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Parish Staff

Nancy Caro

Sacristan

Sr. Janet Siepker

Head of School

703-759-4129

Danielle Lussier

Anson Groves

School Secretary

Dir of Catholic Youth Org

703-759-4129

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

Parish Registration

We welcome you to our Parish Community and invite you

to call or register in person at the Parish Office.

Parish Website

: www.saintcatherineschurch.org.

Mass Intentions for the Week

Sunday, November 28

8:00 a.m.

Brother Benet Tvedten

10:00 a.m.

Pro Populo

12:00 noon

Jackie Fox

Monday, November 29

9:00 a.m.

Carter Stevens

Tuesday, November 30

9:00 a.m.

Special Intention

Wednesday, December 1

9:00 a.m.

Special Intention

Thursday, December 2

9:00 a.m.

Frank Gardner 

Friday, December 3

9:00 a.m.

Special Intention

Saturday, December 4

9:00 a.m.

Louise Dumler Kepley 

5:30 p.m.

Frank Johnson 

Readings for the Week

Sunday, First Sunday in Advent

Is 2:1-5, Ps 122, Rom 13:11-14, Mt 24:37-44

Monday, Advent Weekday

Is 4:2-6, Ps 122, Mt 8:5-11

Tuesday, Advent Weekday

Rom 10:9-18, Ps 19, Mt 4:18-22

Wednesday, Advent Weekday

Is 25:6-10a, Ps 23, Mt 15:29-37

Thursday, Advent Weekday

Is 26:1-6, Ps 118, Mt 7:21,24-27

Friday, Advent Weekday

Is 29:17-24, Ps 27, Mt 9:27-31

Saturday, Advent Weekday

Is 30:19-21,23-26, Ps 147, Mt 9:35-10:1,5a,6-8

A Word from Father Drummond

The First Sunday of Advent

Once again we begin a new liturgical year as the

Season of Advent is upon us. The word “Advent” is

derived from the Latin “ad venire”, meaning to come to.

The season is one of preparation for the coming of Christ

to earth as a Man. It is a season of penitential

preparation for Christmas, marked by the liturgical color

purple, just as in the Season of Lent. Similarly, we do

not recite or sing the Gloria at Mass during the Season of

Advent.

All too often the penitential nature of this season

is lost in all the hustle and bustle of the secular world’s

preparation for Christmas, which is filled more with

business and social opportunities than with sober

reflection of the Coming of Christ and our need of His

salvific action. The Season of Advent should be marked

by Almsgiving, Acts of Penitence and Prayer.

Although we do not have the tradition of “giving

something up” for Advent as we do with Lent, we should

nevertheless try. This is particularly challenging with so

many Christmas goodies and parties to tempt us, but for

that reason the potential for sanctification is all the

greater. A discipline practiced out of Love is all the more

meaningful for being difficult.

As we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Birth of

our Lord and Savior, we should not let the secular

traditions weigh us down and away from the Spiritual.

ADVENT LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Saturday, Nov. 27

Worldwide Vigil for All

Nascent Human Life

7:30 pm Vespers with

Benediction

Sunday, Nov. 28

8:00 pm Compline (Night Prayer)

Sunday, Dec. 5

8:00 pm Compline

Wednesday, Dec. 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception

9:00 am with music

12:00 noon quiet mass

7:30 pm with music

Sunday, Dec. 12

8:00 pm Compline

Sunday, Dec. 19

8:00 pm Compline

The Mass and confession schedules for Christmas

Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and The

Solemnity of Mary (New Year’s Day) will be published

in subsequent bulletins.

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.

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.

PRO-LIFE COMMITTEE ANNUAL

CHRISTMAS GREENS SALE

This weekend only the Pro-Life Committee will

hold its annual greens sale in the Narthex after

all masses. Stop by their tables and purchase

fresh Christmas greenery for your home.

Proceeds will benefit A Woman’s Choice in

Falls Church.

St. Catherine’s Men’s Prayer Group

Gentlemen, feeling pulled to "pick up the pace" 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. For further information: ksypal@yahoo.com.

Christ House

Food Donation Drive

Help St. Catherine’s support the work of Catholic

Charities. Please be so kind as to check the expiration

dates and to limit contributions to: Canned items (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. Please make sure to note

your parishioner envelope number with the gift card.

Pray for the Sick and Homebound of our Parish

Joshua Basile, Ed Bubbosh, Dianne Burrell, Bryan Cox,

Dona Curry, Flora DeLeon, Betsabe deSoto,

Marjorie Dolak, Eileen Drennan, Jim Drennan,

Marilyn Flynn, Jackie Fox, Gerald Green, Brian Hack,

John Larounis, Susan McQuade, Peter Michalski,

William Schrepel, Peggy Selton, K.L. Sypal, Chick

Wilson, Anthony Yantiss

Pray for Those Who have Fallen Asleep in Christ

Teresa Baressi, Tom Case, Marie Chang, Peter Choo,

Joseph DiFerdinando, Jean Driggers, Christa

Drummond, Br. David Eddy, George Gibson, Eddie

Guerrero, François Haeringer, Carol Jones, Joan Keller,

Ed Kondracki, Michael Keran, Rector Craig Merkel, Jim

Low, 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 Knights of Columbus News

Consider This Opportunity to Serve!

The Knights of Columbus is 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.

Keep Christ in Christmas!

The joyous Christmas season is once

again approaching. The Knights of

Columbus are selling beautiful, “Keep

Christ in Christmas” cards after all

Masses until December 12 (orders may

be placed until December 5). $1 from

every box sold supports Siena Academy.

Remembering your loved ones and

friends with these classic religious cards is a way to

celebrate both Christmas and our Catholic faith.

Annual Christmas Tree Sale

Once again the Knights will conduct their Annual Christmas

Tree Sale! Beginning Sunday, November 28, you can stop

by St. Catherine’s and purchase a fresh, beautiful

Christmas tree for your home. Trees will be available from

9:30 am – 4:30 pm all Saturdays and Sundays of Advent

until all trees are sold. For more information, call Jim

Hanlon at 703-759-6539.

Knights’ Upcoming Events:

December 7

th

-- 7:30 PM --Knights’ Business Meeting

Padre Pio Hall

December 12

th

– after 8:00 & 10:00 Masses – Monthly

Pancake Breakfast, Bishop Justs Hall

December 21

st

– 6:30 PM – Together with the Women’s

Association will host the annual Children’s

Christmas Party and Visit from Santa in Bishop

Justs Hall

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 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 Hanlon at: lhanlon@cox.net.

Christmas Ornament Exchange

The Women’s Association invites all women – not just

association members -- to our annual Christmas

Ornament Exchange Party. Please bring an appetizer,

side dish or dessert to share. Also bring a wrapped

religious ornament (if possible, valued at $10) so you can

participate in the Exchange. For directions and RSVP,

contact Donna Borrelli at donnaborrelli@aol.com.

Women’s Association/Knights Children’s

Christmas Party

Together with the Knights of Columbus, the Women’s

Association will again host their annual Christmas Party

in Bishop Justs Hall at 7:30 pm, Tuesday, December

21. A light dinner will be provided for the children as will

treat bags. Santa will make an appearance! Please

bring a container or plate of cookies to share.

Women’s Association Newsletter

Every month, The Women’s Association publishes a

newsletter filled with events in and around our Parish. If

you would like to receive a copy, it is available by email

only. Please send your email address to Lynn Hanlon at

lhanlon@cox.net to be added to our list.

Women’s Association / Pro Life Committee

On Saturday December 18, the Women’s Association will

partner with the Pro Life Committee to pray the Rosary

together at the abortion clinic in Falls Church. All

interested participants should gather at St. Catherine’s

between 7:00 and 7:15 am to carpool. For more

information, contact Kathy at 703-450-2827 or

mcerroni@aol.com

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 with regard to the unique spiritual and

developmental needs of the child from birth to adulthood.

A Letter from Sister Janet

Dear Parishioners,

First of all, thank you for supporting the Academy by

signing up for escript. I am grateful to the Knights for

allowing us to set up a table at their Pancake Breakfast.

It was beneficial. Every little bit of financial help will be

received as a blessing from God as we fill in the financial

gaps for tuition help for some of our families. You can

find more information about signing up for escript on the

school bulletin board in the Narthex of the Church.

It seems fitting that we celebrate Thanksgiving so

close to the beginning of a new Liturgical Year. It helps

place Christ into the center of what too often is

celebrated just as a secular holiday. I hope you can take

time to reflect upon the blessings that are beyond family

and material goodsto the realization of the graces

received throughout the Liturgical Seasons within the

Church, especially as we center our lives around the

Eucharistic Table. God bless you and your families and

Happy New Liturgical Year!

Sister Janet Siepker

ARE YOU

OVER 50 ???

The Over Fifty Club of St. Catherine of Siena

extends an invitation to 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

opportunity to meet new people. We also have a

social bridge group that meets the 1st Friday of the

month at 10:00 a.m. Singles or couples are warmly

welcomed. For more information contact Mary Ann

at

703-404-8677.

Over 50 Club Trips and Activities

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.

 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 Taking Reservations Now:

(Call Mary Ann for details: 703-404-8677)

 April 30 – May 14

Riverboat trip to Ancient Egypt

This promises to be a fantastic trip. Call for flyer

and information.

 August 3 -14

England, Scotland, Wales with Grand Circle

We will see the famous Tattoo Show in Edinburgh.

Call for flyer and additional information.

In the Diocese & Other Events

Website: www.arlingtondiocese.org

Some white-collar jobs are more challenging than

others.

“

They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their

spears into pruning hooks…”. If you think that God is

calling you to serve the Lord of the harvest as a priest,

deacon, sister or brother, call Father Brian Bashista at

(703) 841-2514, or write:

b.bashista@arlingtondiocese.org.

2010 Men’s Group Day of Discernment

If you are 17 years or older and would like to meet in

fraternity with seminarians and other men discerning Our

Lord’s call, please join us Saturday, December 18, 2010

at the Franciscan Monastery, 1400 Quincy St., NE,

Washington, DC 20017. Mass, Adoration and the

Sacrament of Penance will be available. Lunch and

dinner provided. For more information or to register,

contact the Diocese of Arlington, Office of Vocations--

703-841-2514 or email:at:

http://www.vocations@arlingtondiocese.org

Diocesan High School Placement Tests

For 8

th

Graders

Any 8

th

grader attending public school, non-Catholic

private school or Catholic school outside the Arlington

Diocese must take a placement test prior to admission to

one of the 5 Diocesan High Schools. Test dates are

December 4 and 11 from 8:30 am until 12:00 noon at

the following locations: Bishop Ireton in Alexandria,

Bishop O’Connell in Arlington, Paul VI in Fairfax and

Pope John Paul the Great in Dumfries. The fee is $35.

Please see the Diocesan website for more details and for

test registration forms and requirements at:

www.arlingtondiocese.org/catholicschools/parents.php

.

News from John Paul the Great High School

The Drama department at Pope John Paul the Great

presents The Jeweler’s Shop, a play written by Karol

Wojtyla, who later became Pope John Paul II. The play

explores the complexities of love, marriage and family.

Performances are at 7 pm, Friday and Saturday

December 3 and 4. For more information, please visit

www.jpthegreat.org or call 703-445-0300.

Weekend Retreat for People

Facing Serious Illness

A retreat specially planned for men and women facing

serious physical illness will be held at the Dominican

Retreat House in McLean, Virginia on December 10-12,

2010. A team of doctors, nurses, priests, sisters and

helpers will be present around the clock. Scheduling

allows plenty of time for rest and reflection. This retreat

is offered free of charge. This is a non-smoking

weekend. Registration closes November 30

th

. Please

call the Dominican Retreat House, as soon as possible,

703-356-4243 or contact Doug Sebek at 703-860-492.

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.

Fall 2010 Theology on Tap – Mondays

through November 29, 7-8:30 PM

All young adults (20s and 30s) are welcome to join us for

our Fall 2010 Theology on Tap program, “Love One

Another: Exploring the Meaning of Christian Love!”.

Presenters include Bishop Loverde, Fr. Donald Planty,

Seyoum Berhe, Mike Mackey, Soren Johnson. Join the

group at Pat Troy’s Ireland’s Own, 111 N. Pitt Street in

Old Town Alexandria. For more info, contact Kateri

Schmidt at 703-841-2550 or yam@arlingtondiocese.org

or visit www.arlingtondiocese.org/yam/young_adult.php.

Victim Assistance Prayer Service

We encourage victims/survivors and the entire Catholic

community to join us at a Prayer Service to pray for

healing for those who have been sexually abused. The

Prayer Service will be held on December 4th at 10:30

a.m. at St. Raymond of Peñafort Church, located at 8750

Pohick Road in Springfield. Reverend Mark Mealey,

O.S.F.S., will preside. For more information about the

Prayer Service and other services offered through the

Victim Assistance Ministry, please visit our website

http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/victimassist/victim_assist.php.

Televised Sunday Masses

The Sunday TV Mass, on air for over 55 years in the

Washington metropolitan area, is broadcast on Channel

WDCW 50 from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Federal Workers & Employees of

Companies that participate in the United

Way Campaign

As you fill out your Combined Federal Campaign Form,

please consider allocating an ongoing donation to A

Woman’s Choice Pro-Life Crisis Pregnancy Center, via

payroll deduction. Our 5-digit CFC Code number is:

30564. Our United Way number is: 8044. Our goal is to

take the crisis out of the pregnancy rather than the

pregnancy out of the crisis. It is through prayer and

financial support that last year alone 31 babies were

saved! Our website is: www.awomanschoicecenter.com

Natural Family Planning Classes

The Couple-to-Couple League offers NFP classes

throughout Northern Virginia. Classes usually consist of

three 2-1/2-hour sessions spaced one month apart.

Total cost for course and materials is $135 per couple.

Register online at: http://register.ccli.org. Local classes

begin at St. James in Falls Church on Saturday,

December 11 at 2 pm. For more information contact

Stephen and Susan Baumert at 703-652-4637 or

nfp@stjamescatholic.org.

A Ministry to Traveling Catholics

To locate a Catholic Church while traveling at home or

abroad, visit www.masstimes.org. You will find

information/directions to the Catholic Church closest to

your destination, along with Mass and Confession times.

This Website also offers links to an on-line reference

library of: The Day’s Readings, Bible, Catechism, U.S.

Bishops & Dioceses, Saints of the Day, Daily Prayer,

Life Ways, Sing Your Praises, the Vatican Website,

Library, and Museums and Catholic News.

Open House--Connelly School of the Holy

Child

Connelly School of the Holy Child is a Catholic,

independent, college prep school for young women

through grade 12. Families are invited to attend

Discovery Day December 1 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.

The school is located in Potomac, Maryland at 9029

Bradley Blvd. For additional information contact the

Admissions Office at 301-365-0955 or visit them on the

web at www.holychild.org.

Events at Catholic Distance University

Pilgrimage to Central Europe: Join Father Bramwell on a

pilgrimage to Central Europe, April 26 – May 5, 2011.

This trip includes Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, and Munich.

To request a pilgrimage brochure, contact Barbara Ellis

at

bellis@cdu.edu or call 888.254.4238 ext. 703.