CATHEDRAL OF SAINT MATTHEW THE APOSTLE, WASHINGTON, D.C. March 5, 2017

TODAY’S READINGS

esus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1) Today’s readings show us two opposite responses to the

temptation to be “like gods” (Genesis 3:5). Our first parents gave in to the serpent’s allure, but Jesus didn’t. He did what we could not do. Facing every temptation that we face, he clung to his Father and remained free from sin.

Sin is appealing, isn’t it? It’s also incredibly deceptive, passing itself off as harmless and maybe even good for us. Imagine how the forbidden fruit must have appeared to Eve—“good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and . . . desirable for gaining wisdom” (Genesis 3:6). But that doesn’t mean fighting temptation is a hopeless cause. This Lent is a time when our lives can change.

What temptations oppress you the most? A tendency toward irritation or resentment? Selfishness? Jealousy? Choose one, and decide to make some headway in just this one area this Lent.

Here’s one of the best ways to do it: think about Jesus in the wilderness, battling hunger and the nagging voice of Satan. Each time he was tempted, Jesus turned to his Father in prayer, even when it was a great effort, even when the truths he clung to felt distant. And his Father didn’t abandon him!

God never turns away from us either. He is always ready to help us. That’s why Lent is such a vital time. It’s our chance to change directions and cling to the Lord and his word. It’s our chance to say no to the temptations we face and turn back to our heavenly Father.

When you do this, it will make a difference in your relationship with God. But it will also change the world. Think about the ripple effects of millions of people turning away from the snares of the devil and welcoming God more deeply into their lives! Come Easter, families will be stronger, and faith will be deeper.

“Jesus, show me what is tempting me, and help me turn back to the Father.”

Taken from The Word Among Us, Lent 2017 Vol. 36, Number 4: Used with permission.

THIS WEEK’S READINGS

Sunday 5 Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7 / Rom 5:12-19 / Mt 4:1-11 Monday 6 Lv 19:1-2,11-18 / Mt 25:31-46 Tuesday 7 Is 55:10-11 / Mt 6:7-15 Sts. Perpetua & Felicity Wednesday 8 Jon 3:1-10 / Lk 11:29-32 St. John of God Thursday 9 Est C:12,14-16,23-25/ Mt 7:7-12 St. Frances of Rome Friday 10 Ez 18:21-28 / Mt 5:20-26 Saturday 11 Dt 26:16-19 / Mt 5:43-48 Sunday 12 Gn 12:1-4a / 2 Tm 1:8b-10 / Mt 17:1-9

YOUNG ADULTS

Cathedral Coffeehouse Series – Sunday, March 5 - following the 5:30pm Mass – Looking for a quick and easy way to learn more about your faith and meet other young adults at the Cathedral? Join us in the West Conference Room after the 5:30pm Sunday Mass for Cathedral Coffeehouse! In 20 minutes or less, Br. Thomas promises that you will learn something new and have a few laughs. Email stmattsyam@gmail.com for more information. The theme this semester is "Jesus!" and the topic on March 5 is True God and True Man: Understanding the Incarnation. The topic on March 12 will be What Did Jesus Do? The Works of Christ.

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Photos from the 3rd Annual Mardi Gras Pancake Party sponsored by the Cathedral Young Adults last Sunday. Hope you were able to come by for the breakfast and fellowship!

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

PARISH CALENDAR March 5 – 12

Spring Forward! Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday, March 12 – Turn your clocks forward one hour before bedtime on Saturday, March 11!

Sunday 5—First Sunday of Lent A second collection for Cathedral maintenance is taken at all Masses. Hospitality receptions are held after the 8:30am, 10am, and 11:30am Masses in the North Conference Room. Children’s Faith Formation classes meet at 9:45am at St. Matthew’s Education Center. Las clases de Catequesis, Catecumenado y Catequesis Familiar continúan a las 11 de la mañana. The RCIA Rite of Sending is held at the 11:30am Mass. Landings meets at 1pm in the East Conference Room. Padre Rafael tendrá las confesiones después de la misa de 1 de la tarde. El Vía Crucis se rezará (en español) a las 2:15 de la tarde. Cathedral Coffeehouse meets after the 5:30pm Mass.

Monday 6—The Parish Council meets at 6:45pm in the North Conference Room.

Tuesday 7—El grupo de Oración se reúne a las 7 de la tarde en el salón de conferencias del Oeste. The Married Couples Group meets in the North Conference Room at 6:30pm.

Wednesday 8—Confessions are heard from 6:30 to 8pm in English and Spanish. RCIA meets in the North Conference Room at 7pm.

The Wednesday Night Bible Study meets at 7pm in the West Conference Room.

Thursday 9—A dialogue on What is Spiritual Direction? is held between Martina O’Shea and Theresa Prymuszewski at 7pm in the North Conference Room.

Friday 10—Stations of the Cross are prayed at 6pm, followed by a Simple Lenten Meal served in the North Conference Room.

Saturday 11—Retiro de Cuaresma de 9:00 de la mañana a 4:00 de la tarde en el salón de conferencia de Norte.

Sunday 12—Second Sunday of Lent The Children's Hospital Blood Van will be in front of the Cathedral from 9:30am to 2:30pm for the Blood Drive. Children’s Faith Formation classes meet at 9:45am at St. Matthew’s Education Center. The Lithuanian Community joins us at the 10am Mass. Las clases de Catequesis, Catecumenado y Catequesis Familiar continúan a las 11 de la mañana. Landings meets at 1pm in the East Conference Room. Padre Rafael tendrá las confesiones después de la misa de 1 de la tarde. El Vía Crucis se rezará (en español) a las 2:15 de la tarde. Always God’s Children meets in the West Conference Room at 3:30pm.

Cathedral Coffeehouse meets after the 5:30pm Mass.

NEWS AND NOTES

Br. Aquinas Beale, O.P., a Dominican friar studying for the priesthood and currently assigned to St. Matthew’s, will be ordained a transitional Deacon in the Crypt Church of

the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on

Saturday, March 11 at 9:30am by the Most Rev. Manuel A. Cruz, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark. Br. Aquinas will complete his Pontifical Bachelor’s degree at the Dominican House of Studies this spring and plans to begin a Licentiate in Sacred Theology in the fall. At St. Matthew’s, he has worked principally with parents of the religious education students by leading a Sunday morning seminar, the Sacred Page Bible Study on Wednesday nights, and the Cathedral Young Adults.

Br. Aquinas was raised the second of seven children in West Virginia and southern Virginia. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2010 with a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Foreign Affairs. Since joining the Dominican Order in 2011, he has served in parish ministry, homeless shelters, hospitals, and as an intern for the World Youth Alliance in New York City. Br. Aquinas has greatly appreciated his time at the Cathedral and will continue to minister here during his final year of initial formation.

Br. Aquinas will serve as deacon and preach for the first time at the Cathedral’s 11:30am Mass on Sunday, March 12, and will preside at our monthly Eucharistic Holy Hour on Monday, April 24. All are welcome! Please keep him and all our seminarians in your prayers.

Annual Jubilarian Mass – This year’s Jubilarian Celebration of marriage honoring couples mar-ried 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 51+ years will be held Sunday, June 25 at 2pm at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Cardinal Wuerl will preside at the Mass. Call 202-587-5143 to register by Monday, April 24. Always God's Children – Always God's Children, the Cathedral parish's ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics and their families and friends, will meet Sunday, March 12 at 3:30pm in the West Conference Room.

CATHEDRAL OF SAINT MATTHEW THE APOSTLE, WASHINGTON, D.C. March 5, 2017

FAITH FORMATION

Rite of Sending – The RCIA Rite of Sending is celebrated during today’s 11:30am Mass. Please remember our Catechumens and Candidates in your prayers as we formally “send” them to Cardinal Wuerl for the Rite of Election and Continuing Conversion at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to be held next Sunday, March 12.

Returning and Inactive Catholics – Welcome! If you are a Catholic who has been away, we invite you to be an active part of us again. Landings is an eight-week series that offers “a safe place to land,” a place for listening and being heard, a place for asking questions and reconnecting with the faith as an adult. Contact Deacon Stuart Wilson-Smith, C.S.P. at swilsonsmith@paulist.org for more information. The next Landings session is Sunday, March 5 from 1 to 2:30pm in the East Conference Room. Married Couples Small Group – Married couples of all ages are welcome on Tuesday, March 7 at 6:30pm, and on the first and third Tuesday of each month, in the North Conference Room. This spring, we will watch and discuss the acclaimed Humanum series that explores critical issues regarding marriage and family. Join us for fun and fellowship with other parish couples. Contact: stmattsmarriedcouples@gmail.com Wednesday Night Bible Study – Join parishioners and friends for a

weekly study of the upcoming Sun-day’s readings, led by our Cathedral Seminarians each Wednesday, including Wednesday, March 8, at 7pm in the West Conference Room. It’s a great way to spiritually prepare for Sunday Mass! Cathedral Book Club – The Book Club will meet on Monday, March 13 in the West Conference Room, 6:45 to 8pm, to discuss “Strange Gods: A Novel about Faith, Murder, Sin, and Redemption.” Coauthored by priests of the Archdiocese, Fr. Peter Daly and Msgr. John Myslinski, it is described by a former intelligence official as “a gripping and realistic mystery that pulls the reader into a dark and frightening world within the Vatican,” while presenting “an eye on the holiness and grace of ordinary people who keep the Church alive…” RCIA – Do you know anyone who might be interested in learning more about our Catholic Faith? The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is an ongoing process for adults who would like to explore our Catholic faith. Please contact Theresa Prymuszewski at 202-587-5139 or tprymuszewski@stmatthewscathedral.org for more information. Adult Confirmation Preparation – Each spring, St. Matthew’s offers adult Confirmation preparation for active, baptized Catholics who already have received their First Eucharist. Registration forms are available in the rectory and on the parish website. The registration deadline is April 24. Contact: Theresa Prymuszewski (contact info above).

AROUND THE AREA

Live Jesus! – The 14th annual Live Jesus! will be held on Saturday, March 18, 9am - 12:45 pm, at St. John Neumann Catholic Community

in Reston, VA. The theme is “Salesian GPS: Gentleness, Patience and Simplicity.” For more information and to register, go to www.oblates.org and click on the Live Jesus! icon.

Catholic Date Night – This monthly night out for engaged and married couples will be held Saturdays, March 25, April 22 and May 8 beginning at 6pm with free wine and cheese, followed at 6:30pm by a talk and discussion, and ending at 7pm when couples continue their date on their own. The location is Our Lady of Lourdes, Bethesda, MD. RSVP at DCCatholic.eventbrite.com. Worldwide Marriage Encounter – Encourage the Holy Spirit to perfect your marriage by taking part in a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend on April 21 - 23 or October 27 - 29 in Gaithersburg, MD. Find more information at welovematrimony.org or call 301-541-7007. Job Openings – Interested in using your professional experience and education to serve the Church? The Central Pastoral Administration of the Archdiocese of Washington is accepting applications for positions in human resources, catechesis, support staff and other areas. For a current list of job openings please go to http://adw.org/employment-opportunities/. For current job openings at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, visit https://re11.ultipro.com/ARC1012B/JobBoard/ListJobs.aspx. Catholic Singles - Catholic Singles of Greater Washington is an organization for single Catholics, ages 21 to 65-plus, enjoying each other's company in a wide variety of social, religious, and cultural settings. For more information, visit http://dcsinglecatholicpro.org or call Tricia at 301-460-9195.

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

LECTURAS DE HOY

esús hizo ayuno durante 40 días y, al final, sintió hambre, pero el diablo lo tentó para hacerle dudar del amor y la protección de su Padre. Esta es la misma tentación que les puso a nuestros

primeros padres (Génesis 3, 1-6), engañándolos hasta hacerles dudar del amor del Creador y de que Dios les daba a sus criaturas lo que ellas necesitaban.

Desde entonces el diablo ha estado usando este tipo de interpretación torcida y engañosa de las palabras de Dios para hacernos dudar del amor nuestro Padre, especialmente cuando nos sentimos débiles, cuando tenemos problemas familiares o financieros, sufrimos alguna enfermedad o tenemos heridas emocionales.

Lo que podemos hacer es reconocer las artimañas de Satanás y combatirlas con la verdad. Adán y Eva no se convencieron del amor de Dios y por eso sucumbieron ante las tentaciones del demonio. Es cierto que esta falta que ellos cometieron nos parece un error enorme y posiblemente imperdonable, porque en realidad tuvo consecuencias desastrosas para toda la humanidad, pero Dios jamás dejó de amarlos. Hoy, el Señor ama a todos sus hijos con la misma intensidad y decisión. De hecho, nadie ha existido jamás en la historia humana que no haya recibido de Dios el don de la misericordia y la reconciliación.

Satanás suele aprovecharse de la vergüenza que nos causan nuestros pecados para embotar nuestra conciencia, pero no debemos nunca dejar de reconocer que Dios nos ofrece su perdón y su amor. Hoy, querido lector, recuerda que el Señor te ama y repítelo tú mismo en voz alta: “¡Dios me ama!” En la oración, ruégale a Jesús que te permita percibir su amor; pídele fortaleza para mantenerte puro, para que el maligno no te engañe ni te atemorice. Pídele al Señor que venga a tu corazón y haga que este tiempo de Cuaresma sea una época bendita de renovación y gracia para tu vida y la de los tuyos.

“Padre eterno, te doy gracias por tu amor inquebrantable, porque sé que me has amado desde el primer momento de la creación. Gracias por tu gran generosidad y tu misericordia. ¡Solo a ti te adoraré todos los días de mi vida.”

Escogida con el permiso de la Palabra Entre Nosotros. Vol 36, Numero 4; Cuaresma 2017

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA

Domingo 5 Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7 / Rom 5:12-19 / Mt 4:1-11 Lunes 6 Lev 19:1-2,11-18 / Mt 25:31-46 Martes 7 Is 55:10-11 / Mt 6:7-15 Santas Perpetua y Felicidad Miércoles 8 Jon 3:1-10 / Lk 11:29-32 San Juan de Dios Jueves 9 Est C:12,14-16,23-25 / Mt 7:7-12 Santa Francisca Romana Viernes 10 Ez 18:21-28 / Mt 5:20-26 Sábado 11 Deut 26:16-19 / Mt 5:43-48 Domingo 12 Gn 12:1-4a / 2 Tim 1:8b-10 / Mt 17:1-9

INTENCIONES DE MISAS MASS INTENTIONS

March 5 – 12

Sunday, March 5 10am – All Parishioners 11:30am – Nancy Pantalone 1pm – Jorge Vasquez

Monday, March 6 7am – Lester Lyons 8am – James & Madge Doyle 12:10pm – Zita Fernandes (living) 5:30pm – Mr. & Mrs. De Chabot (living)

Tuesday, March 7 8am – Herman Nickel 12:10pm – Michael Boland, Jr. 5:30pm – Mary Brophy

Wednesday, March 8 7am – Euclides Bastos 8am – José Nery Barrientos 12:10pm – Claire Fish 5:30pm – Noreen Kelty

Thursday, March 9 7am – Kevin Fitzgerald 8am – Herman Nickel 12:10pm – Joseph Hoar 5:30pm – Patricia Claire Schneck

Friday, March 10 8am – Diane Zitzman (living) 5:30pm – Claire Breault

Saturday, March 11 8am – Nestor & Teofila Palomino 12:10pm – Marian C. Blawie 5:30 pm – Somarsingh Family (living)

Sunday, March 12 7am – Consorcia Balajadad 8am – Herman Nickel 10am – Lucius “George” Robertson 11:30am – All Parishioners 1pm – Dora Aguirre Y Vilma de Arqueta 5:30pm – Michael Boland, Jr.

Declaración de Contribución de Fin de Año – En un esfuerzo por ir "verde," las declaraciones de contribución de fin de año estarán disponibles a petición. Si desea un resumen de contribución del año 2016, por favor llame a la rectoría al 202-347-3215 o envíe un correo electrónico a atriaureau@stmatthewscathedral.org.

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CATHEDRAL OF SAINT MATTHEW THE APOSTLE, WASHINGTON, D.C. March 5, 2017

NOTICIAS DE LA PARROQUIA

Ayunar – Miércoles de Ceniza (1 de marzo) y Viernes Santo (14 de abril) son días de ayuno y abstinencia. Los católicos que ya llegaron a los 18 años de edad, pero que son menores de 60 años, están obligados al ayuno, que consiste en una sola comida completa durante el día. Todos los católicos que han cumplido 14 años están obligados a los días de abstinencia en los cuales no se debe de comer carne. Miércoles de Ceniza, Viernes Santo y todos los viernes de Cuaresma son días de abstinencia. Plato de Arroz de CRS Semana #1 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) nos invita a reflexionar sobre la enseñanza católica-social, la Santidad y Dignidad del Ser Humano, y se nos recuerda que nuestra dignidad inherente viene del ser creados como hijos de Dios. Recemos por nuestros hermanos de todo el mundo, para que podamos respetar y mantener la santidad de la vida y dignidad de cada persona. Cajas de cartón, o “Platos de Arroz”, están disponibles en la Catedral y en la rectoría y se recogerán al final de la Cuaresma. Para más información: www.crsricebowl.org. Si tiene alguna pregunta, póngase en contacto con Norma Canedo al socialjustice@stmatthewscathedral.org.

Confesiones los Miércoles de Cuaresma – En este tiempo de Cuaresma, la Catedral de San Mateo tendrá confesiones disponibles los miércoles de Cuaresma de 6:30 a 8 de la noche comenzando el 8 de marzo, tendremos confesiones en inglés y español, exceptuando el Miércoles de Ceniza y Miércoles Santo, además del horario regular de confesiones (lunes-viernes, 11-12; sábados 4-5 de la tarde y todos los domingos de Cuaresma después de la Misa de 1:00 de la tarde en español menos el 26 de marzo). Día de Retiro: Mis 40 Días – Únase a nosotros el sábado 11 de marzo de 9:00 de la mañana a 4:00 de la tarde al nuestro retiro “Mis mejores 40 días” A cargo de Jorge y Natalia Rojas en el salón de conferencias del Norte. Proyéctate a vivir tus mejores 40 días, generando conciencia de transformación y amor. De esta manera lograremos encontrar el significado de la vida espiritual. Nos preparamos para celebrar la muerte y resurrección de Cristo; deseando hacer la voluntad de Dios y hacer que venga primero a nuestros corazones.

Cambio de Hora – El domingo 12 de marzo, es el día que se cambia la hora, recuerde de cambiar una hora hacia delante, la noche anterior o sea el sábado 11 de marzo. Oración por los Seminaristas en Cuaresma – Por favor, tome un momento y pase a la entrada de la Catedral, para ver el “Árbol de Vocaciones”, un arbolito que tiene tarjetas en sus ramas para todos los seminaristas de la Arquidiócesis de Washington. Haga una linda ofrenda al Señor en esta Cuaresma, rezando por estos hombres que han sido llamados a dar sus vidas para servir a Su pueblo. Grupo de Oración – El grupo de oración se reúne los martes a la 7:00 de la tarde en el salón de conferencias del Oeste. El objetivo del grupo es profundizar nuestra fe por medio de las Sagradas Escrituras. El grupo de Oración tendrá charlas programadas a través del año. Las charlas están basadas en la encíclica del Papa Francisco Amoris Laetitia (La Alegría del Amor). La próxima charla: # 3 – Vocación de la Familia será el martes 21 de marzo y el padre Javier Ibarra, IVE será nuestro invitado. Para más información llame a Fátima Aybar al 202-347-3215 x541. Vía Crucis – El Vía Crucis, revisado por el Papa Juan Pablo II, se rezará en inglés los vienes a las 6 de la tarde y en español los domingos a las 2:15 de la tarde durante la Cuaresma. Les invitamos a unirse a nosotros en esta devoción cuaresmal. Clases de Confirmación para Adultos – Se ofrecerán clases de preparación para el sacramento de la Confirmación para adultos activos, bautizados católicos que ya han recibido su primera comunión. Las clases serán los domingos 30 de abril, 7, 14 y 21 de mayo de 11 de la mañana a 12:30 del mediodía. Las personas interesadas deben llamar a Fatima Aybar al 202-347-2315 x541 antes del 23 de abril. Deben tener el certificado de bautizo vigente.

Misa de Jubileo Matrimonial 2017 – El Cardenal Wuerl estará presidiendo la misa anual de Jubileo Matrimonial para conmemorar a las parejas que están celebrando 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 o más años de matrimonio el domingo 25 de junio del 2017 en la Basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción a las 2:00 de la tarde. Para registrarse llame a la rectoría al 202-347-3215, a más tardar el lunes 24 de abril.

Baby Margo’s Drive

The Social Justice Committee invites you to donate

lifesaving blood to patients of Children’s Hospital:

St. Matthew’s Cathedral

Our parish holds blood drives for Children’s Hospital in memory of baby Margo, a child from our parish who received treatment and caring

attention at the hospital. We are blessed to carry on Margo’s memory by helping other children who are currently receiving treatment.

El Comité de Justicia Social les invita a donar sangre

para ayudar a los pacientes del Hospital de Niños (Children’s):

Catedral de San Mateo

Nuestra parroquia auspicia donación de sangre para el Hospital de Niños en

memoria de la bebé Margo, una niña de nuestra parroquia que

recibió tratamiento y cuidado cariñoso del hospital. Somos bendecidos de poder guardar la memoria de Margo

al ayudar a otros niños quienes actualmente están recibiendo tratamientos.

Blood Drive

LIVING LENT

Lenten Fast and Abstinence – Ash Wednesday (March 1) and Good Friday (April 14) are days of fast and abstinence. All Catholics who have reached their 18th birthday and are less than 60 years of age are bound to observe the fast, by which they are limited to a single full meal during the course of the day. All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday must observe days of abstinence, during which no meat may be eaten. Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.

Join Us as We Continue our Journey – Our Lenten Lecture series continues with “What is Spiritual Direction? A Conversation Between Two Spiritual Directors” with Martina O’Shea, Pastoral Associate for Ignatian Spirituality and Prayer (above left) and Theresa Prymuszewski, St. Matthew’s Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation (above right), on Thursday, March 9 at 7pm in the North Conference Room. Join us for an enlightening dialogue between these two experienced directors. Wednesday Evening Confessions – The Light is ON – “The Church must be a place of mercy freely given, where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel.” Pope Francis (The Joy of the Gospel, 114). On Wednesdays of Lent from 6:30pm to 8pm, the doors of St. Matthew’s are open and the Light is on for You, with confessions in English and Spanish.

Stations of the Cross – The Via Crucis is a journey made in the Holy Spirit, that divine fire that burned in the heart of Jesus (cf Lk 1:49-50) and brought him to Calvary. The Stations of the Cross in the form adopted by Pope John Paul II are prayed in English on Fridays of Lent at 6pm, followed by a Simple Lenten Meal, and in Spanish on Sundays of Lent at 2:15pm (except on March 26, Laetare Sunday). Join us for this beautiful devotion, so fitting for Lent. Volunteer Readers for Multi-lingual Stations of the Cross – Once again, we will pray the Stations of the Cross in a multilingual format on the Friday before Good Friday, which this year is April 7. We need volunteers who speak a language in addition to English to proclaim the station narratives. We would like each of the 14 stations read in a different language. If you can volunteer to read for one of the stations, please contact Ngoc Le at 301-625-2862 or Ngoc.Le9@gmail.com, or call the rectory office at 202-347-3215, by Friday, March 17. CRS Bowl Reflection Week 1 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) invites us to reflect on the Catholic social teaching principle, Sacredness and Dignity of the Human Person, as we are reminded that our inherent dignity comes from our creation as children of God. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters from all around the world that we may respect and uphold the sacredness of life and dignity of all people. Paper coin boxes or “Rice Bowls” are available in the Cathedral and rectory and will be collected at the end of Lent. For more information, visit www.crsricebowl.org or contact Norma Canedo at socialjustice@stmatthewscathedral.org.

Lenten Prayers for Seminarians – Please take a moment to stop by the “Vocations Tree” at the Cathedral main entrance. The tree

has cards for all of the seminarians of the Archdiocese of Washington. Make it a beautiful Lenten offering to the Lord to pray for these men who are called to give their lives to serve His people. Spring Theology on Tap: Whole 40: A Lenten Spiritual Detox, starting March 14! - Join other young professionals for a 4-week Theology on Tap series: Whole 40: A Lenten Spiritual Detox focusing on four essential ingredients for the spiritual life: prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and confession. Young adults (21-late 30s) are invited to Buffalo Billiards in Dupont Circle on Tuesday evenings beginning March 14 from 6 to 7pm with a talk and Q/A to follow from 7 to 8pm. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/DCCatholic/events or email Jonathan at DCCatholic@adw.org. 14th Annual 7 Church Walk for Young Adults – DCCatholic invites all young adults (20s and 30s) to the 14th Annual 7 Church Walk on Saturday, April 8. Join hundreds of young adults for the annual Lenten pilgrimage to seven D.C. churches in the Brookland neighborhood, praying together at each station, and concluding with a 5pm Mass with Cardinal Wuerl at the St. John Paul II Shrine. Meet at 10am at the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Register at dccatholic.eventbrite.org or email dccatholic@adw.org.

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

Simple Lenten Meals SOUP * BREAD * WATER

Every Friday during Lent Following the 5:30pm Mass & the 6:00pm Stations of the Cross

North Conference Room

March 3 L’Arche Community

A home for adults with and without intellectual disabilities. Meal Provider:

Social Justice & Community Service Committee

March 10 Jesuit Refugee Services

Accompanies, serves and advocates for the rights of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons.

Meal Provider: Parish Pastoral Council

March 17 Catholic Mobilizing Network

Works to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice.

Meal Provider: RCIA Catechumens

March 24 Centro Tepeyac

Supports women and families during pregnancy and offers post-abortion counseling.

Meal Provider: Hispanic Committee

March 31 Horton’s Kids

Provides academic programs and extracurricular activities for children in Ward 8.

Meal Provider: Cathedral Young Adults

April 7 Christ House

Provides compassionate health care to sick homeless men and women.

Meal Provider: Liturgy Ministry Servers

PRAYER

The Social Justice Committee invites you for fellowship & reflection during this time

of Lent. Join us every Friday, following the Stations of the Cross. The Meal begins at about 6:30pm.

FASTING

Different groups from various parish ministries will prepare and serve a simple meal of meatless soup, bread, and water.

ALMSGIVING

Charitable organizations are invited to present on their mission and the services

they provide to our neighbors in need. The donations collected during every meal will

be offered to that evening’s presenter.

For more information on this year’s participants, please visit:

www.stmatthewscathedral.org

Origins of Lent

From the earliest centuries (1st/2nd) of the Church’s celebration of Easter,

particularly in the Eastern Church, there was a strict fast associated with the

commemoration of the Paschal feast. This fast (restricted to eating bread with salt and

water) occurred on the two days immediately preceding the celebration of the Easter

Vigil. During the 3rd century, the fast was extended to a week and later in the early 4th

century, a three-week period of a less absolute fast began to be observed in churches

around Rome beginning with what came to be known as Laetare Sunday.

Then, in the period 354-384, church writings describe a fast that began 40 days

before what is now known as Holy Thursday. Thus, this 40 day fasting period officially

began on the 6th Sunday before Easter. But, from the earliest days of the Church,

Sundays had always been excluded from any days set aside for fasting. So, church

officials, desiring to maintain the idea of 40 days for fasting, tacked on additional days to

compensate. Consequently around the beginning of the 6th century, we have the creation

of Wednesday as the official beginning of the 40 days of fast. The pope marked this with

a solemn procession during which the participants sang the antiphon “Immutemur habitu”

(Let us don sackcloth and ashes). Not until the 13th century did the imposition of ashes

become formalized and added to the liturgy in what we know today as Ash Wednesday.

Fasting in the early church was always accompanied by meetings for prayer and

listening to the Word of God. As a result, the period of Lent from the days of St.

Augustine was a natural time for catechumens to begin their final preparation for baptism

at the Easter Vigil and for baptized sinners to complete their period of penance and be

returned to the Christian community during a reconciliation liturgy that occurred on Holy

Thursday morning. During the 4th century, the celebration of the scrutinies on the 3rd, 4th

and 5th Sundays of Lent for catechumens began in Rome, but then was de-emphasized

throughout the Church until the reforms of Vatican II.

During the 6th century, church writings describe two different celebrations that

occurred on the 6th Sunday of Lent. In Jerusalem, this day was marked by a solemn

procession retracing the triumphal entry of Christ and his disciples into Jerusalem, often

with palms in hand. In Rome, however, this day was marked by the reading of St.

Matthew’s account of the passion and death of Jesus. Thus, we have the two terms

associated with the 6th Sunday of Lent – Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. It was not

until later centuries that the Church combined the forms of celebration (procession with

palms and reading of the passion) as part of same liturgy, the solemnity of which was

revitalized by the Vatican in 1955 and 1970.

As noted above, Lent as a liturgical period ends with the celebration of Vespers

on Holy Thursday. Later on Holy Thursday, the liturgical celebration of the Lord’s

Supper begins the celebration of the Triduum.

See our Lenten brochure for a complete schedule of worship services.

(Deacon Bart Merella)

Catedral de San Mateo Apóstol

Cenas Simples de Cuaresma SOPA * PAN * AGUA

Cada viernes durante la Cuaresma Siguiendo la Misa de las 5:30 de la tarde & el Vía Crucis de las 6:00 de la tarde

Salón de Conferencias del Norte

3 de Marzo Comunidad de L’Arche

Proporcionan un hogar para adultos con y adultos sin discapacidades intelectuales.

Proveedor de la Cena: Comité de Justicia Social y Servicio Comunitario

10 de Marzo Jesuit Refugee Services

Acompañan, sirven y abogan por los refugiados y otras personas forzadas a ser desplazadas.

Proveedor de la Cena: Concejo Parroquial

17 de Marzo Catholic Mobilizing Network

Trabajan por el fin de la pena de muerte y promueven la justicia restaurativa.

Proveedor de la Cena: Catecúmenos de RICA

24 de Marzo Centro Tepeyac

Apoyan a mujeres y familias durante el embarazo y ofrecen consejería después del aborto. Proveedor de la Cena: Comité Hispano

31 de Marzo Horton’s Kids

Proveen programas académicos y actividades extracurriculares para niños en la zona 8 de DC.

Proveedor de la Cena: Jóvenes Adultos de la Catedral

7 de Abril Christ House

Provee cuidado compasivo de salud a hombres y mujeres enfermos y desamparados.

Proveedor de la Cena: Servidores del Ministerio de Liturgia

ORACIÓN

El Comité de Justicia Social los invita a compartir y reflexionar durante este tiempo

de Cuaresma. Únase a nosotros cada viernes, después del Vía Crucis.

La Cena comienza a las 6:30 de la tarde.

AYUNO

Diferentes grupos de varios ministerios de la parroquia prepararán y servirán una cena

simple de sopa sin carne, pan y agua.

DAR LIMOSNA

Organizaciones caritativas serán invitadas a presentar sobre su misión y los servicios

que proveen a nuestros vecinos en necesidad. Las contribuciones

que se recogerán durante cada cena serán donadas a los presentadores de esa tarde.

Para más información sobre los

participantes de este año, por favor visite: www.stmatthewscathedral.org

Orígenes de la Cuaresma

Desde los primeros siglos (primero y segundo) de la celebración en la Iglesia de la

Pascua, particularmente en la Iglesia Oriental, había una forma de ayuno estricto asociado

con la conmemoración de la fiesta Pascual. Este ayuno (restringido en comer pan con sal y

agua) ocurría en los dos días anteriores a la celebración de la Vigilia de Pascua. Durante el

siglo tercero, el ayuno se extendía a una semana y después al principio del siglo cuarto, un

periodo de tres semanas de menos ayuno empezó a observarse en iglesias alrededor de Roma;

empezando con lo que vino a ser conocido como Domingo de Laetare o Vísperas.

Después, en el periodo 354-384, escritos de la iglesia describen un ayuno que empezó

40 días antes de lo que ahora es Jueves Santo. Así pues, este periodo de ayuno de 40 días,

oficialmente empezó en el domingo sexto antes de Pascua. Pero, en los primeros tiempos de

la Iglesia, los domingos siempre fueron excluidos del ayuno. Por tanto, miembros de la

Iglesia deseando mantener la idea de 40 días de ayuno, pusieron días adicionales para

compensar. Consecuentemente alrededor del siglo sexto, tenemos la creación del miércoles

como el día oficial de los 40 días de ayuno. El Papa señaló este día con una procesión

solemne durante la cual los participantes cantaron la antífona “Immutemur habitu” (nos

ponemos la ropa austera y las cenizas). No fue hasta el siglo trece, que la imposición de las

cenizas se formalizó y se añadió a la liturgia en lo que hoy conocemos como Miércoles de

Ceniza.

El ayuno en los primeros tiempos de la iglesia, era siempre acompañado de reuniones

para oración y escuchar la Palabra de Dios. Como resultado, el periodo de Cuaresma en los

días de San Agustín, era un tiempo normal para los catecúmenos empezar su preparación

final para el bautismo en la Vigilia de Pascua y para los bautizados pecadores completar su

periodo final de penitencia y volver a la comunidad cristiana durante una liturgia de

reconciliación que ocurría el Jueves Santo en la mañana. Durante el siglo cuarto, la

celebración de los escrutinios en los domingos terceros, cuartos y quintos de Cuaresma para

los catecúmenos empezó en Roma, pero después se le quitó importancia a través de toda la

Iglesia hasta la reforma del Vaticano II.

Durante el siglo sexto, escritos de la iglesia describen dos diferentes celebraciones

que ocurrieron en el sexto domingo de Cuaresma. En Jerusalén, ese día estaba señalado con

una procesión solemne trazando la triunfal entrada de Cristo y sus discípulos a Jerusalén, con

palmas en las manos. Sin embargo, en Roma, este día estaba señalado con la lectura de San

Mateo sobre la pasión y muerte de Jesús. Por lo tanto, tenemos dos términos asociados con el

sexto domingo de Cuaresma – Domingo de Ramos y Domingo de Pasión. No fue hasta

siglos más tarde que la Iglesia combinó las formas de la celebración (procesión con palmas y

lectura de la pasión) como parte de la misma liturgia, cuya solemnidad fue revitalizada por el

Vaticano en 1955 y 1970.

Como se ha dicho más arriba, la Cuaresma como un periodo litúrgico termina con la

celebración de las Vísperas en el Jueves Santo. Más tarde en el Jueves Santo, la celebración

litúrgica de la Última Cena del Señor empieza con la celebración del Triduo.

Vean el folleto de Cuaresma para que tengan un horario completo de todos los

servicios.

(Diácono Bart Merella)