HOLY COM FORTER -SAINT CYPRI AN ROM AN C ATHO LIC CHURCH DECEM BER 18 , 2016

Readings This Weekend: Isaiah 7:10-14 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24 Readings Next Weekend: Isaiah 52:7-10 Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18

DAILY BIBLE READINGS Monday: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25 Luke 1:5-25 Tuesday: Isaiah 7:10-14 Luke 1:26-38 Wednesday: Song of Songs 2:8-14 Luke 1:39-45 Thursday: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Luke 1:46-56 Friday: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Luke 1:57-66 Saturday: 2 Sam 7:1-5, 8-16 Luke 1:67-79

Our Mission Statement: Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, exists to evangelize and to uphold Christian values by promoting the teachings of the Church in Word, Sacrament and Witness.

Our Vision Statement: A welcoming, embracing and joyful faith family richly rooted in the community today, tomorrow and forever.

Mass Attendance for Dec. 11, 2016

4:30pm 60 8:00am 136 11:00am 235 7:00pm 106 Total: 537

Sunday (12/18) 9:00am Ladies Charity Bake Sale 9:30am RCIA 1:00pm Youth Pageant practice 1:00pm Decorate the Church 7:00pm Mass 8:00pm AA Monday (12/19) 6:30pm Finance Council 7:00pm Adult Choir 8:00pm YAM Bible Study

Tuesday (12/20) 6:30pm Youth Ensemble 7:00pm Adult Choir Wednesday (12/21) 6:30pm Liturgical Dance Friday (12/23) 6:00pm Youth Pageant practice Saturday (12/24) 6:00pm Family Christmas Mass 11:00pm Christmas Song Srvc 11:59pm Christmas Vigil Mass

THIS WEEK AT THE PARISH

Sunday, December 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00am Dorothy Lucille Ogilive † 11:00am Michael Beresheim † 7:00pm Analisa Smith-Perez † Monday, December 19 7:00am † Tuesday, December 20 7:00am For mothers and babies at risk of abortion Wednesday, December 21

7:00am For our Clergy Thursday, December 22 7:00am Elaine Carter (birthday) Friday, December 23 7:00am For the People Saturday, December 24 8:00am For the homeless and needy 6:00pm For the Families in our Parish 12:00am Nathaniel & Nannie Williams †

Stewardship Report 2016—2017

Weekly Budget Amount Needed $16,346

Actual Tithes Collected (12/11) $13,879

Actual Deficit (-) - $2,477

Fourth Sunday of Advent

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Today’s Gospel describes a Crisis at Christmas. The drama opens with the Distress that is described. Mary has conceived (we know) by the power of the Holy Spirit. But Joseph and other family members do not know how she has conceived. It was a very dangerous situation for a woman found not to be a virgin, let alone pregnant, prior to marriage. Deuteronomy 22 permitted stoning a woman found not to be a virgin prior to marriage. Though the full punishment was not usually carried out, life was very difficult for a woman such as this. She would probably never marry. Joseph was a follower of the Law which forbade a man to take such a woman into his house and so he decides to divorce her quietly without exposing her to the full punishment of the Law. But next comes the Direction given to Joseph by God. God tells Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife for it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. Now this, of course exposes Joseph to ridicule and possible rejection by his family. But he makes a Decision and obeys God, whatever the consequences. The first Christmas was not an easy or a charming one. There were no chestnuts roasting on an open fire. The first Christmas was a Crisis and we ought to be grateful to the Holy Family for all they endured.

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION: This year, your donation to the Christmas collection will benefit the HCSC Community Action Group (CAG) who are opening their new building on 15

th Street and are in need of furniture. CAG helps those

suffering from addictions and was originally started at our parish. Christmas collection envelopes are available in the rear of the Church or the rectory office. Thank you!

In our continued effort to support and respect the dignity of life from birth to death, we will feature various organizations that support this issue:

Sanctuaries for Life (SFL) program works to build a network of medical, emotional and spiritual assistance to women that make a life-affirming decision after facing an unintended pregnancy. This is accomplished through coordinating affordable prenatal/ labor delivery care, and linking to other support services such as food, rental/utility assistance, housing, mentoring, etc. Sanctuaries for Life now provides clients with greater access to the many programs and social services of Catholic Charities. We also offer referrals to pregnancy counseling for expectant mothers and fathers and we have information and services available regarding Adoptions. Contact: Sanctuaries for Life, 12247 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20902, Phone: 301-441-1472.

MASS INTENTIONS: It is a spiritual work of mercy to pray for others, both living and deceased. To offer a Mass in memory of a friend or family, call 202-546-1885. The customary stipend is $5 per intention.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

YOUTH PAGEANT REHEARSAL after 11am Mass in the church. We still need youth actors!!! To participate please come to the rehearsal. Adults are also needed! The Youth Pageant will take place on Dec. 24

th at the 6pm Family

Mass.

YOUTH NEWSLETTER: If you ’ve participated in community service please share your experience in an article for the Youth Newsletter. Also, if you celebrate a birthday during October, November or December and would like it posted in the Youth Newsletter, please contact the Youth Director.

Youth Ministry News Nicki Gebrehiwot, Director of Youth Ministry

202-546-1885 ext. 25 (voicemail) youthdirector@hcscchurch.org

HCSC Young Adult Ministry YAM@hcscchurch.org

PARISH LIFE

CHRISTMAS GIFTS: Looking for an extra gift? Pick up “Christmas, The Mystery and The Wonder” an illustrated book of poems depicting the birth of Jesus, by Michael E. Russell (a member of St. Thomas More parish). COST: $10 in the Candle Light Store. Limited supply!

LADIES OF CHARITY ANNUAL BAKE SALE is Sun., Dec. 18

th after the 8am and 11am Masses in the rectory

basement. Come and purchase homemade baked goods and gifts while supporting this ministry’s charitable efforts.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO DECORATE CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS: Sun., Dec. 18

th

after 11am Mass. With many helping hands, we can accomplish this in a short time. Refreshments served!

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS: If you would like to include a loved one on the flower list in the Christmas Mass bulletin, please return your Christmas Flower offering envelope by Sun., Dec.

18th

to the rectory. Envelopes are available in your envelope package or an usher. PLEASE PRINT ALL NAMES!

TOILETRIES FOR THE NEEDY: The Hill Family needs donations and volunteers to assemble packages for the homeless on Fri., Dec. 23

rd in the rectory basement. We

need: bread, lunch meat, cookies, bottled water, candy canes, sliced cheese, hand warmers, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Drop off at the rectory by Fri., Dec. 23

rd. To

volunteer, contact Troy or Tiyonna at tandthill@gmail.com.

YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY meets Mondays at 8pm in the rectory. Join other young adults with Fr. Pope in the discussion of scripture. This is a good opportunity to meet other young adults in the parish.

We’d like to hear from our young adults (age 18 to 40ish

)! Check out the HCSC Young Adults Ministry on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at HCSCYoungAdults!

MEN OF HCSC!! You are invited to the Holy Name Society’s Annual Men’s Retreat at Loyola on the Potomac, Jan. 6—8, 2017, facilitated by Deacon Timothy Tilghman. Special rates for first-time attendees and men up to age 30. Cost covers room, meals, and facilitator. Contact Richard Bennett: hcscholyname@gmail.com or call 202-436-0425.

Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church

1357 East Capitol Street, SE, WDC 20003 202-546-1885 www.hcscchurch.org

Rev. Msgr. Charles Pope, Pastor

If you want to know more about our parish community or are interested in joining, contact us at hcscstaff@hcscchurch.org or call 202-546-1885.

Mass Schedule: Monday thru Friday at 7am (Chapel) Saturday 8am (Chapel) and 4:30pm (Vigil) Sunday 8am, 11am, and 7pm

Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri, 9am—8pm; Thursday, 9am—5pm; Saturday, 9am—1pm; and, Sunday, 9am—2pm.

For information on sacraments and funerals call the rectory office.

Follow us on Social Media: Visit Fr. Pope’s Blog: blog.adw.org

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS: SUNDAY SCHOOL will be closed December 25

th and January 1

st.

RECTORY OFFICE will be closed Sun., Dec. 25th

and Mon., Dec. 26

th and will re-open Tues., Dec. 27

th.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Family Mass and Youth Pageant 6pm Saturday, December 24

th

(Note: There will be no 4:30pm Mass)

Midnight Mass Saturday, December 24

th

Music Service begins 11pm—doors open at 10:30pm

Christmas Day Mass 10am Sunday, December 25

th

(Note: There will not be an 8am, 11am nor 7pm Mass)

Watch Night Mass 11:15pm Saturday, December 31

st

(Note: There will be a 4:30pm Mass)

Mass on New Year’s Day (Solemnity of Mary) 10am & 7pm Sunday, January 1st

(Note: There will not be an 8am nor an 11am Mass)

Parking is available on the school lot on 15th Street DO NOT DOUBLE-PARK OR IN REAR OF RECTORY!

S.O.M.E. (So Others Might Eat) prepares meals for homeless men, women and children at 71 “O” St., NW. HCSC is scheduled to serve Sat.., Dec. 24

th. Cooked

chicken is desperately needed (see flyer for recipe). Drop your non-frozen chicken at the rectory by close of business Fri., Dec. 23

rd. Contact Earlene Capers (301–910-1763).

WINTER COAT DRIVE: The Knights of Columbus in conjunction with Catholic Charities is holding a winter coat drive for the needy. Bring a clean/gently used winter coat and drop it in the barrel in the vestibule. All coats are appreciated but XXXL coats are especially needed.

2017 ITALY PILGRIMAGE: HCSC Parish is hosting an 11-day pilgrimage to Italy, Nov. 6—16, 2017. Interest flyers are now

available in the rear of the church. Contact: Debbie Vanzego at 202-408-4641 or dvanzego@cohenmilstein.com.