Current Mass Times

Saturday: 5 p.m.

Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (español), 5 p.m.

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.

Monday-Wednesday-Friday: 12:10 p.m.

Watch a livestreamed or recorded Mass

Confession

Saturday: 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (English)

Sunday: 3 p.m.- 4 p.m. (español)

“Is there anyone who has not felt the magnetic attraction of unseen cities, train whistles, the rhythmic chant of wheels on the railway tracks stretching behind you, where you came from, and before you, where you’re headed—who knows to what chance encounters and fresh hopes? Wonder about faraway places is born in us in childhood; and, with me, it never dimmed.”

― Lev Kopelev, To Be Preserved Forever

My interests in railroading resulted from experimenting first with 35mm photography when I was an undergraduate in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. As I became more comfortable with the camera, I would go in search of images to capture: people, landscapes, rivers, canals – whatever. Then one Saturday afternoon, I discovered a large freight classification yard along the east bank of the Lehigh River between Bethlehem and Allentown. I parked my car, picked my spot and simply watched from my perch high above both the yard and the river.

Then and there I was hooked and have spent the last 40-plus years exploring the literally endless photographic variations that railroads – passenger, freight, and commuter – have to offer. I am at a point in my life that I never leave home without my camera.

Railroads mirror much of our day-to-day human experience. Standing trackside, you imagine where a particular train’s journey begins, where it ends, and all the places it's been in between. Obviously, the railroads’ goal is to see that every train arrives at its destination safe and sound, but it is the journey itself that captures the romance of the rails.

From a Salesian perspective, our ultimate destination is to arrive safe and sound in Heaven. That said, Francis de Sales insists that there is no better way to prepare for our arrival into the next life than by paying close attention to - and being fully engaged in - each moment of our earthly life as it comes. The past of where we’ve been – and the promise of where we’re going – depend heavily upon the discipline required to live in the here-and-now as fully and intentionally as we can. There is a place for imagining places unseen, but the key to “Living + Jesus” is to focus our attention on the people, places, and circumstances that we can see as we live our lives, one day, one hour, one moment at a time. After all, any journey – regardless of how long or how brief – is accomplished one mile at a time.

I think the key to living that challenge is to never leave home without your heart. Perhaps Amtrak’s current tag line says it best: “Enjoy the Journey.”

Photo Credit: Fr. Michael Murray, OSFS

Caption: Norfolk Southern freight passing a static display of railroad cars adjacent to the municipal park across from the Manassas Station.

September marks the tenth anniversary of the monthly Prayer Vigil for Peace, Life, and Justice at St. John Neumann. Sponsored by the parish Pax Christi group, the vigil is an opportunity for parishioners to pray together for a variety of intentions related to the needs of a fallen world, recalling the promise of Jesus that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20).

The vigil was born of an international crisis. On Sunday, September 1, 2013, Pope Francis called on the whole Church to pray and fast on the following Saturday for peace in Syria. The United States and France were threatening air strikes against Syrian forces, which were backed by Russia, and the Pope feared a dangerous escalation of the civil war.

In response to the Pope’s call, Ken Fredgren wrote the pastor, Fr. Tom Murphy, to suggest the parish sponsor a communal prayer vigil on that Saturday, September 7. Ken also contacted Bob More, Coordinator of Pax Christi SJN, inviting his participation in planning the vigil. At a hastily arranged meeting on September 5, Fr. Tom gave his blessing, as long as Ken and Bob would pull the vigil together, since Fr. Tom was going to be unavailable on the 7^th.

With no time for a bulletin announcement, Ken and Bob wrote to the Pax Christi email list and the leaders of other ministries, inviting them to a vigil before the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday and asking them to spread the word. They also put together a format for the vigil, including praying A Scriptural Rosary for Justice and Peace from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, reflecting on the Word of God, and offering prayers of petition.

About 40 parishioners showed up for the vigil for peace in Syria, and they found it a meaningful experience. One of them, Rose Bennett, commented afterward that “we should do this more often.” Ken and Bob reported back to Fr. Tom and passed along Rose’s comment. Fr. Tom was pleased with the turnout and agreed to Pax Christi’s hosting a monthly prayer vigil starting in November.

The 119 vigils since that first one have brought to prayer numerous intentions relating to peace, life, and justice. These include peace in Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel-Palestine, and Ukraine; respect for life and an end to abortion and the death penalty; nuclear disarmament; justice and compassion for immigrants and refugees; prevention of child abuse; racial and economic justice; care for creation; and an end to gun violence. Often the theme for the vigil is taken from the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions.

Other parish ministries cosponsor the vigil from time to time, including Pro-Life, Welcome the Stranger, Care for Our Common Home, and ACTION. Pax Christi greatly welcomes such collaboration.

The format for the vigil has remained generally the same: the Scriptural Rosary, a Liturgy of the Word, and intercessory prayer. It concludes with a dismissal—“Let us go forward from this time together and become instruments of peace to all whom we encounter”—suggested by Fr. Tom in that September 5, 2013, planning meeting, followed by a closing song.

All parishioners are cordially invited to participate in the monthly vigil, held on the first Saturday of the month. It runs from 4 to 4:45 p.m., so those who want to do so can attend the 5 p.m. Mass. The vigil is held in Room A3, and people can also attend via Zoom. Contact Ken (fredgren.k@gmail.com) or Bob (rmore.paxchristi@gmail.com) to be added to the email list for the Zoom link. They would love to have more volunteers to serve as decade leaders for the Rosary and lectors for the Scripture readings. Please let them know if you are interested.

Taking time each month to pray for peace is a great way to live the Beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt 5:9). In September 2013, we felt that our prayers, joined to those of the Holy Father and Catholics throughout the world, were answered when diplomacy averted the threatened air strikes on Syria. May God continue to hear our prayers and grant peace, life, and justice to all God’s children.

National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated September 15-October 15, had its beginning in 1968 and was formally established in 1988 to give recognition to the Hispanic influence and the role of Hispanic people in American history. Hispanic countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Throughout the upcoming weeks, we will have an opportunity at St. John Neumann to participate in a variety of liturgies and social events that honor both the history and the presence of members of our parish family of Hispanic heritage. Bulletin announcements as well as emails and promotion through all our SJN digital formats will provide specific information about these events.

In addition to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with our parish family, our own families can explore and learn more about Hispanic culture and its influence. We are fortunate to have access to many wonderful restaurants offering authentic cuisine from several of the countries listed above. Sampling dishes from other countries is a delicious way to become acquainted with a new culture. A simple Google search of "Hispanic restaurants near me" will result in a lengthy list with menus available.

If you prefer to be the chef, you are in luck! Googling “Hispanic recipes” results in a host of culinary delights. To expand your skills and your palate, try https://insanelygoodrecipes.com/salvador. You can substitute any of the above Hispanic countries you want to explore for “Salvador” in the URL address (most of the listed countries are available), and you will find a description of a variety of foods along with links to the recipes. Have a sweet tooth you want to satisfy? Fifty-Four Latin American Desserts That’ll Bring a Smile to Your Face will inspire you to Google "Hispanic bakeries near me." Besides recipes, the site offers mouthwatering photos and a short commentary on each dessert.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum have collaborated to pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have enriched this nation. We are fortunate that we can visit all of these in just a short metro ride from Reston. Visit hispanicheritagemonth.gov for a list of family activities being held throughout Hispanic Heritage Month--don't miss these amazing opportunities. Additionally, this site has many resources related to the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans through history and today. There is even a section specifically for teachers and parents to learn more and share with our children. Go on a library scavenger hunt and see what you discover as you learn about Luis Walter Alvarez, Ellen Ochoa, Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez, David Farragut, Julia Alvarez, Julian Castro, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Roberto Clemente. Can you add more names to this list?

Hispanic Americans have made many contributions to the fabric of American culture in the areas of science, government, sports, and the arts. The Molina Family Latino Gallery, a 4500-square-foot gallery inside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, is now open. This is the first physical presence of the National Museum of the American Latino. Visit latino.si.edu to explore more about the Latino experience and Latino contributions to the United States. Learn about baseball at ¡Pleibol! or learn more about art healing a community at "Healing Uvalde." Take a virtual tour of the new gallery or better yet, plan a day to visit the National Museum of American History during Hispanic History month!

Finally, Boston College’s C21 Committee developed a list of "10 Things to Know About Hispanic Catholics." Here at St. John Neumann, we are blessed by a vibrant Hispanic community from whom we can learn. Our Hispanic members are devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrating her feast day in December with Mass and a beautiful reenactment of the story of Our Lady’s appearance to Juan Diego, his struggle to fulfill the task she set before him, and the miracle that made it happen. Our Hispanic members celebrate the Eucharist with enthusiasm and a joyful noise which they also bring to Cinco de Mayo festivities and many other celebrations. Our Hispanic members celebrate with both exuberance and solemnity, and they extend their hands to all of us to join them. Our community is richer when we learn from each other. During this coming month, please join our celebrations, attend our bilingual prayer service, come to the blessing of Our Lady of Guadalupe, enjoy our Hispanic festival, and embrace the beautiful contributions of our Hispanic community at SJN.



What are angels?

The word angel comes from the Greek Angelos meaning messenger. Angels are intelligent supernatural beings that obey God. Both Hebrew and Christian scripture refers to angels.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that, "The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. (#328). “The Church venerates the angels who help her on her earthly pilgrimage and protect every human being.” (#352) Catholics venerate saints and angels, but only adore/worship God. Veneration is to display admiration or high regard.

St. Thomas Aquinas discussed a hierarchy of celestial beings. The highest are the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones, associated with the specific functions of love, knowledge, and power. In the middle are Dominations, Virtues, and Powers, associated with the universal governance of creation. And the lower hierarchy consists of Principalities, Archangels, Guardian angels and other Angels, concerned with the direct administration of creatures in the world.

What are archangels?

The Roman Catholic Church venerates and names three archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, who are all named in the Bible. The Eastern Catholic Churches name seven. Lutherans and Anglicans generally recognize three to five archangels including one they call Uriel. Archangels have been given the most important messages delivered to humans. The names of the Archangels end with the word “El,” which means “God” because God is in their nature. They are the greatest of all angels.

What do we know about Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael?

St. Michael the Archangel is the patron of soldiers, doctors, and police. Michael in Hebrew means “Who is like God.” He is mentioned as helping Daniel in the book of Daniel. In the epistle of St. Jude, he guards the tombs of Moses and Eve and rebukes Satan over the body of Moses. In the book of Revelation, he does battle with the dragon. In Catholic tradition he is known as the leader of all angels, combats Satan and assists people at the hour of death.

St. Gabriel the Archangel is the patron of messengers, postal workers, and telecommunication workers. Gabriel in Hebrew means “Man of God.” In the book of Daniel, he appears to the prophet to explain his visions. In the Gospel of Luke, he appears to Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, to tell him that his wife, Elizabeth, will have a son to be named John and not to be afraid. In Luke, he also appears to Mary to tell her that she will bear the Son of God conceived by the Holy Spirit (the Annunciation). He is often depicted in art holding a trumpet.

St. Raphael the Archangel is the patron of travelers, the blind and bodily ills. Raphael in Hebrew means “God heals.” He only appears in the Bible in the book of Tobit. He is disguised as a human and travels alongside Tobiah. He is credited with driving the evil spirit from Sarah and restoring Tobit’s vision.

In closing, enjoy this meditative song written about the archangels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgukZPj0Q1U&t=10s