SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2020 4TH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Very Rev. Andrew J. Fisher, V.F., Pastor Rev. 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: NOVENA [email protected]

After 9:00 a.m. Saturday Mass Principal: Maria Tejada ADORATION 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 Baptism: First-time, expectant parents must attend a prior through weekly instruction. If you or someone you know would instruction on the Sacrament of Baptism. Call the Parish Office like to inquire about the life of Jesus Christ and the beliefs & to make the necessary arrangements. Baptisms are normally teachings of His Church, please contact Mrs. Nicole Filipowski celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month following in the Office of Religious Education. the 12:00 pm Mass. Sick Calls: Contact the parish office to schedule visits to the Matrimony: Registered parishioners who wish to be married at sick/homebound, for the Sacraments of Penance, the St. , or to be prepared for marriage in another parish, Eucharist & the Anointing of the Sick. must, by diocesan policy, begin the required preparation at least six months prior to the proposed date for their marriage. Parish Membership: Parish Membership is necessary for 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 registered/ Returning to the Church: If you are Catholic and returning to participating member of the Parish for at least three months. the sacraments, or to the practice of the faith, we welcome you Please notify the office of any changes on your registration back! If you have any questions or need assistance, please form, telephone number, address, temporary absence, etc. contact a priest at the parish office or after Sunday Mass. We Registration forms are available in the parish office, the are happy to help you come back home to the Catholic Church. vestibule of the Church, and on the website.

CONTACT INFORMATION MASS INTENTIONS

Monday December 21: Wkdy; St. Peter Canisius, 3901 Woodburn Road Priest & Annandale, VA 22003 7:00 a.m. Patricia Burke 9:00 a.m. Carolyn Salem

Tuesday December 22: Weekday 7:00 a.m. Holmes Family 9:00 a.m. Jeffrey Salem Phone: 703-280-4400 Wednesday December 23: Wkdy; St. John of Kanty, Website: Priest www.stambroseva.org 7:00 a.m. Ron Lemnah 9:00 a.m. Frank O’Brien

E-mail Address: Thursday December 24: Weekday [email protected] 7:00 a.m. Carolyn Salem 9:00 a.m. Father Christopher Hayes Office Hours and Staff: 3:00 p.m. People of the Parish Mon.-Fri.: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Leon Cameron 10:30 p.m. Jan Koldys Pastor: Very Rev. Andrew J. Fisher, V.F. [email protected] Friday December 25: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Parochial Vicar: Rev. Joseph D. Bergida 8:00 a.m. Richard Zimmerman [email protected] 10:00 a.m. Katherine Bushman 12:00 Noon Stan Urynowicz

Parish Secretary: Donna Vasilakos Saturday December 26: St. Stephen, The First [email protected] Martyr

9:00 a.m. Greggory Salem Business Manager: Carla Yaglou 5:00 p.m.Vigil Joseph Spagnoletti 703-280-4400 | [email protected]

Sunday December 27: The Holy Family of Jesus, Principal: Maria Tejada Mary and Joseph 703-698-7171 | [email protected] 8:00 a.m. Larry Bart Youth Ministry: Therese Ryan 10:00 a.m. People of the Parish 703-280-4400 | [email protected] 12:00 noon Ronan P. Weide 5:00 p.m. Bernice Nicewicz Religious Education: Nicole Filipowski 703-280-1122 | [email protected]

Director of Music: Don Cotton Stay Connected! 703-698-0374 | [email protected] Flocknote

Sign up for email and/or text message notifications. Plant & Facilities Manager: Paul Moeller Text Annandale to 84576 or visit 703-280-4400 | [email protected] stambroseva.flocknote.com/dashboard to sign up.

Choose only the groups YOU want to hear from! Unsubscribe at any time. Bulletin Notices: Please email your information to Donna Vasilakos. Deadline for the bulletin is 10 days Facebook before publication. Share the love and like us on Facebook! Visit stambroseva.org/facebook to follow us.

Diocesan Resource Page on Issues Affecting the Catholic Website Church Available. The Catholic Diocese of Arlington website includes a resource page where parishioners can Visit our website for updated information at www.stambroseva.org access information regarding the recent events affecting the Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Church. Read the policies on child protection and responses to the crisis from Bishop Burbidge and the United States St. Ambrose now has a YouTube channel! Subscribe today to see Conference of Catholic Bishops at videos from your St. Ambrose priests and parish community. www.arlingtondiocese.org/childprotection/ Visit stambroseva.org/youtube to subscribe.

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We’ve also joined Twitter! Follow us at twitter.com/SaintAmbroseCa1

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

MISSION STATEMENT Irene Anderson, Theresa & Avila, Nancy Blanco, Josephine Bourgeois, Bob Child, Josephine "Fostering a faith-filled and academically strong Crosby, Conor Doyle, Bill Foster, Therese Fruet, environment, Ambrose Catholic School works with families and the faith community to encourage the Marianne Haley, Amy Hobbs, Hoffman, formation of the whole child through the examples and Kathleen Johnson, Jim Kirsch, Robert Koldys, John teachings of Jesus Christ." Maskeny, Lewis Rhodes, Jean Reed Saylor, Robert Seoane, Joyce Sewell, Fr. Spychala, Jim Dear St. Ambrose Community: Smith, Karen Hardy Storm, Laura Sutherland Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington serves the poor and vulnerable who live within the 21 counties and PLEASE PRAY FOR YOUR PRIESTS seven cities of the Diocese of Arlington, which is led by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. Catholic Charities provides Dec 21 Rev. P. Meng food for the hungry, a free medical clinic for adults I Dec 22 Rev. Charles W. Merkle, III ncluding prenatal care, adoption services, transformation- Dec 23 Rev. Richard A. Miserendino al housing for the homeless, mental health counseling, Dec 24 Rev. L. Mode emergency financial assistance, prison ministry, work- Dec 25 Rev. Mark E. Moretti force development and immigration and refugee services. Dec 26 Rev. C. Morey Catholic Charities serves all, regardless of faith.

Dec 27 Rev. Joseph F. Moschetto Yours in Christ,

Maria Tejada

Please pray for the deceased [email protected] of St. Ambrose We've kicked off our giving season

This year teachers are working harder than ever to The Diaper Drive and Food Drive are inspire our students. Throughout the month of temporarily suspended. December we are inviting our entire community to give a gift to honor someone who has inspired

them. Perhaps it's a teacher, classmate, priest or Fourth Week of Advent—Love friend.

Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine We kicked off our campaign on in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we mar- Giving Tuesday December 1. Please join us as vel at your great love for us. Let your love trans- we make a difference. form every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Visit: https://donate.givesmart.com or Amen https://stambroseschool.org

Faith Direct For the seasonal visitors whom we consider part of our parish family please consider enrolling in our recurring donation program, Faith Direct. It is secure, convenient and Faith Direct will provide you an offertory card to place in the basket during the collections. There is no cost to you, and the program provides a great benefit to our parish. Sign up today online by visiting faith.direct/VA401. Or by mailing a paper enrollment form available in the parish office.

The Parish Offices will be closed Thursday Already using Faith Direct? Don’t forget to add your Christmas or End-of-Year contributions to your account. and Friday, December 24th and 25th for the Christmas Holiday. We will reopen Monday, Many thanks for your sacrificial giving to support the December 28th at 9 am. work of St. Ambrose Catholic Church.

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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? Winter Bible Study Contact Director of Youth Ministry: Therese Ryan [email protected] Hebrews: The New & Eternal Covenant O come, let us adore HIM! Wednesdays, January 27 – March 24, 2021 10:00 am – 12:00 pm or 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm St. Ambrose Parish Center

Hebrews: The New and Eternal Covenant draws out the riches of this sublime book in a way that makes them easier to understand. It draws connections between the Old and New Testaments, the Liturgy, the Eucharist, the priesthood, and so much more.

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

Jesus, Mary and a Cup of Joe

Join us Sundays at 8:45 am in the Parish Hall for Jesus, Mary, and a Cup of Joe! We meet to learn more about the faith while enjoying fellowship and building O Holy Night by Carlo Maratta community. All adults are welcome! This is THE POWER … of YOUR LIFE IN CHRIST –in action! K – 12 Religious Education -1 MILLION HAIL MARYS CHALLENGE: It’s not too late to register for online classes! Join us as we gather people to pray a million Hail Marys a month asking our Lady for healing, pro- St. Ambrose offers religious education classes for students tection and conversion for ourselves, our family in grades K - 12 who attend public or other non-Catholic and friends, our country and our world! https:// nativityburke.org/hail-mary-challenge/ schools which include the preparation necessary to receive -Share the graces of your Holy Communion with the Sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion someone who is hurting! and Confirmation. -Pray for those you find difficult to love. Peace starts in our own hearts first! This year, classes for grades 1 - 6 and 8 are entirely -Reach out to neighbors and family, especially online/asynchronous. Grade 7 will meet Sunday those you have lost touch with or those who are mornings. High school will meet Thursday evenings. hurting! -Do random acts of kindness and be a witness of Visit stambroseva.org/RE for details and to register. Jesus’ love! -Remember that you are loved (John 3:16)!

RCIA: Becoming Catholic Weekend WorkCamp 2nd Saturdays 8:45-12:30pm Come Learn About the Catholic Faith Next WWCs scheduled for: December 12th, January 9th, February 13th! The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is for those over High School Youth Ministry the age of seven who are unbaptized, baptized in another GOD SQUAD 2019 Christian tradition who are now interested in becoming Sunday evenings 5:45-pm-8pm Catholic, and baptized Catholics who are not fully … Join us! initiated (need First Communion or Confirmation). Junior High Youth Ministry Classes are Monday evenings from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm in the Parish Hall, September through May. Visit stambroseva.org/RCIA for details. Contact Nicole Filipowski, Director of Religious Education, with any ***Due to Covid restrictions, we will resume questions at [email protected] or TGIF and Kolbe’s Kids as soon as we safely can. 703-280-1122.

4 Your Gifts to Catholic Charities are deeply appreciated! PRO LIFE CORNER

Thank you for your generous support of Catholic Charities which is essential to their work. Those who will benefit are so grateful for your gifts. If you missed the collection, you may still make a year -end gift by going online at: www.ccda.net/donate/ChristmasCollection .

Gift for Life “Giving Tree” As you prepare for Christmas, include a Gift for Life on your shopping list by supporting the diocesan pregnancy assistance usccb.org/prayforlife and post-abortion healing ministries. Your tax- deductible contribution will make a big difference in A Prayer for Pregnant Mothers the life of an expectant mother or a woman who is O Blessed Mother, you received the good news of suffering from the after effects of an abortion. It’s the incarnation of Christ, your Son, with faith and easy to give: Just take a gift tag from the giving trust. Grant your protection to all pregnant tree located in the vestibule and follow the direc- mothers facing difficulties. Guide us as we strive to make our parish communities places of welcome tions. For more information, call the Family Life and assistance for mothers in need. Help us become Office at (703) 841-2755 or visit us online at instruments of God’s love and compassion. Mary, www.arlingtondiocese.org/giftforlife. Mother of the Church, graciously help us build a culture of life and a civilization of love, together with all people of good will, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life. Amen.

Volunteers Needed to Rescue and Sort Food. Knights of Columbus Help Catholic Charities fight food insecurity over In service to One, In service to All the holidays! Food Rescue Drivers are needed to Ambrose Council #8403 pick up food from grocery stores and deliver to our Did you know, St. Lucy Warehouse using their personal vehicle The Knights of Columbus offers multiple activities (https://tinyurl.com/slpfoodrescue) and Food Sorters that promote Christmas and the season of Advent in are needed to receive and sort food at the warehouse their proper context: Journey to the Inn, Spread the Light of Christ, Crèche or Advent Wreath Blessing, (https://tinyurl.com/slpwarehouse). See links for in- and the Christmas Poster Contest. These programs fo on shifts and to sign up. Thank you! are centered on the example of the Holy Family and the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The new Keep Christ in Christmas (KCIC) Pro- Volunteers are needed to decorate our gram brings all KCIC activities together under one Church for Christmas! umbrella. It encourages councils to prompt their neighbors to shift from a preoccupation with mate- On Wednesday, December 23, after the 9:00 am Mass, we will be setting up the Nativity Scene, rialism to the light of Christ and the spirit of giving. Christmas trees, fresh flowers, along with other KCIC activities include whatever efforts best suit decorations that make our Church so beautiful for the parish and community. the Christmas Season. Then on Sunday, January 10, 2021, after the noon Mass we will take down the decorations. No experience is necessary! Learn more about the K of C Ambrose Council at: Questions? Please email Nicki Coss www.AmbroseCouncil.org at [email protected]

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O’ come let us adore HIM!

Live Nativity- Come Join us at the stable... (Christmas Eve from 3:30—4:45pm outside the Parish Hall)

Visit the Holy Family at the stable and experience the miracle of Christmas as it comes to life at St. Ambrose.

Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph will be waiting with angels, shepherds, sheep and a donkey!

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