Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 26, 2015 Column Father De Celles
Committed Participation in Parish Life. About two months ago I began an Offertory Campaign to increase the level of weekly financial support you give to your parish family. I thank God and all of you for the generous response. Since the new commitment period began on January 1, it’s still too early to give a complete evaluation of the response, but I can say that it seems clear that we have surpassed the unofficial goal I had personally set. I promise to give you a clearer and more concrete assessment in the next month or so.
But as I emphasized in my homilies, columns and letters about the Offertory Campaign, monetary giving, though essential, is only a part of what an active parishioner should be doing in the parish. You may recall that right about this time last year I preached and wrote about the importance of taking advantage of opportunities in the parish to help you grow in your life with Christ. I spoke of several key areas: the moral life, the life of charity, the life of prayer, the life of grace, continuing Catholic education, and evangelization. And as a key help to all these I emphasized the importance of making a commitment to volunteering in the parish.
I want to reiterate that call, especially to committed volunteering. The more you get involved in parish life by joining with other parishioners in smaller settings, whether in work or prayer, etc., the more you will find support and opportunities to grow in the moral life, the life of charity, etc…
Many of you do great work serving the Lord in your professions or in volunteering with other organizations. But the parish is different: it is in many ways our spiritual home, a concrete intimate manifestation of the whole family of God which is the universal Church. It is a place where we can live in charity, face to face, week in and out, as true brothers and sisters in Christ.
So once again I strongly encourage you to consider contacting one or more of the parish committees/groups and committing to actively participate in their activities.
What follows is a list of parish groups, their leaders, and contact numbers. Please, prayerfully consider where you can serve your parish family.
Oremus pro invicem, Fr. De Celles
Adoration (Diane Spinelli)) 703-451-1779
Adult Education Programs (RCIA, Bible Study) (Bob Ward) 703-644-5873
Altar Servers (Fr. Kenna) 703-440-0535
Altar Society (Nena Brennan) 703-541-5151
American Heritage Girls (Mary Hansen) 703-405-4145
Bake Sales (Kathy Walker) 703-202-5300
Basketball Team (Youth) (CYO) (Ed Gloninger) 703-451-8049
Bereavement Committee (Vacant) 703-440-0535
Book Club (Kathy Campbell) 703-451-5360
Choir (all music for Masses) (Elisabeth Turco) 703-506-4644
Christ House (Maria Sanchez-O’Brien) 571-259-7379
Cursillo (Chuck Tiso) 703-866-1081
Flower Committee (Rosario Méndez) 202-253-9471 or (Julie Mullen) 703-493-9291
Gift Shop (Rena DeRosa) 703-307-9351
Home School Group (Sheri Burns) 703-455-1820; (Tania Slaton) 703-493-8186
Knights of Columbus (John Crennan) 703-451-2115
Landscaping (Vacant) 703-440-0535
Lectors (Philip Bettwy) 703-690-6379
Legion of Mary (Tom Delaney) 703 690-1930
Library (Liz Hildebrand) 703-455-3193
Marriage Preparation (Mary Butler) 703-440-0535
Mother’s Group (Michelle Castry) 703-731-7854
Natural Family Planning (Bob or Geri Laird) 703-339-7261
One Spirit Special Needs Apostolate (Vacant) 703-440-0535
Prayer Group (Elaine Perricone) 703-440-8356
Respect Life Committee (Liz Hildebrand) 703-455-3193
Project Gabriel (Beth Berger) 703-690-3483
Project Rachel (Diane Spinelli) 703-451-1779
Religious Freedom (Bob Laird) 703-339-7261
Religious Education (“CCD”) (Maria Ammirati) 703-440-0537
Samaritans (Laura Haas Connolly) 703-690-6254
St. Martin de Porres Society (Flavia Tommasi) 703-866-4671
Trail Life (Vince Drouillard) 703-992-0490
Ushers (Paul DeRosa) ) 703-307-9351
Wedding Committee (Carol Ann McKim)703-644-4040
Welcome Committee (Mary Butler) 703-440-0535
Women’s Group (Vacant ) 703-440-0535
Youth Apostolate (“Youth Group”) (Jeanne Sause) 703-440-0535