Vol. 15 No. 2 Spring 2018 Our Parish Visitor Our Lady of the Visitation Parish Newsletter

PALM SUNDAY PASSION OF THE LORD

5:00 p.m., 24 March 2018 9:00 a.m., 25 March 2018 (Procession) 11:00 a.m., 25 March 2018 THE EASTER VIGIL IN THE HOLY NIGHT

8:00 p.m., 31 March 2018 GOOD FRIDAY CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S BAPTISMAL FONT PASSION Our black marble baptismal font is 7:00 p.m., 30 March 2018 HOLY THURSDAY placed at the entrance to the nave. MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER We journey through baptismal CROSS waters to the altar. The baptismal 7:00 p.m., 29 March 2018 font at the St. John Lateran Our cross with an image of Christ Basilica in Rome, the first and MENSA (Altar) crucified is a constant reminder of most ancient Christian font, the Paschal Mystery. The crucifix inspired the design of our font. Our altar is the focal point of the is a statement of our belief that Baptism by immersion or infusion church. The use of black marble human suffering leads to is possible. The pedestal cradles for “the altar of Christ” makes our redemption when it is united with the crystal bowl that served as the altar noble, beautiful, and strong in the passion and death of Christ. “baptismal font” in the early years appearance. Black marble was the The size of the crucifix and its of our parish. The v-shaped material of choice in ancient placement make it visible from skylight over the baptismal font Roman temples. The black marble almost anywhere in the nave, in evokes the image of the Holy flat stone of our altar rests on four the gathering space, even from Spirit descending from above. The black marble columns. The four outside on the porch. Placed low dove sculpture placed on the wall white marble columns in the on the sanctuary wall, our crucifix above the main doors to the nave Eucharistic Chapel at the St. John can be seen by those in the recalls the stained glass window Lateran Basilica in Rome, the first assembly, whether standing, above the altar at the Basilica of and most ancient Christian sitting or kneeling. At our parish St. Peter in Rome. Directly over church, inspired the special design celebration of the Lord’s Passion the doors is an ancient symbol for of our altar. The design, material on Good Friday, individuals, the Most Holy Trinity: an eye (the and size of our altar are based on couples and families are able to Father), fish (the Son), and wings those of the Altar of Burnt Offering approach and reverently venerate (the Holy Spirit). used in the ancient Jewish Temple the crucifix that is present at every in Jerusalem. Theodore Cardinal liturgical celebration. (The room to McCarrick anointed our altar with the left of the cross is a work EASTER SUNDAY Sacred Chrism during the Rite of sacristy; it is named in honor of Dedication of a Church and an Saint Anthony of Padua.) 01 April 2018 Altar on the Feast of the Visitation, 9:00 a.m. – Special Music 31 May 2001. 11:00 a.m. – Special Music The Vatican instruction states that the reservation of the ashes of the CREMATION AND THE departed is to be in a sacred place CATHOLIC CHURCH in order that the deceased continue to be included in the prayers of the Christian In recent years Americans have community. The proper burial of moved away from traditional burial the remains ensures that the rituals in favor of more expedient deceased person is remembered and economical ones. Christians and that his/her remains are believe that the human body is PASCAL CANDLE shown proper respect. “God integral to the human person. The created man in his image, in the body, even after death, deserves divine image he created man; respect. Catholics bury their dead male and female he created The Paschal Candle symbolizes in a manner that shows reverence them.” (Genesis 1-27). – Fr. Ray “the light of Christ, rising in glory”. for God our creator, and in a way Our Paschal candle is made of that serves as a sign of faith that genuine beeswax. The we await resurrection of the dead handcrafted candle and its stand on the last day. are in harmony with the other church furnishings. It is located in In 1963, the Vatican Congregation a place of honor near the for the Doctrine of the Faith issued baptismal font. During the Easter an instruction that permits Season, the Paschal Candle is cremation as long as it is not done placed in the sanctuary near the as a denial of one of the most ambo and is lighted for all liturgical basic Christian beliefs – the AMBRY celebrations. The Paschal Candle resurrection of the dead. This is always lit for every Baptism and permission was incorporated into A white cabinet hangs on the right for all funerals. The large cross the Code of Canon Law in 1983 wall as one enters the nave of our etched in the center of the candle and in the Code of Canons in the church. The ambry serves as a identifies it as the Paschal Candle. Eastern Churches in 1990. sacred cabinet to hold the Oil of The first letter of the Greek Exactly what should be done with Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, alphabet, Alpha, appears at the the “cremains” was not specified. top of the cross, and Omega, the and the Sacred Chrism. These last letter, appears at the bottom On 25 October 2016, after holy oils, consecrated by the local of the cross. In the Book of consultation with Vatican offices, bishop every year during Holy Revelation, God is “… the Alpha with bishops’ conferences, and Week, are entrusted to our faith and the Omega, the First and the with the Eastern churches’ synod community and deserve special Last, the Beginning and the End.” of bishops, Pope Francis care. These oils are used for The current liturgical year appears approved “Ad resurgendum cum Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing in raised wax numbers: Christ is Christo” (“To Rise With Christ”). of the Sick, and Holy Orders. present here and now in the This instruction deals with the Appropriately located near the worshipping assembly. Grains of burial of the deceased and the baptismal font and the Paschal incense are encased in the five conservation of ashes in the case Candle, the glass front, glass small white crosses. The five of cremation. A funeral Mass may sides, and glass bottom shelf of crosses represent the five wounds be celebrated now with either the the locked cabinet allow the of Jesus: two for the nails in his body or with the cremated remains sacred oils to be visible to hands, two for the nails in his feet, present. The new instruction everyone. The unique design of and one for the spear thrust into reiterates the church’s preference this ambry also provides a bottom his side. The Paschal Candle is for the burial of the body in normal shelf for the placement of the consecrated at the beginning of circumstances, and, when bread and wine to be presented the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. cremation is necessary, the during Mass at the beginning of instruction insists that the remains the Liturgy of the Eucharist. be properly interred. which are earthquakes and hurricanes, are relentless and multiply the need—on what seems to be a regular periodicity and endless basis. So the next time we take a collection for our twin sister in Haiti, please remember her, and please help her. Things must change there, and we must VACATION BIBLE CAMP OUR TWIN SISTER PARISH drive that change. – Kathryn Sutton, IN HAITI 18-22 June 2018 Chair, Social Concerns Committee 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Listen closely the next time we At Shipwrecked VBC, kids pray during Mass for our sister, ADOPTED FAMILY Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, discover how Jesus rescues us in Gonaives, Haiti. She is a sister through life’s storms. Our Adopted Family Program is Shipwrecked is filled with in need. A twin sister at that. The one of the longest operating social mid-1980’s marked a profound incredible Bible-learning concerns projects of our parish. experiences kids see, hear, and change in the Church’s stance on Each year in late summer several issues related to peasants and the touch. We have team-building families are identified by service games, cool songs and lots of urban poor. Pope St. John Paul II, providers in the county as in need during a visit to Haiti in 1983, said standout activities that help faith of assistance. Over the years flow into real life. Since everything bluntly—“Things must change various agencies such as Head here.” Since that time, the Church is hands-on, kids might get a little Start, Health & Human Services, messy (like creating slime last has redoubled its efforts to assist and currently Linkages to Learning Haitians who are in poverty, in year). Be sure to send them in have provided us with this play clothes and safe shoes. part through partnerships and information. twinnings. Plus, we’ll help kids discover how to see evidence of God in We sponsor three collections each everyday life - something we call We here in Darnestown are called school year (fall, Christmas & upon to step in and to help our God Sightings. Get ready to hear spring). The new items are that phrase a lot! twin sister in Gonaives. Four specific to each individual in the times a year, we take a collection family. The details of the requests Your kids will also participate in an and send it, via the Baltimore Haiti for the children and their parents Outreach Program run by the outreach project, through a are listed on-line through a program called Connecting Kids to Archdiocese of Baltimore, to Haiti software program called SignUp for our sister parish. The Justice that will provide seeds for Genius. You can request a link to families around the world. So Archdiocese of Baltimore has had the list and it will allow you to view a relationship with the Diocese of save the date: June 18-22, 2018. the needed donations. Look for The fun starts at 9:00am – Gonaives for nearly two decades. the announcement in our parish The purpose of its Outreach 1:00pm. We ask campers to bulletin. The next collection will be arrive 15 minutes early on the first Program is to assist sister in April. parishes in Gonaives by providing day. parishioners evangelization, food Over the last few years the and education. Fee per child is $75.00. To hardships of members of the local register your child or children for community have intensified. We Poverty in Haiti affects its citizens this life–changing event, go to appreciate the generosity of our vbspro.events/p/olvp2018. in many aspects of everyday life, parishioners to help our brothers including housing, nutrition, and sisters in Christ. Thank you Financial Assistance available for education, healthcare, and infant for your support of this mission. - mortality. The needs are many. parish children. - Your Shipwrecked Marianne Beattie, Coordinator of the VBC Director, Captain MO Natural disasters, chief among Adopted Family Program. THANK YOU FOR BABY ITEM DONATIONS SPRING CONCERT Saturday, 05 May 2018 ASCENSION Diapers. Clothing. Bottles. Bibs. 7:30 p.m., Church Sunday, 13 May 2018 Blankets. Boppies. Toys. The list 9:00 a.m. Family Liturgy goes on. All donated this year to Birthright and the Shady Grove Mark your calendars now to enjoy Pregnancy Center as a result of the NIH Community Chorus (and your continued kindness and some of our parishioners) in A generosity. Concert of Contrasts: Brahms and Americana, a free concert on Pope St. John Paul II wrote that, PENTECOST “[t]here is no authentic Christianity Saturday, 05 May 2018 at 7:30 Saturday, 19 May 2018 p.m. in our beautiful church. if there is no mission activity; 5:00 p.m. Liturgy Jesus is a gift from God that must The repertoire will include be brought to everyone.” Go In Sunday, 20 May 2018 Peace, A Gift of Enduring Love, Johannes Brahms’ Naenie, as well 9:00 a.m. Family Liturgy as a collection of American Folk John Paul II, 2003 # 116. Songs. Sunday, 20 May 2018 Thank you, and God bless those 11:00 a.m. Liturgy The NIH Community Chorus is an who received the diapers, clothing, all-volunteer organization founded bottles, bibs, blankets, boppies . . . in 1996. The group presents three all representative of the gift of free concerts a year. Free-will Jesus you brought to those in donations collected at the need and those served by both concerts benefit NIH Charities organizations. – Kathryn Sutton, Chair, Social Concerns Committee including Children’s Inn, Friends of CONFIRMATION the Clinical Center, the Patient Basilica of the National Emergency Fund and Special ______Shrine of the Immaculate Love, Inc./Camp Fantastic. More information about the NIH Conception Community Chorus can be found Saturday, 02 June 2018 at www.nihco.org. 2:00 p.m. Our Lady of the Visitation Parish Schedule a date night or a night 14135 Seneca Road out with friends to attend this free Darnestown, MD 20874 concert at Our Lady of the Phone: (301) 948-5536 Fax: (301) 948-7452 Visitation Parish. For anyone who might wish to support the NIH Email: [email protected] Charities, there will be a basket CORPUS CHRISTI where you can offer a free-will Look for more information in our Sunday, 03 June 2018 weekly Parish Bulletin or on the Parish donation. It promises to be a 9:00 a.m. Procession website: www.olvp.org delightful evening. – Diana Hurley, Visitation Parish Choir Members