Dear Parishioners, This past Tuesday, the Holy See released a 461-page report on institutional knowledge and decision-making related to former archbishop Theodore McCarrick. To ensure that parishioners have access to the report in its entirety, a link to the report has been posted on our website, Facebook, and Twitter. We join Pope Francis and Cardinal-designate Gregory in expressing profound sorrow to every victim-survivor of sexual abuse by clergy and renewing our commitment to bring healing to those harmed, justice to offenders, and to create a culture that ensures the protection of all children and adults. Access to the report is HERE.
Also this past Tuesday, Montgomery County amended the COVID-19Executive Order with lowered limits on building capacity at houses of worship. In accordance with the Order, St. Mary’s is permitted to have approximately 200 participants at Mass in the Main Church.
Since we resumed public Masses in June, we are not aware of any parishioner who contracted COVID-19 by attending Mass at St. Mary’s. Nonetheless, St. Mary’s is obligated to notify Montgomery County Disease Control if we learn that a person who participated in Mass is diagnosed or develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19. If, God-forbid, you are diagnosed with or develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 after coming to Mass, please notify St. Mary’s immediately. (301-424-5550). Anyone with a cold, fever, or other illness should stay home until at least 3 days after their symptoms resolve.
Our Social Concerns Team is beginning a new ministry to contact homebound parishioners on a regular basis. Parish volunteers are needed to simply call parishioners from time to time who may feel isolated because of the pandemic. See the Digital Bulletin HERE, to learn how to volunteer. Thank you for helping to provide comfort to our homebound parishioners.
We pray each day for the souls in purgatory especially for those who have died within the constraints of the pandemic.
Confessionswill be offered Saturday, November 14, 1 pm (2 priests) and Wednesday, November 18, 5 pm(1 priest) in the Main Church.
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.
St. Mary's Online Youth Group, Sunday, November 24, at 7 pm: All high school students are invited to join us as our online small group meets by Zoom video call! We hope your teens can join us as we share a Bible Study on Jesus' suffering on the Cross for our salvation, and play the popular game, Among Us, as a community! For the meeting link and permission form, please e-mail [email protected]. Parents are requested to give their interest for potential youth group activities in our online parent survey HERE. Youth group will meet online every other Sunday at 7 pm, also meeting on November 22nd.
St. Mary’s is participating in #iGiveCatholic on “GivingTuesday”, which will take place onDecember 1. This is an opportunity for parishioners to make a meaningful difference for St. Mary’s on Giving Tuesday. Your gift will help improve the safety of our campus, and allow for overdue updates to our liturgical furnishings, vestments, and supplies. More details will follow in the coming weeks. On Giving Tuesday, please remember to give Catholic.
Indian River Fruit Sale thru December 4-St. Mary’s School is selling hand-picked Indian River fruit through online sales. Please support the fundraising effort by offering a healthy and delicious product to family, friends, and co-workers. Orders ship directly to the consumer. Perfect for holiday gifts or a nutritious and delicious snack at home! You can find our personalized site at https://www.floridaindianrivergroves.com/ecommerce/1021412 The proceeds of this sale will help our school to reach our goal for our one-to-one device program PreK-grade 8! Your efforts to help us reach our goal is greatly appreciated!
ST. MARY'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREG GANNON CANNED FOOD DRIVE - DEC 5, 2020
St. Mary's Parish continues its partnership with the Greg Gannon Canned Food Drive for the Annual Holiday Food Drive -- Saturday,December 5, 2020.
Put your Faith into Action by:
1- Donating your non-perishable food items at St Mary's Church weekend of Nov. 28th-29th
2-Volunteer to collect food in your local community or assist at the church with the food collection/distribution.
Last year St. Mary's Parish collected more than 12,000 cans for over eight non-profits in the Rockville area. Volunteers are needed to assist with various aspects of the canned food drive, please contact Maggie Harwell or Yanellys Ortiz at [email protected].
To learn more about the community outreach check out the website, www.greggannoncfd.org
If you are considering Catholic School for your student the Fall 2021, 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 2021. Please see the Archdiocese website for information: https://adwcatholicschools.org/tuition-assistance/