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St . Luke Catholic Church

4925 East Capito l Street , SE Washington, DC 20019

s taf fed by The Josephite Fathers and Brother

Servi ng Washi ngt on DC ( Far S.E.) , N.E. and Prince Georges County Si nce 1957

Third Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 11, 2016

PASTORAL STAFF

PASTOR: Rev. Cornelius K. Ejiogu, SSJ (202) 584-8322 Ext. 11 IN RESIDENCE: Rev. Denis Mandamuna (202) 584-8322

DEACON: Richard Walker (301) 283-8339 SISTER: Anne Marie Schreiner, DC (205) 919-0010

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

SECRETARY: Ms. Michele Peters (202) 584-8322 Ext. 24 DIRECTOR OF CENTER: Mr. John Quarles (202) 584-1400

D.R.E.: Mrs. Shirley Williams MAINTENANCE VOLUNTEER Mr. Lensor Jones (202) 907-3342

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

MONDAY-THURSDAY: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. FRIDAY & WEEKENDS: By Appointment

Fax: (202) 584-3421 Email : stluke.dc@adwparish.org Website: www.stlukechurchssj.org

Welcome

S T. Luke is a warm and

embracing parish fam-

ily. We gladly extend

our love and warmth to all

those who desire to wor-

ship and follow our Lord,

Jesus Christ. Come join us to celebrate the

Holy Eucharist which is the source and sum-

mit of our Christian life. Our theme for

2016 is “Blessed are the merciful for

they will receive Mercy from God.” To-

gether we will praise God, love one another

and serve each other. ______________

Parish Devotions 3rd Sunday - 1:00 p.m. Cameroon Mass 3rd Saturday– 3:00pm Prayer Meeting Monday - —-10:30 a.m. Miraculous Medal Novena Seniors Bible Study Group Wednesday - 8:00 a.m. Novena to St. Joseph Wednesday - 6:00 p.m. Bible Study Friday - ——--8:00 a.m. Prayer for Vocations 1st Friday - —6:00 p.m. Holy Hour Saturday —-- 3:30 pm Rosary

Mass Schedule

VIGIL MASS

Saturday: 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Masses 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Weekday Masses

In the Martin De Porres Chapel Monday:10:00 a.m. Tuesday: 8:00 a.m.

Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. Thursday: 10:00 a.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m.

Adoration Every 1st Friday of the Month 6:00 p.m.. - 7:00 p.m.

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday: 3:00-3:45pm Sunday: 7:30am-8:15am

Sunday: 10:00am– 10:45am Or by appointment

Sacrament of Baptism

Baptismal registration takes place at the Parish Office prior

to baptism preparation class. Parents and God-parents

preparation is held on the First Sunday of each month after

the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Baptisms will take place on the Third

Sunday of each month.

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REFLECTIONS FOR 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT

“The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised.” Jesus has quite a résumé. When asked whether or not he is the long awaited Messiah, Jesus replies with this list of his credentials as proof of his position. These signs and wonders speak volumes, to be sure. But perhaps the most interesting line on the list is his concluding one, “the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” Why does he count this among his litany of miracles? What is so remarkable about shar-ing good news? Perhaps Jesus included this element of his work--the preaching of good news--to remind his followers that the physical healings were not the ultimate goal of his mission. Rather, the spiritual healing that comes from hearing the good news of salvation is what Jesus was really about. The “poor”--which in a sense means all of us sinners, trapped by the poverty of the sins that enslave us--are freed by Jesus’ message of a loving God who wants to bring us into his kingdom. Our pov-erty is erased by his richness. His mercy “undoes” our sin and we are invited to become the children of God who share in the glories of his heavenly abode. Sometimes it’s tempting to just want the visi-ble miracles. But the invisible ones--the conver-sions that take place in the silence of the human heart--are truly the more important works of God. Such interior transformation is what leads us to eternal life; even a physical cure won’t last for eternity--death still comes at some point. But the really good news is that this miracle of con-version is available to all of us. And this season of Advent is the perfect time to let God work his miracles in our hearts. 2015 Liturgical Publications Inc. Resource Center

PASTOR’S CORNER

Advent Changing customs, especially in connection with prepara-

tion for Christmas, have diminished popular appreciation of

the Advent season. Something of a holiday mood of Christ-

mas appears now to be anticipated in the days of the Advent

season. As a result, this season has unfortunately lost in

great measure the role of penitential preparation for Christ-

mas that it once had.

Zealous Christians have striven to keep alive or to restore

the spirit of Advent by resisting the trend away from the dis-

ciplines and austerities that once characterized the season

among us. Perhaps their devout purpose will be better ac-

complished, and the point of Advent will be better fostered

if we rely on the liturgical renewal and the new emphasis on

the liturgy to restore its deeper understanding as a season of

effective preparation for the mystery of the Nativity.

For these reasons, we, the shepherds of souls of this con-

ference, call upon Catholics to make the Advent season, be-

ginning with 1966, a time of meditation on the lessons

taught by the liturgy and of increased participation in the li-

turgical rites by which the Advent mysteries are exemplified

and their sanctifying effect is accomplished.

If in all Christian homes, churches, schools, retreats and

other religious houses, liturgical observances are practiced

with fresh fervor and fidelity to the penitential spirit of the

liturgy, then Advent will again come into its own. Its spiritual

purpose will again be clearly perceived.

A rich literature concerning family and community liturgi-

cal observances appropriate to Advent has fortunately devel-

oped in recent years. We urge instruction based upon it,

counting on the liturgical renewal of ourselves and our peo-

ple to provide for our spiritual obligations with respect to

this season. Culled from http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/us-

bishops-pastoral-statement-on-penance-and-abstinence.cfm

Third Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 11, 2016

Weekday Time Feast of the Day Mass Intention Requested By

Saturday 10th 4:00pm Sunday Mass Vigil Parish Family

Sunday 11h 8:30am

11:00am Third Sunday of Advent

Third Sunday of Advent

In Loving Memory of Victims of Gun Violence

In Loving Memory of Victims of Gun Violence Parish Family

Parish Family

Monday 12th

10:00am Our Lady of Guadalupe

FEAST

Tuesday 13th 8:00am St. Lucy OBL In loving memory of Brian Thomas++ (25 years) Joyce Thomas

(Mom)

Wednesday 14th 8:00am St. John OBL

Thursday 15th 10:00am Advent Weekday Mass In loving memory of Paul Yates++ Mary Yates

Friday 16th 8:00am Advent Weekday Mass Karis Felton Family

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PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS

Dear Parishioners, our Tree of Life has not fully bloomed. We are continuing the sale

of l leaves the northwest corner of the church (East Capitol St. side) There are 38

leaves still available for memorializing decease family members or posting your current family names

or beliefs. Each leaf is $250 and can be paid in monthly installments. All proceeds will be used for the

improvement of our beautiful church. Please contact Kathy Harris Ndouga if you would like more de-

tails at (202) 575-8732.

ANNUAL NEW YEAR GALA DINNER/DANCE: Our New Year ’s eve’s gala is close at hand. This formal black

tie event will take place on Saturday December 31, 2016. Venue is St. Luke Center. Time is 9:00pm to 1:00am. Tickets

are $40.00 ( including food and beverage). Music will be provided by Evie & something Unique Band.

EVANGELIZATION COMMITTEE MEETING; Anyone interested in serving on the evangelization committee

please contact Deacon Richard Walker at (301) 283-8339 as soon as possible. There will be an upcoming evangelization

committee meeting in two week.

2ND ANNUAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE: Dear ladies of St. Luke, we are requesting volunteers to serve on the

planning committee for the upcoming 2nd Annual Woman’s Conference to be held in March 2017. A sigh-up sheet will

be located in the rear of the Church after each mass. Please contact Annette Miles at (301) 420-1144 if you have any

questions.

JOSEPHITE NEWS

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL at the St. Joseph Seminary , 1200 Varnum St. N.E., D.C. on Fr iday, December 16, 2017, beginning

at 6:30 pm. Features will be Christmas Carol, Singspiration & Dance. For more information please contact Bro. Cursey Calais at

337-678-2152 or email at curseycalais@gmail.com.

ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON NEWS

CONCERT AND LITURGY CELEBRATING REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. On Saturday, January

14, 2017, the Archdiocese of Washington will celebrate the national recognition of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with

our annual liturgy, celebrated this year at St. Thomas More Church (4275 4th Street SE, Washington, DC). The 5pm

Mass will be celebrated by Auxilary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville. The Mass will be preceded by a concert and a Vener-

ation of the Relics of the African Saints, and music will be provided by the Archdiocesan Gospel Mass Choir. For more

information, email culturaldiversity@adw.org or call 301-853-4469

MOTHER TERESA VOCATION SOCIETY ANNUAL DAY OF RECOLLECTION: On Saturday, January 28,

2017 from 9am-2pm, Fr. Mark Ivany, Director of Priest Vocations for the Archdiocese of Washington, will lead a day of

recollection at Annunciation Church in Washington, DC (3810 Massachusetts Ave., NW). It is not required to be a mem-

ber of the Mother Teresa Vocation Society to attend this event! For more information, please visit www.dcpriest.org or

contact Maris Moriarty at moriartym@adw.org or 202-636-9020.

MEN'S RETREAT: DISCOVER A COURAGEOUS SPIRITUAL LIFE: A Men’s Retreat, “Where the Spirit of the

Lord is, there is freedom,” will be held on February 10-12, 2017 and will be directed by Fr. Dave Wells and Fr. Rick

Kramer at Priestfield Pastoral Center in Kearneysville, WV, which is a short drive from the Washington, DC area and

provides space for quiet reflection away from all the distractions. Fr. Wells and Fr. Kramer will lead talks on living a

courageous life in the Holy Spirit, and they will celebrate Mass and offer opportunities for spiritual direction. You will

have the opportunity to go to confession and spend quiet time with our Lord in Adoration. The cost of $225 for the

weekend covers a double occupancy room (two double beds and a private bath) and meals including dinner Friday night;

breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday; and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. For more information or to register go to

www.adwmenretreat.eventbrite.com.

LUMINARIAS AT THE FRANCISCAN MONASTERY: Honor your loved ones this Christmas by dedicating a lu-

minaria at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land. They will be remembered in the friars’ prayers and names will be

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Third Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 11, 2016

Lester Allen

Barbara Barnes

Blanche Bourm

Barbara Batts

Ruth Bundy

Beatrice Carroll

Edna Coates

Sophie Coleman

Melinda Conrad Brown

Edith Cornish

Aniceto Charles

Alvera Dance

Lamont Diggs, Sr.

Irena Fields

Florence M. Fields

Gwendolyn Fortune

Tina Garvin

Elizabeth Gillem

Oceacie Gray, Jr.

Joseph Grear

Florence Hall

Michael Harkins

Chris Hawkins

Charlene Haywood

Brenda Henson

Michael Holland

James Holley

Rudolph Holley

James Hughes

Charles Jamison

David & Keisha Jones

Lawrence Lee

Rose Luck

Bernadette Mahoney

Doreene Mahoney

Barbara Mallory

Michael Mason

Doris McCannon

Hilda McDougald

Alice L. Montague

Martyn Montague

Veronica Murray

Vincent Neal

Marlene Patterson

Silvia Perry

Lillian Pharms

Alfred Price

Irving Proctor

Joseph Queen

Doreene Redd

Leroy Sandifer

Anna E. Smith

Betty Smith

Ruth Stokes

Kayla Tatum

Rolland Taylor

Gloria Thompson

James F. Thompson, Jr.

Matthew Thompson

Barbara B. Tyler

Jerome J. Wallace

Wayne A. Wallace

Shiela Washington

Cecelia Williams

Wellington Waters

Terrell Wilson

Dolores Woodard, Jr.

Harold Woodard, Sr.

Beatrice Wright

St Luke military families.

Pray for the Sick & Shut-In of Our Parish

Readings for the Week of December 11, 2016 Sunday: Isaiah35:1-6a, 10/Psalms 146/James5:7-10/Matthew 11:2-

11

Monday: Zechariah2:14-17 or Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/

Judith 13/Luke 1:26-38 or Luke 1:39-47

Tuesday: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13/Psalms 34/Matthew 21:28-32

Wednesday: Isaiah 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25/Psalms 85/Luke 7:18b-23

Thursday: Isaiah54:1-10/Psalms 30/Luke 7:24-30

Friday: Isaiah 56:1-3a, 6-8/Ps alms67/John 5:33-36

Saturday: Genesis 49:2, 8-10/Psalms 72/Matthew 1:1-17

Next Sunday: Isaiah 7:10-14/Psalms 24/Romans 1:1-7/Matthew 1:18-24

Church Support Sunday Collection:

Thank you for supporting our parish.

May God reward you abundantly

ATTENDANCE:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY

We would like to wish a wonderful

happy birthday to .Doris McCannon

May the joy of the Lord

be your strength!!!

Lectors Schedule

12/17/2016– 4:00pm Mass

12/18/2016– 8:30am Mass P. Nixon & F. Cooper

12/18/2016– 11:00 am Mass

CCD Students

E.m.H.c. Schedule

12/17/2016– 4:00pmMass

K Ndouga & P. Glover

12/18/2016– 8:30am Mass

L. Washington & D. Lucas

12/18/2016– 11:00am Mass S. Willians & R. Brooks

Jubilee Year of Mercy It is not easy to entrust oneself to

God's mercy, because it is an abyss beyond our comprehension. But we must! ... "Oh, I am a great sinner!"

"All the better! Go to Jesus: He likes you to tell him these things!" He for-

gets, He has a very special capacity for forgetting. He forgets, He kisses you, He embraces you and He simply says

to you: "Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more" (Jn 8:11). — Homily on March 17, 2013