Dear Parishioners,As our days are becoming shorter with darker mornings and dusk arriving before you may like, we can't lose hope. Hope offered through prayer is what we can continue to express during this journey together. Hope for an end to the pandemic. Hope that our family, friends and co-workers will be in good health. Hope that the researchers may find an appropriate vaccine for the community at large. And strength to all of our medical personnel, first responders and police that they may be kept safe from harm while tending to the afflicted among us. The pandemic continues well beyond what most of us as non-medical folks had realized. It can be all consuming (like the election!) but it doesn't have to be. Keep strong in your daily prayers to our Lord through Our Blessed Mother. The rosary is a powerful prayer. Let's continue to pray it each and every day. God bless you and your families at this time.
Confessionswill be offered Saturday, October 24, 1 pm (2 priests) and Wednesday, October 28, 5 pm (1 priest) in the Main Church.
Mass of Remembrance-As you may know, the month of November is dedicated to All Souls in Purgatory. It is a time to remember our loved ones who have passed away. Traditionally at St. Mary's, we would invite the families of those who have lost a loved one and had their funeral at St. Mary's to a memorial Mass on All Souls Day, November 2. Sadly, this cannot occur this year in person. Msgr. Amey has pre-recorded a Mass of Remembrance for the recently departed souls. It will be sent to all the families and available for all who would like to participate in the Mass on St. Mary's YouTube Channel. The Mass will be posted on November 2, 2020 by 12:00 pm. Next weekend, the bulletin will acknowledge the names of the recently deceased this year.
A Plenary Indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who on any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray for the departed. Alternatively, a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who, on All Souls' Day, Monday, November 2, devoutly visit a church and recite an Our Father and the Creed.
Pre-recorded Sunday Massis available on Saturdays at 5:00 pm on our parish's Facebook page, (@stmarysrockville), Twitter feed, (@stmaryrockville) and YouTube channel. When participating in the Mass, remember to fast as you would do when attending church in person and pray a spiritual communion prayer as Father Fields is receiving Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the liturgy.
Save the Date! - St. Mary's School is hosting a Virtual Open House on Thursday, November 12, 2020, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. This session is for families considering St. Mary's School for the Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade in the 2021-22 school year.
Please contact the school for information.
If you are considering Catholic School for your student next Fall, now is also the time to apply for financial aid. The Archdiocese of Washington is accepting applications for Financial Aid for the 2021-22 School Year. Applications are now being accepted for students who may enter Catholic School in the Fall. Please see the Archdiocese website for information: https://adwcatholicschools.org/tuition-assistance/
Support St. Mary’s 472 Cubs, Boys and Girls Scout Troops!-Due to COVID-19, the scouts were unable to do their yearly church sale but you can still support 472 Scouts by ordering Popcorn, Candy, Coffee and more and having it all delivered directly to your door! You can also make an American Heroes donation online! Click here https://www.trails-end.com/store/scout/UWIFPEX5?share=0DRLCQXO to place an order with FREE SHIPPING. If you have any questions, please contact Trisha at tcamobreco@msn.com. Sales will close November 1. Thank you for supporting St. Mary’s Scouts!
It is not too late to join our CCD Classes!Religious education classes are now meeting by Zoom video calls for children from 1st grade - High School, including for our 2 year Sacrament preparation programs. All students in 1st grade and older are invited to our First Communion preparation classes, and all students from 7th grade through high school are invited to our Confirmation preparation classes. First Reconciliation will be in December , so all students receiving First Reconciliation should join classes promptly to be well prepared. Students must be registered to receive their class's meeting link by e-mail. To register, pick up textbooks, or ask any questions, please email smrockville@gmail.com or call 301-762-8750.
40 DAYS FOR LIFE: Join our local 40 Days For Life campaign as we pray and witness for an end to abortion outside LeRoy Carhart's late-term abortion clinic at the Wildwood Medical Center on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. The campaign runs through November 1, 2020. Join groups from other Montgomery County parishes any day, but especially on Saturday or Sunday. All are welcome to join! Details at: 40daysforlife.com/Bethesda, or e-mail jill.gadwood@gmail.com more information.
The Gabriel Project Cluster of Montgomery County is an all- volunteer nonprofit organization that assists low-income pregnant women and their children. During the pandemic and economic crisis, the need for the Gabriel Project’s services has grown tremendously while typical sources of support are greatly reduced. You can help provide critically needed material resources by purchasing essential items like baby gear, diapers, and clothing through the Gabriel Project’s Amazon Charity List. For more information about the Gabriel Project and to support our efforts, please visit the website
at www.gpmoco.org and scroll down to the Gabriel Project’s Amazon Charity List link. Thank you for your generous support!