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SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

SERVICE, WORSHIP AND KNOWLEDGE

Website—www.stedwardbowie.org                           Newsletter—July 25, 2010

Father John Barry

Pastor

 

Maureen Curtis

Coordinator of Religious Education

(301) 249-9599

mcurtis@stedwardbowie.org

 

Upcoming Dates to remember

·   July 25 – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Times 5:30pm Vigil on Saturday; 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:30am on Sunday

·   August 1 – Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Times 5:30pm Vigil on Saturday; 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:30am on Sunday

·   August 8 – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Mass Times 5:30pm Vigil on Saturday; 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:30am on Sunday

·   August 14 - Sandwich Sunday Service Project following the 5:30pm Mass for students in Confirmation Levels 1-3.  There will only be sandwich making and not dinner and games.

·   August 15 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Mass Times 5:30pm Vigil on Saturday; 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:30am on Sunday; Sandwich Sunday – please leave donations in the church kitchen by the beginning of the 11:30 Mass

·   August 22 – Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Times 5:30pm Vigil on Saturday; 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:30am on Sunday

·   August 29 – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Times 5:30pm Vigil on Saturday; 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:30am on Sunday

·   September 5 – Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mass Times 5:30pm Vigil on Saturday; 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:30am on Sunday

·   September 19, 21, 22 – First days of class for Religious Education (CCD)

 

Saint Days – Week of July 25

·    July 25 – Saint James

·    July 26 – Saints Joachim and Anne (parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

·    July 27 – Blessed Antonio Lucci

·    July 28 – Saint Leopold            

·    July 29 – Saint Martha

·    July 30 – Saint Peter Chrysologus

·    July 31 – Saint Ignatius of Loyola

If you’d like to read about these saints, please visit www.americancatholic.org; they send me an e-mail daily with the “Saint of the Day”

 

CHECK IT OUT: NEW CATHOLIC RADIO STATION - WMET AM-1160

 

July 25 – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 25 is the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.  The first reading will be from Genesis 18:20-32 (Abraham pleads with God to save the innocent people of Sodom and Gomorrah).  The Psalm will be Psalm 138:1-3,6-8 (Lord, on the day I cried for help, you answered me).  The second reading will be from Colossians 2:12-14 (You were buried with Christ in Baptism and also raised with him).  The Gospel will be from Luke 11:1-13 (Jesus teaches the disciples about prayer).  You can find these all the readings for everyday of the year on the United States Bishop’s Conference web site – www.usccb.org; there is a tab at the top of the page for “Readings”.  The following reflection on Sunday’s Gospel comes from the website for our textbooks – www.FindingGod.org.  I encourage you to look at this website.

Background on the Gospel
Luke gives more attention to Jesus' teachings on prayer than any other Gospel writer. He also mentions Jesus at prayer more than the others. In today's reading, from the beginning of Chapter 11 of his Gospel, Luke presents the core of Jesus' teaching on prayer. It consists of Jesus teaching a prayer to his disciples, a parable on the persistent neighbor, and assurances that God hears our prayers.

The disciples notice Jesus praying “in a certain place.” They ask him to teach them to pray just as John the Baptist had taught his disciples. Jesus teaches them a simple version of the most famous Christian prayer, the Our Father, or the Lord's Prayer. Matthew's version shows signs of being shaped by public prayer. Luke's version is probably closer to the original form that Jesus taught. Stripped of much of the language we are used to, Luke's version seems simple and direct. We pray that God's name will be recognized as holy and that his rule over all will be established. This is followed by petitions for our needs for bread, for forgiveness, and for deliverance. Luke uses the more theological language of “sins” rather than “debts,” which is used in Matthew's version.

Having taught his disciples a simple, daily prayer, Jesus goes on to reassure them that God answers prayers. First he tells a parable about a persistent neighbor who asks a friend for bread at midnight. The friend is already in bed and has no desire to disturb his family by opening the door. But because the neighbor is persistent, the sleeping man gets up and gives him all that he needs. If a neighbor is willing to help us if we are persistent enough, how could God not respond to our requests?

This teaching concludes with the reminder that if we seek, we will get a response. If a human father, with all his faults, knows how to give good gifts to his children, how much more will our heavenly Father give us? Instead of good gifts, however, Luke substitutes the word Holy Spirit. This foreshadows the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is central to Luke's theology and who will play an important role in the growth of the early Church after Pentecost.

The parable and the concluding teaching in this section should not lead us to think of prayer as a series of requests presented to God. Rather, as Jesus teaches in his model prayer, prayer consists in recognizing God's holiness and his rule over all things.
 

Family Connection
When someone in our family is going through a hard time, we can't just sit by and watch. We try to do everything we can to let him or her know that he or she is not alone. Sometimes we even try to find a special gift for him or her—something that will help that person to understand how important he or she is to us. Talk about times in your family when this has happened.

Like a good father, God saw that his children needed help. He decided to offer his beloved children a special gift to reveal his love. What did God give us? Not a thing, but a person—the Father's beloved Son, Jesus. Jesus, in turn, taught us to approach God as we would approach a loving father. He gave us the words of a prayer that we call the Our Father, or the Lord's Prayer.

Read aloud Luke 11:1-13. Talk about how Jesus teaches us to be persistent in prayer. Think of times when family members were persistent about something until they were able to achieve a goal or receive what they sought. Talk about what it means to be persistent in prayer. Help your children understand that prayer is not like sitting on Santa Claus's lap, asking for what we want until we get it. Emphasize that prayer is a way of striving to recognize how God is reaching out to us in love and responding by presenting him with our needs.

Conclude this time together by joining hands and praying the Lord's Prayer.

 

PARISH CENSUS AND SURVEY

All registered parishioners should have received a mailing from the parish during the past few weeks.  Included in this mailing are a letter from Fr. Barry, a census/parish registration form and a survey about Liturgy at our parish.  Please fill out the census and survey forms and send them back to the parish office.  We are trying to get an accurate count of St. Edward’s parishioners.  If you did not receive this mailing, you can call the parish office (301-249-9199) or you can fill out the census/registration form on-line at www.stedwardbowie.org.

 

Catechists Needed for the 2010/2011 School Year

What is a Catechist?  Catechesis, according to the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults is “the act of handing on the Word of God intended to inform the faith community and candidates for initiation into the Church about the teachings of Christ, transmitted by the Apostles to the Church.  It also involves the lifelong effort of forming people into witnesses to Christ and opening their hearts to the spiritual transformation given by the Holy Spirit”.  A Catechist, therefore, is someone who passes on their faith to others with the intention of having the learner become a witness to the Catholic faith.  Simply put, a Catechist is someone who loves their faith and wants to share it with others.  In an ideal Catechesis setting, both the Catechist and learner grow closer to God through this faith sharing.   A Catechist does more than pass on knowledge, he or she is a model of faith through their prayer life and daily living.  While the above definition might at first seem a bit intimidating, this ministry is a very rewarding one.  It allows the Catechist to grow in their faith while helping others to also grow closer to God.

Our Religious Education program will be needed several Catechists in the 2010/2011 year for both the Tuesday afternoon (4:15 – 5:30) and Wednesday evening (6:30-7:45) sessions.  Please consider volunteering for this ministry.  If you are interested, please contact Maureen Curtis at (301) 249-5473 or mcurtis@stedwardbowie.org.  No experience is necessary – there are some training opportunities. The Archdiocese requires all adults who work with children to complete their Child Protection Policy Program, which involves fingerprinting, a background check and attending a class.  You can get this started over the summer.

I have had a few conversations with people this past week during which the person thought that a Catechist would need to have a great deal of knowledge of the Catholic faith.  This is not true; this is a case where a small amount of knowledge can go a long way!  What is really important for a Catechist is to be someone who believes in their Catholic faith, lives it and wishes to share it.  One of the great benefits of this ministry is growing in knowledge of your faith while you share it with others.  Please do not let a lack of knowledge (or a perceived lack of knowledge) stop you from volunteering!

 

Confirmation at St. Edward’s

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a three year program.  During these 3 years the students prepare to accept the responsibility of living their Catholic faith.  They all grow in their faith through Worship, Knowledge and Service.  The program is divided into 3 levels: Confirmation Level 1, Confirmation Level 2 and Confirmation Level 3.  Students must complete all three levels before receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.  They typically begin the first level in the 6th grade and complete the third level in the 8th grade either at St. Pius X Regional School (or another Catholic school) or in our Parish Religious Education Program, but there are often students who start Confirmation Level 1 later than the 6th grade.  Preparation for Confirmation does not only happen during the school year.  Students should continue to pray every day, attend Mass and participate in service projects.

 

Please note the following important fall dates for students and parents in Confirmation Level 3 (8th grade at St. Pius)

  1. Friday, September 10 – Meeting for students only – 6:30pm to 8:30pm.  All students are required to attend

  2. Saturday, September 11 – Retreat for parents and students.  All students are required to attend with at least one of their parents.  The retreat will start at 2:00pm and conclude with the Rite of Enrollment during the 5:30pm Mass.

  3. Saturday, November 20 – Retreat for sponsors and students.  All students are required to attend with their sponsor.  The retreat will start at 4:00pm and end with everyone attending 5:30pm Mass together

  4. We are still awaiting word from the Archdiocese about the date for Confirmation.  I will pass this information along as soon as I receive it.

 

Sandwich Sunday Service Project - During the 3 years that the students are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, they participate in the Sandwich Sunday Service Project.  The next Sandwich Sunday Service Project is Saturday, August 14 after the 5:30pm Mass (at around 6:30pm for those who will be attending Mass at a different time).  Students should bring lunchmeat, cheese, a loaf of bread (whole grains preferred) or sandwich bags.  The students work together to make sandwiches that will be delivered to Martha’s Table on Sunday, August 15.  Please note that during August we have the Sandwich Sunday Service Project on the second Saturday of the month, August 14, because the sandwiches are delivered on the third Sunday of the month which is August 15 (this happens whenever the 1st of the month is a Sunday).

 

Students who will be in Confirmation Level 1 or 2 (6th or 7th grade at a Catholic School) in September are required to participate in at least 3 Sandwich Sunday Service Projects during both their Confirmation Level 1 and Level 2 years.  Participation on August 14 will count toward this requirement.

Confirmation Level 3 students (8th grade at St. Pius) should have already participated in at least a total of 6 Sandwich Sunday Service Projects.  If they have completed this requirement, they will receive 1 church service hour if they participate on July 17.  If they haven’t completed this requirement, participation on August 14 will count toward their Confirmation Level 1 and Confirmation Level 2 requirement.

 

Reconciliation and Eucharist at St. Edward’s

Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist is a two year program.  Children must complete Level 1 in a Catholic school or in a Parish Religious Education Program before moving to Level 2.  During the Level 2 year, children receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and at the end of the Level 2 year they receive First Holy Communion.  Children typically start Level 1 in the first grade, but there are many children who start Level 1 in the second grade.  If your child will be in the third grade or older in September and has not received the Sacraments of Reconciliation or Eucharist, please contact Maureen Curtis.  We have an additional program to prepare older children for these Sacraments and continuing on their faith formation journey.

Parents of children preparing to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation on Eucharist, please note the following important dates:

1.      Saturday, November 6 – Retreat for both parents and children.  The focus of the retreat is preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  It will start at 3:00pm and conclude with all attending the 5:30pm Mass together.  This retreat is required for all students who are preparing to receive the Sacrament on Reconciliation this year and at least one of their parents.

2.      Friday, January 28 – First Reconciliation for children in Level 2 Religious Education, Sacrament Class and Second Grade at St. Pius.  The service will begin at 7:00pm.

3.      Saturday, February 26 – Retreat for both parents and children.  The focus of the retreat is the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  It will start at 3:00pm and conclude with all attending 5:30pm Mass together.  This retreat is required for all students who are preparing to receive their First Holy Communion this year and at least one of their parents.

4.      Saturday, May 7 – First Holy Communion Mass for children in Level 2 Religious Education, Sacrament Class and Second Grade at St. Pius.  The Mass will begin at 11:00am.

 

NEW ALTAR SERVERS

New Altar Servers are needed.  If your child would like to be an Altar Server, please e-mail Dave Snellings at dsnellings@stedwardbowie.org with any questions and to arrange for training.

This is a wonderful ministry for the young people of our parish.  Anyone in the 4th grade or older is welcome to be an Altar Server, however, since it is the end of the current school year, 3rd graders are also welcome to train to be an Altar Server.

The Altar Servers are set up in teams and are assigned to the same Mass every month, for example if you are assigned to Team A at the 9:30 Mass, you will serve at the 9:30 Mass every on the first Sunday of every month.  All of the teams rotate to cover the 5th Sunday of the month, so there is one additional Sunday during the year when Altar Servers are scheduled to serve.  Altar Servers are also encouraged to serve for all of Holy Days throughout the year, but especially at Christmas and the Easter Triduum.

 

 

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2010/2011 SCHOOL YEAR

The Registration period for Religious Education (CCD classes) for the 2010/2011 ended on May 23 – thank you to all of you who have registered.  Late Fees now apply for those who have not registered.  All school aged children who do not attend a Catholic School should be participating in our parish Religious Education program.  This includes children who attend public schools, Christian private schools, other private schools or home-schooled students.  The Registration Fee is $30.00 per child with a $60.00 family maximum if you register by May 23, if you register after May 23, the fee will be $45 per child with at $75.00 family maximum.  Checks should be made payable to St. Edward’s Church.

You can register by filling out the registration form (I will e-mail you a form if you need one; just let me know) and sending it to the church office at 16304 Pond Meadow Lane, Bowie, MD 20716, marked to the attention of Maureen Curtis.  The registration forms in the CCD Hall along with a basket for you to put the completed form and fee in.

Once again this year, you will also have the option to register on-line at www.stedwardbowie.org.  The website is now set up for on-line registration – look under “Religious Education”.  If you do register on-line, please send your payment in with your child when he/she comes to class in September or send it to the church office at the above address.  You may also put your payment in the box in the CCD hall. 

Please do not let your inability to pay the fee stop you from registering your child for next year.  Please call Maureen Curtis if you need to discuss this.  It is important that families register by the above date so that I can assess the needs for teachers, text books, etc. over the summer.

The schedule will remain the same as this year:

            Pre-School and Children’s Liturgy of the Word  Sunday 9:30am

            Kindergarten                                                                        Tuesday 4:15 – 5:30

                                    If there is enough interest we will add a Wednesday evening Kindergarten class

            Religious Education Levels 1 – 5 *                                    Tuesday 4:15 – 5:30 or Wednesday 6:30 – 7:45

            Confirmation Levels 1-3 *                                       Tuesday 6:30 – 8:00

 

* Although we learn facts about our faith through text books, our Religious Education program is more than an academic pursuit.  The purpose of our program is to assist parents in the faith formation of their children, stressing the areas of Knowledge, Worship and Service.  When determining what level to register your child for, please consider where your child is in his/her faith development.  If your child has not had any formal Religious Education, he or she will need to start at Religious Education Level 1.  Most children start this level in the first or second grade; if your child is in the third grade or older, please contact Maureen Curtis.  Children should complete Levels 1 through 5 before going on to the Confirmation Levels.  Students typically start Confirmation Level 1 in the 6th grade.

Please keep the following requirements in mind:

1.      Pre-School is open to children who are 3 though Kindergarten age.  Children must be potty trained.

2.      To register for Kindergarten, your child must be 5 by September 1, 2010

3.      Children cannot register for Level 2 (this is the year when they receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist) until they have completed Level 1.

4.      Students cannot be registered for Confirmation Level 2 until they have completed Confirmation Level 1; students cannot be registered for Confirmation Level 3 (this is the year when they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation) until they have completed both Confirmation Level 1 and Confirmation Level 2

 

The first day of classes will be Sunday, September 19, Tuesday, September 21, and Wednesday, September 22.  The full calendar for the 2010/2011 School Year will be released by the end of May.              

 

 

 Saint Edward’s Fun Day – October 3, 2010

MARK YOU CALENDARS - SAINT EDWARD’S ANNUAL FUN DAY WILL BE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2010.  Planning has started for this parish event which promotes fellowship among our parishioners.  The Fun Day Committee is currently in the planning stages.  Would you like to be part of this year’s planning for Fun Day?  Here are some opportunities:

1.      Basket Committee – we need ideas for themes for the baskets that will be raffled off at Fun Day.  If you have any ideas and/or would like to be part of this committee, please contact Kathy Brady at Kathy.brady.pt@verizon.net or at 301 249-2850.

2.      Children’s Games Committee – do you have some ideas for children’s games?  Please consider being a part of this committee (we could also use a chair for this committee).  Contact Maureen Curtis at mecnyfan@msn.com or 301 249-5472

3.      Food or Set-up/Clean-up Committees – If you’d like to be part of these committees, please contact Maureen Curtis at mecnyfan@msn.com or 301 249-5473.

There will be lots more information about Fun Day starting in mid August.  We’ll be looking for parishioners to contribute items for the raffle baskets, side dishes, desserts, cakes for the cake walk, 2 liter soda bottles (filled) for the soda toss and of course volunteers to help run the games and cook.  We’ll be putting out the sign up sheets in September.

 

 

 Saint Edward’s Food Pantry

One of the ministries at St. Edward’s is our Food Pantry.  The food in the pantry is used to help feed both individuals and families in their times of need.  The pantry is not self-serve; people are asked to call the parish office (301 249-9199) if they are in need of food or know someone who is in need of food.

Especially in these challenging economic times, the food in the pantry is given out almost as quickly as it comes in.  The food comes from parishioner donations.  Thank you to all who have brought in donations for the St. Edward’s Food Pantry.  Donations can be left in the kitchen at any time.    

A suggested guide for donations – of course, though, any donations are gratefully accepted - using the 1st letter of your last name, is: A-C Canned Proteins (tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter); D-F Canned Fruits; G-I 100% Fruit juices/boxes; J-L Pasta and Sauces; M-N Canned Vegetables; O-Q Soups, Beef Stew, Chili; R-S Cereal; T-V East Meals (Mac and Cheese, Canned Pasta); W-Z Health Snacks (raisins, nuts, bars).

 

 

High School Youth Group News

The High School Youth Ministry in our parish is open to all high school students.  Mrs. Lynnea Mumola, is our Youth Minister.  Please contact her at 301 249-9199 for information or with any questions you might have.  The group meets most Sunday evenings from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in the church office.  During the summer, however, there are many activities on different nights and at different places - please see the schedule below.  Students who just received the Sacrament of Confirmation are encouraged to come as often as they can and get to know what our Youth Group is all about.  As Mrs. Lynnea says “it’s like an ala carte menu” – you don’t have to do everything (of course you can if you’d like), you can come whenever your schedule allows.

The St. Edward’s High School Youth Group

SUMMER SCHEDULE

 

*Wednesday, August 11 6:00 p.m. Washington Nationals Game - Carpool from St. Edward’s.  Mrs. Lynnea needs a head count for this, so please let her know if you plan to attend

*Sunday, August 15   7-9 p.m. meeting

*Sunday, August 22 7-9 p.m. End of Summer/Back to School Party

* Sunday, August 29 7-9 p.m. Movie Night  “Temple Grandin”

 

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