March 6


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Mass Times ~ Presider Schedule Saturday, March 5 5:30 p.m. ~ Father O

Saturday,March 12 ~ Father D’Silva

Sunday, March 13 Sunday, March 6 ~ Father D’Silva 7:30 a.m. ~ Father Andy ~ Father Regis 9:00 a.m.*~ Father Regis 10:30 a.m. ~ Father Ron (Church) ~ Father Ron 10:30 a.m. ~ Father D’Silva (Gym) ~ Father Andy ~ Father O 12:30 p.m. ~ Father Ron ~ Father Ron 5:30 p.m. ~ Father O *American Sign Language interpreted Mass Weekday & Saturday Masses Monday - Friday: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m., 11 a.m.

Filipino Mass in Tagalog every 4th Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Holy Day Masses Eve of the Feast: 5:30 p.m. Day of the Feast: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 5:30 p.m. Adoration Of The Blessed Sacrament* Exposition: Monday-Friday, 3-5:15 p.m., in the church Thursday before first Friday of each month, 6-8 p.m., with Holy Hour from 7-8 p.m.

Inside This Issue •March 6, 2016

Upcoming Youth Group Activities • 3 Lenten Activities this week • 3

BSS Spring Benefit • check Insert for details

This Weekend Share in the Hope Food Drive Bag Distribution Bags for the Archdiocesan Lenten Food Drive are due back this weekend, March 5-6. All items collected will be donated directly to food pantries serving the poor. Questions? Contact Pat [email protected] Outreach Weekend: This Sunday is Outreach Weekend Coffee & Donuts Sunday: Coffee and Donuts in Auditorium

Thought for the Week From Pope Francis 3630 Quesada Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20015 202.966.6575 • Phone 202.966.9255 • Fax www.blessedsacramentdc.org Blessed Sacrament School 5841 Chevy Chase Parkway, NW Washington, D.C. 20015 202.966.6682 www.bsstoday.org

“An evangelizing community gets involved by word and deed in

people’s daily lives: it bridges distances, it is willing to abase itself if necessary, and it embraces human life, touching the suffering flesh of Christ in others ...[A]n evangelizing community is filled with joy; it knows how to rejoice always. It celebrates every small victory, every step forward in the work of evangelization. Evangelization with joy becomes beauty in the liturgy, as part of our daily concern to spread goodness (EvangeliiGaudium, 24).

Pastoral Staff Rev. Ronald A. Potts, Pastor • [email protected] Rev. Andrew Gonzalo, Parochial Vicar • [email protected] Rev. Msgr. Maurice V. O’Connell, Retired Priest • [email protected] Rev. Percival L. D’Silva, Retired Priest • [email protected] Deacon Kenneth Angell • [email protected] Deacon Donald Mays • [email protected] Assistant on Weekends Rev. Regis Armstrong, OFM Cap, Catholic University

Duffy Parish Center Main Office 202.966.6575 (Monday - Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) In an Emergency 202.966.6575, Ext. 3988 (to page priest on duty) Facilities 202.449.4610 Pius X Library 202.449.3974 Ray Manning Adult Center 202.363.4512 Mr. John Navolio, Business Manager 202.449.3984, [email protected] Mr. Jay Rader, Director of Liturgy and Music 202.449.3981, [email protected] Ms. Michelle Balch, Director of Religious Education 202.449.3989, [email protected] Ms. Rosalie Days, Sacramental Preparation Coordinator 202.449.4618, [email protected] Ms. Casey Armand, Youth Minister 202.449.3985, [email protected] Mrs. Patricia Kavanaugh, Social Concerns Minister 202.449.3987, [email protected] (Office open Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., and by appointment) Ms. Emma Voelzke, Special Needs Coordinator 202.449.3990, [email protected] Ms. Kathy Gillespie, Director of CYO 202.449.3972, [email protected]

Blessed Sacrament School Mr. Chris Kelly, Principal 202.966.6682, [email protected] Ms. Nancy Ryan, Director of Admissions 202.966.6682, Ext. 6110, [email protected]

Sacraments Baptism • Baptismal classes are required of all parents prior to baptism. We recommend taking classes before the child is born. Group baptisms are offered every 2nd Saturday and 4th Sunday at 2:00pm. For more info on requirments and proceedures, please visit our website: www.blessedsacramentdc.org/ sacraments-rites. Matrimony • All couples who are to be married at Blessed Sacrament must complete our parish marriage preparation program. Please contact one of the parish priests six months in advance of your marriage date. Reconciliation • Friday and Saturday after the 11 a.m. Mass (if no funeral); Saturday, 4 - 5 p.m. and after the 5:30 p.m. Mass, or anytime by appointment.

Parish Services & Information

Care of the Sick and Homebound • If you or someone you know is hospitalized or homebound and would like a priest to visit, contact the parish office at 202.966.6575. New Parishioners • Welcome! Please register by: stopping in at the parish office or using the registration form available online or from the pamphlet rack at the Quesada Street entrance to the church. Bulletin Announcements • Deadline: Mondays @ 10 a.m. Send to: [email protected] Newsletter Content • [email protected] Photo/Video Submissions • [email protected] Website Postings • [email protected] Church Bulletin Boards • The parish secretary maintains the church bulletin boards. Please drop off any flyers for posting to Joan Ward in the parish office, located in the Duffy parish center. Inclement Weather Policy • The parish center/office follows Montgomery County Schools for delays and closings. All evening activities are cancelled those days the schools are closed.

Pastor’s Column As we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetere Sunday, we mark the halfway point of our Lenten journey. Rose vestments are also worn on this Sunday to emphasize the theme of joy expressed in the entrance antiphon, “Rejoice, Jerusalem.” In our first reading from the book of Joshua, the people of God enter into the promised land. They cross the Jordan river following the ark of the covenant carried by representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel to enter their new homeland. As their feet touch the river, it parts and the people cross dry-shod as they did at the Red Sea. Their wanderings through the desert have ended; manna no longer falls from the sky; and the people enjoy the fruits of their new homeland. They celebrate the Passover recalling all God has done for them when He brought them out of Egypt. God has kept His promise and proves His love and fidelity to His people. In St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he exhorts his listeners, “be reconciled to God!” To reconcile as St. Paul uses it means to change or to move from one state to another. This reconciliation establishes a new relationship with God, others and ourselves. We pass from sinful disobedience to obedience to the law of love. This is the good news of the gospel acquired by Christ through His passion, death and resurrection which has set us free from sin and made us God’s daughters and sons. Therefore, we are called to be reconciled to God and to each other. It is the call to holiness which we have received at baptism which enables us to be ambassadors for Christ. The parable of the prodigal son in today’s gospel is a very important teaching for us to understand and practice. In Jesus Christ, the Father transforms us into a new creation and gives us the promise of a new home—heaven. As we celebrate the Mass we are filled with total confidence in our God who has allowed His Son to die for our sins. God is the fountain and source of mercy, nothing can take us away from His love or His Fatherly care not even our sin. He is always ready to forgive us when we seek His forgiveness and nothing can ever take away our hope of salvation. This confidence fills us with joy. We are—or we shall become—truly children of this Father only by sharing His love for all His children even—and especially—those who have gone astray and live in sin. With greater reason shall we eagerly share God’s joy when one of His children, our sister or brother, comes back home. As His children, we strive to live lives of loving service to Him and to each other in obedience to the commandments. In this way, we hear God saying, “My child, ‘you are here with Me always; everything I have is yours.’” God bless you,   Father Ron

Poor Box Donations Donations collected during the month of March will benefit the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker House, which provides a home for five previously homeless families and also distributes food and clothing

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Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Youth Corner Question for the Week:

. . . from the Faith Formation Commission

“Is Sacred Scripture true?” http://www.ignatius.com/promotions/youcat/youcat_faq.html

Servant Leaders For Christ Events for High School and 8th Grade teens Purple = service events; blue = social events; green = MCYM (Montgomery County Youth Ministries) events, with other youth ministry groups from the area.

“Christ’s forty day’s sojourn in the desert is our model during Lent. The desert represents a stripping away of our detachments, so as to make the fundamental things appear. During Lent, one finds strength and weaknesses he or she never knew existed. Even if, in the past, you have not succeeded, God never tires in giving His meet and forgiveness - it’s never too late to start again!

Lenten Activities This Week Wednesday, March 9: The Light is ON for You Confessions 6:30 to 8 p.m. To find confession times at other parishes and for additional resources, visit: TheLightIsON.org. Friday, March 11: Stations of the Cross & Pizza Stations begin after the 5:30 p.m. Mass/pizza social follows-PCML.

4th Sunday of Lent

MARCH Saturday 12th: Donation Receiving at Suited for Change Clothing Collection, 10am-12pm followed by lunch & social time Sunday 13th: MCYM Dodgeball Tournament, 7pm-10pm at St. Elizabeth School in Rockville [co-ed teams of 5-8 students, single elimination tournament]

APRIL Sunday 17th: Sports & Games with KEEN [Kids Enjoying Exercise Now: for children with disabilities], 9am-3pm Meet at 9am Mass followed by brunch, service 11am-3pm Saturday 23rd: Faith Night at DC United vs. New England soccer game, 2:30pm tailgate picnic & games, 5:30 soccer game [with Blessed Sacrament’s

Young Catholics with Disabilities group and Our Lady of Lourdes Youth Group]

MAY Saturday 14th: Cup of Joe at SHARE Warehouse, 9am-11:30am followed by lunch & social time

SUMMER (many more events to come) STEUBENVILLE NYC YOUTH CONFERENCE: June 23-26, Day of Service in New York followed by a festive weekend of faith and fun at St. John’s University (hosted by LifeTeen and Franciscan University

of Steubenville)

Spots are limited for this conference, please RSVP ASAP!!!

Students must RSVP at least one week in advance & submit a permission slip for each event. Adult chaperones and drivers are always needed, please get in touch!

For more information and to register for these events, please contact Casey Armand: [email protected] 202-449-3985

Please

include our sick in your prayers that they may experience healing and comfort

Alejandro Arce Annielou Bayly Berman William H. Casson Linda Defendeifer Marian Middendorf Barrie & Elizabeth Montague

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Faith Formation Sunday Readings/Questions For Reflection

Blessed Sacrament DC

Fredy H. Ortega Daniel Ortman Richard B. Perry Nelly Turner Violeta Turner Hope Elena Katz-Zogby

The Light Is ON for You! Are you having difficulty forgiving an acquaintance or a loved one? Have you considered seeking God’s healing first? Visit Blessed Sacrament on Wednesdays between 6:30PM and 8:00PM, and begin again with the Sacrament of Reconciliation! see TheLightisON.org. BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL HUNGER BANQUET One of my favorite events coming up in our middle school at Blessed Sacrament is the hunger banquet. Our middle school gets together once every year in the auditorium to observe world hunger during lunch period. There, we pick a number out of a jar from one to three. Those numbers decide whether you get a bowl of rice, which represents the lowest class, a bowl of rice and chili, which stands for the middle class. Number three goes to the upper class, which get all the food they want, ranging from sandwiches to pizza, cake and ice cream, soda, and practically anything you can imagine. Once we are finished eating our food, we watch a presentation about hunger. We learned that there are millions of children in this world who barely have enough food to live, and some who have nothing at all, sometimes having to go days without eating. While some children around the world are starving, most of us aren’t even finishing what we have on our plates. Most of us get to come home from school, eat a snack and drink any amount of water we want. We are fortunate enough to have a fridge filled of food in our houses, and we are blessed to have fresh water to drink. Last year, I picked a number two, the rice and chili. As I was eating, I looked around and saw that most of my classmates were number ones, which was just a bowl of rice. Then I looked over and saw that very few of my very lucky classmates were over at the three’s section, gorging themselves with all their delicious foods and drinks. My friends and I were jealous of the differentiation of foods. I think our whole church should start doing this, instead of the donuts on Sunday. Then people outside of our school would learn more about the topic of hunger, and how blessed we are. By: Cole Anderson, 7th Grade, Blessed Sacrament

R est in Peace Catherine Kelly Newly Baptized Charlotte Rose Yost Robert Henry O’Neill

Did You Know?? Did you know that the school of religion is looking for volunteers to work with children and adults with Disabilities to receive their sacraments? Resources, support and training provided! If you would like to help a child or young adult fully practice their faith and be received into the church, contact evoelzke@blessedsacramentdc,org.

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Visit Your Parish Library The Heritage of St. Francis de Sales (15671622), Doctor of the Church.

The Adult Center

Salesian spirituality is a practical model for living in the twenty-first century, a way to journey as we embrace our everyday duties and respond to the call to holiness. ‘Bloom where you are planted’ the saint wrote.

All parishioners, 39 and holding, are invited to gather in Apt. 1 in the Chevy Chase apartment building next to the church for fellowship after the 11 a.m. weekday Mass. Bring a sandwich and join the activities. For more information or for transportation, call Rita Killian at 202.363.5069.

Francis de Sales, Jane de Chantal: Letters of Spiritual Direction. The long introduction gives an historical background to the saint’s life and his close friendship with St. Jane de Chantal, whose spiritual director he became when she emerged from years of grief after the death of her husband. St. Jane de Chantal’s letters include some to her daughter and to the sisters of her order. Introduction to the Devout Life, by St. Francis de Sales. In this volume, the saint, in a direct and personal way lays out a simple plan ‘to lead a lovely, a pleasant, and a happy life’. There are chapters on ‘Gentleness to Ourselves’, ‘True Friendship’, and aspects of marriage. Set Your Heart Free: The Practical Spirituality of Francis de Sales, by John Kirvan. This book is part of the series ‘30 Days with a Great Spiritual Teacher’. The author stresses that St. Francis, a scholar, bishop and religious founder, wrote for ordinary people rather than those dedicated to religious life as was usual in his time and ‘was able to make the loftiest goals of mystical tradition accessible to men and women busy in the everyday workplace’. Call (202) 449 3974 or visit the library for Lent reading, viewing or listening.

A Play Reading of ‘The Apple Family: Mark your calendar for the next play reading on Tuesday, March 15, 7:00 p.m. when we’ll read Richard Nelson’s ‘That Hopey Changey Thing’, which takes place on election night, November 2, 2010, between 7:00 and 9 p.m. Barbara Apple hosts an extended family dinner where the guests ‘grapple with events both personal and political’. Come and eavesdrop their conversation or take part in the reading. Coffee and Conversation in the Corbet Cafe: Join fellow parishioners at the Corbett Cafe, Apartment 1 of the Chevy Chase Apartments next to the church, every Thursday after the 8 a.m. Mass for coffee and conversation. Helping Hands Ministry The Social Concerns Office invites volunteers to assist parishioners with rides to Mass, medical appointments, and other important engagements. Please contact Pat Kavanaugh at [email protected]/202.449.3987to place your name on an on-call list to assist parishioneds when needed

Monday - Strong Seniors Strength and Balance Exercise Class Tuesday - Lenten Scripture Reflections Wednesday - Art Class with Dick Swartz Thursday - Bridge for Bridge Lovers Friday - Closed

Chimes Chatter In our Work Sacristy is located our Deagan chimes’ automatic chiming device behind the beveled glass cabinet; you may notice a patent plate indicating a patent No. 1,398,972 dated December 6, 1921. Intrigued by this information, a copy of this patent was obtained from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A patent is government approval for exclusive rights of an invention to an individual. Initiated by filing a witnessed application, a patent describes in painstaking detail with figures, drawings and specifications, what the mechanism is and what it claims to concisely do. This patent No. 1,398,972 was the Deagan Company’s crowning achievement to improve automatic operation of large tubular tower chimes. An outstanding trait of John Deagan was his Company’s propensity for inventing and filing patents. Moreover, our 1935 chimes system brilliantly demonstrates this accumulation of patents as new “bells and whistles” were invented and added between 1921 and 1932. By the time our chimes were installed in 1935, one can observe several components resulting from improvements attributed to at least four separate patents. In addition to the above patent (with 32 unique claims), Patent No. 1,559,758 granted November 3, 1925 covers the invention of a controlling mechanism, namely our paper-roll, tape-player accessory; Patent No. 1,562,103 granted 18 days later on November 21, 1925 comprises a sound-producing mechanism for musical instruments (our chimes are actually categorized as a “musical instrument”) whereby “dampers” were designed at the bottom of the sounding tube; Patent No. 1,958,053 granted May 18, 1932 (having 9 claims) covers an electric control for a sound amplifying system, which simply is the first electric “timer switch” we typically use on a lamp in our living rooms to automatically turn on the light when not home. “Chime-in” with your story - [email protected]

Year-End Contribution Statements To request a year-end contribution statement, contact John Navolio at 202-449-3984or [email protected]

Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Outreach Harbinger of Spring: Nutritious Food Values From SHARE Spring is just around the corner (Palm Sunday!) and SHARE @ Blessed Sacrament, the parish food co-op, has nutritious, pricebusting food values. This month’s selections include the Value Package for $21, the Special Tuna Package for $20, the Breakfast Sandwich Box for just $11, and the Easter Ham for $19. For more details and/or to place an order, visit the parish website: www.blessedsacramentdc.org. Ordering deadline is Monday, March 7, at 5 p.m. Food distribution is Friday afternoon, March 18, 3 to 6 p.m. Ham distribution is Wednesday, March 23, 3 to 5 p.m. For more info, leave a message in the Blessed Sacrament SHARE voice mailbox, 202.449.4611, or send an e-mail to [email protected].

SHARE

An Easter Request SHARE @ Blessed Sacrament is planning to provide Easter hams to the folks in need who receive our monthly food packages. If you can donate the cost of a ham ($19), we can make their Easter dinners more festive. Thank you for considering this donation request. Donations may be sent to SHARE @ Blessed Sacrament, 3630 Quesada Street, NW, Washington, DC 20015. Or, visit www.blessedsacramentdc.org/parishorganizations/share to make a donation online.

Empty Bowl Supper Blessed Sacrament will host a SOME (So Others May Eat) Empty Bowls Soup Supper in the school auditorium on Tuesday, March 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. Parishioners and guests select and take home a beautiful handmade bowl crafted by local artists and enjoy a supper of soup, bread, and dessert donated by local restaurants. Proceeds from the event help SOME continue to provide more than 1000 meals each day to hungry and homeless District residents. Questions? Contact Pat Kavanaugh in the Social Concerns Office: [email protected], 202.449.3987. Christmas Tree Committee Accepting Proposals The Christmas Tree Committee is accepting proposals from local non-profit organizations. Applications must be sponsored by a Blessed Sacrament parishioner. For more information, please refer to the Christmas Tree Guidelines located in the school and parish offices, at the church entrances, or on the parish website. Application deadline is March 31, 2016 at 5 p.m. Questions? Contact Pat Kavanaugh, [email protected], 202.449.3987.

From the Archdiocese Annual Jubilarian Mass: His Emminence, Donald Cardinal Wuerl will celebrate the annual Jubilarian Mass honoring couples married 25,30,35,40,45,50, and 51+ years on Sunday, June 19, at 2:00pm at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. To register, complete the sign-up form, available in the back of the church and in the pamphlet rack at the Quesada Street entrance to the church, and deliver or mail ti to the parish office by Monday, April 11.

Christian Family Movement Ministry A Prayer for Help in Ending Violence Let us pray: Loving and faithful God, through the years the people of our archdiocese have prayed in times of war, disaster and illness. We come to you Father and ask you to help us in the battle of today against violence, murder and racism. We implore you to give us your wisdom that we may build a community founded on the values of Jesus, which give respect to the life and dignity of all people. Bless parents that they may form their children in faith. Bless and protect our youth that they may be the peacemakers of our time. Give consolation to those who have lost loved ones through violence. Hear our prayer and give us the perseverance to be a voice for life and human dignity in our community. We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

The Way A Retreat To Attend This Lent Blessed Sacrament Women’s Annual Retreat: March 11-13 Location: Loyola Retreat House, Faulkner, MD. Ignatian Spirituality proposes principles and practices to help us walk the path set out by Jesus in the Gospel. Topics are developed in a Motivation given by a member of the retreat team and is followed by a period of extended personal prayer. It is open to anyone who desires to grow in their relationship with God through prayer. The retreat includes time for prayer, worship and personal reflection. Interested in joining other women in the parish for a wonderful, spiritual experience? Contact Jessica Walsh: [email protected]/301.385.9713 or Rita Killian: [email protected]/202.363.5069. More information at www.loyolaretreat.org. Pink information pamphlets: church, parish center, and school. Carpooling available. Retreat fee for the weekend is $235. First time retreatants and young adults under 30 years only pay $185. Registration fee assistance available.

From the Community “To the parish Community: The love and support that you gave the Little Sisterss of the Poor was a sign of your genuine Charity. The collection amounted to $9,731.51. Your gifts are truly a sign of God’s loving anf caring Providence, which will help us provide the best possible care for many elderly in need who come to make their Home with us. Thank You All! Our Residents join us in promising you our daily prayers for all your many intentions. God bless each and every one of you!” The Little Sisters of the Poor and Residents of the Jeanne Jugan Residence, Washington, DC.

Sponsor of the Week We would like to thank Borger Management, Inc. for placing an ad in our weekly bulletin.

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BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH COUNCIL AND COMMISSION REPORTS FEBRUARY 2016 PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL Besides considering reports from the Commissions (see below), the Council welcomed Mike Owens of the archdiocesan staff for a detailed presentation on the ChristLife program. Blessed Sacrament will offer a pilot ChristLife sequence called “Discovering Christ” after Easter, with the intention of launching the program parish-wide in the fall. ChristLife invites Catholics in the pews, those who have drifted from practice of the faith, and seekers of all stripes to form a closer personal relationship with Jesus. The 2016 Parish Forum, where parishioners can learn about the parish’s lay leadership structure and volunteer with one of our many ministries, is set for Tuesday, April 12. Please mark your calendar and plan to take part in this lively annual event. The terms of some Parish Council members expire in June. Anyone wishing to apply for a two-year term (September 2016–June 2018) on the Council, please speak to Fr. Ron or write Dave Byers, dbyers4@ verizon.net. ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION The Buildings & Grounds Committee has drawn up an action list to address a range of Issues. These include locating asbuilt drawings for all parish buildings and having computer-assisted drawings done of them, determining what work was done after completion of the 2008-09 Church Master Plan, prioritizing and updating cost estimates for the tasks laid out in the Master Plan, addressing the serious moisture infiltration issues in the church, and addressing some church interior issues (e.g., broken or worn kneelers, broken rack rails, the need to replace Credence tables, and the need for an funerary urn and table). The Commission also updated the 2015 projects list and divided it into two parts, “Building Maintenance List” and “Beautification/Liturgy List.” COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION The Commission will soon distribute a survey on use of the parish website, probably via SurveyMonkey. Chair Fran Pellegrino will meet with the archdiocesan Director of Digital Media for an assessment of Blessed Sacrament’s website and our overall use of social media. The Commission presented a series of proposals to the Council on ways our ministries can better communicate with parishioners at large. Finally, work continues on a Welcome Video for the website. Jim Townsend would like to have more photos and videos, especially ones featuring younger parishioners, to present an attractive picture of parish life. Once again, If you have images to contribute, please take a moment to email them to him at [email protected]. COMMUNITY LIFE The Commission is in the final stages of producing a laminated pew card containing information on a wealth of parish ministries. Commission Chair Tricia Burke and Sodality Prefect Cathy Lincoln are recruiting parishioners to expand the size and scope of the Welcoming Committee. Blessed Sacrament receives a steady stream of new members, whether from relocation to the neighborhood, transfer from other parishes, or through the RCIA. If enough volunteers step forward, the Welcoming Committee can “shepherd” these new arrivals, giving them the support and encouragement they need to find a comfortable place in parish life. Anyone willing to help out, please contact Tricia at [email protected]. FAITH FORMATION Commission member Lisa McKinnon is heading a team to lead Christ Life (see above) at Blessed Sacrament. John Mueller is organizing That Man Is You, a men’s spirituality program, looking toward a September launch. Pam Kelly is preparing to introduce a somewhat similar program for women called Walking With Purpose. Two “Lenten Neighborhood Churches” are meeting this year; the Commission will publicize this worthwhile program more prominently in 2017 to encourage its growth. The Commission will propose that the Parish Council consider creating a (voluntary) Parish Directory, inasmuch as faith grows in community. Often, parishioners live just a few houses apart but don’t know one another. We also believe that offering a coffee and doughnut social every Sunday would strengthen community. If you have any ideas about the above, or would like to help with planning, please contact Milton Grenfell at 202-296-0412. . OUTREACH COMMISSION The Commission will continue to broaden its approach and extend its reach to promote its ministries and offer fellow parishioners volunteer opportunities. The announcements the Office of Social Concerns routinely places in the bulletin and on the website have been successful; ministry coordinators report a significant increase in interest and support following their publication. The Commission will also draft a brochure featuring Outreach ministries for Parish Council consideration, and hopes to publish it in the near future. For the April 12 forum, we will consider clustering ministries under specific categories to better emphasize areas of focus and impact. The Commission discussed sponsoring an Outreach Sunday in early September, so ministries can highlight their work and volunteer opportunities. Finally, the Commission discussed expanding the scope of existing ministries to include isolated parishioners in need of support and companionship. WORSHIP COMMISSION New Commission Chair David Gardiner announced that the Worship Commission has merged with the Liturgy Planning Committee, since their competencies overlap. He distributed a set of priorities and plans for January-June to the Council, noting that Worship hopes to improve general liturgical literacy at Blessed Sacrament through education, using the bulletin, the newsletter, the website, the parish Facebook page and other appropriate means. The Commission will also seek to add a representative from the Gym Mass Committee; to strengthen volunteer recruitment, training and scheduling for altar servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion; and to develop a comprehensive liturgical calendar for parishioner’s ease of reference The next Parish Council meeting will be Tueday March 8 in the Parish Center Main Level Conference Room.