Message from Pastor: Just a reminder, the Mass times at OLHC are as follows: Saturday Vigil - 5:00 p.m., and Sunday - 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. We have tried to adjust the schedule of Masses to make them convenient, so I am asking that parishioners make an effort to arrive at Mass on time. We’ve had people coming in during Sunday Masses right up until the Communion Rite. All during Mass, people are walking in and taking their places. This shows an apparent lack of understanding the Liturgy or disrespect for the Eucharist. It also sets a poor example for our children and it is disturbing to other people who have come to Mass on time and wish to worship. In addition, I would like to ask you to remain at Mass until the priest is down the aisle. I have noticed that oftentimes half the Church is missing by the time we get to the back door. Some people are leaving during Communion. Again, this shows a great disrespect for the Eucharist and sets a very poor example. I ask for your cooperation with this request and thank you in advance.

Thank you: OLHC parishioners for your gifts of cards, baked goods, and other items. I will enjoy all of them and appreciate your generosity.

—Fr. Crowley

An OLHC Welcome: to Fr. Frank Kaminski, SJ, and to Fr. Hugh Marshall, ST, who will lead the weekend liturgies.

OLHC Expresses Thanks: to Joe and Joan Dulcey for their donation of the stable for our nativity scene. The stable was crafted by their combined skills, and will be shared by many parishioners for years to come.

We thank the ushers, the Eucharistic ministers, the lectors, the altar servers, the altar guild, the choirs and musicians, and anyone else who helped to make our Christmas services such a beautiful expression of our Catholic liturgy. We also thank Fr. Kevin Spicer for being the celebrant at our Masses on December 26th.

Special Charity of the Month: The January collection is for Black and Indian Missions, formerly called U.S. Missions. Most of the churches which served African Americans and Native Americans, depended on the January collection for their survival, and to a lesser degree still do. There is an envelope in your packet for this collection.

25th Anniversary Committee: Interested parishioners are invited to attend a meeting on Wednesday, January 12th, at 7:00 p.m., to discuss plans for OLHC’s 25th anniversary.

25th Anniversary History Committee: Parishioners are asked to help plan the booklet for our 25th year celebration. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2005, at 7:00 p.m.

OLHC Committees/Groups: Please be sure your meetings, rehearsals, special events, etc., which are being held here at OLHC, are listed on the church calendar in the office. Thank you.

Prayers are requested for: Lynnette Proctor, Dorey Pagel, Kylis Savoy, Scott Grimes, Maria Workman, Spriggs Baker, John Lohman, John W. Bell, Howard Bridges, Regina Lominac, Bill Walsh, and Jean Ridgely, Ernestine Bragg, Diane Antonelli, Sarah Knott, Gert Gorman. Call the office to add a name to our list and also to remove a name when the crisis has passed. The weekly “prayer list” represents the concerns of the whole parish but it needs to be kept up to date. When a person has been treated for an illness and is as well as he/she is going to be, call to have the name removed from our list.

Catechist Needed: for a 5th grade class on Sundays from 9:45-11:00 a.m. Please call Kathy at the office if you are called to this ministry.

Liturgy Committee: meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 11, at 7:00 p.m. Please plan to attend.

Youth Group (8th-12th grade): will not meet on Sunday, January 2. A meeting will be held on Sunday, January 9, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

OLHC Youth Group Super Bowl Subs: The youth group will be selling subs for Super Bowl Sunday. Orders will be taken on January 22/23 and January 29/30, after Masses. More details will follow.

Religious Education: Classes will resume Sunday, January 2 and Monday, January 3.

First Reconciliation Workshop #3: is scheduled for Wednesday, January 5th, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 8th from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Parent and child may attend either session.

The Blue Sky Puppet Theatre: will be performing “The Barker of Seville” for our Religious Education classes at 4:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. on Monday, January 10. This presentation is appropriate for children of all ages especially those from 5 to 12. All children in the parish are cordially invited to attend. A voluntary $2.00 donation will be taken at the door.

Men’s Retreat: The annual weekend retreat for men will be held on January 14-16, 2005 at the Loyola Retreat House. This year’s theme is “Our Life with the Blessed Trinity.” The cost is $150 of which half is due with your registration. Financial help is available for those who need it. For more information, call the Retreat House at (301) 870-3515 and/or check the website at www.loyolaretreat.org. You can also contact Peter Czupryna at (301) 934-2975 for information.

Day of Reflection on the Spirituality of Mother Teresa: on Saturday, January 15, 2005, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., St. Ann's Church, 4400 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, D.C. RSVP to Maris Moriarty at moriartym@adw.org or call 202-338-1601 to confirm for lunch (free of charge).

Is Your Marriage in Trouble?: If your relationship has grown cold and distant, if you are separated or thinking about separation or divorce, we believe that Retrouvaille can help. Retrouvaille is a Catholic program designed to help hurting couples mend and heal their brokenness. The next weekend is: February 11-13, 2005. All calls and inquiries are confidential. For more information please call (410) 647-0350 or (301) 468-6764 or visit the website at www.retrouvaille.org.