March 22, 2020 Update
Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her;
Rejoice with her in her joy, all you who mourn over her, so that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast. (Is 66:10-11)
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Msgr. Jameson, Cathedral Rector, greets you in a message recorded on
the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 2020.
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Gospel Reflection by Fr. Jack Hurley
In
a
reflection
on today's
today's reading
from the Gospel of John
on the healing of the blind man, Fr. Jack gleans a timely lesson. The Jewish leaders are unable to see beyond the natural and physical level of the miracle. Confronted by the light of the world, they seek to escape this illumination, condemning themselves to increasingly deeper blindness.
Unfortunately, Fr. Jack observes, some today are blinding themselves to the need to heed prevailing guidance amid the COVID-19 pandemic, endangering themselves and others. We see clearly the import of praying to the divine healer for success in combating the challenge we face.
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Parish Operations
Msgr. Jameson, our priests and staff met twice last week to plan for continuing ministries where possible, and for staying in touch with you come what may. Staff members now work from home and meet by conference call. RCIA sessions also convene by conference call.
The rectory office remains closed but phone and email messages are monitored by our priests. You may call the rectory at 202-347-3215 to make an appointment for the
Sacrament of Reconciliation
.
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Homeless Ministry Still at Work
Brown bag lunches are handed out in front of the Cathedral on Monday mornings - an abbreviated version of our weekly breakfast ministry. The safety and wellbeing of staff and volunteers is a priority as we do our planning. To donate or help on March 23 or future Mondays, please email
Norma Canedo
.
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Prayer Resources and Special Indulgences
Finding the time, place, and inspiration for a renewed prayer life is more pressing then ever. Check out our
resources listing
, including livestreamed Masses, daily prayer helps, and links to Sunday homilies by Msgr. Jameson and Fr. John Benson.
Please also read about t
he gift of
special Indulgences
that has been granted
to the faithful suffering from COVID-19, as well as to health care workers, family members and all those who in any capacity, including through prayer, care for them. Share news of this indulgence with friends and family members.
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Music for Personal Reflection
During this time without public liturgies, St. Matthew’s Office of Music Ministries in its
Choral Highlights
website feature continues to share the music planned for the Schola Cantorum for the upcoming Sunday, for your own reflection and meditation. Find descriptions of the music and its relationship to the prayers and readings of the Mass, and samples of some works (this week including a related piece of music being rehearsed by our Schola) to deepen your entry into the Sunday scripture and prayers.
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Maintaining Mental Health
Many of us are experiencing stress amid the Coronavirus outbreak. One's age, health status, financial situation, or scope of family obligations can affect anxiety levels and responses. Find
links
to several articles on pandemic-related mental health issues and emergency services contact information.
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Take a Virtual Walk through the Cathedral!
When you're really missing the Cathedral, take a break with our
virtual Cathedral tour
.
On your walk you are
accompanied by the Schola Cantorum singing
Factus est repente de caelo sonus
(Suddenly a sound came from heaven) by Palestrina. With a drag or click of your mouse move up, down, left, right—all around—and zoom in and out of 11 different areas of the Cathedral interior: the main entrance, the nave, the sanctuary, each of the six chapels, the baptistry, and the burial crypt. Enjoy!
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Supporting St. Matthew's
Thank you for your past support of our parish’s many ministries. While many things have changed in the past two weeks, most notably, Sundays without gathering for the Eucharist, we continue to shoulder virtually all of the expenses of maintaining our church and parish operations. Please consider
making a donation today
, or enrolling in electronic giving via
Faith Direct
(church code DC284). Thank you, and please be assured that you remain in our prayers.
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Copyright
©
2017- 2020
All rights reserved
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