Religious Education at Little Flower
A Quarterly Newsletter
Advent 2007
Office of Religious Education
301-320-5233, www.lfparish.org
5607 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20816
My Dear Parents,
A great challenge exists for each of us in the coming days of Advent! Each of us struggles to find some sacred space to prepare for the coming of Christ amidst the fast pace of our preparations for this joyful season.
At the top of the list, however, this is a wonderful time to experience the Sacrament of Penance. There can be no better spiritual preparation than to experience before Christmas the healing and unique encounter with Jesus in sacramental confession. I invite you personally to celebrate this great sacrament during our parish Come Home for Christmas day of Mass and confessions, coinciding with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Holy Day of Obligation, on Saturday, December 8. Regular repentance in sacramental confession leads to a deeper prayer life and a beautiful space for God. In turn, that leads to a deeper love of Christ that more often than not leads to acts of generosity and more committed lives of charity.
A few other suggestions -- perhaps a Nativity display in your home if you do not already have one; Christmas cards with a religious image; and an effort not to forget the beautiful words "Merry Christmas" as we greet each other closer to the blessed day when we celebrate the birthday of our Lord and Savior.
The full Advent and Christmas schedule of events is included in this newsletter. I look forward to seeing you and your family often during this joyful season. Know that I will remember each of you at the altar on Christmas as I ask your prayers for me.
Prayerfully in the Lord,
Rev. Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi, Pastor
Blessing of the Creche
On Sunday, December 23rd at 10:00 a.m., families are invited to join in a procession from church following the 9:00 a.m. Family Mass to the nativity scene next to the parish hall for the blessing of the outdoor crèche. We pray that this very visible reminder of the birth of our Lord encourages many people to Come Home for Christmas.
New this year, bring your Baby Jesus statue from your family crèche scene to be blessed during this special parish event! Warm up inside the parish hall immediately following this outdoor blessing as you enjoy coffee, doughnuts and fellowship.
Christmas Eve Family Mass
Celebrate the birth of Jesus by participating in Little Flower’s Christmas Eve Family Mass on Sunday, December 23rd at 4:00 p.m. Families are encouraged to come early for traditional Christmas carols before mass. At 3:45 p.m., ushers will seat people in all available pews, so make sure your whole group arrives before then -- no holding seats!
The Gospel for this Mass is a Christmas pageant acted out by fourth and fifth grade children from our Religious Education program and from Little Flower School. It is a beautiful way of telling the story of the peace and love that began in that Bethlehem stable.
Celebrate Advent at Home
In the weeks leading up to the celebration of Christmas, it is very easy to get caught up in the rush and commercialism of the season. We lose sight of the meaning of Advent, forgetting to take a step back and reflect. Here are a few suggestions for making the Advent season a more meaningful and enriching time for you and your family.
Pray! As a family, say the Advent Wreath Prayer at mealtime as you light your wreath.
Family Reflection Discussion. (Presence vs. Presents) Christmas is often associated with giving presents, but our gift of presence to another person can be a more special gift. How can we give a family member and Jesus a gift of our presence this Christmas?
Service Opportunities. Decide as a family how to give to those in need this Christmas.
Celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family on Sunday, December 30th. Join us for Mass at 9:00 a.m. and celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph who were subject to the pressures and difficulties of their time and are offered as a model of Christian family life.
Religious Education News
Our Confirmation date is set for Saturday, April 5th at 10:00 a.m.
Religious Education classes for Grades K - 6th are held 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. Sunday mornings at Little Flower School. Classes for Grades 7th - 8th are held 7:30 - 8:45 p.m. Wednesday evening at Little Flower School.
No Classes:
December 23rd - 30th (Christmas break)
January 20th - MLK
February 17th - Presidents’ Day
March 23rd - 30th (Easter break)
Visit our parish website at www.lfparish.org to learn more, or contact Sister Roberta Thompson, S.N.J.M., Director of Religious Education, at 301-320-5233.
December Advent & Christmas Schedule
4th - Tuesday - Advent Lecture Series: "Advent and Christian Hope," Part #1 of 2: Rev. Stephen Ryan, O.P. - 7:30 p.m. - Music Room
6th - Thursday - Msgr. Vaghi First Thursday Talk "Sacraments: The Catholic Faith Celebrated," Part 3 of 8: Confirmation: Be Sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit
- 7:00 a.m. immediately following 6:30 a.m. Mass - RMR
- 7:30 p.m. - Music Room
8th - Saturday - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - Holy Day of Obligation - Masses: 8:15 a.m. & 12:00 Noon
- Come Home For Christmas Confessions: 9:00 - 12:00 Noon & 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Church
9th - Sunday, 4:00 p.m. - Lessons & Carols with St. Dunstan's - Church
11th - Tuesday, Advent Lecture Series: "Advent and Christian Hope," Part #2 of 2: Rev. Stephen Ryan, O.P. - 7:30 p.m. - Music Room
13th - Thursday - 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Mothers at Prayer - RMR
23rd - Sunday - Masses: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. (Blessing of the Outdoor Creche and family Nativity sets at 10:00 a.m.), 10:30 a.m., & 12:00 Noon
24th - Monday - Christmas Eve - No 8:15 a.m. Mass. Masses: 12:00 Noon, 4:00 p.m. (Family Christmas Mass & contemporary choir), & 10:00 p.m. (with choir, orchestra & 9:30 musical prelude)
25th - Tuesday - Solemnity of Christmas - Holy Day of Obligation - Masses: 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. (choir with 10:15 a.m. musical prelude), & 12:15 p.m. (contemporary choir)
RMR = Rectory Meeting Room
Please check for an email from your RE teacher if you’re in doubt about classes being held during inclement weather. You can also call the RE office at 301-320-5233 for a recorded message.
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