Let us run to her, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with perfect confidence.-St. Francis de Sales

SacramentsConfessions: Friday 10:30am; Saturday 8am and 3:30pm; Wednesday 8pm; One-half hour before Mass on SundayAnytime by appointmentConfessions are held in the Church

Matrimony: Parish couples planning to be married must make arrangements with the Office at least six months prior to the ntended date of marriage.

Baptism: Baptisms are held on Sundays at 1:30pm. Baptism class is the last Friday of the month at 7pm. Call the office for details.

Anointing of the Sick: We are privileged to bring Holy Communion and administer the Holy Anointing to the sick and homebound upon request. Please call the office to let us know your needs.

Parish Staff Reverend James Gould, PastorReverend John Heisler, Parochial VicarDeacon Larry HammelDeacon Jack VassalloMrs. Amy Harrison, Business ManagerMrs. Leslie Sheldon, Office ManagerMrs. Kim Livaudais, Director of Religious EducationMrs. Janice Rees, CRE, Sunday Bulletin, WebsiteMs. Emily Glass, Director of Youth MinistryMr. Michael Galdo, Director of MusicMrs. Laura Burgess, SacristanMr. Jerry Jones, CustodianMrs. Maria Alvarenga, CustodianMr. Antonio Alvarenga, Custodian

Contact InfoParish Office - 540-338-6381office email - l.sheldon@saintfrancisparish.orgReligious Education Office - 540-338-4497RE email - RE@saintfrancisparish.orgIn case of an emergency - 540-338-6440Fax - 540-338-643137730 St. Francis Court, Purcellville, VA 20132www.SaintFrancisParish.org

Welcome!Please register and become part of our parish community. You may fill out a registration form in the parish office during business hours.

Office Hours - M-F 8:30am-4pm(Office closed between 12noon and 1:15pm daily)

Moving? If you are leaving the parish, please let us know by calling or dropping a note.

Adoration/Benediction Friday - Adoration is held every Friday following the 12noon Mass through the evening and overnight until Saturday morning before the 9am MassWednesday 7pm - Weekly Parish Holy Hour

Sunday MassesSaturday Vigil - 5pmSunday - 7am, 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:15pm, 2pm (masks required)5:30pm (Mass with contemporary music)

Daily Masses Monday through Thursday - 6:30am and 8:30amFriday - 6:30am and 12noonSaturday - 9amCheck the bulletin for Holy Days of Obligation

Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 27, 2020

This Week

Masses for the Week+ deceased Saturday, December 26 Saint Stephen 9:00 am Maria ByrdSaturday, December 26 Vigil: The Holy Family 5:00 pm + Joseph M. OliveriSunday, December 27 The Holy Family 7:00 am + Vito Pappano 8:30 am + Jeanne and Charlie Krebs 10:30 am People of the Parish 12:15 pm + Gloria Christina 2:00 pm Laura Burgess 5:30 pm Becci RummageMonday, December 28 The Holy Innocents 6:30 am Maria Keim 8:30 am + Ellen FlessnerTuesday, December 29 5th Day with in the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 6:30 am Diane Waller 8:30 am + Ellen FlessnerWed., December 30 6th Day with in the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 6:30 am + Daniel F. Campbell 8:30 am + Michael HubbellThursday, December 31 7th Day with in the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 6:30 am + Fr. Michael Kelly 8:30 am Special Intention Friday, January 1 The Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; Mary, the Holy Mother of God 8:30 am Jerry Gingras 10:30 am The Malones 12:15 pm Deacon Vasallo 2:00 pm Parishioners sick with CovidSaturday, January 2 Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen 9:00 am Chris and Mary MillerSaturday, January 2 Vigil: Epiphany of the Lord 5:00 pm + Joseph M. OliveriSunday, Janaury 3 Epiphany of the Lord 7:00 am Deceased members of the D’Elia and Butts families 8:30 am + Joseph Lemon 10:30 am Mark and Tracy Ippoliti 12:15 pm People of the Parish 2:00 pm Bob Craig 5:30 pm Scott Grimard

THE HOLY FAMILY December 27, 2020

“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of

God was upon him. - Lk 2:40

Readings for the Week

Tue., Dec. 29 Legion of Mary 7pm, Library RCIA 7pm - ZOOMWed., Dec. 30 Charismatic Prayer Group 7pm, Chapel TMIY 7pm, Parish Education Center Weekly Parish Holy Hour - 7pmThu., Dec. 31 No Junior Legion of Mary Sat., Jan. 2 TMIY 6:30am, Parish Education Center Women’s Prayer Group 8am, Knights Hall Compassionate Heart of Mary 10am, Knights Hall

Solemnity Of Mary, The Holy Mother Of God Friday, January 1

8:30 AM10:30 AM12:15 PM

2 PM – Face Masks Required

We wish all of our Parish Families a Very Happy and Blessed New Year!

The Parish Office and Religious Education Office will be closed the week of December 27

Reopening January 4

Special Kids, Special NeedsThe second collection on the weekend of January 9th/10th is for the Porto Charities “Special Kids, Special Needs” on behalf of intellectually and develop-mentally challenged youth within the diocese. Bishop Burbidge has stated, “The mission and work of Porto Charities is inspiring and effective as it enhances the lives of students with developmental and intellectual disabilities.” Please be generous in your support of this Catholic non-profit organization. As always, thank you for your support!

Our thoughts and prayers are with ...Our Military Members: MAJ Chuck Marshall; Lcpl John Owen Patterson; SSgt. Tim Marshall; 2nd Lt. Patrick Gutierrez, MAJ Andrew Cahan; 1st Lt Matthew Ryan, Capt. Patrick Godfrey, LT Scott Cypher, Capt. Vincent Jovene, Capt. Jamie (Jovene) Liddle, SSgt. Joshua Jovene, 1LT Jared Willard, Joe Pultro, LCpl Paul Cotter, 1stLt Rachel Jovene, GySgt Jose O Ruiz Pedroza, PFC Jorge A Lara Pedroza, Capt.. Ross Mentzer, 2nd LT Ryan Patrick Grady; PFC Stephen G. Beard, Sgt. Ernesto G. Castro, LCpl Frankie Thyson, Sgt. Peter AudiThe Sick: Dominic Corcoran, Jack Lehtonen,Mary Jane Arens, Madeline Gonzalez, Mike O’Brien, Bill Wieliczko, Sarah Nolan, Liz Keller; Bob Cote, Jerry Pollard, Joanne Harrington, Rebecca Alvarez, Charles Williams, Patricia Naomi Alvarenga, Joe Graber, Timotha Rainey, Rodney and Christina HuthThe Deceased: Danielle Krill, Carolyn Woodland. Ryan Martin, Kimberly Merline, Valerie Wieliczko, Thomas Moorcones, Mary Owen Lyon Chatfield-Taylor, Martha Ann Harlow, Ann Vaudry Williams, Steven Domine, Dick Austin, Phyllis Heller, Vito Pappano, Nick Hallam, Tom Dudek, Hugh ‘Andy’ Williams

Dear folks,I write this letter on December 17th, the day following the great snow storm. It was quite the storm. The poor folks clear-ing the parking lot were here until 2:00 this morning. This letter is bring composed for the Sunday following Christmas... December 27th. It hardly seems appropriate to thank people for the Christmas events before they take place. I will do that later. Many thanks to all the parishioners who have been readying the parish for Christ-mas. The Choirs and their practices. The sacristans in setting the altar for the coming events. The great Knights of Columbus in setting up the creche in front of the Church. I dare say they outdid their counterparts in the Vatican. But that is another story.

Fr. Heisler has returned from his time in in quarantine no worse for the wear. We are hitting on all cylinders in our final steps toward Christmas. Deacon Larry was amazed that, in this pandemic, when most parishes in the country are cutting back on their Mass schedules we are adding Masses.

We will be shy one deacon for the holidays. Deacon Jack Va-sallo is still hospitalized at Loudoun Hospital. He suffers from the Covid Virus and is, unawake, on a respirator. Let us all remember him and our others parishioners suffering from the virus… two of whom are children. Let us pray for one another. For the meantime I leave you from a lessen I learned many many years ago. One our priests was a graduate student at the University of Virginia. The school focused on English Litera-ture. The lesson learned, and offered, at the post Christmas party for priests focused on the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” I leave this review to your enjoyment. https://www.catholic-newsagency.com/resources/advent/customs-and-traditions/the-history-of-the-twelve-days-of-christmas

“The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in Eng-land were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the Church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. To fit the number scheme, when you reach number 9, representing the Fruits of the Holy Ghost, the originator combined 6 to make 3, taking the 6 fruits that were similar: the fruit in each parenthesis is the that was not named separately. There are actually Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost.

The "True Love" one hears in the song is not a smitten boy or girlfriend but Jesus Christ, because truly Love was born on Christmas Day. The partridge in the pear tree also representsHim because that bird is willing to sacrifice its life if necessary to protect its young by feigning injury to draw away predators.

According to Ann Ball in her book, HANDBOOK OF CATHOLIC SACRAMENTALS:The two turtle doves were the Old and New TestamentsThe three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.The five golden rings rerepresented the first five books of the Old Testament, which describe man’s fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Savior.The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit-----Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contri-bution, Leadership, and Mercy.The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-----Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continency [Chastity].The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles.The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles’ Creed.”

Collegiate Answer. Offered by Fr. David Meng, who often helps us in time of need. The country, Venezuela, was named by the Italian Missionaries who came in the 16th century. It seems the natives along the coast would build their homes, on stilts, over the water. Much like their home in “Venice, Italy.” Hence the origin of the name for the country in South America came from the city in Italy.Collegiate Question. What were the common colors of the three wisemen? And Why? Good hunting. In the Gould house with many many hands to test the figurines of the cresche there were two or three cresches represented due to broken figures. So Mary, may have been much bigger than Joseph and two wise-man of the same color. And sheep without shepherds. It didn’t matter much… it was all about the baby Jesus in the manger.

Merry Christmas.

WEEK OF DECEMBER 27 No Classes

CLASSES RESUME WEEK OF JANUARY 3Sunday K thru 8th Grades -10:30am 9th - 12th Grades w/ Fr. Gould - 4pm Monday K thru 8th Grades - 4:45pm 9th - 12th Grades w/ Fr. Gould - 5pm 11th - 12th Grades w/ Fr. Heisler - 5pm RCIT - 6:15pmWednesday 8th Grade- 4:45pm

Emily Glass Director of Youth Ministry

540-338-6381 or e.glass@saintfrancisparish.org

MERRY CHRISTMAS! – Wishing you and your families a joyous Christmas! As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let’s lean into the light and everlasting goodness that he promises with his reign. We can rejoice in hope and peace because even as a tiny baby in a stable, He has already overcome the world. See you in 2021!

ZOOM YOUTH NIGHTS! – Join us on Zoom! Come learn more about our faith as we grow closer to Jesus together through discussion, reflection, and prayer. We will not have Youth Night on Dec. 27.

For ALL high schoolers: Sundays at 7 – 8 PM** Please note that Youth Nights will be entirely virtual until further notice. Praying that we can be together again soon!

Zoom meeting access information is sent out the hour before each gathering via the Remind.com text messaging service. Every meeting has a different access code and password so please see directions below on how to sign up for the texts. See you on Zoom!

YOUTH GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS – Sign up to re-ceive free Remind.com text message updates, reminders, and upcoming meetings. Text @sfdsteens to the number 81010. Also, follow the Youth Ministry Instagram account St.FrancisYouth for event updates and announcements.

Religious Education Calendar

Parents of Children Preparing for First Penance and Holy Communion: Please mark your calendars: First Penance is scheduled for Saturday, February 20, and First Communion for May 8, 2021.

Parents of 8th Grade Confirmation Candidates: If you not done so, please email your child’s sponsor information (sponsor’s name, email address, and name of the church and diocese where he/she regularly attends Mass) to the religious education office as soon as possible. Sponsor Interview Assignments are due by January 6, and the signed and sealed Sponsor Eligibility Form is due by February 1, 2021. Details are all available on the parish website. Please call our office if you have questions.

For those Children who have not received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation: If you would like your children to prepare to receive any of the Sacraments they might have missed, please contact our office at re@saintfrancisparish.org.

Dear Parents,

Merry third day of Christmas!

I pray that you and your families will enjoy each day of this holy season! I look forward to seeing the children and catechists back when classes resume on January 3, 4 and 6.

God bless you all,Kim

St. Francis Council 11136 NewsNEXT COUNCIL MEETING: will be Monday January 11th at 7:30 pm. We will pray our Rosary in the chapel beginning at 7:00 pm. Any parishioner is welcomed to join our Rosary!

MEMBER DUES: Membership dues for 2021 will be mailed out on December 15th. We are updating our member-ship files so please read the enclosed letter for requests and pertinent information.

SHARE SUNDAY Thank you all for your generosity. Last week’s collection yielded $1,664 lbs (Our largest collection this Fraternal year!) bring us to a total close to 5,000 lbs since July. Thank you so much!

COATS FOR KIDS Thank you again for your generosity, with the money raised we were able to deliver approximately 100 coats to boys and girls across Loudoun to help keep them warm this year. Thank you so much!

SWEATS FOR VETS Our collection of new Sweats for our Veter-ans is going on this weekend. We have set up a collection box in the Narthex starting this weekend. Please make every effort to buy one new set of sweats for this worthy cause. Sizes needed are Large, Extra Large and XXX Large.We know that you are being asked to give to a variety of programs in this very difficult year, by many agencies, and our Council too! Please remember that our Council may not be able to host a variety of programs this year, but we can make our presence known, and fulfill our mission as Catholic Gentlemen, by supporting these programs which can be accomplished despite the coronavirus.

Why Are You A Knight? Be more than a Knight in name only. We help in the parish, the community and the world. Our Council will be focusing on the Knights of Columbus Program “Faith in Action”. We will be focusing and looking for volunteers in these four main program types: FAITH, COMMUNITY, FAMILY and LIFE. Contact GK Bob Craig and tell me what would it take for you to come help your church and community. Be active again.

Have You Ever Considered Becoming a Knight and Helping Oth-ers in Your Parish and Community? Find out how you can be a part of the largest Catholic men’s organization in the world. With nearly 2 million members and growing, discover how the Knights can sup-port you, your family, your faith and your community. Contact GK Bob Craig or Chancellor John Losinski (skigators@icloud.com), or look for any man wearing a Knights of Columbus name badge. Let your Light Shine!

May God bless you!Bob Craig, Grand Knight

St. Francis Council #11136 Knights11136@gmail.comwww.facebook.com/ knights11136/

Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe was celebrated last Saturday by a group of about 80 parishioners who processed and sang from the Rosary Garden into the church, followed

by celebration of the Mass and a reception in the Knights Hall.Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe

Pray for us!

HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS - DECEMBER 2020

For a Life of PrayerWe pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.

The Homeless Ministry wishes to thank each and every one of you who have given so much each month in such different and important ways. Some of you knitted or crocheted, some cooked or baked, some purchased needed items, some of you donated or volunteered for the Summer and Winter Blessing Bagging events, and some of you delivered to Leesburg Shelter or drove all the way to Anacostia. We wish everyone the Happiest Holidays possible, good health, and hopes for a better New Year.

Bev BryantMaria Byrd

Jennifer DizeKathy Hallissey

Mark Ippoliti Tracy Ippoliti

Any questions, suggestions or to join as a volunteer please contact:*Mark Ippoliti mark.ippoliti@gmail.com*Tracy Ippoliti tracy.ippoliti@gmail.com

Parish Homeless Ministry

COUNSELING OFFERED AT SFDSJennifer Barry, LCSW from Catholic Charities’ Family Services will take appointments offering Individual, Family or Couples Counseling. Jennifer is a licensed clinical social worker who received her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Catholic University of America. Jennifer can now be reached for teletherapy or for a free consultation. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation, please contact her at 703-772-4022.

Project Rachel Post Abortion Healing Ministry: 888-456-HOPE or

visit: www.helpafterabortion.org.

Gabriel Project Pregnancy Assistance Ministry: 866-444-3553 or

info@helpfor pregnantwomen.org

Gift for LifeGive a Gift for Life. Please give a Gift for Life this season to help Project Rachel provide counseling and healing retreats to those who suffer the effects of abortion. One participant wrote: “The genuine love and support from the Project Rachel retreat has enabled me to let go of my anger and deep pain from my abortion. I am like a new person who has left the darkness and en-tered the light.” For more information and/or to donate: www.arlingtondiocese.org/giftforlife

Job Seeker Assistance ProgramCatholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington's Educa-tion and Workforce Development program provides resources and connections with job mentoring vol-unteers to assist individuals in seeking employment, resources, and improved employment. Assistance with resume and cover letter writing, job searches, interview practice, and job mentoring is provided. Contact jobfairs@ccda.net or call 571-208-1572 for more program details.

Parish Giving offers secure flexible online giving for our parishioners who would like to make their dona-tions online using a credit card or bank transfer.Please visit parishgiving.org for more information. Thank you for your support!

Enroll in three online apologetics seminars for just $299.The first seminar begins January 18th.

Enroll Today!

How Are We Saved?January 18 – February 8, 2021

Learn why it was necessary for Jesus Christ to suffer and die for us and how we can accept this most precious gift of salvation. Attendees will come to understand what it takes to be saved. Taught by Steven R. Hem-ler. (1 CEU)

Why Do We Need the Church?July 19 – August 9, 2021

Over half of American adults do not regularly attend church and only 20% of Catholics born after 1970 attend Mass. This seminar will equip you to credibly, convincingly, and compellingly explain and share why we need the Church, the sacraments, and the Mass. Taught by Steven R. Hemler. (1 CEU)

The Art of Evangelization through ApologeticsOctober 4 – October 25, 2021

Learn to share the good news of Jesus Christ. While articulating the truth of the Gospel, we need to start a conversation, build trust, serve, and then propose who Jesus Christ is. To quote St. Bernadette, “Our job is to inform, not convince.” (1 CEU)

CDU's online seminars can be completed at your convenience during the dates posted. Please contact mdavis@cdu.edu

The Legion of MaryOur Lady of Victory Our Lady of Victory: ages 18 and over, Tuesdays at 7pm in the library. Our Lady of the Lake: ages 7-17, Thursdays at 3:45 in Knights Hall. December prayers are for those with voca-tions and their family members. Please take a rosary in the narthex and join us spiritually by praying the Angelus at noon daily for our parish and an increase in vocations! Angelus prayer cards available at the Legion table.

BRING YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR SCAPULARS! BROWN SCAPULAR ENROLLMENT

AFTER NOON MASSJANUARY 1ST, MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

A limited number of Brown Scapulars will be available in the Narthex

Calling for Auxiliary Members! If you would like to be a praying member of the Legion of Mary please contact us for more information at legionofmarysfds@gmail.com First Saturday devotion after 9am morning mass on January 2nd. Please feel free to bring fresh flowers for our Blessed Mother! If you cannot attend, join us from home by livestreaming mass and the rosary reflections led by the Legion of Mary.

For more info about the Legion of Mary, please visit saintfrancisparish.org/the-legion-of-mary/

Open after the 8:30am, 10:30am and 12:15 MassesThe shop will be closed through the month of January and will reopen Sunday, February 7. If you need items

during the period, please text Robin Mentzer at 703-431-1564 and she will provided assistance.

We hope you have a lovely Christmas season. Merry Christmas!

Anyone who has a child in a sacramental year please pre-order medals, crucifix, statues and receive 10% off the order.Thank you for supporting our parish gift shop crux Gloria

TMIY! is back this week.Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 12/30/20 or Saturday 1/2/21. Your choice.Wednesday 7pm (in person) orSaturday 7am (in person); 8am (ZOOM) All in person meetings will take place in the Parish Education Center.This will be the start of our second semester for TMIY! Year 6. If you have never attended at all, or simply came to a couple of meetings, you can jump into this new content without any issue. Our first semester was filled with rewarding content and we expect the benefits to continue for the next thirteen sessions. Our objectives for the Spring Semester are:• Discern what kind of man we need to save the Church and the world.• Become the man our family, our Church and our world desperately needs.• Be inspired to set out to re-evangelize the de-Chris-tianized and secularized.• Become a new creation in Christ!

We look forward to seeing you for the second semester of TMIY! Year 6. Make if your New Year’s resolution to join us and bring a friend. Due to COVID-19 rules and regulations we ask new participants to RSVP at SFDSMEN@GMAIL.com so we can make appropriate preparations.

CATHOLIC DISTANCE UNIVERSITYJob Title: Part-time Communications AssistantSummary: The communications assistant pro-vides general support to aid the communications and institutional advancement directors in carrying out their work of promoting the university.Responsibilities and duties include the following. Other duties may be assigned.• Update the Catalog & Student Handbook using Adobe InDesign and website using WordPress as directed by director of communica-tions.• Design printed alumni newsletter The Good News quarterly using Adobe InDesign and prepare it for publishing, working closely with the director of institutional advancement and director of communica-tions.• Perform other duties as assigned.Role in the Organizational Chart: The communications assistant reports to the director of communications.Education and background required: Bachelor's degree and ex-perience using Adobe InDesign and WordPress. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Docs, Adobe Photoshop, and Gmail is also required.Time commitment: Four hours per week; this work can be done remotely on a flexible schedule.