor

Friday, December 12

9:00 a.m.

The Unborn, Living & Deceased

Saturday, December 13

9:00 a.m.

For an End to Abortion

5:30 p.m.

Herbert M. Ballweg

Daily Scriptures

READINGS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sunday – Second Sunday of Advent

Is 40: 1-5, 9-11, Ps 85, 2 Pt 3: 8-14, Mk 1: 1-8

Monday – The Immaculate Conception of The

Blessed Virgin Mary

Gn 3: 9-15, 20, Ps 98, Eph 1: 3-6, 11-12, Lk 1: 26-38

Tuesday – St. Juan Diego

Is 40: 1-11, Ps 96, Mt 18: 12-14

W

ednesday – Weekday in Advent

Is 40: 25-31, Ps 103, Mt 11: 28-30

Thursday – Weekday in Advent

Is 41: 13-20, Ps 145, Mt 11: 11-15

Friday – Our Lady of Guadalupe

Zec 2: 14-17, (Ps) Jdt 13, Lk 1: 26-38

Saturday – St. Lucy

Sir 48: 1-4, 9-11, Ps 80, Mt 17: 9a, 10-13

Please note: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed

Virgin Mary, December 8th is a day of Holy Obligation.

Mass Times are: 9:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Parish Stewardship

Thank you for your generous offerings of November 29/30,

the regular collection brought in $18,550 and the Poor Box

yielded $290.

Thank you for your generous offerings of November 22/23.

The regular collection brought in $13,222 and the Poor Box

of November 22/23 and November 15/16 combined yielded

$ 677.

ADVENT WREATH

PRAYER

First Sunday of Advent

“Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time

will come.”

(Gather in silence as the family member chosen, lights

the first candle).

Leader: O Lord, during this Advent season, help each of

us to become aware of our need for you, to be full of

thankfulness and joy and to repay love with love.

Family: Prepare us for your coming, Jesus.

Leader: May this Advent light remind us of Jesus who is

the Light of the world.

Family: Prepare us for your coming, Jesus.

Leader: During this Advent preparation, just as the potter

fashions his clay, mold this family into the image of your

Son.

Family: Prepare us for your coming, Jesus.

Leader: God, we ask you to help us remember during this

busy season what Christmas is really all about, and

awaken us to your presence in our lives. We offer our

prayer in the name of Jesus, your Son.

Family: Amen.

Second Sunday of Advent

“Make ready the way of the Lord, clear Him a straight

path.”

(Gather in silence as the family member chosen, lights

the two candles.

Leader: Father, turn our hearts and our minds back to

you, that we may listen to the message of John the

Baptist to prepare the way for the Savior to come to us.

Family: Come to us Lord, may your presence be our

peace.

Leader: Come to us Lord, in our family life. May your

presence be the deep love in which we grow together

and the peace that overcomes all conflict.

Family: Come to us Lord; may your presence be our

peace.

Leader: Lord, you stand among us unnoticed and

unknown. Teach us to see you in the poor and lonely,

the hungry and the sick in our midst.

Family: Come to us Lord; may your presence be our

peace.

Leader: We praise you for the example of Mary. Her

openness to you brought Jesus into this world. May

each of us continue to bring Jesus to all those we touch.

Family: Amen.

Pray for the Sick and Homebound of our Parish

Elaine Elizabeth Abraham, Maryann Barron,

Joshua Basile, Philip Calanchini, Jose Campos,

Thomas Case, Joe Cassella, Bryan Cox,

Baby Natasha deSa, Betsabe de Soto, Michele Doin,

Marjorie Dolak, Christa Drummond, Larry Dublin,

Danny Frey, Brian Hack, Elizabeth Hooten,

Marjorie Horan, Evelyn LaPlante, Joan Loftis,

Mary Love, Elaine Luther, Deana Mansoor,

Inaam Mansoor, Carol McCarty, Baby Peter Michalski,

Ann Miller, David Murphy, Makayla Overend,

Lien Shinta, David Wilson, Jr., Baby Anthony Yantiss

Pray for Those Who have Fallen Asleep in Christ

Lila Brown, Joseph Cerroni, Sr., Irene Corrado,

Joseph Gartlan, Maria Keran, William Bud Ko,

Nicholas Lippis, Rita Lippis, Margie McBee,

Steve Saunders, Adele Spauer, Thomas Vander Woude,

Jack Wood, Margaret Wood, Angel Zavala

Pray for our Armed Forces Personnel

Patrick Bouchoux, Jordan Bowren, Jeff Campbell,

Brendan Dunne, Mark Falcon, Christopher Frediani,

Brian Horn, Matthew O’Neil, Justin Smallwood

The Blessed Sacrament

THIS IS MY BODY – THIS IS MY BLOOD

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

The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic

worship. Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of love. Let

us be generous with our time in going to meet Him in

oration and in contemplation that is full of faith, and ready

to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the

world. May our adoration never cease.

– John Paul II, 1960

To sign up for adoration or for information regarding

adoration please contact Diane Cieslak 703.678.3919.

24 hour Eucharistic Adoration begins after the 9:00 a.m.

Mass on Wednesday and ends with reposition of the

Blessed Sacrament at 8:55 a.m. on Thursday.

24 hour Eucharistic Adoration also begins after the 9:00

a.m. Mass on every First Friday of the month and ends with

reposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 8:55 a.m. on

Saturday.

Holy Hour is every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m.

“Our” Seminarian’s

When writing your Christmas cards, please include our

seminarian’s Mick Kelly, Matthew DeForest and Michael

Isenberg.

Please keep them in your prayers as they

continue their studies. They would be more than happy to

receive some encouraging words. The addresses are as

follows:

Mick Kelly

Matthew DeForest

Brian McAllister (a parishioner)

Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary

16000 Old Emmitsburg Road

Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727-7797

Mike Isenberg

North American College

00120 Vatican City State

Europe

Please Consider This Immediate Need

We need your help! There is a critical need for someone

to sign up for Wednesday evenings from 5-6 p.m., Friday

afternoons from 2-3 p.m. time-slots, and on First Friday

nights from 10–11 p.m.

Please contact Diane Cieslak at 703.678.3919.

Men’s Prayer Group

Feeling as though you should “pick up the pace” in

In your prayer life? Come join your silent prayers with ours

in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in support of

our pastor, parish and school. Thursdays from 5:00 – 6::00

a.m., except First Fridays when we meet from 5:30 – 6:30

a.m.

Father Drummond will say a special Mass

immediately afterward. Following Mass join us for

breakfast at a nearby eatery. For further information:

ksypal!yahoo.com.

Angel Tree

The annual Angel Tree in the narthex will

be decorated by the CYO teenagers. The

gifts donated by parishioners will go to

Catholic Charities of Arlington. Please

take an angel (or two) and leave the

unwrapped gift under the tree by Sunday,

December 21st. Thank you for your

generosity at this blessed time of the year.

The Women’s Association News

Cookbooks

Don’t know what to buy someone for

Christmas, or another occasion? St.

Catherine’s Women’s Association is

selling their cookbook, “Celebrate the

Feast” with hundreds of recipes,

cooking tips, even a section on napkin

folding. The cookbooks are available in

the parish office selling for $10.00. Give

a gift that will last and benefit the parish at the same time!

The Knights of Columbus News

Keep Christ in Christmas!

The joyous Christmas

season is once again

approaching.

The

Knights of Columbus

are offering for sale our

beautiful, “Keep Christ

in Christmas” cards.

Remembering

your

loved ones and friends

with these classic religious cards is a way to celebrate both

Christmas and our Catholic faith. The cards will be on

display in the narthex, and order forms will be available in

the event that the cards you wish to purchase are

temporarily out of stock. Please feel free to contact Mike

Fabrizi at mike.fabrizi@gmail.com or call 703.847.0696 for

further information.

Nativity Car Magnets

The Keep Christ in Christmas Nativity

Magnets for display on your car

(remind the world why we celebrate

Christmas), refrigerator or any other

metal surface are available for sale in

the narthex. Great stocking stuffers

or gifts for out of town family.

Proceeds support the Knights of

Columbus Charities.

Annual Christmas Tree Sale

The Knights of Columbus is holding their

annual Christmas fresh-cut tree sale on

Saturdays and Sundays beginning

November 30

th

through December 14

th

. A

beautiful selection including trees up to 12

feet tall. Trees will be available on

Saturdays following the 9:00 a.m. Mass

until 4:00 p.m., and on Sundays following

the 7:30 a.m. Mass until 4:00 p.m. As

always local delivery is free. Shop early!! Proceeds help

support the Knights Charities. Please call Jim Hanlon at

703.759.6539 if you have any questions.

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.

Chess Club Returns to St. Catherine’s!

Calling all children (girls and boys, ages 5 through 12)

who love to play chess or are interested in learning how!

The Siena Chess Club meets every Thursday evening

from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. At Siena Academy in the

Elementary Great Room. The winter session runs for 10

weeks and began November 6

th

for a cost of $80. You

can join us at any time and the cost will be pro-rated. If

more than one child per family registers, the cost is $60

per child. Your child needs NO chess experience as Mr.

Acholonu teaches children at all levels. Mr. Acholonu is

a USCF Life Master who has been teaching chess for

over ten years! If you have any questions or would like a

registration flyer, please contact Nancy Engelhard at

703.759.7557 or nancy.engelhard@gmail.com.

Altar Boy Schedule

December 6/7

5:30 p.m.

The Hatfields, The Browns,

Vinnie Marcantonio

7:30 a.m.

Alex Spalding, Sebastian Koehler,

The Kerans, S. Pungello

8:45 a.m.

The Kerlis, The Meehans,

Joseph Livaudais

10:30 a.m. The Santorums, Sean Moriarty,

John Wilkinson, John & Robbie Buttarazzi,

Patrick Stevens, Trey Mohler,

Dominic Abel, P. Poirier, Jack Ryland,

Walter Twetten, J.D. Le Jeune, P. Kelly

1:00 p.m.

Nick Skacel, The Galbraiths,

The Ketts, The Fergusons

December 13/14

5:30 p.m.

The Hatfields, The Browns,

Vinnie Marcantonio

7:30 a.m.

Alex Spalding, Sebastian Koehler,

The Kerans, S. Pungello

8:45 a.m.

The Kerlis, The Meehans,

Joseph Livaudais

10:30 a.m. The Santorums, Sean Moriarty,

John Wilkinson, John & Robbie Buttarazzi,

Patrick Stevens, Trey Mohler,

Dominic Abel, P. Poirier, Jack Ryland,

Walter Twetten, J.D. Le Jeune, P. Kelly

1:00 p.m.

Nick Skacel, The Galbraiths,

The Ketts, The Fergusons

Holy Land Christians – December 13/14

The Christians of

Bethlehem will present

their beautiful hand-carved

olive wood renditions in the

narthex next weekend.

These unique and unusual

carvings from the town of

Bethlehem would be ideal

Christmas gifts or for

display in your own home.

Made by the Christians of

Bethlehem, they supply a much-needed source of

income. Proceeds of sales will help to support our

Christian brethren in the Holy Land.

Siena Academy News

Environment Observations

Siena Academy invites all parishioners to observe Siena

Academy in person during school hours. You will

experience first-hand the incredible works and graces

taking place daily at your school. Come and see what so

many families around the diocese are talking about!

Please call for an appointment at 703.759.4129.

Support Siena Academy

Save “Box Tops for Education” coupons and

Campbell’s “Labels for Education” UPC’s from the

products you buy. Each box top represents $0.10 for Siena

Academy and each Campbell’s UPC represents either 1 or

5 points. You can pick up a list of participating products

from the Siena Academy bulletin board in the narthex.

Please place all labels and box tops in the “Label’s for

Education” collection container located near the bulletin

board. Don’t forget to ask your friends, family and

neighbors to help too. Thank you so much for your

support!

Women’s Prayer Group

All women of St. Catherine’s and Siena Academy are

invited to come together for an hour of silent prayer and

adoration before the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday

evenings from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Intentions will

include our parish, our pastor, Siena Academy staff, and

our families. If you have questions, please contact Linda

Esquivel at lindaesquivel@gmail.com or Bernadette

Goyette at joegoyette@juno.com. Please join us.

Siena Students Need Your Talents!

Do you have a special interest, hobby or profession that

you would be willing to share with our students? Please

visit the Siena Academy Bulletin Board in the Narthex, fill

out a form and submit it. One of our students may call and

request some information or a presentation in the

classroom. Your participation is greatly appreciated!

Save the Date! – April 25, 2009

“Sagra del Siena”: Siena’s Annual Fundraising Event

Mark your calendars and join us for this year’s (2009)

fundraising event which will be an open Italian

marketplace format where guests will enjoy the freedom

to mingle, bid, eat and drink at their own pace. The

evening promises to be a great time for all who attend. If

you are able to volunteer your time, make a monetary or

item donation, (such as food or drinks, decorations,

auction items, etc. for the event. Please contact Nancy

Rowles at NVRowles@aol.com or 703.255.0188. We

look forward to celebrating with you!

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.

From The Office of Religious Education

Catechist Corner

Confrater

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD)

Class Calendar

December

8

No classes – The Immaculate Conception

9

All classes in session

15, 16 All classes in session

22, 23 All classes in session

29, 30 No classes

January 2009

5

All classes in session

6

No classes – The Epiphany

12,13 All classes in session

19,20 All classes in session

26,27 No classes

Fifth Latin American Festival

Thanks to all who made the Fifth Latin

American Festival, which assists our

sister parish in Nicaragua, a success! A

check for $3,726.52 is being sent to the

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception of

El Viejo to help with costs associated with

the Father Bernardo feeding center for

children, and a medical dispensary that provides free

medical care to the poor. In addition, $500.00 was

collected toward a refrigerator for the new convent of

Sister Paula’s Missionary Sisters of the Fiat of Mary.

That effort continues. Thanks go to all those who

donated their time to cook, prepare, serve, clean and

attend the Festival, as well as to those who purchased

raffle tickets or made monetary donations. Special

appreciation goes to the students of Siena Academy who

performed a play based on the story of Our Lady of

Guadalupe and to those who directed them. Thanks to

Paula Brassfield for her Spanish dance and kudos also

go to members of the Sister Parish in Nicaragua

Committee who worked hard to put on this year’s

Festival, especially Melissa Fowler and Paul Bernier.

There are many dates in the upcoming weeks and months

that are available for Mass Intentions. Please contact the

office to arrange for an intention and to get a Mass card.

Over 50 Club Scheduled Senior Trips

Make Your Calendars and Make

Plans to Enjoy a Great Trip

Membership in the Club and

Senior Status is not required.

Early Registration is Suggested!

March 22 – Day trip to Toby’s Dinner Theatre in

Baltimore. Professional show is Beauty and the Beast.

Buffet lunch, deluxe motor coach. $72.00.

April 22&23 – Atlantic City overnight, staying at the

Tropicana including buffet dinner and breakfast. And

$10.00 bonus. A show will be included if one is

scheduled. On the 23

rd

we will go to the Day Resorts

with another bonus (up to $25.00). Deluxe motor coach.

Early registration is suggested. $139.00.

April 29 – Mystery Day Trip - Includes meal, show, a

prize if you can guess the mystery ??? This will be a fun

trip without much walking. $86.00.

May 2-7 – Ottawa & Thousand Islands - 5 nights

lodging, 3 in Ottawa, including 5 breakfasts, 3 dinners,

guided tour of the Parliament, Canadian Museum,

Casino duLac Lamy, and a cruise on the St. Lawrence

River, plus much more. $525.00.

May 13-15 – 3 days, 2 nights. A taste of the old South

at “TARA”, a lovely country inn, resembles the home in

“Gone With The Wind, in PA. The home features theme

rooms, “high teas”, southern meals, and a guided tour.

All bedrooms have fireplace. Includes a paddlewheel

cruise on Lake Conneaut, visit historic Buhl Mansion, a

wine and chocolate tour and other attractions. $409.

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 Connie at 703.759.2939.

In the Diocese & Other Events

Website: www.arlingtondiocese.org

Vocations Awareness

Some white-collar jobs are more challenging than others

Vocation Prayer:

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd.” If God may be

calling you to nourish His people as a priest, deacon or in

the consecrated life, call Fr. Brian Bashista:

703.841.2514, or: b.bashista@arlingtondiocese.org

Informational Websites

Relating to Anti-Abortion Issues

National Right to Life

Website: www.nrlc.org

Silent No More Awareness

Website: www.silentnomoreawareness.org

American United For Life

Website: AUL.org

Almighty God,

Remove the scourge of abortion from the face of the Earth.

Amen.

Our Voice Is Needed Now More Than Ever

A new, very serious threat to human life has arisen

The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA)

FOCA would wipe away every restriction on abortion

nationwide

FOCA Eliminates:

Regulations that protect women from unsafe

abortion clinics

FOCA Forces:

Taxpayers to fund abortions

FOCA Requires:

All states to allow “partial birth” and other late-term

abortions

FOCA:Subjects:

Women to abortions by non-physicians

FOCA Violates:

The conscience rights of nurses, doctors, and

hospitals.

FOCA Strips:

Parents of their right to be involved in their minor

daughters’ abortion decision.

Tell Congress

Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard to contact the offices of

your Representative and two Senators: 202.224.3121.

Urge them to oppose FOCA.

For more resources see: www.nchla.org.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Stand up for life as we pray:

For all world leaders, judges and legislators to understand

the sanctity of human life in order to reject all affronts

against it and to bravely protect it without regards to politics

or self-interest.

For the conversion of all those who participate in the

abortion industry in any way.

For pregnant mothers in crisis to find the love and care they

need to choose life for their babies.

For those who profess themselves to be anti-abortion that

they may be resolute in this important ministry to

evangelize and protect mothers and children from the

horror of abortion.

December 14 – Catholic Charities Christmas Collection

There will be a second collection taken up at all Masses

next weekend, December 13/14. The diocesan-wide

second collection will benefit Catholic Charities of the

Diocese of Arlington

Holy Father’s Prayer Intention

for December 2008

General:

That in the face of a spreading of a

culture of violence the Church through

her apostolic and missionary activity

may promote with courage the culture

of life.

Mission:

That especially in mission countries

Christians may show with acts of fraternal

love that the Child born in the stable at Bethlehem is the

luminous Hope of the world. – From the Vatican