St. John Neumann Catholic Community
Staffed by Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
|
|
Office Hours:
9:00am-7:00pm Monday-Thursday*
9:00am-5:00pm Friday*
*most weeks
Main Office: 703-860-8510
11900 Lawyers Rd
Reston, VA 20191
|
|
Mass Schedule:
Saturday Vigil: 5:00pm
Sunday: 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm (Spanish), 5:00pm
Weekday Mass: Monday-Friday: 9:00am; Wednesday: 7:00pm
Reconciliation (Confessions)
Saturday: 10:00-10:30am (English), or by appointment
Sunday: 12:00pm (Spanish), most Sundays
|
|
Dear Friends,
As I write this letter we are in the middle of Hypothermia Week at the parish and we are getting ready to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis de Sales on Friday, January 24. In a couple weeks we will celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, so I thought I would share a few thoughts about the heart.
In early January as a lot of clothing donations were being dropped off in preparation for Hypothermia week, a gentleman stopped me in the Narthex as he was heading into Mass and asked if the donations were being blessed. I thought for a quick moment and responded no, I don’t think we have done that in the past but what a great idea. He simply responded back, “a lot of love is represented in these donations”. How true this statement was by this gentleman. So, on Saturday, January 18 after Mike Sneed and others had finished laying out all of the clothes and the store was ready, I blessed the donations that were given so generously and with a lot love for our Hypothermia guests.
Also, during this special week at the Church, under the direction of Oblate artist, Brother Mickey McGrath many parishioners, staff and some Hypothermia guests painted a mural depicting this quote from St. Francis de Sales:
“We should hide our littleness in God’s greatness and stay there like a little Bird beneath its mother’s sheltering wing.”
It has been a lot of fun to see parishioners of all ages participate in this community painting project. It is very colorful and beautiful.
The Oblates in the Washington, D.C. area gathered for a pre-feast day dinner to celebrate our heritage and our common spirituality. As we came together to enjoy each other’s company, I couldn’t help but think of the St. Francis de Sales quote, “We have no bond but the bond of love.” In many ways, this is the bottom line in living community life as an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales. The bond of love is what unites us. Isn’t this ultimately what should unite all of us as Christians?
On February 14, we will observe St. Valentine’s day. Although this had mostly become a secular observance even in St. Francis de Sales day, he had an interesting suggestion in celebrating this day. De Sales suggested that a person select a Saint whom he or she admired, especially for their virtues, and perhaps would want to imitate. This Saint would become your spiritual ‘valentine’ for the rest of the year. As a “gift” for their new valentine, each person would do their best to practice the particular virtues which are prominent in their chosen saint. (St. Francis de Sales “A Heavenly Valentine”) Even though de Sales suggested this practice hundreds of years ago, it strikes me as a novel idea for our time and one that could reap many spiritual blessings.
Live Jesus,
Fr. Joe
|
|
|
|
The mural designed by Bro. Mickey McGrath, OSFS, and painted by staff, parishioners, and guests of our Hypothermia Prevention Shelter. It is located outside the SJN Faith Formation Office.
|
|
Marriage: the Sacramental Sign of God’s Unity
Eric Munoz
Coming from a single parent household, I didn’t fully believe married love was possible. It was through my journey of faith and growth in my relationship with Christ, where I came to discover the profound beauty and mystery of married love. Of all the ways that God chooses to reveal His life and love in the created world, John Paul II states that
marriage plays a unique role in helping humanity understand His infinite love
. It’s for this reason that he sees marriage in some ways as a prototype for all the other sacraments. My wife and I have only been married for ten months, and we have seen and felt how Christ continues to: sustain, strengthen, nourish, and purify our love for one another. I know there have been plenty of times in these few months where I have falling short from loving my spouse the way she deserves, but I am blessed to be able to turn to Him (who is the source of love) to teach me how to love her better.
Lastly, spouses aren’t only a sacramental sign of the love of God within the Trinity, but also
an image of the love of Christ and His Church
. Being a part of this community here at St. John Neumann has been a blessing for us. We have found strength and inspiration from other couples who witness this love in their own life and become a channel of grace and hope for others. It’s for this reason that here at SJN we plan to start a ministry for married couples called “Teams of Our Lady.” The ministry is focused on gathering couples where they share a meal at one of the perspective homes. After the meal, they share in fellowship, encourage one another, and help each other grow in their witness of love.
God’s plan for married love is a joy-filled one
, one which is possible. We will be sending more information about the ministry later this year.
|
|
Catholic Mass Explained
The Introductory Rite (cont.)
Fr Don Heet, OSFS
As the priest and deacon enter the sanctuary, they kiss the altar. The General Instruction on the Roman Missal explains this gesture: The altar is a symbol of Christ at the heart of the assembly and so deserves this special reverence. This symbolism of the altar is also the reason why, later in the Mass, the lectors, deacon, and priest bow before proclaiming the scripture; they are not bowing to the cross, much less to the presider, but to the altar that symbolizes Christ.
At the end of the entrance hymn, the presider and all present make the sign of the cross. Various versions of this gesture go back to the 2
nd
century after Christ. The present form was formalized in the thirteenth century. Its significance at this point of the Mass is found in the words we say while signing ourselves: what we are about to do in the liturgy, we do “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
As with other liturgical events, the Mass begins with a ritual greeting: “The Lord be with you,” “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” or “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Or, if the celebrant is a bishop, “Peace be with you.” Any of these is much more than a simple greeting like “Good Morning.” They are all invocations; each asks God to be with the community to empower it to celebrate the liturgy. Similarly the response, “And with your spirit,” means more than simply “And with you.” It is an “epiclesis”, i.e. a prayer that the Holy Spirit be joined with the spirit of the priest who is presiding. As the great theologian, Yves Congar once pointed out “the presence of the Spirit has to be ensured so that the liturgical action can take place;” although the priest has received the Spirit at ordination. “Nothing, however, takes place automatically, and every spiritual activity requires an epiclesis”.
|
|
|
|
Salesian Theme of the Month
|
|
Salesian Sundays
Fr. Don Heet, OSFS
Starting last summer, the youth of our parish have been celebrating Salesian Sundays at the 5:00 Mass on Sundays. On the 4th Sunday of each month, members of our Youth Group have shared their reflections on specific themes drawn from St. Francis de Sales. The response to their reflections was so positive, the Salesian Spirituality Committee, with the approval of Father Brennan, have expanded the practice to each of our six masses on the 4th Sunday of each month. Over the past four months, various parishioners have generously offered their own insights and experiences based on the assigned theme for that month. Our hope is that these reflections will offer concrete examples of how a specific Salesian theme is lived out on a day-to-day basis.
In February, in lieu of a reflection, members of the Salesian Spirituality Committee will offer a brief explanation of the program so that all the members of the parish will better understand what we are trying to do. Then beginning in March, we will continue with the Salesian reflections.
Francis de Sales is noted for his insistence that all Christians are called to be holy; this program is one way for all of us to grow in holiness.We are always looking for parishioners who are willing to share their insights with their brothers and sisters at Mass. The reflections should be short and based on personal experience rather than any profound theological insight. If you are generous enough to volunteer, please let Fr. Heet or other members of the committee know; we are available to help each of the speakers speak to the hearts of their fellow parishioners.
The members of the Salesian Spirituality Committee are:
Mickie Abatemarco
Ronnie Bubb
Carol Swiger
Fr. Don Heet
Kate Middleton
Eric Munoz
Ludy Rauber
Genevieve Schechter
Marianne Stanna
Christine Wise
|
|
CJ is the Director of Music at SJN. He has been in this role since 2008, but a parishioner since 1988!
Why he loves being Catholic...
“There is great comfort in putting my trust in our God, I cannot imagine it another way.”
Something that always makes him smile...
“Hearing kids sing at Mass. It not only makes me smile, it inspires me. That and ice cream.”
Something you might not have known...
“I am a product of SJN and Paul VI HS, both of which I have returned to as an employee. Also, I might point out I do have other interests besides music, such as triathlons or photography!”
How to contact CJ:
Email: cjcapen@saintjn.org
Phone: (703) 390-2352
|
|
|
|
|
2 - Knights of Columbus Charity Breakfast
3 - Blessing of the Throats
4 - Taize Prayer Service
7 - Family Movie Night
8 - Family Mass & Family Night
13 - Exposition & Adoration
15 - Women’s Retreat
23 - Salesian Youth Mass
23 - Cornerstone Van Collections
25 - Mardi Gras Dinner
26- Ash Wednesday
28 - Lenten Stations of the Cross/Soup Supper
|
|
|
Scripture verse of the month:
“Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.”
(Hebrews 2:18)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
