2nd Sunday of Advent

December 5, 2021

"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all flesh

shall see the salvation of God." (Lk 3:4,6)

READ A LETTER FROM MSGR. JAMESON REGARDING NOTICE OF A COVID-19 POSITIVE TESTING BY PERSONS AT LAST SUNDAY'S 11AM MASS

Masses this Weekend

(click on Mass time for program)

Saturday 5:30pm Vigil (Cantor & Organ)

Sunday 7am, 9am (Quartet), 11am (Schola Cantorum), 1pm (Spanish) (Choir), & 5:30pm

Sunday Livestreams

11am Mass | Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson: YouTube | Program | Readings

1pm (Spanish) Mass | Fr. John Benson: YouTube | Programa | Lecturas

Online Offertory options:

PayPal | FaithDirect

FIND DAILY SCRIPTURE LINKS

SEE MASS INTENTIONS

Let us pray

—for the sick, including Mary Sullivan, Anne Rader, Robyn Nishimi, Bryson Anderson, Paul Gruber, Blanca Rose Juarez, Gloria Harrington, and Bill Largess; and

—for the recently deceased, including Raymond Jacob and Corey Zelonis.

Add a name to the parish prayer list by emailing Msgr. Jameson . If you are asking for prayers for someone who is sick, please first get their permission.

All Masses open to the public. Visitors welcome! Face coverings continue to be required in the Cathedral regardless of vaccination status.

Penn Parking Garage open Sundays

8:30am - 7pm

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the

Blessed Virgin Mary

December 8, 2021

“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

Masses for the Holy Day of Obligation

(click on Mass time for program)

Tues, Dec 7 Vigils at 5:30pm & 7pm (Spanish)

Wed, Dec 8 at 7:30am, 11am, 12:10pm & 5:30pm

No Confessions or Eucharistic Adoration

Livestream

12:10pm Mass | Cardinal Wilton Gregory

YouTube | Program | Readings

The mosaic in Our Lady's Chapel shows Saints Joachim and Anne. Atop the genealogical rod that springs up is St. Anne presenting her child, Mary, who is to be the Mother of Christ. In the chapel's niches are statues of St. Anne, and St. Joachim with the child, Mary.

St. Matthew's Pastoral Council

A Look at this Ministry

The Cathedral is looking for new members of the Pastoral Council, which is a vitally important ministry in any parish. To aid in understanding what a Pastoral Council is and what it does, we will share a brief reflection each week through the end of January 2021.

Reflection for the 2nd Week of Advent

The call of the Gospel for us today means becoming missionary disciples, people who know God in Jesus and want to share that experience. Being on a pastoral council is a concrete way to live as a missionary disciple. Members of the pastoral council undertake the responsibility of supporting the pastor in discerning how God is calling the parish to share the experience of God in Jesus, that is, the Gospel.

Synod 2021 - 2023 Notes

Journeying, Reconnecting, and Discerning

The entire Catholic Church is called to participate in the upcoming Synod of Bishops! What is a synod? The two Greek words that make up Synod are “syn” meaning together and “hodos” meaning way or journey. Pope Francis has called the entire People of God to journey together! The goal of our journeying together is to be with one another, to listen and learn with each other, and to grow closer to God.

Pope Francis is asking each local diocese to gather - clergy, religious and laity together - to listen to each other’s joys and hopes, and griefs and anxieties. The synod will be a time for our people to come together, pray, and share. It is a way we can reconnect as a church and a way to discern how the Holy Spirit wants us to live the Gospel.

Cathedral Notes

St. Matthew's Christmas Cards

Stop by the rectory office to purchase boxed sets of 10 Christmas cards & envelopes featuring St. Matthew's Crèche. You also may contact Pam Erwin to purchase.

Olivewood Crafts Sale

Gifts handmade by Christian families in Bethlehem will be available for purchase from the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation after all Masses on the weekend of December 18/19. READ MORE

Thank You for Your Support

From Msgr. Jameson and our clergy and staff, THANK YOU to the generous donors on Giving Tuesday! St. Matthew’s received gifts totaling $2,725 from 16 donors, ranking 25th among 263 ADW participants.

Cathedral Coffeehouse

Coffeehouse meets right after 5:30pm Mass in the North Conference Room this Sunday, December 5. On Sunday, December 12, the meeting is on Zoom at 7pm. Click here to download and join the CYA Slack group where links and info are shared.

Always God's Children Meeting

Always God's Children, the Cathedral ministry that fosters Christian community and spiritual growth among persons who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, as well as their friends and family members, meets on Sunday, December 12 at 3:30pm. READ MORE

Part-time Sacristan Opening

Please email Msgr. Jameson or call him at 202-347-3215 if you are interested in applying for St. Matthew's part-time sacristan position.

Faith Formation

Meditation Groups

Meditation Group meetings, in-person and via Zoom, are offered multiple times each week including Wednesday evenings, by L.J. Milone, Director of Faith Formation. VIEW THE FLIER

Saint of the Day

Check out Fr. Jack Hurley's video reflection on St. Francis Xavier, whose feast we celebrate today. One of the first Jesuits, he is considered by some to be the greatest missionary since the time of the Apostles.

Exploring the Catholic Faith

RCIA meets virtually on Wednesday evenings (no meeting December 22 or 29). Newcomers are welcome! READ MORE

Children's Faith Formation Registration

You may still register your child for Children's Faith Formation, which this year is home-school based (texts provided). READ MORE

Cathedral Book Club on Edith Stein

On Thursday, December 16 at 7pm, join the discussion of "Edith Stein: Essential Writings." READ MORE

Social Justice

Adopt-a-Family Christmas Drive

This year we are providing local families in need with gift cards for purchasing their own Christmas gifts or to meet urgent needs. Assist with a monetary or gift card donation (Visa, American Express, or Mastercard, $25 or $50).

Volunteers will accept donations before and after Masses on December 4/5.
Drop off donations at the rectory office or mail (needed by December 5)
Donate online (scroll to bottom) and email Norma Canedo-Estrada if you wish to confirm receipt. VIEW THE FLIER

Advocacy - Homelessness in DC

Join a discussion, in-person or via Zoom, on homelessness and housing in DC on Monday, December 6 at 6:45pm. READ MORE

Advent Liturgies, Study & Prayer

Confessions & Eucharistic Adoration

Weekday (Mon - Fri) Confessions with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | 11am - 12 Noon through Friday, December 24 (except Wednesday, December 8)
Saturday Confessions | 4 - 5pm
Confessions by appointment (call the rectory office at 202-347-3215 to make an appointment)
Advent Communal Penance Service | Tuesday, December 14 at 12:10pm VIEW THE FLIER
Evening Penance Service (in Spanish) with Confessions in Spanish and English | Tuesday, December 14, 7pm
Eucharistic Holy Hour with Confessions | Monday, December 20 at 6pm

Advent Day of Recollection: "Fully Enjoying Life"

Accept the invitation to reflect on our attachments and how to let them go, and to experience contemplative practices to help us open to God, led by L.J. MIlone, Director of Faith Formation, on Saturday, December 4, 8:30am - 12Noon. VIEW THE FLIER

Candlelight Prayer Service for World AIDS Day

On Sunday, December 5, join us after the 5:30pm Mass on the Cathedral steps for a bilingual Candlelight Vigil for World AIDS Day. Come and pray for all who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Refreshments will be served outside after the event. VIEW THE FLIER

Masses during Advent include these special celebrations honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary, who teaches us how to wait in anticipation of our Savior:

Masses for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation (see above)
Virtual Walk with Mary (not at the Cathedral this year) | Saturday, December 11 Procession (from Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament to the Basilica), Rosary & Mass READ MORE

Understanding Advent

In "Advent - Christ Comes" Deacon Bart Merella shares some lesser known facts about this season, including the distinctive characteristic of its 4th week - the 'O Antiphons.' READ THE ARTICLE

Ministerio Hispano

Confesiones durante el Adviento

En Adviento cada uno de nosotros es llamado a prepararle a Jesús el único regalo que él desea – nuestros corazones abiertos al amor de Dios.

Confesiones y Exposición del Santísimo Sacramento | lunes a viernes de 11am al Mediodíade hasta el 24 de diciembre inclusive (excepto el 8 de diciembre)
Confesiones: sábado de 4 a 5pm
Confesiones por cita previa seguirán siendo ofrecidas (para hacer cita, llamen al 202-347-3215)
Servicio Comunitario de la Penitencia de Adviento | el martes 14 de diciembre a las 12:10pm VEA EL VOLANTE
Servicio Penitencial en Español con el p. John Benson | el martes 14 de diciembre a las 7pm
Hora Santa Eucarística con Confesiones | el lunes 20 de diciembre a las 6pm

Liturgias y eventos de Adviento y Navidad

Programa de Adopte-una-Familia Colecta para Navidad | colección de tarjetas de regalo de Visa, American Express o Mastercard antes y despues de misas 4/5 de diciembre VEA EL VOLANTE BILINGÜE
Retiro de Adviento | el sabado 4 de diciembre a las 9:30am a 4pm
Vigilia de Oración para el Día Mundial del SIDA | el domingo 5 de diciembre despues de la Misa de las 5:30pm (Misa en inglés) VEA EL VOLANTE BILINGÜE
Misa Vigil en Español en honor a la Inmaculada Concepción | el martes 7 de diciembre a las 7pm
Caminata con María | el sabado 11 de diciembre, Procesión a las 11:30am del Santuario del Sagrado Corazón a la Basílica, Santo Rosario a las 1:30pm, Misa a las 2:30pm LEER MAS
Misa en Español en honor a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe con el Obispo Auxiliar Mario Dorsonville | el domingo 12 de diciembre a la 1pm
Clases de Catecismo en Español y Celebración de Posada para toda la familia | el domingo 19 de diciembre a las 11am en el salón de conferencias norte
Celebración de Navidad del Grupo de Oración en Español | el martes 21 de diciembre a las 7pm
Misa Bilingüe de Víspera de Navidad | el viernes 24 de diciembre a las 7pm
Misa de Navidad en Español | el sábado 25 de diciembre a la 1pm (transmitido en vivo)

Para más información sobre los siguientes eventos, envíe un email a Fatima Aybar o Padre John Benson o llame la oficina de la rectoría al 202-347-3215.