Contents: Fr. George, Seminarian Andrew, Ash Wed., Rite of Acceptance, Vacation Pictures, Religious Education, Parish Updates, Reflection, Mass Intentions, Annual Appeal, Job Opening
Note: There will be no reconciliation this weekend, Fr. George will be at DYC, he will return in time for the 5:00 PM Mass.
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An Message from Fr. George
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A Witness to the Faith
Dear Parishioners,
The 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel last weekend was very timely for me share with you the Feast of the St. Nino held in my hometown in the Philippines. I am sharing with you now some vivid photos of how it was celebrated, especially the aerial view of the Pilgrims Mass with people in tribal costumes.
Truly, it is a testimony of faith. We profess the same faith and the Light of the World shines forth to all nations. In our parish, the devotedness we express gives sincere witness to our brothers and sisters. When we had the rite of welcome to our candidates and catechumens (pictures below) it helps bring a renewal to the faith we all share. I was and am very moved and touched seeing those individuals join our faith community.
This week also brings a new blessing. We welcome Sem. Andrew Clark, our new seminarian. Andrew is on Pastoral Year and he is advanced in his formation year in the seminary. He will stay with us until August. It is always a blessing to have a seminarian in our parish. Our community contributes for the growth and formation of our seminarians and the increase of vocation to the priesthood.
Our journey to the faith is nourished by the many gifts and graces we receive each day. Jesus unfolds new things among us, we are truly blessed.
Fr George
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Welcome Seminarian Andrew Clark
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Note: We won't be seeing Andrew C. at our Masses this weekend (Feb 11th and 12th) as he will be at the Diocesan Youth Conference.
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Hello, my name is Andrew Clark, and I am seminarian for the Diocese of Richmond. I am in my seventh year of formation and study at Theological College, the national seminary of The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. This year I am on my pastoral year which is a whole year dedicated to working in parish ministry.
I would like to take a moment to introduce myself a bit. I am from a Navy family and lived in Connecticut and Italy before moving to Virginia in middle school. I graduated from the Global Studies and World Languages Academy at Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach in 2016 and immediately entered college seminary at St. John Paul II Seminary, which is also at CUA, where I studied philosophy, history, and theology before graduating in 2020. I am now continuing my postgraduate studies in theology with a particular interest in liturgy and Christian culture and spirituality.
My favorite pastimes include reading, mostly in the abovementioned areas, and hiking. I also enjoy going camping/backpacking and traveling. Some of my favorite authors include Pope St. John Paul II, Josef Pieper, Pope Benedict XVI, and J.R.R. Tolkien. My patron/favorite saints are St. Andrew and St. Ignatius of Antioch. My favorite books of the Bible are the Psalms, Judith, Acts of the Apostles, the Gospel of John, and James.
I am very excited to continue my pastoral year here at St. Jerome’s and getting to know, pray, and minister with all of you. Please keep me and my brother seminarians in your prayers. Thank you!
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Ash Wednesday
2/22/2023
6:30 AM and 6:00 PM
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Ash Wednesday is rapidly approaching. We will have Masses at 6:30 AM and 6:00 PM. From Noon to 1:30 PM you may receive ashes on the forehead outside of Mass.
The morning before we will be burning last year's palms to create the ashes for this year.
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Beginning this weekend through the weekend of February 18th/19th, please return blessed palms from last year so we may burn them on February 21st
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Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming
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This past Sunday at the 9:00 AM Mass we welcomed new members in our midst Ayden Cwayne, Christian Rodriguez, and Gabriel Rodriguez celebrated the "Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens." They are preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
Additionally, Robert Van Hee and William Schulte already share our Christian faith through Baptism. They celebrated the "Rite of Welcoming," as they marked a moment of following God's call to live their Christian faith and completed their initiation within the Catholic community.
Please pray for our candidates and catechumens!
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Fr. George Vacation Pictures
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Religious Education Corner
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PORT Volunteer Meeting
Sunday, February 19th we are holding a PORT Volunteer meeting at 1:00 PM for anybody wanting to assist the homeless when we house next month.
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Middle and High School Lock-In
The Middle and High School lock-in begins Friday, February 24th at 8:00 PM and lasts through 8:00 AM the next morning. We are in great need of adult volunteers to facilitate. Email Margie if you can help! Her email is margie@stjeromennva.org
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Extended Confirmation Class
Our final extended Confirmation class is Sunday, February 26th and lasts from 10:15 AM through 1:30 PM.
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It's never too early to start planning! Our St. Jerome Mission Trip will be Wednesday July 12th through July 29th. Rising 6th Graders through 12th Graders are invited to a week of meaningful service to the needy in Buckingham County, Virginia.
Additionally, the Kick Off planning meeting for adults will be on Thurs. Feb. 9th at 7:00PM in the youth group room
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In support of CareNet Peninsula there will be Baby Bottles available in the Church Commons throughout the month of February. Pick one up, fill it with spare change, and return it to the Bassinet in the commons.
Want to help without the bottle? You can give online here: https://cnpeninsula.salsalabs.org/give/index.html
CareNet Peninsula is a safe space pregnant women in crisis can process and learn the truth about their pregnancy. They provide options counseling, ultrasounds and parenting support. All for FREE so women don’t default to abortion.
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Our Lenten Reconciliation Service will be Thursday, March 2nd at 7:00 PM. Mark your Calendar Today!
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Sanford Elementary Good News Club
Attention Sanford Seagulls! Students K-5 are invited to join the Good News Club at Sanford Elementary School, Room 10, Mondays right after school till 4:15 pm. Bible stories, games, songs, snacks and more! Contact carolbuckles@yahoo.com for a Parental Permission Form.
Good news club officially starts Feb. 27th.
For more information about Good News Club, visit www.cefpeninsula.com
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Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Training
There will be a training session at Church on February 18 at 10:00 am for anyone interested in becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. We are in desperate need of additional Extraordinary Ministers at all Masses and to take Communion to the Home Bound. You can be an EM at the Mass you attend or take to the Homebound or both. The training session last an hour to an hour and a half. If you are not sure if this is a ministry for you come to the training session and have your questions answered and find out what it is all about.
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Are You a “Child of God”?
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When we’re baptized, we become adopted sons or daughters of God. We become “children of God”. So… does that mean we aren’t children of God before that? And if we aren’t… what are we?
Today, Fr. Mike explains to us how baptism makes us “partners in the divine nature”, so that we can truly call God our Father.
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February 14 – February 19, 2023
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
- All the Souls in Purgatory
Saturday
- William and Didier Hammond
Sunday
- 7:00 AM – Amelia Lopez
- 9:00 AM – Marilyn Cotrupi
- 12:00 PM – Martha Tai and Peter Thanh
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God doesn’t un-say anything. Today, Christ asserts that for those hoping for a ‘free pass,’ “Not… the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law” (Matthew 5:18). The law is God’s unchangeable word, and all will be judged according to His law.
Yet, inasmuch as God will not recant his law, neither will he recant his mercy. Technically speaking, our hope should abound because, according to Saint Thomas Aquinas, “It is more proper for God to spare and to show mercy than to punish. For the former belongs to him by reason of his nature, the latter only by reason of our sins” (Summa Theologica II, II, 21, 2).
Yet some people don’t know his law. While God’s mercy may account for this, they will still suffer judgment under the law. Jesus gave our parish the task of sharing the good news that he came to save us from the law. Our Catholic parish is the most direct local route for our community to reach Him and our Annual Diocesan Appeal seeks to help more people get access to Him. Please support our Appeal today. We need your generosity, prayers, and advocacy. Let’s bring souls from our community to his merciful feet!
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Are you a writer who loves to tell a good story? Is working with words your passion? Then become part of our team! The Catholic Diocese of Richmond’s Office of Communications is seeking a talented, experienced, motivated assistant editor to join our small, creative, and award-winning, multimedia team. We are looking for someone with drive and focus to cover Catholic news and write inspirational faith stories found within the multiple communities we serve. Additionally, we want someone who can balance the importance of print and digital platforms for our diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Virginian (CV). If interested, please see the full Ad and how to apply at http://bit.ly/3WVJfGD
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