SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMES

Very Rev. Andrew J. Fisher, V.F., Pastor Rev. Joseph D. Bergida, Parochial Vicar Parish Office Phone Number: 703-280-4400

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., & 5:00 p.m. PARISH SCHOOL WEEKDAYS Monday - Friday: 7:00 & 9:00 a.m. 3827 Woodburn Road Saturday: 9:00 a.m. Annandale, VA 22003 Phone: 703-698-7171 HOLY DAYS As announced Website: SACRAMENT OF PENANCE www.stambroseschool.org Saturdays: 9:30 & 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Email Address: MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA [email protected] After 9:00 a.m. Saturday Mass

ADORATION Principal: Maria Tejada Following 9:00 a.m. Mass First Fridays until 7:00 p.m. Benediction [email protected]

SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION Initiation of Adults and Children: The Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) is a process by which a person becomes initiated into the full sacramental life of the : First-time, expectant parents must attend a prior through weekly instruction. If you or someone you know instruction on the Sacrament of Baptism. Call the Parish would like to inquire about the life of Jesus Christ and the Office to make the necessary arrangements. are beliefs & teachings of His Church, please contact Mrs. normally celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month Nicole Filipowski in the Office of Religious Education. following the 12:00 pm Mass. Sick Calls: Contact the parish office to schedule visits to the Matrimony: Registered parishioners who wish to be sick/homebound, for the Sacraments of Penance, the married at St. , or to be prepared for marriage in Eucharist & the Anointing of the Sick. another parish, must, by diocesan policy, begin the required preparation at least six months prior to the proposed date for Parish Membership: Parish Membership is necessary for their marriage. Contact the parish Office for an appointment. Baptism, Matrimony, or Sacramental Sponsor Forms. In order for a Sponsor Form to be issued, one must be a Returning to the Church: If you are Catholic and returning registered/participating member of the Parish for at least to the sacraments, or to the practice of the faith, we welcome three months. Please notify the office of any changes on you back! If you have any questions or need assistance, your registration form, telephone number, address, please contact a at the parish office or after Sunday temporary absence, etc. Registration forms are available in Mass. We are happy to help you come back home to the the parish office, the vestibule of the Church, and on the Catholic Church. website. CONTACT INFORMATION MASS INTENTIONS

Monday September 28: Wkdy; St. Wenceslaus, ; St. Lawrence Ruiz & Companions, 3901 Woodburn Road Annandale, VA 22003 7:00 a.m. Father Joseph Bergida 9:00 a.m. Father Joseph Bergida

Tuesday September 29: Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels Phone: 703-280-4400 7:00 a.m. Alicia Cataquiz 9:00 a.m. Maria & Mike Fernandez

Website: Wednesday September 30: St. Jerome, Priest & Doctor of www.stambroseva.org the Church 7:00 a.m. Rev. Philip Majka 9:00 a.m. Andre Ceballos E-mail Address: Thursday October 1: St. Therese of the Child Jesus, [email protected] Virgin & Doctor of the Church 7:00 a.m. Joseph Spagnoletti Office Hours and Staff: 9:00 a.m. John Pankratz, Jr.

Mon.-Fri.: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday October 2: First Friday The Holy Guardian Angels Pastor: Very Rev. Andrew J. Fisher, V.F. 7:00 a.m. Margery Miner 9:00 a.m. For victims of abuse, for Healing of the Church, [email protected] and for Holiness of Clergy

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Joseph D. Bergida Saturday October 3: Weekday; BVM [email protected] 9:00 a.m. Stan Urynowicz 5:00 p.m.Vigil Bob Elder

Parish Secretary: Donna Vasilakos Sunday October 4: Twenty-Seventh Sunday in [email protected] Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Simeon Maniva 10:00 a.m. People of the Parish Business Manager: Carla Yaglou 12:00 noon Jan Koldys 703-280-4400 | [email protected] 5:00 p.m. The Biden Family

Principal: Maria Tejada 703-698-7171 | [email protected] First Friday Adoration is this Friday, October 2nd. Adora- tion starts at 9:30am and Benediction will be at 7:00pm. Youth Ministry: Therese Ryan Please see our website under Upcoming Events for sign-up 703-280-4400 | [email protected] details or call the Parish Office at 703-280-4400.

Religious Education: Nicole Filipowski www.stambroseva.org 703-280-1122 | [email protected] STAY CONNECTED! Director of Music: Don Cotton FLOCKNOTE 703-698-0374 | [email protected] Sign up for email and/or text message notifications. Text Annandale to 84576 or visit Plant & Facilities Manager: Paul Moeller stambroseva.flocknote.com/dashboard to sign up.

703-280-4400 | [email protected] Choose only the groups YOU want to hear from! Unsubscribe at any time.

FACEBOOK Bulletin Notices: Please email your information to Donna Vasilakos. Deadline for the bulletin is 10 days Share the love and like us on Facebook! Visit stambroseva.org/facebook to follow us. before publication. WEBSITE

Visit our website for updated information at www.stambroseva.org Diocesan Resource Page on Issues Affecting the Catholic Church Available. The Catholic Diocese of Arlington SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL website includes a resource page where parishioners can access information regarding the recent events affecting the St. Ambrose now has a YouTube channel! Subscribe today to see videos Church. Read the policies on child protection and responses from your St. Ambrose and parish community. Visit stambroseva.org/youtube to subscribe. to the crisis from Burbidge and the Conference of Catholic at FOLLOW US ON TWITTER www.arlingtondiocese.org/childprotection/ We’ve also joined Twitter! Follow us at twitter.com/SaintAmbroseCa1

2 PLEASE PRAY FOR THE ILL OF THE ST. AMBROSE SCHOOL NEWS

MISSION STATEMENT Irene Anderson, Theresa & Moses Avila, Nancy Blanco, Josephine Bourgeois, Josephine Crosby, "Fostering a faith-filled and academically strong Conor Doyle, Bill Foster, Therese Fruet, Marianne environment, Ambrose Catholic School works with families and the faith community to encourage the Haley, Amy Hobbs, Michael Hoffman, Kathleen formation of the whole child through the examples and Johnson, Jim Kirsch, Robert Koldys, John teachings of Jesus Christ." Maskeny, Lewis Rhodes, Jean Reed Saylor, Robert Seoane, Joyce Sewell Rose Smith, Fr. Spychala, Jim Smith, Karen Hardy Storm, Dear St. Ambrose Community: Laura Sutherland Our Gala Auction has been extended for a couple of PLEASE PRAY FOR YOUR PRIESTS weeks. I invite you to check it out.

Sep 28 Rev. Thomas B. Cavanaugh Yours in Christ, Sep 29 Rev. Christopher P. Christensen Maria Tejada Sep 30 Very Rev. Robert C. Cilinski Oct 1 Rev. Joseph J. Clark (Ret.) [email protected] Oct 2 Rev. Msgr. R. Roy Cosby (Ret.) Oct 3 Rev. Phillip M. Cozzi Oct 4 Rev. Msgr. John C. Cregan (Ret.) Online Gala Auction

Please pray for the deceased (has been extended for members of St. Ambrose a couple of weeks)

A Silver Knight to save the day! The Diaper Drive and Food Drive St. Ambrose School’s annual gala will be held online are temporarily suspended. this year. Funds raised will go towards the school’s COVID-19 preparedness, including necessary tech- An Act of Spiritual Communion nology upgrades for online learning. My Jesus, I believe that You Online Auction at https://bit.ly/ are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, StAmbroseGalaOnline2020 and I desire to receive You into my soul. (sign up required) Since I cannot at this moment Highlights Include: receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if • Dinner for 2 at the Inn at Little Washington You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. • Baseball autographed by Max Scherzer Never permit me to be separated from You. • Something special for her – a stay at the Ritz Carl- Amen. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/act-of- ton in Tysons and a gift card to Tiffany’s spiritual-communion-339 • Fun baskets donated by each class – Lego, golf, fire pit, and many more! Many thanks to those who are either • Plus many more baskets and event tickets… mailing in or dropping off their weekly offertory to St. Ambrose Church or are Fund-a-Need using Faith Direct. https://app.99pledges.com/fund/ stambrosecatholicschool You can enroll online at https:// Please consider making a donation to support the membership.faithdirect.net/VA401 school’s needs and expenses related to COVID-19 this year. Many thanks for your sacrificial giving to support the work of the Questions? Email Peter or Cathy Cuenco Church. at [email protected] 3

ST. AMBROSE YOUTH MINISTRY For information on all youth ministry events, check RELIGIOUS EDUCATION our website at www.stambroseva.org It takes a Church - Interested in participating/ volunteering? Fall Bible Study Contact Director of Youth Ministry: Jesus: The Way, the Truth and the Life Therese Ryan [email protected]

Wednesdays, September 16 – November 18, 2020 10:00 am – 12:00 pm or 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm St. Ambrose Parish Center Jesus: The Way, the Truth and the Life is a new and fresh look at Jesus – who he is, what he is really like, what he taught, and what he did for our salvation. This encounter with Christ will inspire and empower you to center your life around him as you come to know and love him in an ever deeper and more intimate way.

Visit stambroseva.org/BibleStudy to order your work- book and register for the study. Workbooks are $35.

This is THE POWER … Jesus, Mary and a Cup of Joe of YOUR LIFE IN CHRIST –in action! Join us Sundays at 8:45 am in the Parish Hall for Jesus, -1 MILLION HAIL MARYS CHALLENGE: Join us as we gather people to pray a million Mary, and a Cup of Joe! We meet to learn more about the Hail Marys a month asking our Lady for heal- faith while enjoying fellowship and building commu- ing, protection and conversion for ourselves, our nity. All adults are welcome! family and friends, our country and our world! -Share the graces of your Holy Communion with someone who is hurting! -Pray for those you find difficult to love. Peace K – 12 Religious Education starts in our own hearts first! Registration is now open for 2020 - 2021! -Reach out to neighbors and family, especially those you have lost touch with or those who are St. Ambrose offers religious education classes for students hurting! in grades K - 12 who attend public or other non-Catholic -Remember that you are loved (John 3:16)! schools which include the preparation necessary to receive -Do random acts of kindness and be a witness of Jesus’ love! the Sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Weekend WorkCamp 2nd Saturdays 8:45-12:30pm This year, classes for grades 1 - 6 and 8 will be entirely Next WWC is scheduled for October 10th! online/asynchronous. Grade 7 will meet Sunday morn- ings. High school will meet Thursday evenings. Visit High School Youth Ministry stambroseva.org/RE for details and to register. GOD SQUAD 2019 Starting 9/13 Sunday evenings 5:45-pm-8pm at the PH… Join us! RCIA: Becoming Catholic *** Mass and Breakfast! - Saturday morning’s 9am ***Watch email for upcoming events! Come Learn About the Catholic Faith The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is for those over Junior High Youth Ministry the age of seven who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition who are now interested in becoming Jr. High TGIF 6th, 7th & 8thgrade Catholic, and baptized Catholics who are not fully initi- ated (need First Communion or Confirmation). Kolbe’s Kids*- Our Lady’s Little Army

Classes are Monday evenings from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm in the Parish Hall, September through May. Visit stam- broseva.org/RCIA for details. Contact Nicole Filipowski, Director of Religious Education, with any questions at ***Due to Covid restrictions, we will re- [email protected] or 703-280-1122. sume TGIF and Kolbe’s Kids as soon as we safely can.

4 2020 ALEXANDRIA LIFE CHAIN Life Chains are held annually on the First Sunday in October. In PRO LIFE CORNER 2018, Life Chains were conducted in 1532 towns and cities across the United States and , involving over one million people. Life Chains are a cooperative effort of the entire Christian com- munity, a non-denominational event. The first Life Chain was held in 1987 in California. The Alexandria Life Chain began in 1996. Life Chains consist of Christians quietly, prayerfully lining both sides of major automobile thoroughfares for 60 – 90 minutes carrying signs that carry one of the following messages:

Abortion Kills Children - El Aborto Mata Niños Abortion Hurts Women - Adoption: the Loving Option Lord, Forgive Us and Our Nation - Jesus Forgives and Heals usccb.org/prayforlife

The simple truth of these messages, reproduced by hundreds Day of Healing and Prayer. Post-Abortion Healing Retreats standing 10 feet apart along Franconia Road is very effective. Life Chains are safe, legal and non-confrontational. We coordi- for Women: An Entering Canaan Day of Prayer & Healing nate each event with the Fairfax County Police who have as- for women who have experienced abortion will be held on sured us of their support. We ask most adults and youth to Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in both English spend the hour standing in silent or group prayer. Small chil- and Spanish. Come begin your healing journey and experi- dren, senior citizens and handicapped persons are welcome to ence God's hope and mercy. You are not alone. There is sit. hope. There is healing. For more information and confiden- tial registration (location will be disclosed upon registration), As in past years, the Alexandria Life Chain will extend on the please contact Project Rachel Ministry at 888-456-HOPE North and Side sides of Franconia Road from Saint Lawrence (4673) or [email protected] Catholic Church to Frontier Avenue near Springfield Mall. So- cial distancing will be observed. If your church previously par- ticipated in the Alexandria Life Chain, your location on Franco- nia Road will be the same as in prior years. If you are unsure Knights of Columbus where your church should locate on Franconia Road, please con- In service to One, In service to All tact the Saint Lawrence parish secretary, 703 971-4378, or Ambrose Council #8403 email: [email protected], so that we can designate a Did you know? location for your church and to assist if you have any questions. The bell tower at the Basilica of the National of

the Immaculate Conception was paid for by the Knights Life Chain signs are available for church use. Signs can be and the carillon contains 56 bells. picked up in Hammond Hall, adjacent to the parking lot of Saint https://www.nationalbellfestival.org Lawrence Church, 6222 Franconia Road, Alexandria, from 1:45 /blog/washingtons-bells-knights-tower PM prior to the start of Life Chain. To coordinate sign pickup, please contact Bruce Borzino, 703 541-2801, or e-mail borz- [email protected]. Upcoming activities—All are welcome Oct 11: Parish Tailgate Party, 3-7pm (Lower Parking Lot) Oct 18: Coffee & Doughnuts (after 8, 10 and Noon Masses) Run, Walk, Bike, Swim, even Kayak to support our Oct 24: Garden & Grounds Club, 1pm-4pm (Church seminarians. Looking for a motivation for your work- Grounds) outs? Now there are even more ways to support our future priests during these times of COVID restrictions through Please visit http://ambrosecouncil.org/survey.html to let our Race for Seminarians campaign. Pick your the Knights know how we can help with community events at St. Ambrose sport: Walk, run, bike, hike, swim, kayak -- the sky's the limit! Pick your route: Join an existing race, map your own, or do a virtual one. Pick your sponsors: Get them on board to help you support our future priests. Build your Knight of the Month: John Ryan team: Encourage each other. Not an athlete? You can still Family of the Month: The Coady Family join the cause by supporting our team (and future priests) with funds and prayers. Visit ArlingtonDiocese.org/ Learn more about the K of C Ambrose Council at: RACE to learn about all these options and start building www.AmbroseCouncil.org your team today! 5

Join us for this 10-week study!

Wednesdays

September 16 - November 18, 2020 10:00 am - 12:00 pm or 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

St. Ambrose Parish Center

The marvelous treasures of the Catholic faith—the Eucharist, Mary, the , and the creed—are all centered on a single figure: Jesus Christ. Jesus is more than a historical figure. He is our savior, our redeemer, our Lord, and our God. While many of us know a lot about him already, how well can we say that we really know him?

Jesus: The Way, the Truth and the Life is a new and fresh look at Jesus—who he is, what he is really like, what he taught, and what he did for our salvation. This encounter with Christ will inspire and empower you to center your life around him as you come to know and love him in an ever deeper and more intimate way.

Visit stambroseva.org/BibleStudy to order your workbook and register for the study. Workbooks are $35.

For more information, contact Nicole Filipowski, Director of Religious Education, at [email protected] or 703-280-1122.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Are you thinking about becoming Catholic?

Were you baptized Catholic but have not yet received First Communion and/or Confirmation?

Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic RCIA faith?

Join us Mondays at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall to learn what being Catholic is all about.

What is RCIA? RCIA is an acronym for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a journey of discovery for per- sons interested in learning more about the Catholic faith which provides the necessary formation for those who wish to become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church. There is no commitment required, just a heart and mind open to knowing the Lord more fully.

Who is RCIA for? RCIA is for those over the age of seven who are: 1.Unbaptized 2.Baptized in another Christian tradition who are now interested in becoming Catholic 3.Baptized Catholics who are not fully initiated (need First Communion or Confirmation)

How long is the process? RCIA begins in September and ends in May. Those who choose to become Catholic are brought into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter).

To register, or for more information, Contact Nicole Filipowski, Director of Religious Education, at [email protected] 703-280-1122.

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