HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 23, 2014

SAINTS TO REMEMBER PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR ______

FEBRUARY 23 – St. Polycarp PARISHIONERS: Winifred Smith, Frank Pologruto, Al Bracuti, 24 – Blessed Luke Belludi Norman Bednarcyk, Nicholas Sisman, and Mary Ann Williams. 25 – Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio FRIENDS AND RELATIVES: Josephine Nampijja, Gloria Aberg, Grace 26 – St. Porphyry of Gaza Dawn Wicke, Melyssa Dove, Nicole Carpenter, Beth Mauk, Evan 27 – St. of Our Lady of Sorrows 28 – Blessed Daniel Brottier Dotas, Dave Halley, Cullen McQuhae, Bill & Marie Jones, Ray & MARCH 1 – St. David of Wales Cecilia Caretti, Jessica Caretti, Christine Bentéjac, David Rumpf, 2 – St. Agnes of Bohemia Mrs. Jessica Viglietta, Pam D. Goines, Janet D. Gunther, Charlie Joseph Previtali, Nicole Shaw, Jean Clayton, Rich Hawkins, Jim Cannon, Grace R. Salvetti, and Kimberly Hasenfus Hulick. MASS INTENTIONS MILITARY: Brian Fagan, Jamie Torbet, Mike Eiermann, David Alvey,

Saturday March 1 Charles G. Ellison, Eric Emmott, and Matthew Mickiewicz.

5 PM – Daniel Marano (Marie Marano)

Sunday March 2 NEWS FROM HAITI 8:30 AM – Members of the Parish Anne Knasel (STA): [email protected] 11 AM – Lorene Primich (Judy Pateman) Ginny Zeller (HC): [email protected]

www.saltadere.org

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR th th NEWS FROM OUR TWIN PARISH: On February 7 and 8 one

SUNDAY (2/23) – SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME physician, two medical students and 7 nursing students 7 - 7:45 AM: Reconciliation provided a health clinic for Saltadere. These Haitian health care 8:30 AM - MASS providers included Dr. Franck Remy and Colin Eugene, med st 9:45–10:45 AM: Christian Formation, 1 Reconciliation, and Confirmation student, and several nursing students, all from the Saltadere Classes 11 AM – MASS area. They saw 290 patients and identified 95 of them as having high blood pressure. These were treated and Dr. Franck will MONDAY (2/24) NOON –MASS & Elderly follow up in a month. This effort was supported by our committee with a donation of $890 for medicines. We are TUESDAY (2/25) 10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry grateful to these health care professionals for donating their NOON – MASS time and we are grateful to our parish supporters whose

WEDNESDAY (2/26) generosity made the two-day clinic possible. Mesi anpil.

10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry BI-PARISH HAITI COMMITTEE: The committee’s next meeting is NOON – MASS NOON - AA Meeting March 16. We will meet at St. Thomas Aquinas at 1 PM in the 6:30 PM - Medjugorie Rosary Group community room. All are welcome. To learn about the Bi- 7 PM - Choir Practice parish committee, you can e-mail Anne Knasel or Ginny or 7 PM – Professional Women’s Prayer Group contact us to join our email list. Also visit www.saltadere.org THURSDAY (2/27) and see reports on past trips and current projects. 8 AM - MASS NOON - 1 PM: Soup Kitchen

FRIDAY (2/28) PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK'S READINGS 8 AM –Monthly MASS for Deceased Members of the Parish 10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry NOON - AA Meeting EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SATURDAY (3/1) First Reading: Isaiah 49:14-15 8 AM – MASS 3:30 - 4:30 PM: Reconciliation The city of Zion laments that God has forsaken it. God replies 5 PM – MASS that a mother would not forget her baby. Yet even if she did 6 PM – “HAITI 2014” with Fr. Ilric from Saltadere forget, “I will never forget you.”

SUNDAY (3/2) – EIGTHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 7 - 7:45 AM: Reconciliation 8:30 AM - MASS Paul describes himself as a servant of Christ. He explains that 9:45 – 10:45 AM: Christian Formation and 1st Reconciliation Classes the opinions of other people are unimportant to him. God is the 11 AM – Children’s MASS only one worthy to judge us. When God returns, he will praise those who deserve it.

Gifts For God: : Matthew 6:24-34 warns the people not to waste their time worrying about 2/15 & 2/16: $4,377 material things. He says that God provides for the birds in the Justice & Peace: $102 sky. “Are you not more important than they?” Jesus asked. We should not worry about food and clothes. Instead we should act Haiti: $42 as God wants us to, then he will help provide for us.

MEDJUGORJE ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Our Blessed Mother's message KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS of January 25, 2014 asks us to "Put the Scripture in a FATHER LOUIS A. ROWEN COUNCIL 3670 visible place in your families and read it, so that the words of peace may begin to flow in your hearts." As we begin to experience the New Evangelization, make a place for Christ in UPDATE: The COATS FOR KIDS program was an overwhelming success thanks to the significant financial support from the your hearts. Read Scripture. Pray the Rosary. Come join us in parishioners of Holy Comforter in conjunction with the Knights the Chapel on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm to pray, to pray of Columbus. Previously reported 36 coats were delivered for the rosary and to experience the love of Christ. For those who distribution. This past week an additional 24 coats were cannot make it, please remember to write your intentions in delivered for a total of sixty coats for needy children. Thank You the book in the Vestibule. We look forward to seeing you. Any questions, please contact Barbara Cassidy on 434-202-1540. and God Bless.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKENDS: tells STATIONS OF THE CROSS us to reform our lives. Learn how to use the graces of your Sacrament of Marriage to renew your marriage and draw closer The weekly Stations of the Cross lead by Father Joseph Mary to God. Let the Lord strengthen, renew, and rekindle your begin on Friday, March 14th at 6:30 PM. Needed are a Cross marriage by attending an upcoming Worldwide Marriage Bearer and two candle bearers. Families are urged to volunteer. Encounter Weekend on Feb. 21-23, Sep. 12-14, Nov. 14-16 in Training will be provided. Total time involved is less than one Herndon, VA; Apr. 11-13 in Fredericksburg, VA; Jun. 27-29 in hour. A sign-up sheet is on the credenza. Richmond, VA; Aug. 8-10 in Roanoke; or Oct 10-12 in Norfolk. For more information, visit renewmarriage-vasouth.org or call NOTE: STATIONS OF THE CROSS WILL ONLY CONTINUE IF YOU ARE THERE. (757) 483-3209.

UPCOMING RETREATS AT SHALOM HOUSE: - March 5 - 8: The Samaritan Woman. This is a five-day directed JUSTICE & PEACE retreat to spend time with Jesus at the well. It is particularly

suited to those in life transition, those feeling spiritually dry and

PANTRY: Someday salaries and pensions will be high enough so those entering a new phase of spiritual growth. that all people can lead a decent and tidy life. When that - March 21 - 23: Centering Prayer Retreat, Listening with the Ear someday arrives, there will be no need for our pantry or soup of the Heart, led by Sr. Charlotte Lee, OSB. kitchen. But that day is not here yet, and may never come. So For more info, go to shalomhouseretreatcenter.com for a please continue generous support of our outreach program. registration form or call 804-883-6149.

MASS IN CROZET ON SECOND SUNDAYS: Francis X. DiLorenzo ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF INTEREST has authorized Father Joseph Mary to say Mass in Crozet on a once-a-month basis. Mass will be held at the Field School, 1408

DAY OF SUPPORT: MISCARRIAGE AND EARLY INFANT LOSS: Saturday, Crozet Avenue, on the second Sunday of the month at 10 AM. March 15th is an opportunity for those who have suffered The first Mass will be held March 9. A committee of Crozet-area miscarriage or early infant loss to find comfort and support by Catholics has formed to support the Mass and they will host an addressing the spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of the open house at the school Sunday February 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. loss. Listen to professionals address these aspects with where the public is invited to meet Father Lukyamuzi and learn opportunity for small group discussions. This Day of Support more details. If you are interested in attending, or would like to will meet from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas volunteer to assist the committee, please send a message to [email protected] so that seating can be planned for. in Charlottesville. Lunch provided. Contact Ann Postak at [email protected] or call 434-202-0545. FREE CONCERT: of the Sacred Heart’s free concert series continues with “Famous Arias from Opera” on Monday, March 10th at 11 AM. Vocal soloists of the Cathedral, including Lisa Edwards Burrs and Anne O’Byrne, will present arias by Puccini, Mozart, Handel, Bizet, Donizetti, and others. Following the concert, a free lunch will be served in the Parish Hall. Reservations are not required. On-street parking and the VCU Parking Garage at the Landmark Theater are available. The complete program may be viewed at richmondcathedral.org. For more information, please call 804-359-5651.

OFFICE VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED: The parish office is still in need of volunteers on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays afternoons preferably from Noon to 3 PM. Give it a try – who knows – you may like it!!! Thanks much for your help!

DO YOU LIKE ARRANGING FLOWERS? We are looking to add a name or two to our Flower Ministry Team – will it be you? The flowers are waiting for you every week at the church. All we need is your expertise in turning them into beautiful arrangements!!

Call the parish office for more information or to join the team.

FROM THE PASTOR WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO IN THE CATHOLIC WORSHIP: VOTIVE CANDLES & PROCESSIONAL CANDLES

A or prayer candle is a small candle, intended to be burnt as a , lit for prayer intentions. To "light a candle for someone" indicates one's intention to say a prayer for another person, and the candle symbolizes that prayer. A donation box intended to cover candle costs generally accompanies votive candles. In some churches, the donation is considered a mandatory contribution in exchange for lighting a candle. According to A Handbook of Catholic Sacramentals( by Ann Ball)the practice of lighting candles in order to obtain some favor probably has its origins in the custom of burning lights at the tombs of the martyrs in the catacombs. The lights burned as a sign of solidarity with still on earth. Because the lights continually burned as a silent vigil, they became known as vigil lights(from the vigilia, which means "waiting" or "watching") as a way of extending one's prayer and showing solidarity with the person on whose behalf the prayer is offered.

The whole purpose for a votive candle before a statue or a sacred image of our Lord or of any , is not that we honor the statue or the image itself, but the one whom that statue or image represents. The light signifies our prayer offered in faith coming into the light of God. With the light of faith, we petition our Lord in prayer, or petition the saint to pray with us and for us to the Lord. The light also shows a special reverence and our desire to remain present to the Lord in prayer even though we may depart and go about our daily business.

Interestingly, in the middle ages, the symbolism of the votive candles was elaborated. St. Radigund ( 587) described a practice whereby a person would light a candle or several candles which equaled his own height, this was called "measuring to" such a saint. Although it may seem peculiar to us, this "measuring" actually reflects the idea of the candle representing the person in faith who has come into the light to offer his prayer. In all, the usage of votive candles is a pious practice which continues today in many churches. The symbolism does remind us that prayer is a "coming into" the light of Christ, allowing our souls to be filled with His light, and letting that light bum on in our souls all the time.

The Processional Candles. In the document from the conference of US about ways of celebrating the Mass, when they set the entrance for the Mass they say: “ When the people are gathered, the Priest and ministers, wearing the sacred , go in procession to the altar in this order: a) the thurifer carrying a smoking , if incense is being used; b) ministers who carry lighted candles, and between them an or other minister with the cross; c) the and the other ministers; d) a reader, who may carry a Book of the Gospels (though not a Lectionary), slightly elevated; e) the Priest who is to celebrate the Mass”(120). The candles that accompany the Gospel are a means of honoring and emphasizing the particular centrality of the Gospel in salvation history and as the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. Candles are traditionally brought to the ambo only for the reading of the Gospel and usually accompany the procession of the Book of the Gospels from the altar to the ambo. Certainly all Scripture is God’s Word, but the Gospel has traditionally received special veneration. The GIRM, No. 60, says: “The reading of the Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy itself teaches that great reverence is to be shown to it by setting it off from the other readings with special marks of honor: whether the minister appointed to proclaim it prepares himself by a or prayer; or the faithful, standing as they listen to it being read, through their acclamations acknowledge and confess Christ present and speaking to them; or the very marks of reverence are given to the Book of the Gospels.” And later in GIRM 133: “If the Book of the Gospels is on the altar, the priest then takes it and goes to the ambo, carrying the Book of the Gospels slightly elevated and preceded by the lay ministers, who may carry the thurible and the candles. As a conclusion to why we use candle(s) in our Catholic Liturgy, it is a fitting symbol of God, the All Pure, the Omnipresent, the Vivifier of all things, the Source of all grace and enlightenment. It represents also our Blessed Savior and His mission. He is "the Light of the world," to enlighten "those that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” and in Him and through Him we become the light.