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Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 20, 2020 Centennial Theme: “Remembering, Rejoicing and Reaching in Faith”

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church

Josephite Fathers and Brothers

1600 Morris Road, SE Washington, DC 20020 Phone 202-678-4999 Fax 202-610-3198 Emergency Telephone Number 409-963-5633

Web Site: www.olphsedc.com Email: info@olphdc.com

PARISH STAFF Very Rev. Michael L. Thompson, SSJ, Pastor Deacons: Ira Chase, Thomas Jones, and Timothy Tilghman

Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Bernice Waller

Director of Religious Education: Ms. Cynthia Battle Pastoral Council Chair: Ms. Aletcia Whren

Phone: 202-678-4999 Email: cdbattle@yahoo.com Phone 202-246-1960 Email: aletciawhren@gmail.com

Finance Council Chair: Mrs. Bonita Boulware Ministers of Music: Mr. Rawn Harbor, Director Phone 301-758-3768 Email: bhboul@aol.com Mr. Dehrric Richburg, Mr. George Stewart, Ms. Debra Tidwell, Ms. Melanie Cobb

PLEASE NOTE:

PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED DECEMBER 24, 2020 THROUGH JANUARY 1, 2021

LOC FOOD PANTRY CLOSED DECEMBER 24 AND 31, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2020 Page 2

Mass Intentions are available for the faithful departed and the needs of the living. In addition, every weekend one Mass is offered for the parishioners of our parish. Call the office to request a Mass intention. An offering of $10 is suggested.

Memorials are noted by: † Indicates Deceased

BD means Birthday AD means Anniversary of Death

Sunday (20th) 10:00 am For the People of OLPH Monday (21st) 8:00 am St. Joseph’s Ladies’ Auxiliary No.213 Officers and Members Tuesday (22nd)

8:00 am †BD Benjamin Foster

By Alyce Foster Wednesday (23rd)

8:00 am †Joyce Bell Thompson

By her son Dr. Charles Bell Thursday (24th)

8:00 am †Joan Stevenson Jackson

By her sister Carolyn Brown Friday (25th) Christmas Mass TBD Sunday (27th) 10:00 am For the People of OLPH

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph -- December 27, 2020

1st Reading: Genesis 15:1-6;21:1-3 Responsorial Psalm 105:1-6,8-9

2nd Reading: Hebrews 11:8,11-12,17-19 Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-40

OLPH History, Mission Statement, Vision Statement and Core Values

Matthew 28:18-20: The Commissioning of the Disciples

Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go,

therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of

the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always,

until the end of the age.”

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish has a rich, black cultural history. From its formation in 1920, the Black

Catholics of Anacostia contributed to its development and growth through their sacrifices of time, talent, skills and funds to provide a parish plant of their own. Thus, the

uniqueness of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish places it in a leadership position to interact with other Black and non-

black parishes in utilizing the gifts of Black spirituality through music, dance, education, and special action.

MISSION STATEMENT: We, the people, of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, therefore, acknowledge that our Pastoral Mission is to proclaim Christ and teach the “Good News”, to worship and bear witness in the community, to love and serve as Jesus commanded, and to preserve and share our rich Black heritage.

VISION STATEMENT: “A Roman Catholic church that is actively visible in the Community, shares its spirituality through fellowship, and is committed to serving God.”

CORE VALUES BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS: We will always speak the truth, respect the opinions and roles of all parishioners, and value each person, always maintaining Christian charity in all of our actions.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH: We will seek to increase the understanding of our Catholic faith and expand our spiritual growth by participating in and supporting charitable and spiritual activities, in addition to attending Mass.

STEWARDSHIP: We will become involved in church activities and commit our time, talent and treasures.

INCLUSION: We will be open and inviting by extending ourselves to all by sharing in our parish life; thereby, reaffirming our vision of being actively visible in the community.

LEGACY: We will preserve our rich Black cultural history by respecting the past, continuing in service and faith in the present, and committing to the future of OLPH.

Quote for the Week

“Come, Holy Spirit! Show me where I have veered off the road to heaven.”

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2020 Page 3

Sunday, December 20th: 10:00 am Mass

12:00 pm-1:00 pm Virtual Sunday School Class Monday, December 21st: Saint Peter Canisius SJ was a renowned Dutch Jesuit

Catholic priest. He became known for his strong support for the Catholic faith during the Protestant Reformation… The restoration of the Catholic Church in Germany after the Reformation is largely attributed to the work there of the Society of Jesus, which he led. He is venerated in the Catholic Church as a saint and as a Doctor of the Church.

Wednesday, December 23rd: St. John of Kanty is the patron Saint of Teachers, Students, Priests and Pilgrims. Thursday, December 24th: LOC Food Pantry Closed December 24 and 31, 2020 Friday, December 25th: Solemnity of Christmas - The Nativity of the Lord Today the Church celebrates the Birth of Jesus Christ, the first day in the octave of Christmas. Throughout Advent the Church longed ardently for the coming of our Savior. Today she celebrates His birth with unrestrained joy. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." The Son of God became man to give us a share in that divine life which is eternally His in the Blessed Trinity. Christmas time begins on December 24 with the first Vespers of the feast and ends on the feast of the Baptism of Christ. White vestments reappear in our churches as a sign of joy.

Saturday, December 26th: Feast of Saint Stephen, the First Martyr His defense of his faith before the rabbinic court enraged his Jewish audience, and he was taken out of the city and stoned to death. His final words, a prayer of forgiveness for his attackers. Stephen is the patron saint of deacons and stonemasons.

Sunday, December 27th: 10:00 am Mass

Masses Are Live-Streamed On

the OLPH Website or go to

https://facebook.com/OurLadyofPerpetualHelp.DC

Sunday 10:00 am Monday-Thursday 8:00 am

8:00 am Weekday Masses are available for you to offer

prayers for your family, friends and yourself. PLEASE NOTE: Mass Intentions may NOT be made

on Solemnities, Fridays, nor Saturdays, effective January 2021.

Remember ALL Sunday Masses are offered

For the People of OLPH until further notice.

Contact Doris Savoy to reserve your intentions preferably by email: dsavoy0642@aol.com. If you do not have internet access, call the Rectory Monday-Thursday 9 am-1:00 pm.

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RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS Thanks for giving! “We are conscious of the great generosity of the many benefactors who support the Retirement Fund for Religious each year,” says a Catholic sister. “Support from the fund has been a tremendous blessing to our retired sisters.” Thank you for donation to last week’s collection.

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Items Available in the Rectory Monday-Thursday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Saint Joseph Sunday Missal for 2021 $5.00 The Word Among Us $1.00

The Living Faith $1.00 Candles $3.00

Lector’s Handbooks Also Available $5.00

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS

NOTE: This year, statements will only be issued if requested. To finalize December statements, funds

must be submitted by December 27th or if done on-line by December 29th. A form is being created and will be

available on the web or may be picked up from the Rectory. You will be notified when available. You will

be able to start submitting requests by January 11, 2021. Forms MUST BE returned to

Mrs. Bernice Waller.

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2020 Page 4

Tuesday Night Class

Will resume January 5, 2021

Virtual with Deacon Chase

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83343759396?pwd=TnFXT3JzdS9ZT0JqY0pjeTgvYWhXZz09

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Collections last week: $5,065.00

Many thanks to all OLPH parishioners for sending in your tithes and offerings. You may continue to remit

your offerings via mail (Attention Mrs. Waller), pay on-line, or dropped off at the office. Your continued support of our parish is greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

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One of the challenges of faith is to recognize God’s plan for us and to remain open to God’s will and God’s actions in our world. Filled with God’s grace, Mary models for us the kind of

faith that is needed to cooperate in God’s plan of salvation. Like Mary, we are given the

awesome opportunity to cooperate in God’s saving plan. On this final Sunday of Advent, our Gospel invites us to consider how our preparations for Christmas have made us more aware of God’s grace working in our lives. Gather together your family and talk

about what you have been doing as a family to prepare for Christmas. How have these

preparations helped you to better celebrate the central mystery of Christmas, the

Incarnation? Our Gospel today talks about how Mary was prepared for her role in Christ’s

birth. Read today’s Gospel, Luke 1:26-38. Consider the question: What enabled Mary to

say yes to God? Which of your Advent activities have made you more aware of God’s grace in your life? Conclude in prayer together that God’s grace will enable your family to be

more faithful and obedient to God.

Wear a Mask

Wash hands frequently Avoid touching your face

Cover mouth when you cough Practice social distancing

Avoid contact (touching) others Avoid non-essential travel

Clean & disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2020 Page 5

19th John Washington, Jr. 20th Deloris Harrison 22nd Maurice Blassingame Margaret Short 24th Eva Galloway Robert Moody Jennifer Tilghman 25th Hilda C. Brown Donne’ Hawkins 26th Joseph Gant Stephanie Johnson

29th Julia Melva Scott 30th Theresa Green Cain 31st LeQuania Williams

PARISHIONER TIDBITS

ENTERING THE HOSPITAL? Parishioners planning

to enter the hospital are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of the Sick prior to admission. Because of privacy laws, hospitals no longer notify parishes of a parishioner’s stay. Please notify the Rectory of the name of person, hospital and room number, also when the person returns home.

HOMEBOUND, **HOSPITALS and/or *NURSING/REHAB

Nettie Biscoe, *Sonnie Boulware, **Carolyn Brown, John Brown, Lorraine Brown, Shelia Conway, Roberta Dade-Young, Agnes Dua, *Cordella Gough, Elease Gravett, *Michael Holley, Ruth Holt, Hilda Kearney, *Geraldine Lee, Marie Lucas, Vincent Matthews, Antoinette Reese, Charles Smith, Delores Smith, **Reynaldo Thurston, and Kobe Williams.

Evelyn Akoto, Michelle Brookings-Cheek, Thomas Henry Brooks, Louis Carter, Brittany Chase, William Clemons, Sylvia Cofield, Margo Cooke, Steve Cooke, Calvin Fitzgerald, Toni Gaines, LaShawn Gaines, Karin Joy Hodge, Charles Jackson, James Jackson, Joan Jackson, Jessica King, Elizabeth Moeller, Yvonne Moody, Joan Morris, Teresa Naylor, Marcia Marlene Oliver, Mattie O’Neal, Charles Penny, Lillian Penny, Deidre Dorsey Point, William Queene, Tamala Sappington, Amy Scroggins, Eric Scroggins, Edward Stoner, Kelly Tucker, Rose Thurston, and Bernadette Waters.

Michael & Sandra Hawkins 10th on December 18th Darrell & Kelly Tucker 28th on December 26th

FRIENDLY REMINDER We would like to keep our LIST current.

Please contact Doris Savoy via email dsavoy0642@aol.com. or call the Rectory

when a request to add as well as the request to remove a name.

Dear OLPH Parishioners, In doing our PARISH SURVEY and REGISTRATIONS for Sunday School, we found that many addresses, phone numbers, and emails have been changed without notice to the Rectory. PLEASE, PLEASE CONTACT the Rectory and UPDATE YOUR CURRENT INFORMATION. We need all three items: address, phone number(s) and emails. Thank you.

� e Old and the New: At everyMass, the Old Testament and Gospel readings form a unity as they each point to something within God’s single plan of salvation. In today’s � rst reading, the Second Book of Samuel recounts King David’s desire to build a temple for the Ark of the Covenant. God declines this request but tells David that a future king will come from his descendants. God declares that David’s kingdom will be forever and — most surprisingly — God will be a father to his future heir, and that heir will be a son to God. In our Gospel reading, we hear of the Arch-angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary and of the Incarnation of God in the womb of Our Lady. In this action, Mary now becomes a temple to God’s presence. What David wanted to build, Mary has now become.

Our Response: From our Bible read-ings this Sunday, we can learn many challenging lessons, such as welcoming God’s presence, fostering a generous spirit of kindness, and showing sel� ess hospitality to the needs of others. � ese dispositions help form our soul, but they require what the second reading today calls “the obedience of faith.” With the Annunciation in front of us, we can now fully realize that the season of Advent is about patient waiting and of radical hospitality. First, because we receive these gi� s from God; second, because God allows us to o� er these to him; and, third, because these are life-giving gi� s that we can give to one another.

Mary’s surrender to God an example for us

Mass Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1–5, 8b–12, 14a, 16 / Romans 16:25–27 / Luke 1:26–38

Patience and Hospitality

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FOR REFLECTIONAs Advent slowly comes to a close, have I used this season well? Am I trying to deepen my patient waiting and open hospitality? What will I present to the Lord when he comes?

PRAYER“My kindness is established forever.”

~ Psalm 89:2

Oh, King of Kings,You established the � rone of your servant David.

You ful� lled your promises. You came to us!Convert us, Lord.

Help us to love you above all things,through Christ our Lord. Amen.

dispositions help form our soul, but they

Annunciation in front of us, we can now

You established the � rone of your servant David.You ful� lled your promises. You came to us!

Help us to love you above all things,

Meditations for Advent | Week 4

For print use only. Copyright © by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Nihil Obstat: Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D. Censor Librorum; Imprimatur ✠ Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend

CATECHISM CONNECTION“By pronouncing her ‘� at’ at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish. She is mother wherever he is Savior and head of the Mystical Body.”

— Catechism of the Catholic Church, 973

INSPIRATION FOR THE SEASON

Saint Andrew Dung Lac December 21 As Christians, we are members of a universal family. Our saints come from every tribe, nation, and people. � ey span cultures, traditions, and language groups. As an example, Saint Andrew Dung Lac was a Christian in the early nineteenth century. He lived in Vietnam, where the Christian faith was made illegal during his lifetime. He would not allow fear to dissuade him from his faith. Saint Andrew was an ordained priest and was known for his strong preaching, acts of piety, and care for the sick. A� er being arrested due to his faith, Saint Andrew was severely tortured and beheaded. Andrew Dung Lac shows us our diversity as believers. His life is a model to us of patience and sel� ess hospitality to others. � is Advent season, we ask Saint Andrew to pray for us as we seek these same virtues in our lives.

DAILY LIVING“Certainly, the Annunciation is the culminating moment of Mary’s faith in her awaiting of Christ, but it is also the point of

departure from which her whole ‘ journey towards God’ begins, her whole pilgrimage of faith.” ~ Saint John Paul II

FAMILY FOCUSThe season of Advent is about preparing ourselves for the coming of Jesus Christ. On this last Sunday of Advent, we are particularly called to dive into the riches of our faith. As we have walked through Advent this year, in these refl ections the virtues of patience and hospitality have been emphasized. These are necessary ways of life in the Christian heart and home.On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, we light another violet candle. It is our fourth and fi nal candle of preparation for the Lord’s coming. As we see the light of all four candles illuminate the Advent wreath, we are shown a small example of what our patience and hospitality can accomplish in our lives and in our world today. As we light this fourth candle, let’s think of the following:• Where can I be more patient to those I love?• In an attempt to imitate Mary, have I been open and hospitable to the presence of God in my life?• How can I use these last days of Advent to deepen my preparation for the Lord?

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“Do not be afraid.”— Luke 1:30

Pope Francis Proclaims Year of St. Joseph (Excerpts of the decree released Tuesday, December 8, 2020)

Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph Tuesday in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the universal Church. Pope Pius IX proclaimed St. Joseph patron of the Universal Church on Dec. 8, 1870, in the decree Quemadmodum Deus. The year begins Dec. 8, 2020, and concludes on Dec. 8, 2021, according to a decree authorized by the pope. The decree said that Pope Francis had established a Year of St. Joseph so that “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s will.” It added that the pope had granted special indulgences to mark the year. The Dec. 8 decree was issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary, the dicastery of the Roman Curia that oversees indulgences, and signed by the Major Penitentiary, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, and the Regent, Msgr. Krzysztof Nykiel. In addition to the decree, Francis issued an apostolic letter Tuesday dedicated to the foster father of Jesus. In its decree Tuesday, the Apostolic Penitentiary said that, “to reaffirm the universality of St. Joseph's patronage in the Church,” it would grant a plenary indulgence to Catholics who recite any approved prayer or act of piety in honor of St. Joseph, especially on March 19, the saint’s solemnity, and May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Other notable days for the plenary indulgence are the Feast of the Holy Family on Dec. 29 and St. Joseph’s Sunday in the Byzantine tradition, as well as the 19th of each month and every Wednesday, a day dedicated to the saint in the Latin tradition. Pope Francis has promoted devotion to St. Joseph throughout his pontificate. He began his petrine ministry on March 19, 2013, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, and dedicated the homily at his inauguration Mass to the saint. “In the Gospels, St. Joseph appears as a strong and courageous man, a working man, yet in his heart we see great tenderness, which is not the virtue of the weak but rather a sign of strength of spirit and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love,” he said. On May 1, 2013, the pope authorized a decree instructing that St. Joseph’s name be inserted into Eucharistic Prayers II, III, and IV. “Always invoke him, especially in difficult times and entrust your life to this great saint.” The pope concluded his new apostolic letter by urging Catholics to pray to St. Joseph for “the grace of graces: our conversion.” He ended the text with a prayer: “Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.”

Ages 7+ December 20, 2020 • Luke 1:26-38

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