new front 11-16-14
Mother Seton Parish
Parish Office
Phone:
301-924-3838 plus extension
Fax: 301-428-4951
Office Hours:
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.mothersetonparish.org
In the case of a serious
emergency and you are in
immediate need of a priest,
please call 301-924-3838.
Masses
WEEKEND MASSES:
Saturday: 5:00 PM
6:30 PM (Español)
Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM
10:45 AM, 12:30 PM
and 5:00 PM
WEEKDAY MASSES:
Monday through Friday:
6:30 AM
Monday through Saturday:
8:00 AM
Tuesday evening: 7:00 PM
First Fridays: 7:00 PM
HOLY DAYS:
7:30 PM (Vigil); 6:30 AM,
8:00 AM, 12:00 PM,
7:30 PM (Bilingual)
PENANCE:
Saturday: 4:00 to 4:45 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 to 6:45 PM
19951 Father Hurley Boulevard • Germantown, Maryland 20874
Rev. Lee Fangmeyer (x208) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pastor
Rev. Louis Faust (x221) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Priest
Rev. Rommel Padilla (x203) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parochial Vicar
Deacon Francis Bendel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RCIA (x211)
Deacon Stephen Maselko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Altar Servers (x211)
Deacon Fidencio Gonzalez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Homebound Visits (x211)
Mrs. Dominique Seraphin . . . . .Director of Religious Education, School of Religion 301-444-3495
Mrs. Candida Silva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary, School of Religion 301-444-3496
Mrs. Jill Brodrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Youth Minister 240-780-7610
Mrs. Amy Massey (x215) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Director of Music
Mrs. Toni Woods (x204) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Concerns Coordinator
Ms. Rhina Portillo (x202) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hispanic Ministry Coordinator
Mr. Carman L. Gannotti (x205) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Business Manager
Ms. Ruth Chavez (x211) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parish Secretary
Mrs. Joyce McCarthy (x207). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bulletin Editor
School of Religion
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (8:30 AM to 2:30 PM). Offices are located in the Parish
Center. Other days, please come to the Parish Office from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Adult Initiation Into
the Catholic Church
Communion Calls
Sacrament of Baptism
New Parishioners
We welcome anyone interested in becoming a
member of the Catholic Church. Please contact
Deacon Francis Bendel, (301) 924-3838, ext. 211.
2nd/4th Sundays of the month, 2:00 PM (English)
1st/3rd Saturdays of the month, 12:00 noon (Spanish)
Parents must complete the Baptism Preparation
Program prior to scheduling Baptism. Please call
the Parish Office for information, 301-924-3838,
or call Walter Montes (for Spanish), 301-569-1041.
Sacrament of Marriage
Parishioners planning marriage should contact one
of the parish priests 6 months before the wedding
date. Please call the Parish Office for information,
301-924-3838.
Parish School
Mary of Nazareth School
Grades K-8, shared with six other parishes in
upper Montgomery County
Mr. Michael Friel, Principal
www.maryofnazareth.org • 301-869-0940
Please call the Parish Office to request distribution of Holy Communion to the sick and
homebound.
Welcome! Please complete the registration form
found in the vestibule of the church.
Leaving the Parish
Please notify the Parish Office before your
departure. You will help us reduce mailings.
Pastoral Council
Fr. Lee Fangmeyer, Chair
Amy Tolan, President
Financial Council
Joe Gomez, Chairman
DEADLINE FOR BULLETIN
SUBMISSIONS:
Deadline is 5 days before publication.
Please email: [email protected]
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Nov. 16, 2014
From the Pastor’s Desk
Saturday
Dear Parishioners,
For some the decision of Brittany Maynard to end her
life is a victory and an advance in human
development. We can’t escape death (for now
anyway) but we can avoid the loss of dignity and
rationality. “Die young, stay pretty” as Blondie sang
in the 1980’s.
As a priest, I’m pretty familiar with death. I
understand what Brittany was afraid of. We all do. But
maybe because of faith I never doubt the dignity of
anyone I’ve seen dying. Why do I see something
Brittany couldn’t? Dignity is not something I bestow
on someone. Dignity comes from being a child of
God, no matter what. Sick, disabled Brittany is loved
by Another and given to me. I see something not ugly
or frightening, but beautiful and deserving of my love.
I am sad for Brittany and her family who missed an
opportunity to recognize her inherent dignity and love
her even as she became less pretty and functional. I
am sad they didn’t get the chance to hold her hand,
comfort her, and take care of her. I am saddened
because Brittany foresaw a future self that had no
value or dignity according to her terms and so in effect
aborted her future self.
There is a story of Mother Teresa’s sisters who picked
up a dying man out of the sewer in Calcutta. He was
full of sores and maggots left to die in the street. The
sisters pick him up and take him back. They clean and
clothe him, they tend to him as if to Jesus himself. The
man, as he is dying says, “I lived like a miserable
wretch, but here, I am dying like a king!” From the
world and even from his own perspective he did not
have dignity, but there in that convent, he met a love
that changed everything. It is more beautiful than
Brittany could have imagined.
Monsignor Luigi Giussani toward the end of his life as
he needed someone to help him go to the bathroom
said, “Now I know the meaning of Christianity”. In the
humility, in the neediness, in the apparent lack of
dignity, there is found a love and meaning, a
(See Fr. Lee’s Letter, pg. 2, col. 2)
Sunday
8:00 AM
Souls in Purgatory (d)
5:00 PM
Margaret Sartoris (d)
6:30 PM
Carlos Guardado & Amalia Amaya (d)
7:30 AM
Carol Dickerson
9:00 AM
10:45 AM
12:30 PM
Brothers of Knights of Columbus, Council #11024
5:00 PM
Monday
Tuesday
Souls in Purgatory (d)
Jean & Carl Allen (d)
People of the Parish
6:30 AM
Souls in Purgatory (d)
8:00 AM
Zalewski Family (l & d)
6:30 AM
Juanita Paulin (d)
8:00 AM
Souls in Purgatory (d)
7:00 PM
Patricia Ford Yurkunas
Wednesday
6:30 AM
Souls in Purgatory (d)
8:00 AM
Colaco Family
Thursday
6:30 AM
Deacon John Nguyen
8:00 AM
Souls in Purgatory (d)
Friday
6:30 AM
Souls in Purgatory (d)
8:00 AM
Precious Blood Prayer Group
Saturday
8:00 AM
Souls in Purgatory (d)
5:00 PM
Barbara Borromeo (d)
6:30 PM Dora Alicia Depaz & Carmen Adalberto Montes (d)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Pray for us
Mass & Confession schedules are listed on the bulletin cover.
ggggg
SPIRITUAL LIFE AND W ORSHIP
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Every Friday, Adoration is held all day in
the church from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., followed by the Divine Mercy
Chaplet. On First Fridays, Adoration is from 8:30 a.m. until 6:45 p.m.,
followed by Benediction at 6:45 p.m., and Mass is at 7 p.m. in the
Church.
EUCHARISTIC HOME MINISTRY: Eucharistic Ministers take the Holy
Eucharist to the sick or homebound on Sundays. Please call Deacon
Fidencio Gonzalez, 301-924-3838, ext. 285.
PARENTS PRAYER GROUP: Meets Wed. at 10:15 a.m. Parents,
infants and preschoolers are welcome.
HAIL HOLY QUEEN CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP: Meets on the
first and third Sundays of the month from 6:45-8:00 p.m. Everyone is
welcome. Contact George Kelly, 301-972-0326; prayer requests are
welcome.
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET: Recited Mon. and Fri. at 3 p.m. in the
church.
ONLINE PRAYER NETWORK: Confidential prayer petitions are sent to
members of the prayer chain and are prayed for by name for 2 weeks, or
longer if requested. Please email: [email protected]. Be sure to
write “MSP Prayer Network” in the subject line.
GABRIEL NETWORK: Practical advice for pregnant women and their
families: 800-264-3565. PROJECT RACHEL : Post abortion counseling
and pastoral assistance: 301-982-2008.
PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST PRAYER GROUP: Meets
every Thurs. night at 9 p.m. in the church. For more information, contact
Bridget: 240-552-0835.
Please pray for: Fr. Jim Kosker, Fr. Leonard Hurley
and all those for whom we have been asked to
pray.* Remember all the dearly departed, family
members and parishioners.
* Please N ote : N am e s of parish ion e rs an d fa m ily m e m be rs are ge n e rally
om itte d from the Pra ye r In te n tio n s in the on lin e ve rsion s of the Pa rish
B u lletin o u t of resp ect fo r o n lin e p riva cy. P lea se see th e p rin te d e dition for
listin gs of n am e s.
School of Religion
Dom inique Seraphin, DRE, redirectorm sp@gm ail.com
Candida Silva, Secretary, m spsor@gm ail.com
Thank you to all who supported the School of Religion
Cheesecake Drive. CHEESECAKES will be available for pick
up Sat., Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Noon) in the
Parish Center. “Like” us on Facebook so that you may have the
most up-to-date info on events, activities and announcements.
Classes will be held on Mon., Nov. 24, but NO CLASSES on
Wed., Nov. 26. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Youth Ministry, 240-780-7610
Jill Brodrick, Youth Minister, [email protected]
Sun., Nov. 23: Youth Group and Dinner in the PC from 6 to 8
p.m. Sun., Nov. 30: No Youth Group!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
PARISH CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Sunday, Nov.16, 2014: Little Sisters of the Poor Visit
9:00 AM: Children’s Liturgy (McCabe)
2:30 PM: Squires (McCabe)
3:30 PM: Young Adult Choir (Church)
6:45 PM: Hail Holy Queen Prayer Grp. (McCabe)
Monday, Nov. 17:
4:30 PM: SOR (Church)
8:00 PM: RCIA (McCabe)
Tuesday, Nov.18:
6:00 PM: Youth Choir (McCabe)
6:00 PM PC: MSP Young Adult Group/Catholicism Series
6:30 PM: ESOL (McCabe)
7:00 PM: SP Legion of Mary (McCabe)
7:30 PM: Word & Life Catechesis (McCabe)
8:00 PM: The Way (McCabe)
Wednesday, Nov. 19:
10:15 AM: Parents Prayer Group (McCabe)
4:30 PM: SOR (Church)
7:30 PM: Choir Rehearsal (Church)
8:00 PM: Spanish Ministries (McCabe)
Thursday, Nov. 20:
5:00 PM PC: Word & Life Music Practice
6:30 PM: ESOL (McCabe)
6:30 PM: Legion of Mary (McCabe)
6:30 PM: SP Youth Group Choir (McCabe)
7:00 PM: St. Vincent de Paul (McCabe)
7:00 PM: Caring for the Caregivers (McCabe)
7:15 PM PC: K of C
7:30 PM: Pastoral Familiar (McCabe)
Friday, Nov. 21:
10:00 AM: Spirit Club-UCR (McCabe)
11:00 AM: RCIA Adult Catechism (McCabe)
5:00 PM PC: Word & Life Assembly (McCabe)
6:00 PM: SP LOM Youth (McCabe)
6:00 PM: Legion of Mary -SP (Church)
8:00 PM: Word & Life Assembly (McCabe)
Saturday, Nov. 22:
12:00 PM: SP Baptism Prep Class
3:30 PM: Contemporary Choir (Church)
4:30 PM: SP SOR (PC & McCabe)
7:00 PM PC: The Way Community
Fr. Lee’s Letter (continued from pg. 1):
tenderness, and beauty that surpass all expectations. It
is the breaking in of grace. This I have seen in every
death I have been privileged to witness or be part of. I
am always certain that in every cross, every sacrifice,
there is Jesus. We will see Him. When we try to take
control over our lives and deaths, we wrestle the
mystery out of life and let the grace fall through our
hands. What dignity we will miss, the only dignity that
matters, that of being loved by Another.
Man wants to beat death and its ugliness. Does suicide
achieve this? The devil wants us to believe it. The
victory is in Jesus. United to His death, ugliness is
turned to beauty and death to everlasting life.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Lee
K of C HAND-CRAFTED CHOCOLATE & TRAIN
SHOW: The Knights of Columbus are selling mixed, and
caramel chocolate candies made by members of the 2015
MSP Confirmation class and Knights after all Masses this
weekend. A TOY TRAIN SHOW & SWAP MEET will
be hosted in the Parish Center Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3
p.m., and they are raffling off a complete model train set.
Raffle Tickets are on sale this weekend, Nov. 15/16. The
drawing will be held at the end of the train show....
On Thurs., Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day, there w ill be ONE
M ass at 9 a.m. Blessing of the Bread will be held during
M ass. On Fri., Nov. 28, there will be one M ass at 8 a.m.
Parish Offices are closed on Friday. The first Sunday of
Advent is Nov. 30.
Nov. 9, 2014:
Offertory
PARISH SUPPORT
$17,285.00
With the busy times of Thanksgiving and Advent season right around
the corner, enrolling in Faith Direct today is a great way to ensure
your gifts of treasure to Mother Seton Parish are received even if you
may be out of town. Please pick up an enrollment form from the
Parish Office today or enroll online at www.faithdirect.net - our Church
Code is MD424. Already using Faith Direct? Don’t forget to add your
Christmas or End-of-Year contributions to your account this fall.
Thank you in advance for your support and for using Faith Direct!
God Bless,
Fr. Lee
MARIAN DEVOTION PRAYER SERVICE: A
Marian devotion prayer service honoring Our Lady of
Guadalupe, led by the Knights of Columbus Fr. McKenna
Council, will be held Mon., Nov. 17, at 6 p.m., in the
church. The K of C is hosting one of six Silver Rose
Icons crossing the United States from Canada to Mexico
City. The Icon honors Our Lady of Guadalupe and
encourages respect for life. Members carry the icons from
council to council as a show of unity on life issues. All
are welcome to attend.
CARING FOR THE CARE GIVER: If you are caring
for a loved one, please join us Thurs., Nov. 20, at 7 p.m.
in McCabe Center for two guest speakers. Tammy Duell,
Director of Medical Adult Day Care at Holy Cross
Hospital, will speak on the practical aspects of being a
care giver. Patrese DeCesare, LCSWC, a Mother Seton
parishioner, will speak about the self care and emotional
support of being a care giver.
WITNESS TO LIFE: A Mass and Candlelight
Procession will be held on Sun., Dec. 7, at the 5 p.m.
Mass. Bishop Martin Holley will be the celebrant. Mass
will be followed by a candlelight procession at 6:15 p.m.
over to Wisteria Dr. where LeRoy Carhart’s late-term
abortion office is located. Dec. 6th marks Carhart’s 4-year
anniversary in Germantown. Please consider joining us as
we pray for an end to abortion, for the healing of those
affected by an abortion decision, and for the conversion
of Carhart and his staff. Email: [email protected] for
information.
PARISH MISSION
ADVENT PARISH MISSION: An Advent Parish
Mission will be held Mon., Dec. 8 through Wed., Dec.
10, at 7 p.m., in the church. Fr. Herald Brock, CFR,
Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, will be preaching three
separate talks on “Peter’s Shadow” (Acts 5:15).
Monday’s talk is “Encounter the Call, Put out into the
Deep” (Luke 5:4); Tuesday’s talk is “Facing Challenges,
Walking on Water” (Matthew 8:29); Wednesday’s talk is
“Witness & Mission, Do You Love Me? Feed My Sheep”
(John 21:17). The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed
each evening, and the Mission will conclude on
Wednesday with Mass. A Parish Penance Service will
be held on Tues., Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. The Tuesday 7 p.m.
Mass will be moved to Wednesday. (See flyer.)
SO LEMN I T Y O F T H E IMM ACULATE
CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
is Mon., Dec. 8, a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will
be held at 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 12:00 p.m. (Noon), and at 7
p.m. (Bilingual). The first talk of our Parish Mission with
Fr. Herald Brock will begin after Mass.
Social Concerns Ministry, 301-924-3838, ext. 204
Toni Woods, Social Concerns Coordinator
m sptwoods@aim .com
ê Join others on Monday mornings from 8 to 10 a.m.
for a peaceful prayer witness on the sidewalk in front of
the Executive Park offices on Wisteria Dr. Please visit:
www.PrayForGermantown.com.
ê We are in need of fully licensed medically trained
individuals to take and record blood pressures. We will be
taking blood pressures after all Masses on the first
weekend of every month. If you are able to help, please
contact Mary Beth De Luzio at:
[email protected].
ggggg
MASS AND FELLOWSHIP for MSP Young Adults:
Fr. Robert Barron’s Catholicism Series, Tues. nights at 7
p.m., until Dec. 16th, in the Parish Center, is being
discussed. Bring your dinner or snack to share; contact
Rebecca Sharp at [email protected]. To check out
the
Catholicism
series,
visit:
http://www.catholicismseries.com. This group meets
monthly on the 1st Sunday of each month for Mass
followed by lunch. Join them at the 10:45 a.m. Mass on
Dec. 7th (sitting on the right side in the front of the
church), and lunch at the Brick Ridge Restaurant (6212
Ridge Rd., Mt. Airy). Contact: [email protected].
Around the Archdiocese
EVENING PRAYER WITH EUCHARISTIC
HEALING: St. Raphael’s Parish (1513 Dunster Rd. in
Rockville) invites you to celebrate this Advent Season at
Evening Prayer with Eucharistic Healing on Tues., Dec. 9,
at 7:30 p.m. (Confession starts at 7 p.m.). Fr. Dan Leary,
visiting priest, will be assisted by Deacon Frank Salatto.
All are welcome; feel free to bring a friend. For more
information, call the parish office, 301-762-2143.
RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS: This special
collection will be held the weekend of Dec. 13-14. Senior
Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have
spent their lives ministering to others, often for little, of
any, pay. Your gift to this collection supports the day-today care of roughly 35,000 senior religious such as
prescriptions and medical care. Thank you for your gift.
Mother Seton Parish Alternative Christmas
The Advent and Christmas seasons should be a time of quiet anticipation and hope for
Christ’s simple, yet profound rebirth in our lives. Unfortunately, too often our focus at
this precious time is turned elsewhere, as we get caught up in the frantic preparations
for the secular “holiday season” and seemingly endless searches for gifts for our family
and friends.
Mother Seton's Alternative Christmas program gives us an opportunity to reclaim the
true meaning of Christmas. Instead of spending time and too much money buying things
for loved ones who already have everything, we can give gifts of sharing to those who
have little or nothing in honor of our loved ones. We can find the Christ child in those
around us who are in need and can celebrate His birth by supporting our local service
agencies in their mission of comfort and healing.
When you place an order from this catalog, you will receive a card from the charity that
specifies the gift(s) you purchased. You then present the card(s) to the loved one(s) you
are honoring as your alternative gift this Christmas. Fill out the order form in the
catalog and make your checks payable to the service organizations of your choice. May
God bless you.
Society of St. Vincent De Paul (MSP Conference)
This parish organization offers person to person service to individuals in need
by bringing financial aid and comfort to the needy and the suffering in the Mother
Seton Parish community. Through this loving service, we strengthen our relationship
with God and bear witness to the world that Christ and his Gospel message are alive
today.
Amt
$35
$50
$150
$250
# Cards
Donation
Amt
$5 to $ 30
$45
$65
$75
$125
# Cards
Donation
Provide heat or hot water for a one bedroom apartment for one month
Provide food for an empty pantry
Prevent a utility cutoff this winter
Help keep a family from being evicted
Total:
Mother Seton Quilting Angels
This organization gives comfort to others in a ‘material’ way through Quilts of Valor
Foundation (Quilts for Soldiers, Veterans touched by war) and Quilts for Kids and
Adults with Cancer (destination The Cool Kids Org. and St. Jude’s Hospital)
Let us know if there is a parishioner that we can honor or comfort with our quilts.
Donation to purchase supplies
Batting for a quilt
Sponsor a quilt for a child with cancer
Sponsor a quilt for an adult with cancer
Sponsor a quilt for a soldier
Total:
Name
Phone
Address
Please enclose a separate check payable to each charity.
Page 1 of 2
Mother Seton Parish Alternative Christmas
Germantown Pregnancy Choices
This organization provides assistance to women seeking early and late term abortions.
We provide an office they can come to before seeing the late term abortionist, help
those who continue with the pregnancy and post abortion issues. After initially helping
we refer and connect these women with their local pregnancy centers. We are an all
volunteer organization that is financially supported by churches and individuals.
Provides 15 25 brochures that are given to women arriving for abortions
Provides lunch for a woman, who decides not to abort, and her driver
Provides taxi service for a woman to closest free ultrasound machine
Help pay rent and utilities for the office so they can continue to provide assistance to
pregnant women
Total:
Amt
$5
$10
$15
# Cards
Donation
Amt
$10
$15
$25
$50
$100
# Cards
Donation
Amt
$25
$50
$100
$500
# Cards
Donation
Amt
$20
$40
$100
$150
# Cards
Donation
$20 to $100
Little Sisters of the Poor
Provides physical, emotional and spiritual care to the elderly poor and witness to the
primacy of eternal values and to respect for life
Manicure
Barber Shop haircut
Trip to the Mall & Dinner
Birthday cakes for 3 to 4 residents or Trip to a museum
Special cushions for wheelchair comfort
Total:
Montgomery Hospice
Provides physical, emotional and spiritual care to the terminally ill of Montgomery
County and their loved ones, regardless of ability to pay and promotes a deeper
understanding of death, dying, loss and grief
Pain control therapy for two weeks
One visit by a home health aid
One visit by a registered nurse
Pharmaceutical supplies for one month
Total:
Germantown HELP
Provides emergency assistance to our neighbors in crisis with food, diapers and
prescription medications in our Germantown community
Deductible for a single mom to get medication for her child
Provides food for 2 3 days for a family of four
Provides perishable foods for 13 families
Pays for the prescriptions of an ill neighbor for a month
Total:
If you have questions, please contact:
Toni Woods, Social Concerns Coordinator in the Parish Office 301 924 3838 x 204
Kathie Porter, Alternative Christmas Coordinator at 301 461 8689
Please enclose a separate check payable to each charity.
Page 2 of 2
SECCIÓN EN ESPAÑOL
Trigésimo tercer domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (Ciclo A)
16 de noviembre del 2014
Diversas culturas hispanas, pero «Un solo Señor, una sola fe» (Cf. Ef 4,5).
DE NUESTRO PARROCO
(Padre Lee Fangmeyer)
Queridos amigos:
Para algunos la decisión de Brittany Maynard de terminar
su vida es una victoria y un avance en el desarrollo
humano. Por ahora, no podemos escapar de la muerte,
pero si podemos evitar la pérdida de la dignidad y de la
razón. “El que muere joven, permanece hermoso” decía la
canción de Blondie en la década del 1980.
Como sacerdote, estoy familiarizado con la muerte,
entiendo el temor de Brittany. Todos lo sentimos. Pero
talvez por la fe, nunca dudo de la dignidad de cualquier
persona que veo morir. Porqué veo algo que Brittany no
pudo ver? La dignidad no es algo que otorgo a alguien. La
dignidad proviene de ser hijo de Dios, sin importar nada.
A Brittany, enferma, con limitaciones, la quiere Alguien
más y me la da mí. Yo no veo algo feo y atemorizante
sino hermoso y digno de mi amor. Siento pena por
Brittany y su familia porque perdieron la oportunidad de
identificar su dignidad intrínseca y de amarla, así perdiera
su funcionalidad y belleza. Me apena que no tuvieron la
oportunidad de sujetar su mano, consolarla y cuidarla.
Me apena que Brittany anticipó su futuro sin dignidad ni
valor en sus términos y por eso terminó su propio ser.
Hay una historia de las hermanas de madre Teresa que
recogieron a un moribundo de una alcantarilla en Calcuta.
Estaba cubierto de llagas y gusanos y lo habían dejado
para que muera en la calle. Las hermanas lo recogieron y
lo llevaron consigo. Lo limpiaron y lo vistieron, lo
cuidaron como si el mismo Jesús. En su lecho de muerte
el hombre dijo: “He vivido como un miserable, pero
muero como un rey!” Desde la perspectiva del mundo y
de sí mismo no tenia dignidad, pero ahí en el convento,
encontró el amor que cambió todo. Es más hermoso de lo
Brittany se pudo imaginar.
Monseñor Luigi Giussani al final de su vida cuando
necesita ayuda para ir al baño dijo: “Ahora entiendo el
significado del cristianismo.” En la humildad, en la
necesidad, en la aparente falta de dignidad, se encuentra
amor y significado, ternura y belleza que superan toda
expectativa. Es la aparición de la gracia. Esto he visto en
cada muerte que he tenido el privilegio de presenciar.
Tengo siempre la certeza de que en cada cruz, en cada
sacrificio, está Jesús. El lo ve. Cuando tratamos de
controlar nuestra vida y nuestra muerte, luchamos contra
el misterio de la vida y perdemos la gracia. La única
dignidad que nos hará falta será la única que importa, el
poder ser amado por ese Alguien. El hombre quiere
vencer a lo feo de la muerte. Se logra esto con el suicidio?
El diablo quiere que así lo pensemos. La victoria está en
Jesús. Unidos a su muerte, la fealdad se convierte en
belleza y la muerte en vida eterna.
Padre Lee
Evangelio de San Mateo 25, 14-30
(Reflexión del Padre Rommel Padilla)
Vamos a reflexionar acerca de la parábola de los talentos. En el caso de
que este Evangelio sea leído por una persona artista, talentosa y famosa,
inmediatamente vendría a su corazón un indescriptible regocijo, una
alegría tan inefable, que sería imposible expresarla con palabras,
naturalmente se sentiría la persona más feliz del mundo, porque el
talento que ha recibido lo ha trabajado disciplinadamente y por
consiguiente lo ha llevado al éxito. Sin embargo, interpretar esta
parábola en ese sentido tan limitado, sería como tomar una carretera
con un destino fijado, pero quedarnos a la mitad del camino debido a un
desperfecto mecánico del vehículo.
Supongamos que esta misma parábola es leída por un estudiante que en
todas sus calificaciones de la escuela o la universidad, ha conseguido
sólo 10 en todas las materias cursadas, él podrá decir, me siento muy
feliz, porque la inteligencia que tengo es exageradamente maravillosa e
incluso superior a la de muchos otros estudiantes, y todo lo he logrado
gracias a las constantes y perseverantes horas de estudio que he tenido.
No obstante, interpretar esta parábola con dichas apreciaciones sería
demasiado incompleto y secundario, sería como querer ir con un
vehículo desde Germantown, Maryland hacia Miami Florida con tan
solo $20.00 dólares de gasolina.
La parábola de los talentos no se refiere al desarrollo positivo de las
cualidades humanas de cada uno de nosotros, yo no creo que Jesucristo
esté insinuando que nosotros debemos aprender eso de este Evangelio,
desde mi criterio personal, hay un significado más integral, que no se
limita a las apariencias de lo que se puede ver y de lo que se puede
tocar, sino algo más insondable que pueda llegar hasta el alma y
volverla hacia Dios, en definitiva, la parábola tiene que ver
estrictamente con los dones que son proveídos del corazón de Dios para
con todos sus hijos. Ante este planteamiento surge una pregunta: ¿Cuál
es tu talento? Quizás muchos conocen su talento y lo están trabajando;
es probable que otros conozcan su talento, pero tienen pereza para
trabajarlo. Podría ser que muchos más no conocen su talento y tampoco
están interesados en conocerlo porque no lo encuentran rentable para
sus vidas. A lo mejor hayan personas que después de leer y meditar esta
parábola se pregunten: ¿Cuál es el método para conocer el talento que
Dios me ha dado? Yo con absoluta certeza te digo que si deseas
saberlo, tienes que empezar un discernimiento espiritual serio, usando
como medio seguro la oración contemplativa, preferiblemente no la
hagas desde tu casa, sino desde la Iglesia, ven y siéntate de frente al
Santísimo Sacramento del Altar. Yo estoy seguro que Jesucristo
presente en la Hostia Consagrada te hará saber y sentir dentro de tu
corazón no sólo, cuál es el talento que él te ha dado, sino cómo puedes
trabajarlo para que tu talento dé frutos y frutos en abundancia para
Dios.
¿Cuál es el talento de una madre de familia? Yo pienso que son sus
hijos. San Agustín dice que el misterio de la creación de los hombres se
esconde en el vientre de una mujer. ¿Es tan poco valorable para ti mujer
que Dios use tu vientre para que continúe creando hombres y mujeres
que vengan a este mundo como parte de su bella creación? Para ti
madre de familia, tus talentos son tus hijos, ¿Qué has hecho con esos
talentos? ¿Los has trabajado a ellos para que den frutos abundantes para
Dios? ¿Te sientes orgullosa de tus hijos que son los talentos que Dios te
ha dado? Cuando tú llegues al cielo, delante de la presencia de Dios,
seguramente Dios te preguntará: ¿Qué has hecho con los talentos que te
di? En la parábola Dios felicita a las personas que han trabajado
exitosamente sus talentos, pero también Dios llama inútil al que se le
dio talentos y no los trabajó. Yo te pregunto algo: Si Dios te llamara
hoy a su presencia y te preguntara: ¿Qué has hecho con el talento que
yo te di? La respuesta para Dios solamente tú la conoces, entonces,
¿Qué te ganarás de Dios? ¿Las felicitaciones, o lo siguiente, a este
empleado inútil, sáquenlo fuera de aquí, échenlo a las tinieblas; allí será
el llanto y el rechinar de dientes?
NUESTRA PARROQUIA OFRECE
SACRAMENTOS:
Bautismo: Se bautiza a las 12:00 del mediodía, el
primer y tercer sábado de cada mes. Los padres y
los padrinos deben recibir dos horas de charla prebautismal. Para más información llame a la
oficina 301-924-3838.
Confirmación y Eucaristía: Catecismo para
niños. Todos los sábados desde las 4:45pm hasta
las 6:15pm. Para más información llame a Brenda
Rosado 301-452-8015.
Confesión: Cada sábado desde las 6:00pm hasta
las 6:20pm. Si desea un horario adicional para
confesión o para una dirección espiritual llame a
la oficina 301-924-3838.
Unción de los enfermos: Para solicitar la visita de
un sacerdote llame a la oficina 301-924-3838.
Nota: Si desea también la sagrada comunión para
el enfermo hacerlo saber antes al sacerdote.
Matrimonio: Reserve la fecha para su boda con 6
meses de anticipación. Para más información
llame a la oficina 301-924-3838.
MINISTERIOS:
Grupo de la Legión de María: Todos los lunes y
martes a las 7:00pm para adultos. Los niños se
reúnen todos los viernes de 6:00pm a 7:00pm. Las
reuniones son en el sótano de la Iglesia. Si desea
ser parte del grupo llame a Sandra Martínez 301515-8015.
Grupo de Oración Carismático: Todos los viernes
en el Centro Parroquial a las 7:00pm. Si desea ser
parte del grupo llame a Patricia Navarro 301-6137358.
Grupo de la Pastoral Familiar: Todos los sábados
desde las 4:45pm hasta las 6:15pm en el Centro
Parroquial (Es para parejas casadas y no casadas).
Padres de familia conozcan más la fe; defiendan la
fe y enseñen la fe a sus hijos. «Nuestros hijos
necesitan crecer con la Gracia y Sabiduría de
Dios» (Cf. Lc 2,39-40). Si desea ser parte del
grupo llame a Gustavo Cevallos 301-515-5656.
Grupo de Los Patricios: Todos los segundos
viernes de cada mes, desde las 7:00pm hasta las
9:00pm, en el sótano de la Iglesia. Si desea ser
parte del grupo llame a Sandra Martínez 301-5158015.
ADORACIÓN AL SANTÍSIMO SACRAMENTO
¡DIOS ESTÁ VIVO!
Todos los viernes de cada mes de 8:30am hasta las
3:00pm, con excepción del primer viernes de cada
mes que es desde las 8:30am hasta las 6:45pm.
CORONILLA DE LA DIVINA MISERICORDIA
Todos los viernes a las 3:00pm.
MISA EN ESPAÑOL:
6:30pm Todos los sábados. Para reservar la intención
principal (sea para un difunto; en acción de gracias
de o por la salud de) ir a la oficina y hablar con Ruth
Chávez. Para solicitar otras intenciones minutos
antes de la misa, preguntar por Diana Villatoro en la
sacristía.
HORARIO DE MISAS DE PRECEPTO QUE NO
CAEN EN DÍA DOMINGO:
7:30pm Misa de Vigilia en Inglés (Víspera)
6:30am Misa en Inglés.
8:00am Misa en Inglés
12:00pm Misa en Inglés.
7:30pm Misa Bilingüe.
Pregunta importante: ¿Es pecado grave faltar a la
misa dominical y a los demás días de precepto? Sí.
No asistir a la misa el día de precepto, sin una causa
que lo justifique, es un pecado grave y requiere de
inmediato la recepción del Sacramento de la
Confesión, para recibir dignamente la sagrada
comunión. Aquellos que asisten a misa de precepto
en el día anterior por la tarde, no incurren en pecado
grave.
LA PRÓXIMA MISA DE PRECEPTO SERÁ:
Domingo 23 de noviembre del 2014 Solemnidad de
Jesucristo Rey del Universo.
QUINCEAÑERAS: Reserve la fecha para la misa
de la quinceañera con 6 meses de anticipación. Para
más información llame a la oficina 301-924-3838.
NUEVOS FELIGRESES: Los folders con los
formularios de inscripción de nuevos feligreses y de
bienvenida, se encuentran en el vestíbulo de la
Iglesia.
EMERGENCIAS
Si tiene una seria necesidad espiritual y necesita a un
sacerdote, llame a la oficina: 301-924-3838.
PRÓXIMAS CHARLAS DE BAUTISMO:
8 y 22 de noviembre del 2014 a las 12:00pm. Para
más información llame a la oficina 301-924-3838
- MOTHER SETON PARISH THANKS OUR BULLETIN ADVERTISERS – PLEASE PATRONIZE THEM WHEN POSSIBLE Wild Bird Center of
Gaithersburg
"The Ultimate Backyard
Nature Store"
Marion R. Thompson, CPA,
Parishioner
[email protected]
Real Estate Settlements—Commercial & Residential
Gaithersburg, MD—(301)921-2667
Bowie, MD—(301)352-8000
Rockville, MD/White Flint—(301)816-1717
www.ttatax.com
(o)301-869-8898
(h)301-540-6834
SPACE
AVAILABLE
“Experience the Classic Difference”
Same Day Service,
7 Days a Week!
Fast, Reliable,
Local Service
15% OFF Any Item
301-330-9453
TODAY!
12181 Darnestown Road • Gaithersburg
www.wildbird.com/gbg
Book your next
meeting at the
Hilton Gaithersburg
Hotel for a chance
to WIN a $500.00
GAS card.
Call us at 301-977-3450
301-960-5335
LenThePlumber.com
Email: [email protected]
LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS
PROGRAMS
Personalized • Full Color Designs
Call 1-800-934-1620
THIS WILL DO IT!
DESIGN BUILD MAINTAIN
Call 410-578-3600
PRAYER CARDS
Commemorate ... Celebrate ... Remember
your special days, events, people ...
Call to discuss 1-800-934-1620
Personalized • Full Color • Unlimited Designs
OUR
HIT HOME(S)!
301-920-2065 [email protected]
www.terra-dc.com
OPEN
HIGH QUALITY
DIGITAL FOR BUSINESS...
PRINTING Call For Info. 1-800-934-1620
Turn Around
If interested in Fast
All Types of Jobs
this space
Send your file for a quote
please call us at to [email protected]
1-800-934-1620 410-578-3600
Save
the
Date
Yours!
Wedding
Magnets
CUSTOM DESIGNS
Call 410-578-3600 for pricing
or email: [email protected]
Excerpt from Fr. Joe Breighner’s
More Reflections
Along A Country Road
“More Reflections Along A Country Road”
by Father Joe Breighner
“Minute Meditations for Everyday”
Good Example
The most effective way we share our scriptures, our understanding of the sacraments, our prayer life and
our image of God, is by how we live. As someone has profoundly put it, “People may not always believe
what you say, but they will always believe what you do.”
So our effort is to live as Jesus asked us to live when He gave the criteria for entering the kingdom of
God, “I was hungry and you fed me; thirsty and you gave me something to drink; naked and you clothed
me; in prison and you visited me; a stranger and you took me in”
Put simply, the best way to show our belief in God is through the sermon of our lives.
When we treat the least person the way we treat God, then we become believable and God
becomes visible.
Father Joe Breighner
To Order A Copy of Fr. Joe Breighner’s Book “More Reflections Along A Country Road”
Send $10.00 plus $4.50 for postage & handling to FATA • P.O. Box 4889 • Baltimore, MD 21211
(checks only payable to FATA)
For ad information, Call Tim Maher or Phil Maher at (410) 578-3600, toll free 1-800-934-1620, or write P.O. Box 4889, Baltimore, MD 21211 - ©2014
- MOTHER SETON PARISH THANKS OUR BULLETIN ADVERTISERS – PLEASE PATRONIZE THEM WHEN POSSIBLE -
Exceeding Your Expectations
We look forward to serving you!
Care FREE Living for Active Adults 62+
“The Only One You’ll Ever Need”
DON'T DELAY
CALL TODAY!
21000 Father Hurley Blvd.
Qualifying Incomes
Required for Eligibility
Germantown, MD 20874
301-528-4400 www.churchillseniorliving.com
Atlantic Hearing Centers
Any Plumbing
Service
WSSC #70985
301-933-9377
$35 OFF
www.atlantichearingcenters.com
JAMES A. VETTE, D.D.S.
GAITHERSBURG GARAGE DOOR, INC.
7845-F Airpark Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
19743 EXECUTIVE PARK CIRCLE
Germantown, MD
A Full Range of Dental Services in a Caring Atmosphere
Bill Posner, CPA, PA Tim Meehan, D.D.S.
Personal & Small Business
Tax Returns
(301) 528-2701
13301 Woodruff Ct. Germantown
Orthodontics for
Children & Adults
Buyers, Sellers, Referrals
301-253-9794
301-963-7800
301-540-1442
PARISHIONER
New & Used Vehicle Sales
Realtors
301.807.9043
240-994-8866 Cell
301-540-1330 Office
301-540-6301
Catholic Chapel,
Bookstore & Giftshop
Dominique Vattuone
Sergio &
Sofia Garcia
19735 Germantown Rd. (Rt. 118)
Suite 140 • Germantown
La doctora habla español
OUR LADY’S
CENTER
NEENA HARMON
Full Range of Dental Services
NATALIA TOMONA, D.D.S.
240-654-1427
(Not valid with any other offer or service fee)
20% OF MY MOTHER SETON INCOME
BACK TO THE CHURCH
Northlake Medical Park
19536 Doctors Drive
Germantown, MD 20874
Hablamos Español
[email protected]
BB
One-Stop Catholic
Shopping!
¡Tenemos ar culos en español también!
Mother Seton Special
10% OFF
Any one
non-discounted item
One per customer,
expires 12/31/2014
[email protected]
www.GarciaSHomes.com
Faucet or Toilet
Replacement
www.Your1Plumber.com
301-990-8337
301-540-4500
*Certain Conditions Apply
$25 OFF
Richard Brisbane
Hearing Aid Dispenser
Mother Seton Parishioner
Complimentary Hearing Test for Parishioners
FAMILY DENTISTRY
SAME DAY SERVICE GUARANTEED!*
criswellauto.com
3301 S. Rogers Ave • Ellico City, MD 21043
www.OurLadysCenter.net
410.461.5066
“The BEST always cost less in the long run!”
&
25 off with this ad!
$
coupon cannot be combined with any other offer
AIR CONDITIONING &
HEATING SERVICE CO., INC.
SERVICE • INSTALLATION • SALES
240-243-1150
7921 Queenaire Dr. #106 • Gaithersburg, MD
bbairconditioning.com
R W MILLER & SONS, INC.
Home Improvements & Remodeling
Kitchens • Bathrooms • Basements • Decks, etc.
Over 20 Years Experience
Cell: 301-800-6290
Office: 1-855-291-1200 Toll Free
Free Estimates • MHIC #131419 • Licensed & Insured
De Vol Funeral Home
Family Owned & Operated
10 East Deer Park Dr. • Gaithersburg, MD / 301-948-6800
2222 Wisconsin Ave., NW • Washington, D.C. / 202-333-6680
$10 Off
Service
301-428-3695
Licensed • Bonded
MD HVACR #01 2554
BUY, SELL, INVEST
with Experience
and Integrity
CELEBRE CON HOLIDAY INN
Quinceañeras, Bodas, Fiestas
Tenemos paquetes asequibles Maravillosos!
301-946-7800
www.metrorealty1.com Guitson Louis
[email protected]
Broker
Llamenos al:
240-238-1109
www.higaithersburg.com
IS YOUR FAMILY PROTECTED?
• Do you have a will? • Do you need a trust?
Get the information you need.
Complimentary initial consultation
301-540-3300
(Mother Seton Parishioner)
13220 Exec. Park Terrace
Germantown
www.estateplanningmatters.com
For ad information, Call Tim Maher or Phil Maher at (410) 578-3600, toll free 1-800-934-1620, or write P.O. Box 4889, Baltimore, MD 21211 - ©2014