Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 5, 2023

"... your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." (Mt 5:16)

In this edition:

Pray with Pope Francis for our Parishes

Annual Appeal 2023 & Winning Results for 2022

Episcopal Ordinations & New Appointment for Bishop Dorsonville

Lenten Morning Retreat

Social Justice Committee Recap

Always God's Children Meeting

& more!

Pope Francis in his February 2023 Pope Video (click above to view) reflects on parish life.

May we find food for prayer and transformation in his words!

"Sometimes I think that we should put a sign on the door of parishes that says, 'Free admission.'

Parishes should be close-knit communities, without bureaucracy, people-centered —a place where the gift of the sacraments can be found.

They have to become once again schools of service and generosity, with their doors always open to those who are excluded. And to those included. To all.

Parishes are not a club for the few, which give a certain kind of social belonging.

Please, let us be daring.

Let us all rethink the style of our parochial communities.

Let us pray that parishes, placing communion –communion of people, ecclesial communion– at the center, may increasingly become communities of faith, of fraternity and of welcoming the most in need".

Via the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer)

All Masses open to the public. See Covid-19 protocols.

Masses

Saturday, February 4 at 5:30pm Vigil

Sunday, February 5 at 7am, 9am, 11am

1pm (en español) & 5:30pm

Online Offertory options | PayPal & FaithDirect

See Livestreams webpage for links.

Mystical Word

In his reflection on Sunday's reading from the Gospel according to Matthew, L.J. Milone writes, "We need a different kind of person to heal the world today."

READ THE REFLECTION

Find daily reading links and reflections for this week (January 29 - February 4) and next (February 5 - 11)

Prayers for the Sick & Recently Deceased

Let us pray for

—the sick, especially Jonnie Irwin, Debbie Fairchild Harding, Vic Harding, Dr. Robert Ryan, Mary & Carl Milewski, Therese Fergo, Maria Gianino, Yolanda Mendez Acevedo, Anne Rader, Robyn Nishimi, Paul Gruber, and Blanca Rose Juarez, and

—the recently deceased, especially Eniel Josue Guidel Aguirre, Earle Silvers, Jessica Aybar, Joicey White Granados, and Colleen House Gizzi.

A Funeral Mass for Colleen House Gizzi, longtime parishioner and faithful Cathedral lector, will be celebrated in the Cathedral on Saturday, February 18 at 2pm, with visitation beginning at 1pm.

To add a name to the prayer list, email Msgr. Jameson. If asking for prayers for a person who is sick, please first get their permission.

VEA EN ESPANOL

My dear parishioners,

The turning of the calendar to February means the archdiocesan Annual Appeal is at hand. I am happy to share with you that the 2022 Annual Appeal attained its overall goal of $11 million. On behalf of Cardinal Gregory, thank you to all who made a contribution in 2022 to help the archdiocese reach its goal. St. Matthew's parishioners donated 106.6% of our parish goal of $239,900, resulting in a rebate to the parish of $4,128 thus far.

Now, I ask you to prayerfully consider your gift to the 2023 Annual Appeal. If you are not familiar with the Annual Appeal, you may wonder how it is different and separate from your offertory giving to the parish. First, the Annual Appeal unites us with our archbishop in serving the many, charitable needs of the Church of Washington. Second, the Annual Appeal funds ministries that our parish could not sustain on our own, such as seminarian formation, campus ministry programs and Deaf and disabilities ministries. Third, the Annual Appeal supports our parish ministerial life, from schools and catechesis, to family and pro-life ministries, to many more in between.

The Annual Appeal is a call to stewardship. It is not mandatory. This means that the many vibrant ministries we have in the archdiocese are the result of individuals and families like you and yours who have responded generously each year with your free will offering. I am particularly grateful, as a priest of the archdiocese, for your contribution which helps to inspire new vocations and form our new generations of priests.

I also am asked to remind you that, as in every year, 100% of your gift to the Annual Appeal is restricted to the ministries that are a part of the Annual Appeal and cannot be used for any other purpose. Furthermore, your gift will be credited towards our parish goal. You can read more about the 2023 Annual Appeal at appeal.adw.org.

Next weekend, February 11/12, will be our commitment weekend. Thank you in advance for your prayerful commitment to the 2023 Annual Appeal. Your steadfast generosity not only is a source of inspiration for me but a force for good in our Church today.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Rev. Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson

ADW Bishops in the News

Episcopal Ordinations

The episcopal ordinations of Bishop-elect Juan Esposito-Garcia and Bishop-elect Evelio Menjivar-Ayala will be celebrated at the Cathedral at 2pm on Tuesday, February 21. Watch the livestream of the Ordination Mass on the Archdiocese of Washington YouTube channel.

READ THE CATHOLIC STANDARD ARTICLE

Bishop-elect Evelio

Many parishioners remember Bishop-Elect Menjivar-Ayala from his four years of service (2009-2013) as Fr. Evelio, Parochial Vicar at St. Matthew's. In a farewell announcement in 2013 Msgr. Jameson wrote:

"Fr. Evelio has been an energetic and openhearted Parochial Vicar. In addition to faithfully bringing the . . . sacraments to our parish family, he has led our Ministerio Hispano in Sunday worship, special liturgies, sacramental and prayer life, and in the celebration of many moments in everyday parish life. He has served as clergy leader of St. Matthew's Social Justice & Community Services ministry, working many hours with our homeless friends and visitors and with others in need, and participating in advocacy efforts on a range of social justice issues. Fr. Evelio has also been very at home in the rectory kitchen, taking joy in sharing his homemade specialties with his brother priests, the staff and the parish."

New Appointment for Bishop Dorsonville

On February 1, Pope Francis named Bishop Mario Dorsonville, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, the fifth Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux held a press conference with Bishop Dorsonville. View the recording here. (Archdiocese of Washington photo)

READ CARDINAL GREGORY'S STATEMENT

Let us keep Bishop Dorsonville, Bishop-elect Esposito-Garcia, and Bishop-elect Menjivar-Ayala in our prayers!

Liturgy and Music

Blessing of Throats

On Friday, February 3, the Memorial of St. Blaise, there will be a blessing of throats at all Masses.

First Friday and First Saturday

First Friday Adoration is held on February 3 from 12:45 to 5pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, with chairs and kneelers available in the chapel. First Saturday Devotions are celebrated on February 4 following the 12:10pm Mass.

Ash Wednesday Masses and Stations of the Cross

See the Cathedral schedule for Ash Wednesday, February 22.

March Organ Recital

We welcome Joy Leilani-Garbutt, Director of Music at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, San Francisco, for an organ recital at 12:40pm on Wednesday, March 1.

Faith Formation

Meditation

Meditation sessions are held several times each week:

In-person in St. Francis Chapel - Monday & Wednesday at 12:45pm
On Zoom - Sunday at 1:30pm & Wednesday at 8pm (find link )

Wednesday RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is an ongoing process of conversion and faith formation. We meet on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30pm in the North Conference Room. For more information, email L.J. Milone.

New Zoom Study of Revelation

You may still join St. Matthew's Monday evening Bible Study on the Book of Revelation that meets from 7 to 8:30pm on Zoom. Register now.

Save the Date for Lenten Morning Retreat

Letting go - the ultimate path for Jesus' followers, as taught by Jesus himself - is the focus of a retreat on Saturday, February 25, 9am - 1pm, in the Great Hall, led by L.J. Milone. Begin Lent in community with fellow parishioners and friends for discussion, prayer, spiritual exercises, and meditation on the Gospel.

VIEW THE FLIER

Mystical Lectures on Sirach

L.J. Milone offers a course on the Book of Sirach on Tuesdays of Lent, beginning February 28, from 7 to 8:30pm in the East Conference Room.

John of the Cross

The Cathedral Book Club is reading "John of the Cross: The Ascent to Joy" for Lent (March 1 meeting), a gem of this saint's spiritual writings edited by Carmelite Marc Foley.

Social Justice

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Mass for Black History Month

All are invited to this year's Archdiocese of Washington Mass commemorating Black History Month celebrated by Cardinal Gregory on Sunday, February 5 at Holy Comforter - St. Cyprian Catholic Church (SE DC) at 9am.

Book Reading & Reception

All are welcome on Sunday, February 12 from 2:30 to 4pm in the East Conference Room to a book reading and reception, or join the reading of "Fr. Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African-American Priest," by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers via Zoom.

Social Justice Committee Activities

Are you curious about the work of our Social Justice Committee members? SJC leaders share a recap of the January 2023 Committee meeting.

READ THE MEETING RECAP

Creation Care Meeting

The Care for Creation Green Team meeting on February 16, 6 - 7pm on Zoom, focuses on Wonder and Awe: Ecospirituality, Laudato Si‘, and Action.

Monseñor Mario Dorsonville

El papa Francisco nombró al obispo auxiliar de la Arquidiócesis de Washington, Mario E. Dorsonville, como obispo de Houma-Thibodaux. ¡Felicidades y oraciones por Obispo Dorsonville!

LEER MAS EN EL PREGONERO

Próximos Eventos

Grupo de Oración - el salón de conferencias del oeste el martes 7 de febrero a las 7 de la tarde por Misa en español y celebración de los cumpeaños en el mes de febrero

Misa con unción de los enfermos en español - el domingo 12 de febrero a la 1pm

Clase de Bautismo en Español - el domingo 19 de febrero a las 9am en el salón de conferencias del este (para inscribir, envíe un email a Fatima Aybar)

Ordinaciones Episcopales de Obispo Electo Juan Esposito-Garcia y Obispo Electo Evelio Menjivar-Ayala - el martes 21 de febrero a las 2pm. Vea la transmisión en vivo en la Arquidiócesis de Washington Canal de YouTube. LEER MAS EN EL PREGONERO

Santo Rosario por teléfono en español - Todos los dias a las 3pm (347-378-0694, PIN 283 201 937#)

Campaña Anual de la Arquidiócesis

Lea la carta de la rector sobre la Campaña Anual de la Arquidiócesis.

Registro ESL

Los estudiantes aún pueden registrarse para el programa de inglés como segundo idioma del semestre de primavera de St. Matthew's en las noches de clase, los martes y miércoles, de 6:30 a 7:30pm, en St. Matthew's Education Center, 1726 N Street, NW. Para más información envíe un email a Ricardo Tobar.

Contacto

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

Parish Notes

Parish Council Meeting

The Parish Council meets from 6:45 to 8:15pm on Tuesday, February 7 in the Great Hall. Parishioners are welcome to attend.

Always God's Children Meeting

Always God's Children (AGC) meets on Sunday, February 12 at 3:30pm in the West Conference Room. AGC is a 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. READ MORE

Rectory Office Reception Hours

Until further notice, the rectory office hours are as follows: