HOLY COM FORTER -SAINT CYPRI AN ROM AN C ATHOLIC CHURCH DECEM BER 17 , 2017

Our Mission Statement: Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, exists to evangelize and to uphold Christian values by promoting the teachings of the Church in Word, Sacrament and Witness.

Our Vision Statement: A welcoming, embracing and joyful faith family richly rooted in the community today, tomorrow and forever.

Sunday (12/17) 9:00am Ladies of Charity Bake Sale 9:30am RCIA 9:30am Sunday School 1:00pm Youth Pageant practice 7:00pm Mass 8:00pm AA

Monday (12/18) 8:00pm YAM Bible Study

Tuesday (12/19) 6:30pm Youth Choir rehearsal 7:00pm Adult Choir rehearsal

Wednesday (12/20) 11:00am Friendly Seniors 6:30pm Liturgical Dance

Thursday (12/21) 6:30pm Soup & Scripture

Saturday (12/23) 10:00am Liturgical Dance 10:30am Youth Pageant practice 4:30pm Mass

THIS WEEK AT THE PARISH

Sunday, December 17 Third Sunday of Advent

8:00am Ernestine Jackson † 11:00am Gail Young (birthday-Dec. 14th) 7:00pm For the intentions of Adam Surowiec Monday, December 18 7:00am Sheila Harris † Tuesday, December 19 7:00am Tawana Anderson Wednesday, December 20 7:00am Kenyon C. Jones † Thursday, December 21 St Peter Canisius, Priest & Doctor of Church

7:00am For the intentions of Maurice Gordon, Sr. Friday, December 22 7:00am For the People Saturday, December 23 Saint John of Kanty, Priest

8:00am Margaret Armstrong Roberts † 4:30pm Warren Harvey †

Today is called Gaudete (Latin for “rejoice”) Sunday because the readings emphasize joy. Notice in the second reading the Prescription of Joy. The text of St. Paul says “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say it, rejoice!” You may wonder how scripture can command us to be happy. Can we just cause an emotion? Not usually. But it is a fact that our thoughts influence our emotions. To the degree that we count our blessings and stay rooted in God we have a much better chance of staying near joy where we can access it. That’s why it is good to give thanks to the Lord and count your blessings every day. Never forget the works of the Lord! Not only does the second reading speak of the prescription of joy it also describes the Products of Joy. First, we become more pleasant—the text says: Your kindness should be known to all... Second, we become more prayerful—the text says: Have no anxiety at all but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Third, we become more peaceful—the text says: Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Stewardship Report 2017—2018

Actual Tithes Collected (Dec 10) $21,141

Mass Attendance for December 10, 2017

4:30pm 36 8:00am 115 11:00am 260 7:00pm 100 Total: 511

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Music Schedule Processional Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord LMGM #237 Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord! LMGM #235 Responsorial Psalm My soul rejoices in my God. Offertory On Jordan’s Bank LMGM #240 Walk in the Light Thomas Whitfield Communion O Come, O Come, Emmanuel LMGM #231 Emmanuel/ O Come, O Come Emmanuel LMGM #234 & 231 Recessional Soon and very soon LMGM #691

8:00am Ruby Robertson, Cantor—George Stewart, Music Director 11:00am HCSC Church Choir—George Stewart, Director of Music

Readings This Weekend: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 1 Thes 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 Readings Next Weekend: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION: This year, our Christmas collection will be devoted to hurricane victims in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As many of you may know the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands is the sister diocese of our own Archdiocese of Washington. Bishop Brevard is well known to our parish and has celebrated several confirmations for our youth. After speaking with them recently, they have indicated that there is still much damage and suffering due to the two hurricanes. Please be generous so that we can in turn be generous to our fellow citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands. All funds will be given to the diocese of St. Thomas. Envelopes are included with your tithing envelopes, or you pick up an envelope in the rear of the church.

MASS INTENTIONS: It is a spiritual work of mercy to pray for others, both living and deceased. To offer a Mass for a friend or family, call 202-546-1885. Note that dates fill in quickly. The customary donation is $5 per intention.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS Monday: Jeremiah 23:5-8 Matthew 1:18-25 Tuesday: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25 Luke 1:5-25 Wednesday: Isaiah 7:10-14 Luke 1:26-38 Thursday: Song of Songs 2:8-14 Luke 1:39-45 Friday: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Luke 1:46-56 Saturday: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Luke 1:57-66

Third Sunday of Advent

THIRD SUND AY OF ADVENT

BLESSING of the BAMBINELLI & LIGHTING of the CHRISTMAS TREE at the NATIONAL SHRINE: Bring the Baby Jesus from your Nativity scene to be blessed at the National Shrine, Sun., Dec. 17

th at the 4:30pm Mass.

Following the Mass and Blessing of the Bambinelli, the National Shrine will bless and ceremonially light the Christmas Tree as we prepare for the birth of Jesus. No tickets or reservations required. The Basilica, located at 400 Michigan Ave., NE, offers ample free parking, and is walking distance from the Brookland-CUA Station on Metro’s Red Line. For more information please visit www.nationalshrine.org or call 202-526-8300.

Youth Ministry News Nicki Gebrehiwot, Director of Youth Ministry

202-546-1885 ext. 25 (voicemail) youthdirector@hcscchurch.org

HCSC Young Adult Ministry YAM@hcscchurch.org

RCIA SPONSORS ARE NEEDEDfor adults and children joining the Catholic church at our parish. Please consider volunteering to accompany those seeking the Sacraments of Initiation. See flyer for more details.

PARISH LIFE

Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church

1357 East Capitol Street, SE, WDC 20003 202-546-1885 www.hcscchurch.org

Rev. Msgr. Charles Pope, Pastor

If you want to know more about our parish community or are interested in joining, contact us at: hcscstaff@hcscchurch.org or call 202.546.1885.

Mass Schedule: Monday thru Friday at 7am (Chapel) Saturday 8am (Chapel) and 4:30pm (Vigil) Sunday 8am, 11am, and 7pm

Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri, 9am—8pm; Thursday, 9am—5pm; Saturday, 9am—1pm; and, Sunday, 9am—2pm.

For information on sacraments and funerals call the rectory office.

Fr. Pope’s Sermons online: www.frpope.com

Fr. Pope’s Blog: http://blog.adw.org

NEW!! HCSC App: myParishapp.com

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CHRISTMAS FLOWERS: If you would like to include a loved one on the “In Memory/Honor of...” list included in the Christmas Mass program, return your Christmas Flower offering envelope by

Mon., Dec. 18th

to the rectory. An envelope is included in your tithing envelopes or you can pick up an envelope in the rear of the church. PLEASE PRINT!

ADVENT 2017 ADVENT SOUP & SCRIPTURE: “Jesus is Coming, Are you Ready?” We have been exploring the theme of readiness for the Coming of the Lord and of our judgment by studying several advent hymns and exploring their scriptural roots. We meet on Thursdays in the Rectory basement. The theme of the final session is:

Dec 21st

—The Call for Compassion Meal begins at 6:30pm and bible study begins at 7:15pm.

SAINT JOSEPH 2018 SUNDAY MISSALS are available in the Candlelight Store. COST: $3 Limited supply.

YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY meets Mondays at 8pm in the rectory. Join other young adults with Fr. Pope in the discussion of scripture. This is a good opportunity to meet other young adults in the parish.

A special THANK YOU to the Knights of Columbus for donating their time and funds to our Youth Brunch with Saint Nick. We had a wonderful gathering of youth and parents who enjoyed food, games and fellowship.

Ladies of Charity Bake Sale, Dec. 17th

in the rectory basement following both the 8am and 11am Masses. S.O.M.E. (So Others Might Eat) prepares

meals for homeless men, women and children at 71 “O” St., NW. Our parish HCSC is scheduled to prepare and serve on Sat..,

Dec. 23rd

. You can help by volunteering to serve or to prepare chicken for the meal. Your cooked chicken is desperately needed (see flyer for recipe). Prepare and drop off your non-frozen chicken at the rectory by close of business Fri., Dec. 22

nd. Contact Earlene Capers (301–

910-1763) if you want to volunteer.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO DECORATE OUR CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS—Sun., Dec. 17

th

at 1pm. With many helping hands, we can accomplish this in a short time. Refreshments

will be served! Meet in the Church near the altar following the 11am Mass.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Sunday, December 24th

10:00 a.m. Mass (Fourth Sunday of Advent) (no 8am, 11am, nor 7pm Masses)

Family Mass and Youth Pageant 6:00 p.m.

Christmas Midnight Mass 11:00 p.m. Music Service

Midnight Mass

Monday, December 25th 10:00 a.m. Mass (no 7am Mass)

Sunday, December 31st Watch Night Mass

11:15 p.m.

Monday, January 1st

Mass on New Year’s Day (Solemnity of Mary) 10:00 a.m. (no 7am Mass)

Parking is available on the school lot on 15th Street

DO NOT DOUBLE-PARK OR PARK IN THE REAR OF THE RECTORY!