Parish Staff Nancy Caro Sacristan Sr. Janet Siepker Head of School 703-759-4129 Anson Groves Dir of Catholic Youth Org 703-759-3530 Anson Groves Dir. of Religious Ed. 703-759-3530 Sharon O'Donnell Religious Ed Secretary 703-759-3530 Rick Webb Gen. Mgr. Financial Dir 703-759-4350 Dr. Kimberly Hess Director of Music 703-759-4350 Judy Wood 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, August 15 8:00 a.m. Mary Frances Lynch V 10:00 a.m. Pro Populo 12:00 noon Special Intention Monday, August 16 9:00 a.m. Jason Goodman V Tuesday, August 17 9:00 a.m. Michael Cassidy V Wednesday, August 18 9:00 a.m. Edward Kondracki V Thursday, August 19 9:00 a.m. Denise DelSindaco V Friday, August 20 9:00 a.m. Mike and Jean Trader Saturday, August 21 9:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m. Special Intention READINGS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE WEEK Sunday, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Rv 11: 19a; 12: 1-6a, 10ab, Ps 45, 1 Cor 15: 20-27 Lk 1: 39-56 Monday, Weekday in Ordinary Time Ez 24: 15-23, (Ps) Dt 32, Mt 19: 16-22 Tuesday, Weekday in Ordinary Time Ez 28: 1-10, (Ps) Dt 32, Mt 19: 23-30 Wednesday, Weekday in Ordinary Time Ez 34: 1-11, Ps 23, Mt 20: 1-16 Thursday, Weekday in Ordinary Time Ez 36: 23-28, Ps 51, Mt 22: 1-14 Friday, Weekday in Ordinary Time Ez 37: 1-14, Ps 107, Mt 22: 34-40 Saturday, Weekday in Ordinary Time Ez 43: 1-7b, Ps 85, Mt 23: 1-12 Parish Stewardship Thank you for your generous offerings of August 7/8. The regular collection brought in $11,372 and the Poor Box yielded $231. 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. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary August 15th Mary is not equal to Christ, of course. Jesus, though possessing a complete human nature, is the Eternal Word made flesh. Mary is only a creature. But she is a unique creature, the highest of all creatures. This is not just because she was born without the handicap of original sin. Adam and Eve were born free of sin as well, but it did not stop them from sinning. Mary instead chose, with the help of God's grace, to preserve her God-given purity throughout the whole of her life. The bodily corruption of death was not God's original plan. It came into the world through sin, as St. Paul says "the sting of death is sin" (I Cor 15:56). So it is fitting that she, who knew no sin, should know no decay and no delay in enjoying the full fruits of her Son's work. It is fitting that she who stood by Christ under the cross should stand by Him bodily at the right hand of the Father. "The Queen stands at your right hand, in gold of Ophir" (Ps 45). Enoch and Elijah, who the Old Testament says were assumed into heaven, were surely great in God's eyes. But they do not begin to compare with the Immaculate Mother of His Son. Prayer to the Virgin Mary O Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of us all, we turn to you today as the one who said "Yes" to Life. Despite the surprise and the uncertainty about how this could be, you said, "yes." Mary, we pray today for all mothers who are afraid to be mothers. We pray for those who feel threatened and overwhelmed by their pregnancy. Intercede for them, that God may give them the grace to say "yes" and the courage to go on. May they have the grace to reject the false solution of abortion. May they say with you, "Be it done unto me according to your word." May they experience the help of Christian people, and know the peace that comes from doing God's will. Amen. Communion and Blessings A very common liturgical abuse of our times happens during the reception of Holy Communion when persons who cannot receive Communion nevertheless line up with their arms crossed over their chest, as a "message" to the priest that they want a blessing instead of Communion. This is liturgically incorrect on a number of levels. First and foremost, the time for Communion is the time for Communion. The Communion line is not, and should not be, the blessing line. Secondly, the liturgical actions of the priest during Mass are highly regulated, and quite specific of what to do and when to do it. The actions of a good liturgist may seem spontaneous, but they are not and should not be. Unfortunately, owing to the confused time in which we live, some people are instructed to present themselves, arms crossed, before the priest at Communion time for a blessing. To make things even more confused, some people present themselves with crossed arms as a sign that they wish to receive on the tongue! Children who have not yet made their first Communion may come up with their parents who are receiving, but should not present themselves individually for a blessing. Others, who cannot receive, for whatever reason, should remain seated. The proper time for the blessing follows the prayer after Communion, which blessing all receive together. Pray for the Sick and Homebound of our Parish Joshua Basile, Ed Bubbosh, Dianne Burrell, Tom Case, Bryan Cox, Dona Curry, Flora DeLeon, Betsabe deSoto, Marjorie Dolak, Antonia Iglic-Dolenc, Eileen Drennan, Jim Drennan, Marilyn Flynn, Gerald Green, Brian Hack, , John Larounis, Susan McQuade, Peter Michalski, Peggy Selton, K.L. Sypal, Chick Wilson, Anthony Yantiss Pray for Those Who have Fallen Asleep in Christ James Anthony, Peter Choo, John Connor, Moira Connor, Joseph DiFerdinando,Jean Driggers, Christa Drummond, Br. David Eddy, George Gibson, Eddie Guerrero, Francois Haeringer, Carol Jones, Joan Keller, Ed Kondracki Michael Keran, Rector Craig Merkel, Jan Wouters Pray for our Armed Forces Personnel Patrick Bouchoux, Brendan Dunne, Mark Falcon, Christopher Frediani, Brian Horn, Josh Moore, Matthew O'Neil, Mathew Rowell, Justin Smallwood The Blessed Sacrament THIS IS MY BODY - THIS IS MY BLOOD Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Hour 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. 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 adoration 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. 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 7:00 p.m. An Open Invitation From the Lord - We Need You! Adoration has two openings that need to be filled immediately: one from 11:00 a.m. - Noon and one from 11: p.m. - 12:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. In addition, most of the hours of First Fridays have only one adorer. We would like at least two people. If you have considered attending adoration, consider this God's personal invitation. If you cannot commit to an hour every week, share the time with friends or family. For question and/or to sign up please contact Diane Cieslak 703-678- 3919. Daily Rosary The Rosary, a "summary of the Gospel", is a wonderful way to have daily contact with Mary, the Mother of the Lord. Visit www.theholyrosary.org to learn how to pray the Holy Rosary. Christ House Food Donation Drive Please help St. Catherine's support the work of Catholic Charities. Please be so kind as to limit contributions to the following and to check the expiration dates. canned items: meats (corned beef, spam, chicken, tuna, fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, pasta, instant potatoes, macaroni & cheese kits. Labeled bins are placed in the Narthex of the Church. Gift cards from Giant or Safeway are another option that you might find more convenient. Please place gift cards in an envelope marked "Christ House" and place in the collection basket at Mass or drop off at the Parish Office. Office of Religious Education Please Note: The Office of Religious Education is closed on Thursdays and Fridays. Email the office at reoffice@SaintCatherinesChurch.org for any information. Catechist Corner Confraternity of Christian Doctrine CCD Classes resume on Monday, September 13, 2010 CCD Needs Your Help for the 2010-2011 School Year Mondays, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Teacher and Assistants needed for grades 1,3,4,5 & 6 Teachers only needed for grade 2 Mondays, 6:45 - 7:45 p.m. Assistants only needed for grades 3, 6, & 7 Teacher and Assistant needed for grade 5 Tuesdays, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Assistants only needed for grades 3, 5, & 6 Teacher and assistant needed for grade 4 Please consider giving some time to the children of our parish. It is truly a rewarding experience in many ways! Confirmation September 7, 14, 21 Final classes from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (Please note: changes in dates for these final classes). Dinner will be served to all students. 17 Rehearsal with sponsors, 6:30 p.m. 24 Confirmation Mass Bishop Loverde! Presiding at 7:30 p.m. Catholic Youth Organization Please see the CYO bulletin board for all upcoming events Senior CYO - 8th - 12th grade CYO bowling, August 8th and 15th 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Junior JCYO - 4th - 7th grades Parish Registration We welcome you to our Parish Community and invite you to call or register in person at the Parish Office. Over 50 Club u September 11 The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre In Lancaster. PA. The show is GEORGE M. with wonderful music and a professional cast. $98. u September 20-24 Fall Foliage Rocking Horse Ranch In the Catskill Mountains. Staying at the Rocking Horse Ranch with all sit-down meals from the menu. Day and evening activities including side trips. Everything is located on one floor (great for seniors). $623. u September 27-30 Wildwood Seafood Feast Includes: 3 nights accommodations, 3 full breakfasts and dinners that include a deluxe seafood buffet with an assortment of seafood and roast beef, a trip to Cape May, one day at the Tropicana Casino with bonus package, a visit to the Smithville Village, Washington Street Mall and more.$329. u October 3 Riverside Dinner Theatre In Fredericksburg, VA. This beautiful theatre will present the show CHICAGO. A sit-down luncheon is included. $89. u December 1 Voices of Christmas At the Living Water Theatre in Lancaster, PA. This is the final performance for this wonderful show, an exhilarating journey through the treasured traditions of Christmas. $76. 2011 u April 30 - May 14 Taking Reservations Now Riverboat trip to Ancient Egypt. This promises to be a fantastic trip. Call for flyer and information. Membership in the Club is not required to travel with us! Please call the following for more information and/or registration. Mary Ann at 703-404-8677 or Connie at 703-759-2939. Do Not Park on the Grass We have spent a great deal of money repairing the asphalt at the Church as well as planting new grass. Parking on the grass not only damages the grass but the edges of the asphalt as well. More to the point: it is a violation of the posted Fire Lanes. There are plenty of parking spaces for all, but yes, if you are late you will have to walk a few more feet. Arrive five minutes early and there will be no extra walking. If you see someone parking on the grass, please ask them to move; this is your Church. We do not want to have to resort to towing the offenders. Thank you for your cooperation. Siena Academy News "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs." Douay-Rheim Catholic Bible - Mark 10:14 Mission Statement Siena Academy is the parish school at St. Catherine of Siena. Its mission is to give glory to God and to assist parents in the role as primary educators of their children by offering specially prepared environments founded upon the principles and discoveries made by Dr. Maria Montessori in regard to the unique spiritual and developmental needs of the child from birth to adulthood. The Knights of Columbus News Consider This Opportunity to Serve! The Knights of Columbus are the largest Catholic Men's fraternal organization - are you a Knight? For information please contact Kevin Trissell at 703-464- 8393 or trissellkofc@verizon.net. The Women's Association News All women of the parish are cordially invited to join and participate in our monthly activities and fellowship. We have great camaraderie and encourage you to come and be a part of our community. The Women's Association is looking for new members to enjoy the company of like-minded women by serving St. Catherine's of Siena Church in various ways. So, give it some thought and if you are interested in a break from your everyday routine or would like more information please contact Lynn at lhanlon@cox.net. 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 www.saintcatherineschurch.org. In the Diocese & Other Events Website: www.arlingtondiocese.org Some white-collar jobs are more challenging than others Is your marriage in trouble? Retrouvaille can help, please call (703) 351-7211 or visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com. 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. Celebrating a Silver or Golden Wedding Anniversary this Year? Were you married in 1960 or 1985? Then join Bishop Loverde for the 2010 Marriage Jubilee Mass to be celebrated on Sunday, October 24 at 2:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. Contact the parish office to register no later than September 24. Struggling with Same-Sex Attraction? Courage is an apostolate that assists individuals experiencing same-sex attractions to live chaste lives according to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Meetings in the Diocese of Arlington are for men and women, and strict confidentiality is maintained. For more information, contact Courage@arlingtondiocese.org or visit http://couragerc.net/index.htm. Abortion Recovery Retreats for Women An "Entering Canaan" Day of Prayer and Healing will take place on Saturday, September 18 and a Rachel's Vineyard Weekend Retreat is scheduled for October 15- 17. 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 you can express, reconcile and release painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing. For more info or to register, please call Project Rachel (703) 841-2504 or (888) 456-HOPE or projectrachel@arlingtondiocese.org Donate a Used Car to Catholic Charities Catholic Charities Car Ministry program needs used cars to donate to poor, elderly, and developmentally disabled persons to help them hold down jobs, shop, and transport their families as needed. We currently have more than 20 people waiting to receive a car. If you have a car in working condition that you wish to donate to Catholic Charities, call Harry Burke at (703) 841-2531, ext.12. The car will be given to a needy person (it will not be sold). Your donation is tax deductible. Assisting Victims of Child Sexual Abuse The Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator assists victims of child sexual abuse in obtaining counseling, spiritual assistance and healing. If you or someone you know has experienced abuse by anyone representing the church, including employees, volunteers or clergy, help is available. Please contact the Victim Assistance Coordinators, Pat Mudd at 703-841-2530 or Kathryn Kramer at 703-841-2759. More information is available at http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/childprotect/child_protec tion.php Arlington's 2nd Catholic Heritage Festival Please mark your calendars for the upcoming Catholic Heritage Festival, which will be on Saturday October 2nd, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville. Celebrate with fellow Catholics of all ages and nationalities from across the Diocese with Mass, great food, games, music, sporting events, dancing and more. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the oneness of our faith. For additional details visit: www.catholicheritagefestival.org Online @ Catholic Distance University Don't miss this popular online seminar with Fr. Paul deLadurantaye, Arlington Diocesan Secretary for Religious Education The Mass: History, Theology, and Spirituality, August 9 - 30. Develop a better understanding of the Mass and learn more about the implementation of the new Roman Missal in this popular CDU seminar. CDU is recognized as the online partner with the Diocese of Arlington for catechists' formation. Bishop Loverde serves as the Chairman of the CDU Board. Learn more at www.cdu.edu or contact CDU at 1.888.254.4238 ext. 700. Enrollment is open for this seminar through August 13. CDU and EWTN In partnership with EWTN, CDU Presents is a free weekly radio program that explores a variety of Catholic topics. The program airs on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. EST, on stations carrying EWTN radio programming. If there is no EWTN radio station in your area, you can visit ewtn.com, select 'Radio,' and click 'Listen Live.' You can also listen any time at the EWTN website in 'Library Archives.' Visit www.cdu.edu for details and links to EWTN. The World Apostolate of Fatima When: Sunday, August 22nd from 3-4 p.m. Where: St. Thomas à Becket Catholic Church 1421 Wiehle Avenue, Reston At Fatima, Our Lady asked for prayer and sacrifice for the conversion of sinners, peace in the world, and an increase in vocations. We hope you will join us in prayer. The Tremendous Blessings and Benefits of the Mass as told by Popes and Saints Pope Paul VI "The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!" Pope Benedict XV "The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death." St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church "The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross." St. Gregory, Doctor of the Church "The heavens open and multitudes of angels come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass." "It is most true that he who attends holy Mass shall be freed from many evils and from many dangers, both seen and unseen." St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church "The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass." "He who devoutly hears holy Mass will receive a great vigor to enable him to resist mortal sin, and there shall be pardoned to him all venial sins which he may have committed up to that hour." "He [who attends Mass with all possible devotion] shall be freed from sudden death, which is the most terrible stroke launched by the Divine Justice against sinners. Behold a wonderful preservative against sudden death." St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church "Without doubt, the Lord grants all favors which are asked of Him in Mass provided they be fitting for us. He also grants that also which is not demanded of Him, if we, on our part, put no obstacle in the way." St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church "When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar." St. Anselm, Doctor of the Church "A single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death." St. Teresa, Doctor of the Church Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God's Goodness and asked Our Lord "How can I thank you?" Our Lord replied, "ATTEND ONE MASS." St. John Vianney, Patron Saint of Parish Priests "When we receive Holy Communion, we experience something extraordinary - a joy, a fragrance, a well being that thrills the whole body and causes it to exalt." "If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy." "There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us." "When we have been to Holy Communion, the balm of love envelops the soul as the flower envelops the bee." Blessed Padre Pio, stigmatic priest "It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass."