St. John Neumann Catholic Community
Staffed by Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
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Current Mass Times
Saturday: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30am, 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. (español), 5:00pm
Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12:10pm (Most Weeks - Check Bulletin)
Confession
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (English)
Sunday: 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. (español)
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Pastor's Perspective
January
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Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Happy New Year!
As I write this column for the first newsletter of the new year, I was hoping to reflect on COVID being behind us, but as we all know, it's not the case.
However, I don't believe we are in the same place as this time last year. There are signs of progress and some optimism. Our faith formation program is up and running in person though some have chosen to hold back or to home school. Much of parish life has resumed, although many groups and ministries are still meeting virtually. We also look forward to hosting Hypothermia Week, January 16-23. Unfortunately. The involvement of volunteers will be limited this year, and there will also be little personal interaction with the guests.
Despite that fact, we can still host and open our doors to those who perhaps would not have shelter or a warm meal is significant. Many of the different ministries here at the parish have found ways to be creative and to continue their mission. Many of our outreach ministries have reached out and assisted those in need. Certainly, our shelter meal program is one good example. In dealing with the different challenges and obstacles of COVID, SJN ministries find a way to make it work!
As I look back on 2021, one of the highlights for me and I believe for our parish and the broader community is our teenagers' positive and hopeful energy.
Last June, even with the limitations of COVID, it did not keep our SJN youth from participating in WorkCamp 2021 and, through their determination and with the assistance of our adult contractors and other SJN adults, enhanced the homes of two parishioners and two other homes in the community.
They also took a day to clean our church facilities and had the place, windows, and all sparkling. An important aspect of the week was that our youth had the opportunity to deepen their relationship with God and with one another. They also learned the importance of Christian service and its importance in our faith lives.
Another heartening opportunity to experience the hope that comes from our youth was an evening program this fall, "Youth Engagement in Racial Justice and Equity," sponsored by our Racial Justice Committee. It featured three high school students from different schools in Fairfax County, including parishioner Brigid Morrow who attends South Lakes. Each of them presented how they are working with fellow students to enhance dialogue on this important issue and find ways to bridge the differences and find commonality. Their presentations certainly gave this listener confidence in our youth today and the difference their efforts make today. Please go to this link if you would like to view the presentation.
My prayer as we begin a New Year and have just finished celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is that amid a lot of uncertainty, that as people of faith, we do not lose hope, and in fact, we should embrace it now more than ever.
Live Jesus,
Fr. Joe
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Forty Hours Devotion Is Coming
This Month
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By Fr. Michael Vannicola, OSFS
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ-
Happy New Year and Happy Epiphany! May the star of wonder guide you with great joy this day and always to the Perfect Light!
I have heard so many say that the time following Christmas can be a little depressing, quieter and colder, and feeling like we are in a “short holding pattern” in the brief period of Ordinary Time before Lent begins. However, in 2022, we are being provided with an incredible opportunity during this otherwise somewhat quiet time. You may recall me sharing this with the parish in November. Now just weeks away, I wanted to remind us of this upcoming blessing for our parish.
In 2024, the Diocese of Arlington will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. Of course, we know that the anniversary year will be celebratory for the local Church, but our Bishop didn’t want to limit the renewal that such a celebration can bring. Therefore, he has included the two preceding years in a three-year celebration of God’s blessings on the faithful of Northern Virginia.
This first year, which began on the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, focuses on the Eucharist and calls us to rejoice in our lives as Eucharistic people. Part of this observance includes in each parish of the diocese, at the Bishop’s request, a celebration of the Forty Hours Devotion, a 40 hour period of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in solemn exposition. The Second Vatican Council taught us that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of our Christian life,” There is no more sacred time than when we celebrate the Holy Mass. Vatican II also encouraged the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass. This time allows us to reflect on our life as a Eucharistic people, acknowledge the power of the Real Presence, and grow in holiness.
During these 40 hours, which we will observe here from January 23-25, there will be plenty of time for private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. To participate, please sign up here. We are asking you to sign-up as an Adoration Guardian so that we know that there will be members of our community praying in Church before the Eucharist during all hours of this particular time. (Learn more here). This time will also include Masses, special liturgies, and services offering special readings and musical selections. Our priests, deacons, and some of our lay leaders will reflect on our Eucharistic life, and our young Catholics will lead a special time of praise and worship. We will also have opportunities to share in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. What is also wonderful is that our celebration of 40 Hours will also include the Feast of Saint Francis de Sales on January 24.
Along with this letter, you will find the schedule. This time is like a retreat for the parish. Please take some hours out of your day to come and be with us for our liturgies and prayers. Also, please sign up to attend the quiet times of prayer and adoration.
After the Closing Mass for 40 Hours on January 25, we will gather as a parish for a festive reception to celebrate how good God has been in giving his very self to us and in allowing us to experience the graces of the Heavenly Banquet while here on Earth.
This celebration will be a wonderful time in the life of our parish. I so very much look forward to praying with you.
Sincerely yours,
Father Michael
Forty Hours Devotion Schedule
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23
5:00pm – Mass concluding with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and a Procession*
6:00pm – Adoration until 2 AM (will include Praise & Worship led by parish youth from 7:00pm-8:00pm)
MONDAY, JANUARY 24
7:00am – Exposition followed by Monday Morning Prayer
9:00am – Mass, Solemnity of St. Francis de Sales, followed by Adoration
11:45am – Monday Midday prayer, followed by the Angelus
12:30pm – Confessions
3:00am – Monday Office of Readings
5:00am – Monday Rosary
7:00 PM – Monday Evening Prayer (Bilingual)
7:30 PM – Adoration until 2:00 AM
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25
7:00am – Exposition and Tuesday Morning Prayer
11:45pm – Tuesday Midday prayer, followed by the Angelus
12:30pm – Confessions
2:00pm – Tuesday Rosary
3:30pm – Tuesday Office of Readings
5:30pm – Tuesday Evening Prayer (Bilingual)
7:00pm – Mass of Reposition with Procession, Benediction & Final Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament*
8:00pm – Social Celebration
*There will be a special collection during these Masses to benefit the poor.
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Catechetical Corner
Epiphany Around the World
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By Mickie Abatemarco
The feast of the Epiphany is traditionally celebrated 12 days after Christmas. In the United States, it is celebrated the first Sunday after the feast of the Holy Family. It is the time when Christians remember the visit to Jesus by the Wise Men, also known as the Three Kings.
Culturally, this feast is celebrated differently throughout the western world. In Spain, Epiphany is an important festival called "Fiesta de Los tres Reyes Mages" during this celebration, children receive presents from the Three Kings. On Epiphany morning, you would go to the local bakery to buy "Roscon," a ring-shaped roll filled with cream or chocolate and decorated with a paper crown.
In France, you might eat a "Galette des Rois," a type of flat almond cake containing a toy crown and decorated on top with a gold paper crown.
In Portugal, people take part in carol singing. In Italy, children in central Italy hang up their stockings by the fireplace in hopes that "La Befana," a witch who followed the Wise Men to visit Christ, but who got lost on the way, will leave them treats.
A chalked sign over the door in Austria reminds folks of the Wise Men visiting the baby Jesus. Austrians make these signs by splitting the year's date in two with the initials of the traditionally believed names of the wise men, Casper, Melchior, and Balthazar, in the middle. So 2022 would read 20*C*M*B*22. Austrians believe that the sign protects the house for the coming year.
Children in Belgium dress up as the three wise men and go from door to door singing, and people give them money or sweets.
In Ireland, Epiphany is also called "Nollaig na mBan," in Gaelic, for "Women's Christmas." Women get the day off, and men do the housework and cooking. It is becoming more popular, and many Irish women now get together for tea and cakes on that day.
In New Orleans, people either take their Christmas Tree down or replace its ornaments with purple, gold, and green ones, and it's then called a Mardi Gras Tree. People share
King Cake. The cake has a little baby plastic doll inside, representing Jesus; whoever gets the piece with the baby has to supply the next King Cake.
However, we celebrate it; Epiphany is a reminder of the presence of Christ in our lives and our world.
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Staff and Parishioner Spotlight |
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We needed to change the Spotlight's bulbs this month. It will resume beaming on our wonderful parishioners and staff in February, 20202. Stay tuned. |
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Upcoming Masses
Today, January 1
Mass
10:00am
Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God
(Please note that this is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year
but that we'd still love to see you at Mass!)
5:00pm
Vigil Mass
The Epiphany of the Lord
Social Opportunities
Knights of Columbus Charity Breakfast
Sunday, January 2
8:30am—11:30am
It's the day after New Year's, let the Knights take care of your breakfast needs.
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“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.”
John 15:1-2
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