Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church

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 - Confessions are heard in Rooms 107 & 113 in Catholic Education CtrSunday - one half hour before each Mass in the ChapelAnytime by appointment

Matrimony: Parish couples planning to be married must make arrange-ments with the Office at least six months prior to the intended date of marriage.

Baptism: Baptisms are typically held on the second or third Sunday of the month at 1:30pm. Please note, dates are subject to change. 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 HammelMrs. Amy Harrison, Business ManagerMrs. Janice Rees, CRE, Sunday Bulletin, WebsiteMs. Emily Glass, Director of Youth MinistryMr. Michael Galdo, Director of MusicMr. Jerry Jones, CustodianMrs. Maria Alvarenga, CustodianMr. Antonio Alvarenga, Rectory Cook

Contact InfoParish Office - 540-338-6381office email - secretary@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-4:30pm(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.

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

Daily Masses Monday and Wednesday - 6:30am and 9amTuesday and Thursday - 6:30amFriday - 6:30am & 12 noon Saturday - 9amCheck the bulletin for Holy Days of Obligation

First Sunday in Advent December 1, 2019

Adoration/Benediction Friday - Adoration is held every Friday following the 12 noon Mass until 5pm. The Rosary is prayed at 12:30pm and the Divine Mercy Chaplet is at 3pm.

Sun., Dec. 1 Adult Basketball 8:30pm Mon., Dec. 2 Ladies Auxiliary 7:30pm Library Knights of Columbus 7:30pm, Parish HallTue., Dec. 3 RCIA 7pm, Room 107Wed., Dec. 4 SoulStitch 9:30am, Parish Hall TMIY 7pm, Catholic Education Ctr. Rosary Group 7pm, ChurchFri., Dec. 6 Children’s Rosary 10am, ChurchSat., Dec. 7 TMIY 6:30am, Catholic Education Ctr.

Masses for the Week+ deceased Saturday, Nov. 30 Weekday 9:00 am + Anthony TaffuriSaturday, Nov. 30 Vigil: First Sunday of Advent 5:00 pm + Lottie SzemborskiSunday, Dec. 1 First Sunday of Advent 7:00 am People of the Parish 8:30 am + Klara Frommherz 10:30 am The Fitzgerald family 12:15 pm Mr. and Mrs. Mattahew Szemborski and family 5:00 pm John and Lindy ProhaskaMonday, Dec. 2 Weekday 6:30 am Rosalie and Robert Danko 9:00 am + Gary WebsterTuesday, Dec. 3 Saint Francis Xavier 6:30 am + Zack MillerWed., Dec. 4 Weekday 6:30 am Carolyn Woodland 9:00 am + Marlene HolowachThursday, Dec. 5 Weekday 6:30 am + Pedro Juanpere Friday, Dec. 6 Weekday 6:30 am All victims of sexual abuse and their continued healing 12:00 pm Ailsa J. AchamSaturday, Dec. 7 Saint Ambrose 9:00 am + Carl and Noah WoodlandSaturday, Dec. 7 Vigil: Second Sunday of Advent 5:00 pm + Jennifer ElliottSunday, Dec. 8 Second Sunday of Advent 7:00 am Father Escalante 8:30 am People of the Parish 10:30 am + Alford Taylor, Sr. 12:15 pm + Dale Young 5:00 pm + Betty Pavlick

First Sunday of Advent

December 1, 2019

Readings for the Week

This Week

HOPEFUL EXPECTATIONOur liturgical year begins with the season of Advent—a time of hopeful expectation of the coming of the Lord. On the First Sunday of Advent we look forward to the end of time when we will awaken to the dawn of Christ’s new day.Today we hear Isaiah speak of a day when God’s power will have brought universal peace and God’s Word will have instructed all people, radiating God’s “light” (teachings) into all of human soci-ety. Only when humanity walks “in the light of the LORD” (Isaiah 2:5), when all people desire to be instructed “in [God’s] ways” (Isaiah 2:3), will the world be set aright and our deepest longings fulfilled. The reading from Romans calls us to “awake from sleep” for this final “day is at hand” (Romans 13:11, 12). Together this Sunday’s scriptures proclaim our Christian faith that Jesus is the One who will finally come to fulfill God’s plan of salvation.Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Monday: Is 4:2-6; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6 Mt 9:35 — 10:1Sunday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12

“You . . . must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”—

Matthew 24:44

Let’s approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last-minute rush. Anonymous

Immaculate Conception Monday, December 9 – 6:30am and 9am

Individual Advent Confessions7pm each weeknight in the chapel

Feast of our Lady of GuadalupeThursday, December 12 - 5:30pm Vespers (see bulletin for info)

Christmas Eve - Vigil of Christmas5pm - Mass with Children’s Choir

5:10pm - Overflow Mass w/Cantor - Our Lady of Victory Hall8pm - Mass w/Witness Band

10pm - Lessons and Carols 10:30pm - Night Mass w/Parish Choir

Christmas Day8:30am - no music

10:30am & 12:15pm - with Cantor

(no 7am or 5pm Teen Mass)

Our Military Members: MAJ Chuck Marshall; Lcpl John Owen Patterson; Sgt. Tim Marshall; 2nd Lt. Patrick Gutierrez, MAJ Andrew Cahan; 1st Lt Matthew Ryan, Capt. Patrick Godfrey, LT Scott Cypher, Cap. Vincent Jovene, 1st Lt. Jamie (Jovene) Liddle, A1C Joshua Jovene, 1LT Jared Willard, Joe Pultro, LCpl Paul Cotter, 2dLt Rachel Jovene, GySgt Jose O Ruiz Pedroza, PFC Jorge A Lara Pedroza, LT Ross Mentzer, 2nd LT Ryan Patrick Grady; PFC Ste-phen G. Beard, Sgt. Ernesto G. Castro, LCpl Frankie ThysonThe Sick: Dominic Corcoran, Jack Lehtonen,Mary Jane Arens, Phyllis Heller, Madeline Gonzalez, Mike O’Brien, Bill and Valerie Wieliczko, Sarah Nolan, Liz Keller; Bob Cote, Jerry Pollard, Joanne Harrington, Rebecca AlvarezThe Deceased: Ellen Delaney, Daniel Duggan, Bud Nolan, Marilyn Cote, Michael Konopa, Renato Tor-rijos, Rosemarie Bighouse, John Robinson, Michele Mackey, Margaret Maykrantz, Fr. Edwin Thayer Tewes, Eleanor Szemborski, Zach Miller

Our thoughts and prayers are with ...

Marilyn Thayer Cote, December 13, 2018Joseph Loughran, December 5, 2016Helen Swigon, December 7, 2016Theresa Schoeb, December 4, 2015

Pilar Zayas Galvan, December 31, 2014Michael Lasher, December 5, 2012

Veronica Ann Loughran, December 8, 2012Irene Taylor - December 7, 2011

Rosalie Weaver - December 26, 2010Adel Salem - December 14, 2010

Lorena Thurman - December 11, 2010Anne Marie Hooks - December 5, 2010

Dr. Harry G. Geyer, Dec. 22, 2009Hannah Emeline Brown, Dec. 22, 2009

Genevieve M. Boucher, Dec. 7, 2009Rev. Michael Craig Kelly, Dec. 31, 2008

Miriam E. Moore, Dec. 27, 2008Patricia Ann Bettens, Dec. 4, 2007

Aurelia Charlotte Kulik, Dec. 27, 2006Carroll Ed Frawley, Dec. 15, 2005

Vera Redmond Terminella, Dec. 20, 2005Mary Theresa Skarzenski, Dec. 6, 2004

Manuel J. Kelley, Dec. 26, 2004Patricia Louise Shannon, Dec. 9, 2002Alberto Joseph Sliverio, Dec. 6, 2001

Robert Michael Schwartz, Dec. 8, 2001Mary Violet Miller, Dec. 26, 2001James F. Alexander, Dec. 14, 2000

Sophia Dolores Shannon, Dec. 26, 2000Evelyne N. Newman, Dec. 10, 1998

Robert E. Schilling, Sr., Dec. 18, 1998Anthony Peter Moorcones, Dec. 28, 1994William Henry Ahalt, Sr., Dec. 31, 1992

Mary Loretto Lansdale, Dec. 1, 1989John Parkinson Fahey, Dec. 3, 1989

Morgan Augustus Trail, Dec. 8, 1989Joseph Siemen, Dec. 20, 1989

Ruth P. Bradshaw, Dec. 27, 1988James A.Walsh, Dec. 14, 1987Jennie R. Ortiz, Dec.13, 1984John Morton – December 1984

Pauline L. Randall, Dec. 1, 1983Sidonie M. Lestaevel, Dec. 2, 1979

Joan L. Patrick, Dec. 8, 1978Charles E. Schonder, Dec. 13, 1977Daniel J. Ludlam, Dec. 21, 1977

Below are the names of people along with the date of death from our parish since the time St. Francis de Sales became a parish in 1967. Scripture tells us to pray for the living and the

dead. Let us commend to the Lord’s mercy the following:

Dear Folks, I ask the mothers of the parish to offer a prayer for Mrs. Cheryl Jurusic, who passed away this morn-ing. She and her husband lived North on Rt. 9, off on Shady Lane. She, the mother of seven died on her fifty-eighth birthday. Her husband, Dave, stood the watch with her for the many months before she died. Such a love is not always easy to find. It never makes it to prime time television or the big screens He made a promise to her and her family when they were wed and he kept that promise. There is no greater example of love than the man who stands the watch with his sick spouse. Let us pray for Cheryl, Dave, and one another. Some of you may have noticed my dog, Rex, when we arrived last week. He is a thirteen year old golden retriever who is still homesick for Warrenton. One of the kids in Chrism asked if was special dog and I said,”No,” but I am the therapy person for Rex. We have been on the hunt for an angel statue for the front foyer of the Church. The Knights of Columbus have offered to pay for it. It will serve as a shrine for those children lost to our parishioners. Please drop me an E-Mail if you would like a name tag set on the wall next to the angel. If you would like to see it you can find it at: www.beattitudesgift.com/products/angel-holding-baby-memorial-miscar-riage-baby-statue It is the same make up as the statues of Mary and Joseph in the Church. There is no charge for the tags and there never will be. The tags for your little one can be some thing like: Suzie Smith, Smith Child, or Child of God. Please send their names to; frgould@gmail.com or catch me in the Confessional. If any of our high school students need letters of recommendation for college please have them contact me at the E-Mail address above. Everyone gets a good letter. Honest and true and always good. Again, as mentioned last week, please submit the E-Mail addresses for our collegians and I will send them a copy of my Dear Folks letter… and church camera code when I get it. This week marks the beginning of Advent. The color of the vestments are purple during this season of preparation. Preparation for the coming of Christmas. Starting tomorrow, in anticipation of additional folks coming Mass, all daily Masses will be offered in the main Church. Confessions will be heard by a single priest in the chapel each weeknight during Advent, starting at 7pm. The line of penitents can stand the line in the hall outside the chapel. Hopefully we will have two confes-sionals set in the Church for the Lenten weeknights. Please stay tuned. Theme for Advent… three steps of the spiritual life: Purgation, Illumination, and Unification. Let us be serious how we treat this season. We look to our hearts, to our loved ones, friends, and perceived adversaries. Purgation calls us to shake the attachments and memories of those things that divide us from the Lord and each other. Illumination opens our minds and hearts with God’s wisdom found in the scriptures and lives of the saints. In so many ways we are Saul’s trying to become Paul. And unification where, on Christmas, we will credibly stand together once again as children of God, in the presence of the angels, as next to the manger of Bethlehem. A blessed way to end the year of 2019. Let us pray for one another. And now for the typical Shanty Irish that I am… leaving the bad news to the last. I met with the finance committee last night. Our weekly collection is around eight thousand dollars where we really need at least fourteen thousand to pay the mortgage and the bills for the parish. The weekly mortgage is $3500.00. One of my Jesuit professors in College, Fr. Bertrand De Margerie once admonished me that the priest needs to learn how to beg. Such sage wisdom, lost on a collegian, still rings in my ears through the many years. So let two things be said, I am begging your indulgence to lift the collection. And I offer my eternal gratitude for your kindness. Let us pray for one another. Father Gould Collegiate: What was the bird selected as national symbol for our great country before the bald headed eagle? Good hunting.

-\\

YOUTH NIGHT – Join us on Sundays from 6-8pm in room 213 for fellowship, food, and fun. Bring a friend!! All high schoolers are welcome! Come to grow in friendship with Christ and one another.

YOUTH GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS – If you would like to receive text message announcements about time changes, event cancellations, etc., you can go to this link: remind.com/join/eglass16 and enter your information to be added to the recipient list! Also, follow the Youth Ministry Instagram account St.FrancisYouth for event updates and announcements

Emily Glass Director of Youth Ministry 540-338-6381 or

e.glass@saintfrancisparish.org

Religious Education CalendarWEEK OF DECEMBER 1Sunday NO CLASSESMonday Grades K-8th - 4:30pm RCIT - 6:30pmWednesday Grades K-8th - 4:45pm

WEEK OF DECEMBER 8 Sunday Grades K-8th Session 1 - 8:45am Grades K-8th Session 2 - 10:30amMonday Grades K-8th - 4:30pm RCIT - 6:30pmWednesday Grades K-8th - 4:45pm

CHRISTMAS POSTER PRIZE CONTESTChildren 5 to 14 can compete in three age categories for the best 11x17 poster to increase faith awareness, speak to others their age and to depict the true meaning of Christmas. Theme is “Keep Christ In Christmas.” $15 prize will be awarded by the Knights of Columbus in each age category. Submission deadline is Monday, December 16. For rules and Entry Form, contact Janice Rees in the RE office.

Your generosity will help moms and babies with...free pregnancy tests, baby clothes, coats, blankets, diapers, wipes, shampoo, and other essential items.

.

irthrightof Loudoun County

CCD Advent Service ProjectOur project focus is prayer and service

in preparation for Jesus’ birth.

Baby Bottles to be given out to each student at classes following Thanksgiving.

You are welcome to fill up as many bottles as you like with

�����, ���� ��� ������ Bottles are due back the week of

December 16th – 20th

Birthright is very thankful for your participation and prayersBaby Bottle Campaign

Fill a Bottle Change a life!

Are you worried about your child's education? (Grades K-12) Learn about what Loudoun County Public Schools is doing to undermine your Faith and values, and how you can fight back! Join us on Tuesday, De-cember 3rd, 7:45pm at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in the parish hall (downstairs) 46639 Algonkian Pkwy, Sterling. Contact: parentand-childloudoun@gmail.com for more information.

CHELSEA ACADEMY invites you to Welcome Wednes-days. Come see our school and learn about our liberal arts education in the Catholic tradition. Join us for our last 2019 mini open house will be held on December 11 from 8:30 to 10:30am at 4 Family Life Lane, Front Royal. To register or learn more, go to chelseaacademy.org/admissions/join-us-for-open-house.

Ch

rist

ma

s M

ark

etV

illa

ge

St F

ran

cis

de

Sale

s C

ath

olic

Ch

urc

h

Ou

r L

ad

y o

f V

icto

ry H

all

Satu

rday

, Dec

embe

r 7th

10am

- 5p

m

Shop

! E

at!

Mu

sic!

Fu

n f

or K

ids!

Vend

ors,

ple

ase

cont

act C

hery

l Rid

er

stfc

hrist

mas

mar

ket@

gmai

l.com

for m

ore

info

3774

0 S

t. F

ran

cis

Cou

rt, P

urc

ellv

ille

Parish Homeless MinistryWe have many wonderful projects in motion at this time, so thank you everyone in advance for tolerating all the SignUp Genius emails. We are so amazed at the amount of generosity, creativity and energy all of us combined have and bring to these projects.We are very grateful for the offers of help from the Ladies Auxialliary and the Knights to donate items for our Blessing Bags, as well as turkeys for Holiday meals. Our team has worked very hard to gather suitable foods for the Blessing Bags, but the Mylar blankets are pos-sibly the most important item. We look forward to meeting with all ministries churchwide to support each other.*Please feel free to reach out to any of us: Jennifer Dize jydize@gmail.comBev Bryant bbteachkids@gmail.comMaria Byrd maria.nog.byrd@gmail.com• Blessing Bag bagging- Saturday, December 7, 10-11am in St. Francis Hall ALL ages welcome! Our goal is 300 Blessing Bags! SignUp Genius link to donate items or come help us fill bags - See website for Sign-Up Genius saintfrancisparish.org/homeless-ministry/• Sisters of Charity in Anacostia, breakfast/lunch meal; Saturday December 14, 7:30-11:30am (SignUp Genius com-ing soon)• Christmas Party for the residents of Leesburg Homeless Shelter Wednesday, December 18, 4-8pm (SignUp Genius coming soon) The new volunteers of Homeless Heroes will be providing the decorations, music and activities, we (the Homeless Ministry) will be providing the festive foods for the event

Tracy Ippoliti - Tracy.ippoliti@gmail.com 703-727-4125Mark Ippoliti - Mark.ippoliti@gmail.com 571-748-8584

Extra Musicians/Singers for Christmas If you sing or play an instrument and would like to participate in the Christmas Masses, please contact Michael Galdo at m.galdo@saintfrancisparish.org. The Parish Choir will

sing at the 10:30pm Night Mass on Dec. 24th. We will hold a first rehearsal on Monday, Dec. 2nd from 7pm – 9:30pm. The full schedule of rehearsals includes Wednesday evenings in December 7 – 9 pm and also Monday Dec. 16th, 7-9 pm.

Days of Recollection for Men and Women DiscernersCould Christ be calling you to the priesthood or religious life? Take a step to find out. The Office of Vocations will hold a day retreat for men on Saturday, December 14, and a day retreat for women on Sunday, December 15. Both run from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and are open to those 18 years and older. Religious sisters will be present for the women, and seminarians, priests and men religious will be at the men's retreat. For more informa-tion and to register contact the Office of Vocations, 703-841-2514 or vocations@arlingtondiocese.org. Deadline to sign up is December 6.

JOIN THE FIRST SATURDAY ROSARY TEAMDid you know that the 'no-show' rate can go up by 70% when there are people peacefully praying outside an abortion facil-ity? Please join the prayer team every First Saturday to pray the rosary at 10:30 am at the Falls Church abortion facility. The next First Saturday is on December 7, 2019. The facility is located at 900 S. Washington Street, Falls Church. For inqui-ries, contact Amy McInerny at (703) 841-3817 or respectlife@arlingtondiocese.org

“Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” MATTHEW 24:42People who have had health issues or near-death experiences generally have a greater appreciation for each day being a gift from God. The rest of us usually take for granted that we will be around tomorrow. But when you start to look at each day as a gift, you realize all the little miracles that happen daily and grow in gratitude for all that we have been given. You begin to see God's active presence in your life.

Help Us Deck the Halls!We will be decorating the Church for Christmas on Monday, December 23 starting after the 9am Mass and we are looking for volunteers! If you are interested in decking the halls with boughs of holly and want to help out, you can contact Janice at j.rees@saintfrancisparish.org. The more people we get, the merrier (and quicker) the decorating will be.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE FEAST DAYOn Thursday, December 12, please join us for Vespers in the church in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Ladies Auxil-iary will be hosting a dinner/reception immediately following Vespers. Join us for a Mexican inspired reception honoring Our Lady on her feast day. A favor of reply is requested to better help in the food planning and celebration preparation. Please RSVP to ladiesaux11136@gmail.com

Compassionate Heart of MaryIf you have lost a loved one, relative or friend the Compassionate heart of Mary Bereavement Group invites you to join Fr. Gould for a short talk on Saturday, December 7 at 10am in the Catholic Education Center, room to be deter-mined. Afterwards enjoy shopping at the parish Christmas Bazaar.

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

UPCOMING LADIES AUXILIARY EVENTS:

Keep checking the bulletin for exciting upcoming events.

The Ladies Auxiliary would like to warmly welcome our new Pas-tor Father Gould to Saint Francis de Sales!!

Business Meeting: December 2 -Rosary in the Chapel at 7pm. We will begin the meeting at 7:30pm in the Library located in the Catholic Education Center and discuss upcoming events. We hope you can join us.

Thank You to all who donated turkeys and funds towards gift cards. They will be delivered to Catholic Charities this week. Thank you for your generosity!

Please note, beginning in December the Ladies Aux-iliary will be meeting in the Library of the Catholic Education Center for all future meetings.

Helping our Parish Homeless Ministry: We have joined the efforts of our Parish Homeless Ministry in helping to serve the homeless. With the cold weather upon us, we are collecting donations of the followiing-

Needed items in all sizes: • Hand warmers• New socks• Gloves/Mittens• Hats• Blankets including the mylar “space” type• If you knit or crochet at home we’d happily accept any handmade items!The items collected will be distributed by the Parish Homeless Ministry at either the Sisters of Charity Soup Kitchen in Anacostia or the shelter in Leesburg. We have placed a box in the Narthex until December 1 for donation items.

WE NEED YOUR HELPIt is hard to believe that in Loudoun County there are so many children that do not have adequate clothing during the weather. Your Knights of Colum-bus Council for years has attempted

to help with the problem. It is that time of year again and we need the help of our Parish Community. This year between the fundrais-ing that is done and the donation made by your Knights Council we have $1834 to purchase new coats for children in Loudoun County. The coats are given to parent Liaisons in the schools who have identi-fied children who will benefit from the program. A second part of this program involves our council placing a box in the Narthex from this weekend until December 6th for Parishioners to put new and "gently used" Coats. Please remember that we have children in need from Kindergarten to High School. The coats are collected about the same time as the new coats arrive in the mail and both sets are given to the parent liaisons to disburse. Thank you to all who participate and/or send prayers for this program!!!!!!

ST. FAUSTINA OF DIVINE MERCY SAID: “It is with great zeal that I have prepared for the celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God. I have made an extra effort to keep recollected in spirit and have meditated on that unique privilege of Our Lady. And thus my heart was completely drowned in Her, thanking God for having accorded this great privilege to Mary.” (St. Faustina Diary, 1412)“I prepared not only by means of the novena said in common by the whole com-munity, but I also made a personal effort to salute Her a thousand times each day, saying a thousand “Hail Marys” for nine days in Her praise.” (St. Faustina Diary 1413)

Please join our American Heritage Girls Troop 962 on

December 14, 2019 toREMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those

who Serve. . . TEACH our children the

value of Freedom. Our Troop has begun our annual drive to raise sponsorships for our fallen Veterans. Go to our St Francis de Sales Troop VA0962 “Wreaths Across America” webpage at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/va0107p to sponsor a Wreath. These wreaths will be laid at Win-chester National Cemetery, located at 401 National Ave, Winchester, VA 22601. There are 5,561 graves to honor at this particular cemetery, and we appreciate your continued generosity in helping us strive for our goal to honor every grave. Laying of wreaths will begin at 9am on Sat. December 14th, with ceremony at 12pm. Everyone is welcome! Ceremonies around the world will be starting at the same moment, so don’t miss this incred-ible event. We look forward to seeing you there on December 14Contact Jillian Gemberling at treasurertroopva0962@gmail.com

Join us on a Spiritual Journey From ancient stones we walk upon to “living stones,”people we encounter along the way -- come with us into the heart of the Church. Whetherit’s intimate-sized or budget-friendly, our unique pilgrimages weave in encounters with real people who know the history and spirituality of each place; no cookie-cutter pilgrimages!Journey to Italy, Ireland, England, Russia, the California Missions and beyond... Pick up a brochure in Narthex or visit InsideTheVaticanPilgrimages.com for more in-formation. Video of recent pilgrimages on our Facebook page: ITV Pilgrimages.

St. Francis Council 11136 NEXT COUNCIL MEETING: will be on Monday December 2, at 7:30 pm. Rosary in the Church at 7pm, all parishioners are welcome!!

COATS FOR KIDS: We will have a box in the Narthex for new and “gently used” coats until 12/8. We are happy to be assisted this year by the MAC-PAC Team.

SWEATS FOR VETS: Look for the box in the Narthex replac-ing Coats for Kids. New and “gently used” sweats. The MAC-PAC will be assisting with this program also.

FAMILY OF THE MONTH: The Knights recognition of a Family of the month is open to all families at SFDS they do not need be a Knight of Columbus family. If you would like to nominate a family, please send an email to the address below and tell me why you believe they should be the Family of the Month!!

PURCELLVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE: Mark your calen-dars for 12/14 at 9am at LVHS. Join the Knights in the town parade. All are welcome!! Get your “Keep Christ in Christ-mas” yard signs that are on sale with the Christmas Cards in the narthex to carry in the parade.

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS POSTER CONTEST: Ages 5 to 14 may participate in the contest

WHY ARE YOU A KNIGHT? Be more than a Knight in name only. We will be focusing and looking for volunteers in these four main program types: FAITH, COMMUNITY, FAMILY and LIFE. Contact GK Scott Grimard and tell me what it would take for you to come help your church and community. Be active again.

Have You Ever Considered Becoming a Knight and Help-ing Others in Your Parish and Community? Find out how you can be a part of the largest Catholic men’s organization in the world. Discover how the Knights can support you, your family, your faith and your community. Contact GK Scott Gri-mard or Chancellor Rae Edmonson (raedmons@gmail.com) or look for any man wearing a Knights of Columbus name badge. Let your Light Shine

May God bless you!Scott Grimard, Grand Knight

St. Francis Council #11136 Knights11136@gmail.com

Add 'Searching for More' to Your Podcast List!‘Searching for More’ features interviews and discussions on a range of topics affecting Catholics in today’s world. Guests include clergy, local Catholics, doctors, technology experts, Catholic news anchors, and even Hollywood actors starring in epic biblical dramas. In addition to interviews, some podcasts will emanate from inspiring talks, speeches, homilies, and lec-tures given throughout the Diocese. The podcast is dedicated to the patronage of our diocesan saint, St. Thomas More. 'Searching for More' joins the 'Walk Humbly' and 'Catholic Herald' podcasts as diocesan audio offerings.

Join the Knights in a Parish March in the Town of Purcellville Christmas ParadeOn December 14th at 9am we will organize at Loudoun Val-ley High School for the town line up at 10am. Parade route ends at Emerick Elementary. Everyone from the parish is invited as we "Keep Christ in Christmas". Please bring any bought or made "Keep Christ in Christmas" signs to the pa-rade. Throwing of candy is not allowed by the town so please do not bring candy. Also the town does not allow anyone to dress as Santa. Remember we want to show that SFDS wants to "KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS" !!!

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS Evangelize this year with wonderful religious Christmas cards available in the Narthex after Sunday Masses beginning the weekend before Thanksgiving (Nov. 23 & 24). Get a free car magnet when buying $30 or more while sup-plies last during this weekend ONLY. Limited supply of Spanish and Polish text available. Yard signs avail-able. To see a list of cards go to: www.ChristisCHRISTmas.com. For more information contact Steve DeVita at sdevita@aol.com.

HOST THE PILGRIM VIRGIN STATUE You can schedule to sign up for hosting the Pilgrim Virgin in your home. Go to saintfrancisparish.org/hosting-the-pilgrim-vir-gin/ and pick a date. Then just sign up at j.rees@saintfrancispar-ish.org and pick up the statue in the narthex after the Sunday Mass you attend and return it no later than Saturday afternoon for the next person to host our Blessed Mother. Great blessings will come along your way when you invite Our Lady and pray the rosary in your home. She will not be outdone in generosity!

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. If you would like to schedule an ap-pointment with her, please contact Family Services at 703-425-0109. Initial consultations are available without charge. Jennifer is at St. Francis every other Thursday. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation, please contact her at 703-772-4022.

HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS - DECEMBER 2019

The Future of the Very YoungThat every country take the measures necessary to prioritize the future of the very young, especially those who are suffering.