February 23, 2020

THE LORD IS MY ROCK! "THE LORD IS MY ROCK, my fortress, my savior, MY GOD, MY ROCK OF REFUGE, my shield! PRAISED BE THE LORD! "(Psalm 18:3-4). This coming Wednesday, ASH WEDNESDAY, we enter into the beautiful pilgrimage of 40 DAYS OF LENT, and on that first day of Lent we will give each one of you a small ROCK with the number 40. Our young children (FIAT, Faith in Action) painted the number 40 on each of these 1,600 rocks: 40 HOURS of Adoration this Lent (April 1st-2nd), 40 DAYS before EASTER in this 40th Season of Lent at OLHOC; they could have painted 40-40-40, but there was not enough space on each rock! You can carry this rock during the entire 40 days of Lent or you can put it on your desk as a reminder that JESUS IS YOUR ROCK! The focus of our Lenten Journey is not a little "40" rock. The little rock is simply to keep reminding us of JESUS, of JESUS as OUR LORD, OUR SAVIOR, as the ROCK FOUNDATION AND SALVATION OF OUR ENTIRE LIFE! The number "40" is simply to remind us that we are celebrating the 40 days of our 40th Lent as a parish! It is also the first Lent that we will have the special 40 hours of Adoration! You will recall that in the past our continuous hours of Adoration were one hour for each year of our existence as a parish: we began at 30 hours, then 31 hours and finally this year 40 hours! I always said that once we go beyond 40 years, we still stay at 40 hours (no 41, then 42, 43...). As your pastor, I propose that the LENTEN FOCUS for everyone AT OLHOC WILL BE “RECONCILIATION AND UNITY IN THE EU-CHARIST”: OUR SAVIOR, JESUS has given us the two great SACRAMENTS, RECONCILIATION AND EUCHARIST, to help us on our daily journey toward Heaven! Fr. Ben and I have increased the number of hours we are available in the confessional. We have seen some increase in the number of confessions, but we are far from where we would like to be. On Wednesdays outside Lent (6 pm), we have few people coming to confession. On Saturdays (4 pm) and Sundays (6:45 pm), we have long lines at times and have been available for confessions during the 5 pm and 7 pm Masses. We hope that this Lent (THE LIGHT IS ON) we will have long lines every Wednesday (6 pm till 6:45 pm and 7: 45 pm till 8:30 pm) but also every Saturday (4 pm) and Sunday (6:45 pm). We also

hope to see a full church for our LENTEN PEN-ANCE Service at 6:45 pm MONDAY MARCH 16 (when we will have 12 PRIESTS). Mark your calendars! Why is CONFESSION so central to our life? We need to be RECONCILED WITH GOD. We need to be READY for the day the Good Lord will call us back to HIM! This can happen at any time. It can happen TODAY! Unless our sins are forgiven by God, we cannot be at PEACE; we cannot be recon-ciled with our brothers and sisters. For us Catholics, our grave sins are forgiven ONLY through CONFESSION TO A PRIEST and only when we are sorry and promise to God to avoid future sin with His Help. UNLESS WE ARE IN A STATE OF GRACE, WE SHOULD NOT RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST! We should all go to regular confession, followed by the EUCHARIST, THE BODY OF CHRIST, is essential to NOURISH OUR SOULS!

Last Lent, over 100 people attended the GIFT OF THE MASS. This Lent, we are going deeper into the mystery of the EUCHARIST, and its understanding in the context of both the OLD and NEW TESTAMENT. This Lent, you are all invited to attend THE GIFT OF THE EUCHARIST beginning this week on Thursday (6:45 pm) and Saturday (9:45 pm). You can choose either session. Like last year, this series will continue for 5 weeks of Lent. We consider this series of the GIFT OF THE EUCHARIST AS OUR PARISH LENTEN MISSION. I can assure you that if you come you will not be disappointed. You will obtain a new understanding of the EUCHARIST, the center of our LIFE IN CHRIST! To facilitate logistics, please register online or use the sign-up sheet at the end of Sunday Masses Let us pray that this Lent, God will help our parish to be renewed spiritually, reconciled and united in the Sacraments of Penance (Confession) and the Eucharist!

MAY THE LORD BE OUR ROCK AND SALVATION THROUGHOUT THIS 40th LENT AND BEYOND!

One in Christ,

Father Alain

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Community Outreach The next Shepherd's Table sponsored by OLHOC will be April 16, 2020 at Good Shepherd Church. The next Outreach meeting will be on March 4, 2020 at 7 p.m. In the Fr. Martin Hall. Meetings last just 1 hour and all are welcome! The "Sharing Sunday" food collection box can be found in the office lobby. All non perishable food donations go to the Food Bank and the Waldorf Women's Shelter. Thank you!

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Ash Wednesday February 26

Mass times are 9 am, 12 noon, 7 pm.

CCD Class Schedule

Feb 23/24– CCD Classes

March 1/2– CCD Classes

March 1/2– CCD Classes

March 8/9– CCD Classes

~Pre-school News~

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of OLHOC, we are requesting any photos that you may have of your child or grandchild while he or she was enrolled at Our Lady’s Little Christians Preschool. Most especially we are looking for any photos of your child with any of our teachers, past or present, or with the Our Lady Help of Christians sign out front. Photos may be scanned and emailed to preschool@olhoc.org or brought to the office and Ms. Nieda will scan them for you. Look for our display as we get closer to the Feast Day in May. Thank you!!

Preschool registration opens to the general public on March 6. Register now to reserve the class you want for fall 2020 classes. Send an email to preschool@olhoc.org or call 301.645.7112 and ask for Nieda, the preschool director.

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Last Years Palms

The proper disposal of the Palms you received last year is to burn them. The ashes can then be returned to the ground.

If you do not wish to burn them, they can be buried in the ground.

Thank you for disposing of blessed Palms properly!

2019 Tax Statements

If you would like a copy of your donations to OLHOC for 2019, please email the office at office@olhoc.org, or call (301)645-7112.

****************** Phase 3

Narthex work is progressing well. All interior walls are up. HVAC unit on roof and inside units installed. Sprinkler heads, ceiling tile and electrical approaching final work. Chapel tiling done and Narthex tiling to start next week as well as the new windows and doors We will continue using the office entrance for Mass, parking for the handicap is in the back parking lot.

Thank you for your patience! **********

Pray for Our Seminarians

Please take a moment today to stop by the “Vocations

Tree” in the office foyer, where you’ll see cards for each of

the seminarians of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Choose one or more cards and pray for that seminarian

each day during Lent. Make it a beautiful offering to the

Lord this Lent to pray for those whom He calls to give

their lives in service of His Church in our archdiocese.

***************************** The Gift of the Eucharist

This Lent, commit to a sacrifice of time and invest in your spiritual life. Be renewed through a more comprehensive understanding of the biblical roots of the Holy Eucharist.

“The Gift of the Eucharist” a five-week activity, is this year’s spiritual exercise. Sessions are offered on Thursday evenings (6:45-9:00 pm) from Feb. 27 to March 26, and Saturday mornings (9:45-12 noon) from Feb. 29 to March 28. Childcare will be provided.

Mass Readings for March 1, 2020

First Sunday of Lent

*First Reading

Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7

*Second Reading

Romans 5:12-19

*Gospel

Matthew 4:1-11

www.usccb.org

We are asked to pray for: Sandra Barrientos Brandon Mack Ana Maria Delmira Sibrian Escobar Nestor Ermelindo Molina James Thompson Rebecca (Tess) Franch Naomi Lilly Sterling Greene Aleli Puzon Patricia Delgado Rosano Wheeler Larry McGraw Ilene Custer Derrick Webster Julie Davis David DeMarr Dunnie Proctor Amelia Vinceguerra Lorraine Celijewski

Tabitha Barton Maria Townsend Chrystal Beauregard Sheryl Carter Alex Leon Sharketer Butler Steven Bowling Edna Yarngo Kathly Grimes Sheny Padilla Richard White Victor Cordero Georgiana Norgren Marie Marie Bottorf Dorian Webster Dionne Gause Patricia Sutton Trenia Price Michael Sofield Jr. Norm Green Mary A. Dyson

The Dixons Grace dAlbrittain Elaine Moses Yvonne Buford Karen Zimmerman Lorrin Green and all our military and civilians serving in harm’s way. Please let us know if any names should be removed from the list.

Mass Intentions this Week Saturday, February 22, 9:00AM: Sterling Green (+) Saturday, February 22, 5:00 PM: Wayne Lloyd (+)

Sunday, February 23, 8:30 AM: Yvette NicholMcGraw (+) Sunday, February 23, 10:00 AM: Theresa M. Lehman (+)

Sunday, February 23, 11:30 AM: Our Lady Help of Christians Parishioners

Sunday, February 23, 1:00 PM: Babies in danger of abortion Sunday, February 23, 7:00 PM: Dr, Antonio Cardenas Alvardo

Monday, February 24, 9:00 AM: Arnulfo Montealegre, Innocencia and Carmen Villanueva (+)

Tuesday, February 25, 9:00 AM: Eric Knapp Wednesday, February 26, 9:00 AM: Souls in Purgatory Wednesday, February 26, 12:00 PM: Souls in Purgatory Wednesday, February 26, 7:00 PM: Souls in Purgatory Thursday, February 27, 9:00 AM: Lorrin Green Friday, February 28, 9:00 AM: Those discerning Religious Life

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Tuesday Scripture Study - Join us on Tuesday mornings after the 9 am Mass to study the readings for the next Sunday.

Wednesday Scripture Study– The Friday night scripture study has been changed to Wednesdays. They will be begin at 7:30, following the 7 pm Mass

First Friday– The first Friday of each month the evening Mass is said in Latin. This Mass is dedicated to promoting the Priesthood.

First Saturday—Join members of the Marian Group on the first Saturday of the month after the 9 am Mass. Learn more about consecrating your life to Jesus through Mary.

Divine Mercy– Join us on the first Saturday of each month as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet as a community at 3 PM.

OLHOC Prayer Chain

If you have a prayer request, please call the parish office or send email to office@olhoc.org.

Bible Study

We all need some encouragement during trying times. Paul’s letter of thanks and encouragement to the Philippians is his letter to you. With his words and the example of his life, Paul exhorts the Philippians to have the mind of Christ, to live a life worthy of the Gospel, and, by God's grace, to gain Christ. Come join in on this 6-week study on Philippians, which has begun in the Divine Mercy Room, at 9:30 am. All are welcome!

Youth News

Life Teen: high school youth ministry (meets most Sundays 5-6:30 pm, Dinner is provided, check website for dates)

Edge: middle school youth ministry (meets monthly for All Youth Night - Feb. 16th )

FIAT: Faith in Action Team elementary school ministry (meets monthly for All Youth Night- Feb. 16th) For more info and an updated list of our events please visit www.olhoc.org/ymevents

Shrove or Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner- February 25th - 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm

We invite you to join us for a feast and fellowship on Shrove Tuesday before fasting for Lent. Delicious pancakes, sausage, bacon, fruit and beverages will be served by our youth. Tickets are $5 each (under 2 eat free) and will be available after all Masses or can be purchased in the office. All proceeds will benefit the Youth Fund. If youth in Edge (Middles School) or Life Teen (High School) are interested in volunteering for the dinner, please visit www.olhoc.org/ymevents

Attention current 8-12 graders - Summer Opportunities!

Steubenville Youth Conference - June 12-14, 2020 Join us this summer for Steubenville Conference at Fran-ciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. A Steubenville Conference weekend is PACKED with dynamic speakers, worship music, Mass, Adoration and MORE! Come and encounter Christ with other teens from other states as we worship together and grow in our Catholic faith! Limited spots available for more details & to register visit www.olhoc.org/steubie20

Camp Covecrest - August 2-8, 2020 in Tiger, Georgia Join us for Life Teen summer camp - Camp Covecrest, in the North Georgia Mountains, for an amazing and transformative week of fun, activities, time with friends, prayer and growing in your faith (i.e. high ropes, messy games, obstacle course, zip line, white water rafting, team building experiences, music, talks, reflections, Mass, Adoration & personal growth). For more details, watch a video & to reg-ister visit www.olhoc.org/camp2020 Questions, please contact Marlen Coles marlen@olhoc.org

To Join Our Youth Core & Support Team, please visit our website or talk to Marlen Coles. Together we can help lead our youth closer to Christ!

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Shrove or

Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner

February 25th - 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm

We invite you to join us for a feast and fellowship on Shrove Tuesday before fasting for Lent. Delicious pancakes, sausage, bacon, fruit and beverages will be served by our youth. Tickets are $5 each (under 2 eat free) and will be available after all Masses, online, or can be purchased in the office. All proceeds will benefit the Youth Fund.

Thank you to all who responded by mail or during the appeal at Mass last weekend. We ask every family of our parish to complete a pledge form. No gift is too small and we are not asking you to make a payment at this time. Envelopes are still available by the entrance.