Dear Parishioners,In celebration of the Feast of St. Joseph,Fr. Fields will lead the parish in a live-streamed prayer service TODAY at 3 PM on Facebook Live with the Holy Rosary and Devotions. Since the Solemnity falls on a Lenten Friday this year, there is no obligation to abstain from meat today. This exception is contained within the Code of Canon Law (can. 1251).
Holy Week Schedule-Msgr. Amey and Father Fields have finalized the Holy Week Schedule. Registered parishioners will be receiving Msgr. Amey's Easter letter and schedule shortly. In anticpation of larger attendance, Saturday, April 3, 8pm Easter Vigil and all Masses on Easter Day will require reservations. Reservations will begin on Wednesday, March 24 at 10 am on the main page of St. Mary's Church website HERE.
Joe Gillmer, Executive Director of Development of the Archdiocese of Washington (ADW), responded to Fr. Fields' March 5 inquiry regarding ADW audited financial statements. The response was a summary of the ADW Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2019-2020, which may be found HERE. Joe Gillmer also stated that he is more than happy to personally answer questions from St. Mary's parishioners and donors about ADW giving and spending. Joe Gillmer may be called at (301) 853-5375 or e-mailed at gillmerj@adw.org.
Into the Breach-This world is a battle ground between Heaven and Hell. So we need to put on the full armor of God; including these incredible powerful channels of Grace, called the sacraments. Men of the parish are invited to suit up and join Fr. Fields at our next
Into the Breach gathering tomorrow,
March 20, at 7:30 AM First-timers and friends are always welcome. Join us with the Zoom meeting link,
HERE. and password 20852.
Troop 472 Mulch Sale - On Saturday, March 27, Saint Mary's Scout Troops 472 Boys & Girls will hold their annual fund-raising mulch sale. Orders should be placed by Saturday, March 20. Premium Hardwood Mulch, $5.50 per 3 cubic foot bag (50 – 80 lbs), FREE DELIVERY on all orders of 20 bags or more, $5 delivery charge for orders of less than 20 bags. Delivery provided for those residing within a 8-mile radius of Saint Mary’s. PRESS HERE TO ORDER ONLINE OR PRESS HERE FOR THE FLYER AND PAPER ORDER FORM.
For our RCIA catechumens and candidates, we will celebrate the Ritual Mass for the
Celebration of the Third and final Scrutiny on Sunday, March 21 at the 5:00 PM Mass. At this Mass, the readings from Year A will be used.
* First Reading: Ezekiel 37: 12-14
* Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 130: 1-8
* Second Reading: Romans 8: 8-11
* Gospel: John 11: 1-45
Please continue to pray for the catechumens preparing for baptism and the candidates preparing to complete their Christian initiation.
We invite all households to pray The Way of the Cross often throughout the Lenten season. A plenary indulgence may be earned on any day when the faithful call to mind the memory of the Passion and Death of our Lord with the Stations. You may pray the Stations anytime
HERE.
Confessions are available
Saturdays (1-2 PM) and
Wednesdays (5-6 PM). We invite you to show charity to those patiently waiting behind you in the confession line by examining your conscience before coming to St. Mary's and being ready to make a concise and concrete confession.
Online Lenten Bible Study, Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm, Its not too late to join! All adults of St. Mary's are invited to join for the remaining 4 weeks of Bible study, "Wisdom: God's Vision for Life"! We'll use weekly videos and discussion on the Bible's wisdom literature to learn how to seek guidance from God in navigating life. We'll meet each week virtually HERE with the password, 20852. Please e-mail smrockville@gmail.com to RSVP or for any questions.
St. Mary's is continuing its practice of praying for Archdiocese of Washington seminarians this Lent with a Virtual Vocations Tree. We invite each household to pray for at least one seminarian daily throughout Lent. You may find out how to participate and print out your seminarian prayer cards HERE.
The Knights of Columbus Council 2323 will host the annual Lenten fish dinner on Friday March 26 from 5-8 p.m. Due to Covid-19 the dinner will be carryout only from Father Cuddy Hall 11701 Overhill Rd. Derwood, MD 20855. The dinner consists of fried fish, 2 sides (mac & cheese and coleslaw). Cost is $10.00/person. Payment at the door via cash, check or credit card. All proceeds will go to St. Martin's Food Pantry.
Virtual Showing of Seussical Jr. performed by the school Drama Club
All parishioners are invited to join us online Friday March 26starting at 6:45 PM for a free showing of the 2019 school Drama Club performance of Seussical Jr.! The performance will be streamed on the St. Mary's School Alumni Association YouTube Channel HERE. Take a magical trip to Who and the Jungle of Nool and discover the Thinks You Can Think with this uplifting and fun performance. The performance features students from the Classes of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. The performance starts at 7 PM and runs for about 77 minutes. Closed Captioning is available. For additional information throughout the week, visit the Facebook event HERE. (can be viewed without a Facebook Account).
Friday Night Dinner 10% off! - Support a St. Mary's Parishioner and Alumni Family Owned Business
On the day of the
Seussical Jr. virtual watch party,
March 26, Armand's Pizzeria & Grille 190 Halpine Rd. Rockville, MD will give us a 10% discount on orders (mention St. Mary's) to celebrate the virtual watch party! You can place an order regardless of whether you watch the play that night. Place an order for a tasty dinner, get a discount, and support a St. Mary's Parishioner and Alumni family owned business! The Co-Owner of Armand's is Jim Hrozencik P'10, P'16. You can use the discount on dine-in, carryout, or delivery (within their delivery radius)! Mention St. Mary's when you place the order to get the discount! Call them at 301-231-5000 and visit their web site
https://www.armandspizza.com/ to view the menu.
Palm Sunday Family Online Reflection, Sunday, March 28th, 9:30-10:30 am:All CCD and parish families are invited to join us to celebrate Palm Sunday together through some online activities! We will meet by video call
HEREwith the password, 20852. Please RSVP to
smrockville@gmail.com to receive instructions for necessary materials. If your family is able to go to Mass, you are encouraged to go to the 7:30 or 11:30 am Mass before or after attending this activity.
Online Youth Group Palm Sunday Reflection, Sunday, March 28th, 7-8:15 pm-All high school teens are invited to join the youth group as we celebrate Palm Sunday together! We will reflect on Palm Sunday and Holy Week through prayer, discussion, and crafts. Teens can join at the meeting link,
HERE, with the password, 20852.
The next
Parish Rosary, (virtually) is this
Sunday, March 28, at 12:30 pm. Join us in prayer to Our Blessed Mother,
HERE.
Adult Confirmation Classes-Are you or do you know a Catholic adult who has never been confirmed? We invite you to join us for a six-week class that will prepare you to receive your Confirmation on Pentecost this May! The classes will be held weekly starting Monday, April 5th, 7-8pm, either through Zoom video calls or outdoor meetings., to be scheduled at a date and format based on participant availability. To join or ask any questions, please contact Minister of Religious Education, Thomas Patchan, at smrockville@gmail.com or 301-762-8750.