(Catholic Standard photo/A. Biraj)

Gaudete! A New Cardinal for Church of Washington

Let us pray for Archbishop Gregory, recently named as one of 13 new cardinals by Pope Francis, and welcome him as celebrant of Sunday's 10am Mass for All Saints, and Monday's 12:10pm All Souls' Day Mass! Cardinal-elect Gregory, who was installed as Archbishop of Washington in May 2019, responded, "With a very grateful and humble heart, I thank Pope Francis for this appointment which will allow me to work more closely with him in caring for Christ’s Church.” As widely reported, our archbishop will be the first African American elevated to the College of Cardinals.

Watch a short video message from Cardinal-designate Gregory.

We ask that parishioners please continue to make a regular offertory gift. You may place your donation in one of the collection baskets at the exits on Sundays, use one of the online donation options above, or mail your donation to the rectory office. Thank you for your critically needed support.

All Catholic Cemeteries in the Archdiocese of Washington will be open for visitation on the Commemoration of All Souls on Monday, November 2 from 7:30am to 7pm. Although they cannot celebrate their All Souls Day Mass this year, they offer printable online prayer cards that may provide some comfort as we remember our beloved dead, including those lost to the pandemic. See the prayer cards.

Light a Candle

A special way to remember our deceased loved ones is by the lighting of a candle as we pray for them. You may have noticed that, among our precautions, we removed the votives from the candle racks for visitors' safety when the Cathedral is open. We now invite you to share your prayer intentions and allow us to light a candle on your behalf as we remember your intentions. Send us your intentions.

The Cathedral now opens at 11:30am, Monday through Friday, with the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the main altar for adoration from 11:30am until Noon. Mass is celebrated at 12:10pm. There is no Exposition on Monday, November 2.

Fr. Jack provides a fascinating summary of the varied traditions relating to Sts. Simon and Jude in his October 28 video filmed in the Great Hall. Teaser: he concludes by asking for their prayers for the election, that "the results not end up as uncertain as the backgrounds of these mysterious but important apostolic saints." Enjoy!

Veterans Day

On Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, Mass is celebrated at 12:10pm. The Cathedral opens at 11:30am and closes immediately after the 12:10pm Mass. There is no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament that day.

In case you missed these links shared by Msgr. Jameson, check them out, especially if you haven't yet voted. Read Archbishop Rozanski's column on the call to form our consciences in accord with Catholic teaching. Watch the video reflection by Fr. Louis J. Cameli on Catholics and voting in 2020.

The U. S. Bishops in February reissued their 2015 teaching document on political responsibility for Catholics, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," writing, " ... we bishops do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote. Our purpose is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God’s truth."

Included is a new Introductory Letter (pp. 6 - 8) in which the bishops identify the threat of abortion as "our preeminent priority," and acknowledge racism, the environmental crisis, poverty and the death penalty as serious threats to human life and dignity. They urge: "At all levels of society, we are aware of a great need for leadership that models love for righteousness (Wis 1:1) as well as the virtues of justice, prudence, courage, and temperance. Our commitment as people of faith to imitate Christ’s love and compassion should challenge us to serve as models of civil dialogue, especially in a context where discourse is eroding at all levels of society."

Read Part I and Part II of a summary of this document.

November 7- 8 is the weekend for this year's collection for the Retired Priests of the Archdiocese of Washington. Let's come together to help provide for men who have cared for the sacramental, spiritual and pastoral needs of the Church of Washington. You may contribute by -

You also may make a gift to this special collection via our parish online payment option, PayPal with debit & credit options, or via FaithDirect if you are enrolled.

Study of St. Mark's Gospel

You may still join our study of St. Mark's Gospel by Little Rock Scripture Study, which began just this past week. Register now for either of two groups that meet virtually - one on Sunday afternoons, and one on Monday evenings. Read more.

Join us online on Tuesday, November 10 at 7pm as Emily R. Cash, Psy.D., Director of St. Luke Center (Louisville, KY), speaks to us on “Managing Grief and Loss As a Result of COVID 19.” Dr. Cash, pictured above, is a licensed psychologist and a member of the clinical services department at Saint Luke Institute since 2006. Read more.

Creating a Culture of Encounter, Solidarity, and Collaboration 

Fr. Tom Ryan, CSP, pictured above, joins us on November 24 for a Zoom session on “Fratelli Tutti,” Pope Francis' encyclical that conveys a vision for our post-pandemic world in which we recognize our need for one another. Read more.

Read "Fratelli Tutti" and Archbishop Gregory's related statement.

Want to help with our Monday morning ministry to the homeless (open even on rainy Mondays!)? Contact Norma Canedo to volunteer in any of these ways:

You are invited to join in prayer and fasting for an end to abortion during the 40 Days for Life campaign through Sunday, November 1. If you can safely join while maintaining social distancing, consider signing up for a vigil hour of prayer outside Planned Parenthood at 1225 4th Street NE (corner of Florida Ave & 4th St NE). 

Coming Soon | "Follow Me"

Volunteers in our Social Justice & Community Services Ministries soon will have space to share thoughts and reflections on Gospel living through service in community. Look for their blog page, "Follow Me," on our website.

Click here for reflections for the coming week.

Monday, November 2 (Commemoration of All Souls)

Tuesday, November 3 (St. Martin de Porres)

Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 14:15-24

Wednesday, November 4 (St. Charles Borromeo)

Philippians 2:12-18; Luke 14:25-33

Philippians 3:17—4:1; Luke 16:1-8

It's never too early to anticipate the celebration of the birth of Christ, the promised one of the ages! To attune us to the upcoming season of preparation, we share a video, filmed by a Schola spouse, of our 2011 Schola Cantorum singing "Ave Maria" by Franz Biebl at the Festival of Lessons and Carols. Wait out the ads and enjoy!

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