As more of the community receives their COVID-19 vaccinations, St. Mary’s is seeing more parishioners returning to Mass week after week. Thanks be to God! It is good to see many of you again! For those who have not yet returned, St. Mary’s will be sharing remarks from parishioners who currently participate in St. Mary’s in-person Masses. This week, we share this affirming note from Matt McCormick, Parish Pastoral Council Service Liaison. The note is included in this e-mail with his permission:
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Our family throughout the pandemic has been able to take advantage of both the video taped Masses as well as the on-site Masses. We really appreciated St. Mary's approach to making everyone feel safe as we have opened the church. The church feels safe to me, as folks are socially distanced and keep their masks on the entire Mass. I appreciate all the work of the ushers, and having the church cleaned between Masses, etc. When the numbers spiked up again in the winter, we would do virtual Mass on Sunday and work to try to go to one of the less crowded Masses during the week, which was a great experience!" - Matt McCormick
We also joyfully share video testimonials from two of our parishioners. Please accept their invitation to come back to our safe, orderly, and prayerful in-person Masses:
And from young adult parishioner, Sheran Perera
HERE.
Pro-life Rosary and Witness, Saturday, May 1st and every 1st Saturday, 10-11 am, 966 Hungerford Dr., Rockville - Tomorrow, we'll continue our monthly ministry of praying for an end to abortion in front of Rockville's nearest abortion provider. All parish families are welcome to join us as we pray for the protection of unborn children and provide witness to the dignity of all human life as a parish community! We will meet on the sidewalk of Hungerford Dr. at the north end of the development, near the sign for "Jackson Place". Please e-mail
[email protected] with any questions.
Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary- The tradition of depicting Mary with a crown dates to the 5th century and the tradition of placing a crown on an image of her dates to the 16th century. The Order of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary will take place after the Universal Prayer at all in-person Sunday liturgy Masses this weekend, May 1-2. First Communicants are encouraged to wear their First Communion attire to Sunday Masses this weekend as we honor Our Blessed Mother.
Eucharistic Holy Hour Series-Join Fr. Fields and fellow parishioners for the first of four Eucharistic Holy Hours this May as part of the series "Moving Forward to the Light of Christ". This Monday, May 3rd's Holy Hour begins at 7 PMin the Main Church. The Holy Hour will include exposition, brief reading from Sacred Scripture, homily, silent time with the Lord, and benediction. The intention of this Monday's Holy Hour is for the repose of the souls of those who have died during the COVID-19 pandemic. These holy hours are in-person only.
Confessions are Saturdays from 1:00-2:00 pm and Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Or call the rectory office during business hours 9 am to 5 pm to request to make an appointment.
St. Mary's Welcomes Cardinal Gregory on Mother's Day-
We are privileged to announce that His Eminence, Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, will be the Celebrant and Homilist at our 11:30 AM Mass next Sunday, May 9. Seating will be first-come, first-serve. We can safely accommodate 240 congregants.