Parish Staff Maggie Radzik Head of School 703.759.4129 Anson Groves Dir. of Religious Ed. 703.759.3530 Nancy Caro Sacristan Rick Webb Gen. Mgr. Financial Dir. 703.759.4350 Dr. Kimberly Hess Director of Music 703.759.4350 Mary LaPlante Parish Secretary 703.759.4350 Jackie Fox Bulletin Editor 703.759.4350 Guillermo DeLeon Director of Facilities 703.638.4301 Email address: deleonscs@gmail.com Emiro Soto Maintenance Rosa Hernandez Support Staff Stephen Dolenc Web Master stephendolenc @gmail.com Mass Intentions Sunday, September 7 7:30 a.m. Barbara Jordan V 8:45 a.m. Alexa Marie Rymscz 10:30 a.m. Pro Populo 1:00 p.m. Virginia Flynn Monday, September 8 9:00 a.m. Maria Caruso V Tuesday, September 9 9:00 a.m. Celeste Angleton Wednesday, September 10 9:00 a.m. Sharon O'Donnell Thursday, September 11 9:00 a.m. Margaret J. Krause Friday, September 12 9:00 a.m. Anson Groves Saturday, September 13 9:00 a.m. Trish Hogan 5:30 p.m. Moen Family Daily Scriptures READINGS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR THE WEEK Sunday - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Ez 33:7-9, Ps 95, Rom 13:8-10, Mt 18:15-20 Monday - The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mi 5:1-4a, Ps 13, Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 Tuesday - Weekday in Ordinary Time 1 Cor 6:1-11, Ps 149, Lk 6:12-19 Wednesday - Weekday in Ordinary Time 1 Cor 7:25-31, Ps 45, Lk 6:20-26 Thursday - Weekday in Ordinary Time 1 Cor 8:1-b-7, 11-13, Ps 139, Lk 6:27-38 Friday - The Most Holy Name of Mary 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27, Ps 84, Lk 6:39-42 Saturday - Weekday in Ordinary Time 1 Cor 10:14-22, Ps 116, Lk 6:43-49 Parish Stewardship Thank you for your generous offerings of August 30/31. The regular collection brought in $13,515 and the Poor Box yielded $292. September 14 - Religious Education There will be a second collection taken up at all Masses next weekend, September 13/14. This collection will be for the benefit of Catholic Religious Education. A Word from the Pastor Two expressions that I dislike are "pro-choice," and "pro- life." Both of these expressions seek to skirt around a very ugly word: abortion. This is understandable in the case of those who favour abortion; in labeling their stance "pro- choice" they brilliantly obscure the evil, which they promote. After all in a free society who can be opposed to "choice"? The fact that the choice in question is the killing of an innocent, albeit unborn child is conveniently forgotten. The anti-abortion movement has conceded much ground to the pro-abortion movement by calling itself "pro-life". Here again we have an effort to put a positive spin on the movement being "for" something rather than being "anti." However, in terms of morality it is sometimes positive to be anti-something: anti-abortion, anti-communist, anti-nazi, anti-racist. The anti-abortion movement makes itself vulnerable by its "pro-life" label when abortion opponents muddy the waters as they seek to expand "pro-life" issues to include hunger, poverty, and capital punishment. The last issue is particularly insidious as the execution of someone found guilty of heinous crimes is put on the same moral plane as the abortion of an innocent child. Scientific advances increasingly support the anti- abortion movement ultrasound imagining gives us dramatic and graphic proof of the humanity of these unborn children. When confronted with science, pro- abortionists sometimes try to fall back on theology. Years ago when still running for office, former president Clinton when confronted with science countered that nobody knows when ensoulment takes place! The topic was not the existence of the soul but of life. Even so using the ensoulment logic, is it not better to err on the side of caution? Clinton further stated that he wished to see abortion legal, safe and rare. But if it is morally permissible as well as legal and safe, why should it be rare? In both of his stances Clinton basically concedes the immorality of abortion and yet this was not given due attention. Nancy Pelosi's recent specious use of St. Augustine to justify her support of abortion fortunately met a better reaction as a number of Bishops brought her to task. Like Clinton, Pelosi sought to use the question of when ensoulment takes place. Her use of Augustine was utterly specious and betrays a cynicism that staggers the imagination. In the passage she was supposedly citing, Augustine was commenting on Exodus 21:22 which fines a man who in striking a pregnant woman causes an abortion rather than demanding the death penalty. Augustine speculates that this is affected by ensoulment. If the unborn child did not yet have a soul then the crime is not as serious than if it had a soul. Nevertheless the act remains a crime. It is not a question of when life begins but of if a soul is present in the life, and in no way excuses abortion. The Church has addressed the issue of abortion from its earliest days, and has always opposed it. The Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles is the earliest known catechism dating to roughly 110 - 120 AD. In its second article the Didache condemns abortion (as well as contraception, which it refers to as "magic" and "potions.") In 314 AD, forty years before the birth of St. Augustine the Council of Ancyra prescribed a penance of ten years for a woman who had procured an abortion. One hundred years earlier in the Octavius of Minucius Felix, abortion is condemned as a heathen crime. For a person to call themselves an ardent Catholic while saying that the Church has only been dealing with the issue of abortion for fifty years is ludicrous. That that same person might be one of our country's leaders is frightening. No one can be at the same time a good Catholic and pro-abortion. God made Man in His image and likeness. This means that we have the ability to choose for God or against Him. Those who call themselves "pro-choice" are choosing against God while those who call themselves "pro-life" - in this issue - would make their choice for God more unambiguous by describing themselves as "anti-abortion." PRAYERS Pray for the Sick and Homebound of our Parish Elaine Elizabeth Abraham, Maryann Barron, Joshua Basile, Philip Calanchini, Jose Campos, Thomas Case, Moira Connor, Baby Natasha deSa, Marjorie Dolak, Danny Frey, Brian Hack, Marjorie Horan, Maria Keran, Evelyn LaPlante, Joan Loftis, Deana Mansoor, Inaam Mansoor, Carol McCarty, Baby Peter Michalski, David Murphy, Makayla Overend, Lien Shinta, Margaret Wood, Baby Anthony Yantiss Pray for Those Who have Fallen Asleep in Christ Lila Brown, Irene Corrado, Joseph Gartlan, William Bud Ko, Nicholas Lippis, Rita Lippis, Margie McBee, Steve Saunders, Adele Spauer, Jack Wood, Angel Zavala Pray for our Armed Forces Personnel Jordan Bowren, Jeff Campbell, James Doin, Brendan Dunne, Christopher Frediani, Brian Horn, Brendan McCarthy, Matthew O'Neil, Justin Smallwood In Memory - September 11 The Blessed Sacrament THIS IS MY BODY - THIS IS MY BLOOD A Holy Hour is simply an hour set-aside totally for the Lord; an hour consecrated to God. It is a time to recollect our mind, heart and spirit in order to focus them on God and more specifically our Eucharistic Lord. To make a Holy Hour is to make a decision to spend one hour with our friend, our Savior and Lord who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Hour The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic worship. Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of love. Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Him in adoration and in contemplation, that is full of faith, and ready to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the world. May our adoration never cease. - John Paul II, 1960 To sign up for adoration or for information regarding adoration please contact Diane Cieslak 703.678.3919. 24 hour Eucharistic Adoration begins after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Wednesday and ends with reposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 8:55 a.m. on Thursday. 24 hour Eucharistic Adoration also begins after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on every First Friday of the month and ends with reposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 8:55 a.m. on Saturday. Holy Hour is every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. The Knights of Columbus News Pancake Breakfast Next Sunday, September 14th the Knights of Columbus will sponsor a Pancake Breakfast, in Bishop Justs Hall, following the 8:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses. All are cordially invited and donations will be accepted. 40 Days For Life September 24th through November 2nd Christians throughout Northern Virginia are invited to take part in the national 40 Days for Life effort. 40 Days for Life is a nation-wide campaign that calls upon God through prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion in America. This is a remarkable effort that has grown dramatically over the last years. The St. Catherine of Siena Pro-Life Committee is participating in the effort and asks fellow parishioners to join us. From September 24th through November 2nd, we ask that parishioners devote special prayer and periods of fasting to the unborn and ask God to help America free itself from the evil of abortion. St. Catherine's will also join other area parishes and hold a peaceful vigil outside the abortion clinic located at 900 S. Washington Street in Falls Church. St. Catherine's will pray at the clinic for 24 hours on Thursday, September 25th and Tuesday, October 7th. We need volunteers to accomplish this. Please prayerfully consider supporting this great effort. For more information or to volunteer to join the vigil, please contact Mark Poirier at mark.g.Poirier@saic.com or call 703.421.7240. From The Office of Religious Education Catechist Corner Confrater Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) September CCD Class Calendar 15, 16 Classes Begin 22, 23 All classes in session 29 No Monday classes 30 All Tuesday classes in session Confirmation Calendar September 10 Confirmation class 17, 24 6:00 p.m. Bishop Justs Hall 13 Girls Retreat 20 Boys Retreat 28 Final Rehearsal and Holy Hour 29 Mass of Holy Confirmation Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 Senior Catholic Youth Organization (9th to 12th grades) September 7 Meeting - 6:00 p.m. CCD Catechists are Needed! There are several positions in our religious education program still open for catechists and assistant catechists. If you would like to volunteer to pass on the holy faith to the next generation, please fill out a Catechist Registration Form available from the Office of Religious Education. There is no experience necessary. We will provide all materials, support, training, and the assistance of an experienced catechist. All you need to bring is a love for the holy faith and a love of children. Please consider donating your time. Graces will be amply supplied. Becoming Catholic Beginning this September, the Office of Religious Education will hold classes for those interested in learning more about "Becoming Catholic." These classes are ideal for those who are just curious about what it means to be Catholic, as well as for those who are more certain. This class will also be useful for adults who may have skipped a sacrament (e.g. Holy Confirmation). If you or someone you know is interested, please contact the Office of Religious Education at 703.759.3530. Bible Study "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ" - St. Jerome "From Adam to Jesus - A Journey through the Bible" What is the story of salvation? Do you want to know more about Adam, Noah, Abraham, Solomon, David, Mary and Jesus? This introduction to the Holy Bible, over the course of five Saturday mornings will present an overview of the main story, characters, and theology found in the "Word of God." Using the Holy Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the wisdom of the Church Fathers, we will explore the main events of Salvation History, From Adam to Jesus. Please join our study in Bishop Justs Hall with a light breakfast from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Class dates are: October 4th & 18th, November 8th & 22nd, December 6th. Newcomers are welcome to join us at any time. Please contact the Office of Religious Education at 703.759.3530 for more information. All you need is to bring your Bible! "I Will Build My Church - The Acts of the Apostles" The Holy Father, Pope Benedict, has declared this to be the year of St. Paul. Throughout the year, the Office of Religious Education will host a series of Bible studies on the life and writings of St. Paul found in Sacred Scripture. Our first study for the year will begin with the book The Acts of the Apostles. Class dates are: Friday mornings from October 3rd to October 31st We will study the very beginnings of the holy Catholic Church and in particular the life of St. Paul as presented in The Acts of the Apostles. Please join our study in Bishop Justs Hall with a light breakfast on Friday mornings from 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Over Fifty Club of St. Catherine of Siena Extending an invitation for any Senior to join our Social Club. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month in Bishop Justs Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There are interesting speakers, trips, special luncheons and a fun social time to meet new people. We also have a social bridge group that meets the 1st Friday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Single's or couples are warmly welcomed. For more information contact Mary Ann at 703.404.8677, or Madeline at 703.759.2605. St. Catherine of Siena is Looking For Volunteers Children's Choir Opportunities St. Catherine of Siena Treble Choir is looking for new members. The Treble Choir sings for the 8:45 a.m. Liturgy on the second and last Sundays of each month from September through May, and rehearses in Bishop Justs Hall on Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 p.m. Choir members as young as six years old are invited to join, and may remain through high school age. The children receive vocal technique and sight-reading training as part of the weekly rehearsal process, laying the foundation for a more enriched musical experience. For further information, please contact Dr. Kimberly Hess, Director of Music at 703.759.4350 or kimberlyannhess@gmail.com. Annual Parish Picnic - September 27th Save the date!! Saturday, September 27th Highlights: Food, Games, Fire Trucks and Fun for All Bring your family and friends!!! Saturday, September 27th from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed. Please call Kathy Abruzzino at 703.689.2531. Please Do Not Park on the Grass We have spent a great deal of money repairing the asphalt at the Church as well as planting new grass in front of the Church. Parking on the grass not only damages the grass but the edges of the asphalt as well. More to the point: it is a violation of the posted Fire Lanes. There are plenty of parking spaces for all, but yes, if you are late you will have to walk a few more feet. Arrive five minutes early and there will be no extra walking. If you see someone parking on the grass, please ask them to move; this is your Church. We do not want to have to resort to towing the offenders. Thank you for your cooperation. St. Catherine of Siena Website For everything you ever wanted to know about St. Catherine of Siena Parish, but forgot to ask during office hours, you may visit the parish Website at http://st-catherines.net. The Over 50 Club Scheduled Senior Trips Make Your Calendars and Make Plans to Enjoy a Great Trip Membership in the Club and Senior Status is not required. Early Registration is Suggested! ? September 10 & 11 - Homestead & Shenandoah Valley. Visit the new museum and magnificent gardens. Go through the "Glenn Burnie" house. Have lunch in the tearoom, then at the Homestead. Enjoy tea, dinner and a relaxing evening with a full breakfast in the morning. All three meals and tea included in package. $369/Dbl, $469/Single. ? September 30 - Gettysburg & Eisenhower Tour A new museum and visitor's center recently opened with twelve galleries. A magnificent Cyclorama* which depicts the Charge of the Confederate Infantry. Restoration cost over 11 million dollars and took five years to complete. Grand opening is September 26th. We'll have lunch there (on your own), tour the Eisenhower Farm and make a surprise stop on the way home. $68. *A large composite picture placed on the interior walls of a cylindrical room so as to appear in natural perspective to a spectator standing in the center of the room. ? October 6 to 10 - Myrtle Beach, S.C. (on the beach). Four full course dinners and breakfasts, guided tour of Charlestown, S.C. Backstage tour of the Alabama Theatre, Three spectacular shows: Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre & Cirque (fantastic acrobatics), a visit to LaBelle Winery, all taxes & gratuities. $498. ? October 17 One Day Pilgrimage Mount St. Mary's Seminary - Mother Seton's Shrine This beautiful day trip to the National Shire of the "Grotto of Lourdes" will include a tour of the seminary at Mount St. Mary's with Mass, lunch at the Cozy restaurant in Thurmont, and a visit to Mother Seton House and museum in Emmitsburg, MD. A priest will be joining us for this beautiful day of either "thanksgiving" or for our "special request". Early registration is suggested. $56 includes motor coach, driver's tip and lunch. Pickup is at St. Thomas a Becket and Cascade Senior Center. ? April 25-May 3 (2009) - Cruise to the Mexican Riviera Includes airfare from Dulles to Los Angeles. A seven night cruise aboard the "Mariner of the Seas." One evening in Los Angeles with dinner & breakfast. Tour Los Angeles; visit Cabo SanLucas, Mazatlan Puerto Vallarta. All taxes & transfers included. Inside cabin $1,919 - Outside cabin $2,219 - Balcony $2,419. Please call regarding registration. You do not need to be a senior to join us, or a member of the Club. Please call the following for more information and/or registration. Mary Ann at 703.404.8677 or Lorraine at 703.448.9181. In the Diocese & Other Events Website: www.arlingtondiocese.org Vocations Awareness Some white-collar jobs are more challenging than others Vocation Prayer: Heavenly Father, bless our diocese with the grace of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. Through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, grant to those You have called the willingness and generosity of spirit to give of themselves in devoting their lives and their talents to the service of our Lord and to His Church. Increase the faith of all within our diocese, and particularly the faith of those You have called and will continue to call. We ask this through Christ, Your Son. Amen. "Where two or three are gathered in My Name ." The community who gathers in Christ needs leadership. Might He be inviting you to consider a vocation to the consecrated life or priesthood? Call Fr. Brian Bashista: 703.841.2514, or write: b.bashista@arlingtondiocese.org. Diaconate Formation Inquiry Meetings for those interested in the Permanent Diaconate program in the Diocese of Arlington will be held on the following dates at parishes throughout the Diocese: Thursday, September 25, 7:30 p.m. St. Thomas á Becket, Reston Friday, September 26, 7:30 p.m. Queen of Apostles, Alexandria Saturday, September 27, 9:30 a.m. St. James, Falls Church Sunday, September 28, 1:00 p.m. Sacred Heart, Winchester Friday, October 3, 7:30 p.m. Holy Trinity, Gainesville Sunday, October 5, 1:00 p.m. St. Leo, Fairfax Men interested in discerning a vocation to the Permanent Diaconate, and their wives, are invited to these meetings to get a better understanding of the vocation in general and the formation process in particular. Refreshments will be served. For further information and to RSVP, please call 703.841.2508. Marriage Nullity Process September 25 St. Luke Parish - Bishop Flaherty Hall, McLean October 7 St. John the Apostle Parish - Parish Hall, Leesburg. Father Mark Mealey, O.S.F.S., J.C.D., V.G., Judicial Vicar, will give a presentation on the Marriage Nullity Process in the Diocese of Arlington. He will answer questions about the nullity process and the grounds (reasons) needed to begin the process. To ensure there are adequate copies of the materials to be distributed, please reserve a space by calling Joyce Wagner at 703.841.2502. HOPE In Northern Virginia, Inc. Looking for Volunteers For thirty-six years, Hope in Northern Virginia has been helping women experiencing crisis pregnancies. We are looking for caring and dedicated volunteers to assist women facing crisis pregnancies. Bilingual and English speaking volunteers are needed to handle our diverse population. Please consider offering your time to assist pregnant women in this critical ministry. Many opportunities are available. Call 703.536.2020 for further information or to make an appointment to stop by the office to visit with us. Office Hours: Mon -Wed: 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Fri - Sat: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon. 610 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA, 22046 Marriage Jubilee Mass - October 26th The Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde along with the Office for Family Life honors those couples of the Diocese of Arlington celebrating 25 and 50 years of marriage with the Marriage Jubilee Mass on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. Are you celebrating your Silver or Golden Marriage Jubilee this year? Were you married in 1958 or 1983? Then contact the parish office at 703.759.4350 to register for the "2008 Marriage Jubilee Mass" to be celebrated on Sunday, October 26th at 2:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. The parish office must submit all registrations to the Office for Family Life as soon as possible. Call the parish office with questions. Do not delay! Holy Father's Prayer Intention for September 2008 General: That those who are forced to leave home and country because of war or oppressive regimes may be supported by Christians in the defence and protection of their rights. Mission: That faithful to the sacrament of matrimony every Christian family may cultivate the values of love and communion in order to be a small evangelizing community, sensitive and open to the material and spiritual needs of others.