May 2016 Maneline - ST. MARK Catholic Church
Transcription
May 2016 Maneline - ST. MARK Catholic Church
Maneline Maneline Volume 38 Number 4 May 2016 Volume 38 Number 1 February 2016 S T. M A R K C a t h o l i c C o m m u n i t y Troop 1978: ST. MARK Scouts Create Social Network to Encourage Learning, and Leadership by Ben Weintraub O n a cool, dreary Saturday in November, 20 boys gather in Western Virginia for their monthly scout camping trip. As one of the many activities, the boys—ranging in ages from 11 to 18—will build a bridge from six beams and a mass of rope on this campout. With only a little assistance from the adults who help anchor the beams into the ground, the rest is up to the boys. The older Scouts lead and teach the younger ones. After three hours of hard work, some sweat, many knots, and laughter, the bridge is ready to test. Some wood, rope, and a lot of hard work have turned into a playground and a source of pride for the Scouts. Finding simple moments like these can be hard in the busy and technologydriven Northern Virginia lifestyle of today’s teenagers. The Boy Scouts is a great place where boys, who are turning into young men, can find a safe place to learn, explore, and develop leadership in a traditional setting. ST. MARK Parishioners may have wondered about the occasional boyish exuberance manifested by the Boy Scout Troop hosted by the Church, Troop 1978. The Troop has been meeting in the Msgr. Cassidy Activities Center for the past 32 years, and the 10 years prior in the original Parish Hall (now Parish Administrative Offices). The relationship between troop and Church has been mutually beneficial. The Scouts need a place to hold weekly meetings, store camping supplies, and rally up before and after camp outs. The Scouts contribute back to the Church by assisting with the Winter Coat donation program in the Fall and spreading mulch around the grounds in the Spring. While the 65 boys from Troop 1978 all juggle other activities outside of school, they dedicate weekends to community service projects, camping and hiking, and earning merit badges in everything from Personal Fitness to First Aid. This year alone, the Troop recognized six young men for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout— the highest achievement possible within the Boy Scouts. Outside of the Cassidy Activities Center, Troop 1978 is on its fourth plaque for recognizing its Eagle Scout honorees through the years. At the center of Boy Scouts remain the same core values from a century ago-young men who are serving their community and country; helping neighbors and friends and striving to be trustworthy, honest, courteous, and cheerful. Scoutmaster Ben Weintraub tells his Troop, “In the Troop, as in life, you are challenged to solve your own problems. I want all of you to try new things to accomplish good objectives. This is the place to make mistakes. It’s a safe learning environment.” From backpacking in the Shenandoah or rafting on the Potomac to creating a skit around the campfire or directing a younger Scout, the boy-led Troop gives these young men a chance to try new things and grow, both mentally and emotionally. In a time when teenagers are frequently parked behind electronic devices and trolling social networks, these boys have an outlet to create a real social network of real friends in the outdoors—leaving the devices at home. While the Troop is nondenominational, many of the boys are Parishioners, and the Troop is always willing to add newcomers. Adults with skills or experience as merit badge counselors are a welcome addition to the Troop. If you are interested in volunteering to assist with the Scout Troop or have a boy who is interested in learning more or attending a meeting, email the Troop at [email protected]. Unbound Ministry Offers Opportunities to Help Those in Need by Mary Fisk U nbound is an internationwhom the Sponsors select. This conal nonprofit organization tribution can help an elderly person to founded 35 years ago by lay purchase medication, a child to go to Catholics to help to meet the needs of school, and a family to have enough to people around the world. Rev. Martin eat. The group has more than 260,000 Holler spoke about the program’s goals Sponsors in the United States. Some and accomplishments and ongoing people sponsor more than one individneeds at the weekend Masses on June ual or family. 4-5. People who are Sponsors were on Rev. Holler spoke about his own exhand to share their experiences after perience as a Sponsor and the child he the Masses. helps. “He has been Unbound, a 301(c)(3) such a gift to me. He entity, draws on the This contribution has opened my eyes.”, Gospel call to help oth- can help an elderly he said. Through ers. It welcomes people Unbound, “We nurof all faith traditions to person to purchase ture human connecjoin in the ministry. tions that uplift us all.” medication, a child Unbound affirms the Carlos Lopez central role of rela- to go to school, and Unbound’s website tionships in its minisdescribes how one try, in keeping with the a family to have child, Carlos Lopez, Gospel mandate of ser- enough to eat. benefited from assisvice and love. Unbound tance. He was born operates at the grassin a small rural town roots level and uses the small-group in Guatemala, the youngest of 10 chilmodel to stay connected to the people dren. His parents struggled to raise who are in need. their children, and Carlos’s nine older siblings had to stop their education at People-Centered Assistance the end of middle school. Carlos’s parLocal staff members visit the homes of ents turned to Unbound to see if a way people and listen to their needs. They could be found to keep their youngest work with children to set and meet eduson in school. Unbound identified a cation goals. They visit the elderly and Sponsor for him in 1994. The monthlearn how best to serve them. The family contribution helped to buy food, as lies and individuals decide on the form well as pay for tuition and educational of the assistance they want to best meet expenses. Carlos and his entire family their needs. Possible benefits include were helped. food, health care, tuition assistance, and assistance finding work. Over time, Carlos said, “Unbound and my Sponsor the families and individuals develop the was like having someone close to me in ability to increase their own income and spite of the physical separation. This rely less on assistance. feeling kept me unified in a spiritual and emotional way.” Unbound works with more than 300,000 children, youth, and elderly Carlos continued to be Sponsored for people in 20 countries in Africa, Asia, 10 years and graduated from high school and Latin America and the Caribbean. in 2004. In a few years, he became a soMore than 92 percent of the money cial worker and started law school. In raised goes to program support. The 2008, he became the coordinator for the headquarters are in Kansas City. Unbound program in his hometown. He graduated from law school in 2012 and Sponsorships serves as legal adviser for the program. The assistance that Unbound proHe said, “I have the chance to give others vides comes through its Sponsorship the type of support I got as a child and Program, and that program is what young man.” brought Rev. Holler to ST. MARK. Sponsors agree to contribute $36 a For more information about sponsorship, month to help a family or individual visit the website at www.Unbound.org. 2 “My first encounter with Unbound was nearly five years ago at an 8:00 a.m. Mass at OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL. I was expecting it to be like many other Sunday Masses. However, the priest was from Unbound, which I knew nothing about. He provided a heartfelt homily about this Catholic lay organization and the support it provides to poor young children, adults, and elderly people around the world. After his remarks, I felt ‘someone’ urge me to visit the Unbound table after Mass. I did, and as I reviewed the many candidates’ folders, I felt a special bond to an eight-year-old boy from the Philippines named Ariel. We have been ‘together’ since. We exchange letters periodically, all facilitated by Unbound. For a little over $1 a day, Unbound effectively and efficiently provides the health, education, economic, and social support to the needy of this world to help improve their future. For me, it is an easy way to put my faith to practice and be grateful for all God’s blessings to me, my wife, and our respective families. Service, charity, mercy, and love — isn’t that what it is all about? If you have a similar interest, please go to Unbound.org, take a look for yourself, and seriously consider signing up. You’ll never feel the same again! Paul “Korky” Korkemaz Vienna,Virginia Exploring Life’s Challenges from Various Religious Perspectives By Fred Ricci and Kathy Aquilina W hat questions come to mind when you think about people from other faith traditions? I recently facilitated a short course on comparative religions at ST. MARK. The course provided an opportunity for some honest and searching conversation, some among ourselves, but most with representatives of other faiths. As a retired VT professor, I was stepping out of my comfort zone. Religion is not an academic exercise, but since Pope Francis has encouraged religious people to participate in spreading Christ’s message and to listen to the beliefs of other people to foster a more loving world, we decided to throw out the net. We got books from the public library to study and then decided to start an interfaith discussion at ST. MARK, which took place on five consecutive Monday nights. We structured the course to provide a forum to discuss life’s challenges from different religious beliefs. Our hope was that participants would gain an appreciation of how people around the world think about everyday life and about God. We invited guests from the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist faiths to share some reflections with us. First Session: Islam My heart sank when I walked in the first evening. Twenty people were seated in a circle, and we were all Catholic, except for one Methodist. However, each shared interesting snippets of their lives: adult children who were no longer Catholic, some of whom were in interfaith marriages; and experiences with coworkers and neighbors. Everyone was curious to know more. Then in walked Imam Mehet from the mosque in Fairfax City. He shared his story as a man of Kurdish background from Turkey. He talked about Islam’s belief in one God and the practice of praying five times a day and fasting for a month each year, which begins in June this year. He was able to handle some difficult questions, like “Why is there so much fighting in the Middle East? and “Is religion responsible?” He answered thoughtfully that fighting is a human action, always done by humans and for many reasons, from ignorance, lack of education, and poverty. He said that some have used this religion as an ideology for their bad actions, but he emphasized that these actions do not represent true Islam. In the closing minutes, we each shared what we had each learned that evening. The Imam humorously admitted that he had assumed that all Christians understood each other, but he realized after participating in our discussion that this was not the case! Second Session: Christianity The second session focused on Christianity, and it was a lively time! People at ST. MARK are used to discussion, some being in the Small Communities of Faith and others involved in the Justice and Peace Committee. We clarified the roots of Christian history; considered how to balance the need to be organized as Church with actually living the message of Jesus; reflected on piety and the role of women in the Church; and were pleased to hear a Methodist share his deep appreciation for Pope Francis’s spirituality. It was very satisfying to have this conversation with people of faith and love. There was a lot of listening in the group, and good points were made. Third Session: Judaism A Rabbi joined us for a discussion of Judaism. She pointed out that Jews, like Christians, believe in one God and an afterlife. They want to create a world that reflects these beliefs, so they work for peace and justice, or what they refer to as “repairing the world.” They are judged by how good a life they lead. She also pointed out that there are many sects of Jews, including Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Fourth and Fifth Sessions: Hinduism and Buddhism The last two sessions were devoted to Hinduism and Buddhism. Two Buddhists joined us. Buddhism comes from Hinduism. The Buddhists did not believe in a caste system and broke away from the Hindus. Both faiths believe that good works and thinking will make humans better people. They believe that people can get better if they follow the teachings of the Buddha or sages. Both of these faiths focus on controlling your own mind through meditation. The point of this discussion group was to have participants think about various religions and how the seven billion people in the world can live together in a more harmonious environment. It is very clear that we all are trying to understand God, discern our purpose in the world, and how we can live our faith. God’s Ocean of Mercy Mercy The Divine Heart is an ocean full of all good things, wherein poor souls can cast all their needs; it is an ocean full of joy to drown all our sadness, an ocean of humility to drown our folly, an ocean of mercy to those in distress, an ocean of love in which to submerge our poverty. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque 3 Congratulations to the ST. MARK School Graduates! T he graduation ceremony for the Eighth Grade Students of ST. MARK School was held on Friday, June 10. The day began at the Parish Mass at 9:15 a.m., with Students, Faculty, and parents sharing in the Eucharistic celebration and the Baccalaureate Ceremony. At 7:00p.m., the Graduation Ceremony was held in the Christian Formation Center Gymnasium. The day closed with a reception in the Msgr. Cassidy Activities Center. We wish the Graduates and their families many continued blessings and successes, and we thank the teachers and volunteers who have prepared them so well for the next steps of their journey. Join the Discussion of Spiritual Classics! Parish Celebrated 40 Hours Devotion in May Faith Workshops for New College Freshmen F S T r. Paul Grankaushas will lead a discussion of a different spiritual classic work on the second Sunday of each month. The group will meet in the Chapel. The discussion will follow Benediction at 5:00 p.m. The first session was held on Sunday, June 13. The selected work was The Song of Bernadette by Franz Werfel, the story of the Blessed Virgin’s appearances to Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France, from February through July 1858. Franz Werfel, who was Jewish, was a well-known author and critic of the Nazi regime. He was forced to flee his home in Vienna, and he hid for a time in Lourdes. His subsequent novel about the apparitions was the fulfillment of a promise he made to God to tell the inspiring story that he learned during his time there. T. MARK celebrated the annual observance of the 40 Hours Devotion honoring the Body of Christ — the Solemnity of Corpus Christi — in May. The Solemnity dates back at least to the early 1500s. It is a time of continuous prayer and adoration of Christ in the EUCHARIST. It is an opportunity to do what Jesus asked of his disciples in the Garden, to watch with him for an hour. The Devotion opened after the 9:15 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, May 25, and Thursday, May 26, and Friday, May 27, and continued throughout each day and evening, closing for the hours of that day at 10:00 p.m. The 40 Hours Devotion ended on Saturday, May 28, with Benediction following the 8:00 a.m. Mass. Throughout Scripture, the number 40 has sacred associations and transitions. In the time of Noah, the rains that brought the flood lasted for 40 days and nights. Moses spent 40 years in the desert before he led his people out of Egypt. The Hebrews wandered in the desert for 40 years before they reached the Promised Land. Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days before He began to preach. 4 he Associates of ST. JOHN BOSCO are conducting three workshops to help high school graduates continue to grow in their faith as they make the transition to the college environment. Catholic Student Representatives from George Mason University, the University of Maryland, the University of Virginia, the University of Mary Washington, Benedictine College, and other schools will share their experiences and offer advice and support to the incoming freshmen. n The first workshop will be on Thursday, June 23, at 7:00 p.m., at ST. MARK in the Msgr. Cassidy Activities Center. n The second workshop will be on Wednesday, July 20, at 7:00 p.m., at the ST. MARY Lyceum in Alexandria. n The third workshop will be on Wednesday, July 27, at 7:00 p.m., at ST. MARY of the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Parish Hall in Fredericksburg. For m o r e i n for mation, visit w w w. a s j b . o r g . Registration for each session is limited to 50 students. Parish Celebrates the Sacrament of CONFIRMATION S T. MARK youth received the Sacrament of CONFIRMATION on May 6. The youth prepared for two years for the Sacrament through Religious Education or School classes, through Spirit-Team service projects, through weekend retreats, and through their own prayer and spiritual growth. A Nicholas Adelberg Beyonce Andrades B Elliott Baeza WilliamBeahn Isabella Grace Bollini Anne Boniface Ana Victoria Borges Evan Bremser Mark Brown Coleman Bunn C Alessandra Campo Kalli Carol Cannistraro Tatum Chenen Mia Cilluffo Gabriella Cordelli WilliamCovey Michael Frederick Crespy Elizabeth Crishock Dolan Patrick Cromley Patrick Cunningham D SpencerDarling John Ryan Day Chad D’Crus Riley Delacy Andrea De La Torre Lucas Diehl Ethan Dolin Stephanie Renee Dollard Brian Christopher Donohue Luke Driscoll MichaelDuncan John Dwyer E Allison Claire Embroski Erin Lynn Embroski Halle Evola Madison Evola F Thomas Flood Charles Freitas Nicole Fritsch G Elena Galindo Camille Gaston Paul Daley Glenchur Kiran Tomas Gowda Sarah Elizabeth Gurley Joshua Gutenson H Shanna Harrington Brandon Hellmer Meghan Hermes Leah Hopp Nicholas Hovis Charles Huang J Kiran James K Anna Keating Daniel Koester Cameron Rose Kolat L Maya Landeros Alexander Lanier Julia Elizabeth Lattanzio Domenic Francis Linza Paul Stephen Linza Calvin Andrew Lucido M Dawn Mabirizi Emma Machi Chase Edward Maillett Thomas Malisko Julia Mancusi Kayla Markley Ansley McGuire Valencia McIntosh Emily Grace McNulty Caroline Marguerite Mead Regan Meana Gabriela Miralao Amina Noelle Mitchell Eleanor Monnig Sarah Moore Caroline Mukerjee N Ryan Khanh Nguyen Katherine Noel Mia Norton O Meghan O’Brien John Orr Kimberly Pavlik Thomas James Policicchio Wesley Porterfield 5 R Isabella Clare Racinez Karina Reilly Jane Ilona Ressa Sophia Revaz Angel Rodriguez Mateo Ronderos Pablo Ronderos Nicholas Rooks Jacob Daniel Roth Megan Rourke Colleen Ryan S Kyra Ann Sanders Jay Schraml Danielle Sciuto Alexandra Diane Sechser Tatum Shepard Corey Lee Shumway James Robert Shumway Brennan Sinclair David Steffens T Lauren Teuschl Jacqueline Thacher John Thomas Emma Thompson Nikolas Tolpegin Anna Cecilia Torres Davis Trax Katherine Turner V Philip Van Dalen Devan Michael Viani Anna Viscovich William Vu W Gregory Thomas Wall Daniel Weir Owen Wetterhan Aidan Wiktorowicz Carly Williams Sean Banzon Williams Ryan Wilson ST. MARK Baby Shower T he Annual Baby Shower to help crisis pregnancy centers was held after the Masses on June 4 and 5. Parishioners responded generously to the call and brought their donations to the Msgr. Cassidy Activities Center. The Shawl Ministry provided beautiful handmade blankets and clothing. Each item had this prayer fastened to it with a ribbon: Barbara Johnson Jody Allen and Martha PIescik The other donated items included diapers, baby wipes, bottles and formula, toiletries, clothes up to size 24 months, pacifiers, umbrella strollers, car seats, and travel beds. The gifts have been given to two pregnancy support centers: HOPE of Northern Virginia and A Woman’s Choice, both in Falls Church. The M&Ms enjoyed a visit to the Winery at Bull Run and lunch at Sweetwater Tavern in Centreville on Wednesday, May 25. “Dear Baby, This blanket was made with prayers woven into stitches by the ST. MARK Prayer Shawl Ministry. When this is wrapped around you, know that you are surrounded by their prayers, support, and understanding. May this blanket be a safe haven, a sacred place of security and well-being. Our prayer for you is that you will be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in God’s never ending love. God bless you.” 6 Young Artists Share Talents at Sunday Concert S T. MARK showcased the talents of its exceptional young artists at a concert on Sunday, June 12, at 3:00 p.m. The concert was free of charge and open to the public. Performing were 14 of our own talented youth, ages 10 to 17 years. They presented classical and liturgical music on the organ, piano, guitar, violin, and cello, as well as voice and percussion. Nancy Novelly, Director of Music and Worship, said, “All these children (with the exception of my student Theresa Reese, who is from ST. VERONICA’S) have been playing/ singing at our liturgies: Friday 9:15 a.m. Mass with the School, 8:15 a.m. Choir, once-a-month Youth Choir, and Christmas and Easter special liturgies. They are indeed the future of our Church! I feel it is very important to support them in their musical endeavors, as well as to encourage them to take part more and more in the music at Mass here at ST. MARK.” Performers: n Theresa Reese on the organ, piano, and guitar n Matthew, Mark, and Elizabeth Brown on the organ, piano, and voice n Pablo and Mateo Ronderos on the violin and cello n Andriko and Peter Bilaniuk on the violin and guitar n Dylan Scanlon on the guitar n Callie Cooper, soprano n Owen Wetterhan, percussion n Antoni, Tomek, and Evelina Kleczek, piano prodigies. Maneline is the publication of ST MARK Catholic Community, 9970 Vale Road, Vienna, VA 22181. It is published nine times a year, with a December/January issue, a June/July issue, and an August/September issue. Individuals wishing to submit articles should contact a member of the editorial team. Milestones BAPTISM We welcome the following new Christians into the community of the Church: Carolina Rose Aguayo Vivian Appleby Beck Adam James Berry Andrew Cho Courtnie Cho Joshua Cho William Cho Elizabeth Renee Colyar Patrick William Colyar Emma Maureen Doud Mason Bechara Fulk Bryce Daniel Glenn Holly Elizabeth Gonzalez Katherine Elizabeth Gurzo Bryce Michael Hardy Clara Betty Hoffman Sylvia Joyce Hoffman William Walter Lancman Caleb Paul Lavery Hailee Susan McKie Carson Anthony Salvatore New Parishioners ST. MARK welcomes the following new Parishioners to our Parish family: Carlos and Chiara Aguayo Victor Banzon Andrew and Rachel Beck Lorenzo and Cynthia Bertolini Erinn Burakow David and Courtnie Cho Won and Jamie Choi Thomas and Darrleen Harris Frank and Kim Hill Stephen and Sarah Kunk Joshua and Lindsey Long Danny and Lauren Marti Paul and Sara Moloney Garrick Muench Thomas Pell Eilleen Pender Jeffrey and Erin Philippart Norm and Julie Printer Douglas and Trang Sabel Brittany Smolka and David Ziegler Charles and Garrilyn Sprague Michael and Gale Whitehead Benjamin Wolferman and Irene Choi Matrimony Kathryne Atkisson and Richard Echevarria Deaths The following Parishioners entered into eternal life: Editors: Mary Fisk: [email protected] Ann Ramish: [email protected] Artist: Susan Scanlon: [email protected] Robert McCabe, Sr. Carol Palmucci 7 Mark Your Calendar July July July 1 First Friday Adoration 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. August 51st Anniversary Founding of ST. MARK Parish July 4 Independence Day August 15 Solemnity of Assumption of Mary July 6-8 Junior High Work Camp August 24-25 Parish Staff Retreat July 11-15 Vacation Bible School August 26 ST. MARK School Families Picnic July 15-17 Steubenville Youth Conference July 18-30 World Youth Day Pilgrimage August 29 ST. MARK School 1st Day of School 2016-2017 Address Service Requested Non-profit Organization U. S. Postage PAID Permit No. 15 Vienna, Va. ST. MARK Catholic Church 9970 Vale Road Vienna, VA 22181 Maneline 8