Second Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday · Matthew 28:18-20: The Commissioning of the Disciples Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has

Second Sunday of Easter – Divine Mercy Sunday April 19, 2020

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church

Web Site: www.olphsedc.com Email: [email protected]

PARISH STAFF Very Rev. Michael L. Thompson, SSJ, Pastor Deacons: Ira Chase, Thomas Jones, and Timothy Tilghman

Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Bernice Waller

Director of Religious Education: Ms. Cynthia Battle Pastoral Council Chair: Ms. Aletcia Whren

Phone: 202-678-4999 Email: [email protected] Phone 202-246-1960 Email: [email protected]

Finance Council Chair: Mrs. Bonita Boulware Ministers of Music: Mr. Rawn Harbor, Phone 301-758-3768 Email: [email protected] Mr. Dehrric Richburg, Mr. George Stewart, Ms. Debra Tidwell, Ms. Melanie Cobb

Newcomers & Visitors: Welcome to “The Church on the Hill”! Thank you for worshipping with us today. May you be blessed with hope, joy, love and peace while here!

Should you want to join our parish family please contact a Minister of Hospitality, Priest, or call the Rectory. Again, Welcome!

Josephite Fathers and Brothers

1600 Morris Road, SE Washington, DC 20020 Phone: 202-678-4999 Fax 202-610-3189

Emergency Telephone Number: 409-963-5633

Easter Lasts for “50” Days - Celebrate!!

Risen Lord, we greet you with joy this Easter Season, and we thank you

for the gift of new life. Bless our food, our family and our friends and

help us to celebrate the springtime in our hearts as we rejoice in the

good news of your resurrection. Alleluia! Amen!

http://www.olphsedc.com/

mailto:[email protected]



Second Sunday of Easter – Divine Mercy Sunday April 19, 2020 Page 2

Mass Intentions are available for the faithful departed and the needs of the living. In addition, every weekend one Mass is offered for the parishioners of our parish. Call the office to request a Mass intention. An offering of $10 is suggested.

Memorials are noted by: † Indicates Deceased

BD means Birthday AD means Anniversary of Death

Divine Mercy Sunday (19th) 10:00 am Mass For the People of OLPH St. Joseph’s Ladies’ Aux. #213, KOSJI

Third Sunday of Easter (26th) 10:00 am Mass For the People of OLPH

Third Sunday of Easter – April 26, 2020

1st Reading: Acts 2:14,22-33 Responsorial Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-11

2nd Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21 Gospel Reading: Luke 24:13-35

OLPH History, Mission Statement, Vision Statement and Core Values

Matthew 28:18-20: The Commissioning of the Disciples

Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go,

therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of

the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always,

until the end of the age.”

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish has a rich, black cultural history. From its formation in 1920, the Black

Catholics of Anacostia contributed to its development and growth through their sacrifices of time, talent, skills and funds to provide a parish plant of their own. Thus, the

uniqueness of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish places it in a leadership position to interact with other Black and non-

black parishes in utilizing the gifts of Black spirituality through music, dance, education, and special action.

MISSION STATEMENT: We, the people, of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, therefore, acknowledge that our Pastoral Mission is to proclaim Christ and teach the “Good News”, to worship and bear witness in the community, to love and serve as Jesus commanded, and to preserve and share our rich Black heritage.

VISION STATEMENT: “A Roman Catholic church that is actively visible in the Community, shares its spirituality through fellowship, and is committed to serving God.”

CORE VALUES BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS: We will always speak the truth, respect the opinions and roles of all parishioners, and value each person, always maintaining Christian charity in all of our actions.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH: We will seek to increase the understanding of our Catholic faith and expand our spiritual growth by participating in and supporting charitable and spiritual activities, in addition to attending Mass.

STEWARDSHIP: We will become involved in church activities and commit our time, talent and treasures.

INCLUSION: We will be open and inviting by extending ourselves to all by sharing in our parish life; thereby, reaffirming our vision of being actively visible in the community.

LEGACY: We will preserve our rich Black cultural history by respecting the past, continuing in service and faith in the present, and committing to the future of OLPH.

Quote for the Week

"For the Lord's prayer to have any significance it must be prayed and not

just words spoken!"


The Week Ahead CH: Church CHG: Church Grounds REC: Rectory 1P/3P: First/Third Portable Building PR: Panorama Room PRF(S)(G): Panorama Room Field (Stage) (Grounds) WSG: Washington School for Girls

Sunday, April 19th:

10:00 am Mass

(Also the Canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska)

Everyone who is willing to take a moment each day at the 3:00 pm hour to remember and honor Jesus and what He did for us on the cross.

How to Pray The Divine Mercy Chaplet Using regular rosary beads: Begin with the Sign of the Cross, then say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and the Apostles’ Creed

Then on the beds we usually pray the Our Father prayer when praying the rosary, pray the following: “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ; in atonement for our sins and those of the world.”

On the beads that we use to pray 10 Hail Mary in the rosary, pray the following: “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, Have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

Repeat the above for each of the five decades. To conclude the chaplet, at the end of the decades, pray three times: “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.

Thursday, April 23rd:

10:30 am LOC Food Pantry – 3P Sunday, April 26th:

10:00 am Mass

Masses Will Be Live-Streamed

On the OLPH Website or go to

https://facebook.com/OurLady.ofPerpetualHelp.DC

A Prayer That Can Be Offered At Communion:

“My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there, and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.”

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Meetings and/or Activities are still not

being held here on the hill. However we

would like to remind you that Calendar

Date Requests should still be sent in.

If you have not done so for your

organization or ministry, Sunday, April

26th was the original due date.

Thank you in advance.

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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Common signs of infection include respiratory

symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. The virus spreads through the

air from coughing and sneezing and also from close personal contact like touching or shaking hands.

You are encouraged to wash your hands often with soap and water at least for 20 seconds. When

using hand sanitizer, please be sure it has at least 60% alcohol. Also, it is very important that we adhere to the request of staying 6 feet apart.

https://facebook.com/OurLady.ofPerpetualHelp.DC


Tuesday Night Bible Study

7:00 pm in the WSG. All are welcome when we resume.

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Collections last week: $5,567.00

Many thanks to all OLPH parishioners for sending in your tithes and offerings. You may continue to remit your offerings via direct mail, pay on-line or dropped off at the office.

Your continued support of our parish is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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Many of us can relate to Thomas’s response to the news that the disciples

had seen Jesus. We want to see for ourselves too, but we grow in faith,

trusting the experience and knowledge of others. Many of us have heard the saying “Seeing is believing.” As your family gathers, take some time to

consider what that saying means. What are some things we believe because we see them? Is there anything we believe without seeing? Today’s Gospel reminds

us that faith sometimes asks us to believe things we cannot see with our eyes. Read today’s Gospel, John 19:19-

31, with your family. Think about Thomas’s response to the reports about

the risen Lord. Is Thomas’s doubt reasonable? How does Jesus respond to

Thomas? Jesus grants Thomas the evidence that Thomas needs to believe,

but Jesus also affirms the faith of those who will be called upon to believe without first-hand experience. We are among those whom Jesus calls blessed. Discuss with your family the basis of each member’s faith in Jesus—the witness of the first disciples, the

Gospels, the continuing activity of the Holy Spirit, the community of the

Church. Pray together that your faith in Jesus will be strong. Pray an act of

faith together.

Recent Deaths In your prayers remember the souls of:

Josephine Stewart (DOD 3/28/20) (Sister of Frances Battle)

Burial held Monday, April 13, 2020

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Francis Powell Wheeler (DOD 4/1/20) (Husband of Carolyn,

Father of Denise and Eric)

Private Burial: Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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Margaret Edwardina Dunnington

Coleman (DOD 4/7/20) Private Burial: Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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Alfred A. Harris

DOB 9-27-28 (91 years)

DOD 4-16-20 Arrangements will be private.


18th Tahj Cobb 20th Angela Banks-Bethea Bobby Greene 21st Adrienne Lyles 22nd Geneva Holloway 23rd Roberta Harrod-Brooks Deirdre Hawkins

24th Shirley Conway Joyce Lyles NewVelvet K. Washington

26th Morris “Spunky” Cobb 27th Brenda Price 28th LaVerne Smalls 29th Sylvia Reddrick-Harris 30th Milika Dozier Dynithia Middleton

ENTERING THE HOSPITAL? Parishioners

planning to enter the hospital are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of the Sick prior to admission. Because of privacy laws, hospitals no longer notify parishes of a parishioner’s stay. Please notify the Rectory of the name of person, hospital and room number, also when the person returns home.

Parishioners who are sick or homebound and unable to attend Mass on Sunday may request to receive the Eucharist. Even if you are ill for a short period of time you are most welcome to receive a home visit. Please call the Parish Office to make

arrangements.

HOMEBOUND,**HOSPITALS and/or

*NURSING/REHAB Facilities

*Nettie Biscoe, *Sonnie Boulware, John Brown, Lorraine Brown, Shelia Conway, Roberta Dade-Young, Agnes Dua, *Thomas “Phil” Ford, *Cordella Gough, Elease Gravett, Jerome Hall, Alfred Harris, *Michael Holley, Ruth Holt, Hilda Kearney, *Geraldine Lee, Fred Lewis, Antoinette Reese, and Kobe Williams.

Carolyn Alston, Dawnielle Battle, Cynthia Battle, Michael Battle, Herb Baylor, Alice Bethea, Leora Bentley, Carolyn Brown, Hilda Brown, Millicent Brown, Jasmine Campbell, Demarquis Carter, Terneara Carter, Judy Chase, Margo Cooke, Patricia Cooke, Minnie Cooper, Judith Dean, Phyllis Delaney, Celina Dixon, *Sterling Doleman, George Dugue’, Geraldine Edmonds (sister Louis Lloyd), Beverly Ford, Alyce (Micky) Foster, Toni Gaines, Barbara Glover, Edward Glover, Betty Graham, Calestard Gravett, Marjorie Hammitt, Roberta Harrod-Brooks, Agnes Maxine Hart, John Hawkins, Sr., Michael Hawkins, Roslyn Holmes, Dorita Hughes (mother of Teneara Carter), Connie Jackson (sister James Jackson), James Jackson, Joan Jackson, Sharon Jackson-Taylor, Bettie Johnson, Janell Johnson, *Michael Johnson, Vincent Jordan, Betty Lawson, Dianna Ledbetter, Edith Lee, Denise Leftwich, Charlotte Lewis, Marie Lucas, Angela Lyles, Crystal Martin, Katalina Masembwa, Vincent Matthews, Justine Middleton, Barbara Minnick, Elizabeth Moeller, Henrietta Moody, Yvonne Moody, Gloria A. Moore, Gloria V. Moore, Warren Newton, Very Rev. William L. Norvel, SSJ, Marcia Marlene Oliver, Nathan Owens, Marilyn Proctor, Rose Quander-Neverdon, Audrey Robinson, Willie Mae Robinson (grandmother Dyllan Robinson), Shirley Samuels, Julia Scott, Bernadette Smith, Charles Smith, Dolores (Polly) Smith, Clementine Smith-Easley, Vivian Staples, Tyrell Stewart, Mark C. Stone, Marianne Thompson, Reynaldo Thurston, Rose Thurston, Daryl Tucker, Dawn Washington, Errin Washington, Martina Washington, (daughter of NewVelvet Washington), NewVelvet Washington, Thomas Washington, Bernadette Waters, Jean Westray, Carolyn Wheeler, Earline Wilkinson, Jacob Williams (husband of Josephine Williams. *Military

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URGENT REMINDER: When names can be removed from any of the sick listings, please contact Doris Savoy

or notify the Rectory.

Lawrence & Veronica Palmer 79th on April 23rd David & Deborah McNeill 46th on April 27th


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So far this event has not been cancelled. You will be notified if it does.

St. Joseph’s Ladies’ Auxiliary No.213, Knights of St. John International invites you to join them to see “Queen Esther” on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA. Cost includes Show, Transportation, and Lunch at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Make checks payable to: St. Joseph’s Ladies’ Auxiliary No.213. COST: Adults 14 years and older $150.00. Children 13 years and younger $90.00 $60.00 Non-refundable deposit ASAP 2nd Installment April 15th $45.00 Balance Due May 15th $45.00 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Depart OLPH at 6:00 am. Showtime is 11:00 am. Return to OLPH 9:00 pm. CONTACTS: Cheryl Holley 202-491-5779, Kathy Jones 301-404-9254 or Sahon Palmer 301-894-1997. Email: [email protected]

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Unfortunately effective immeditely we will no

longer provide this program here at OLPH until further notice. Special thanks to Gladys

Reid who has been the coordinator of this program for may years. Also thanks to all those who assisted her in picking up the food items, filling the bags, making deliveries and being supportive of the program. We will look into

continuing when the COVID-19 is over.

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Holy Family Catholic School

2200 Callaway Street Hillcrest Heights, MD 20748

Call 301-894-2323 for all inquiries

Please note that our OLPH Education Fund Assessment 5% of our Sunday Collection prescribed by the Archdiocese of Washington goes directly to Holy Family School.

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PANORAMA ROOM IS STILL CLOSED

FOR BATHROOM RENOVATIONS



April is National Stress

Awareness Month

According a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School, stress doesn’t have to ruin your life or your health. Constant stress — whether from a traffic-choked daily commute, unhappy marriage, or heavy workload — can have real physical effects on the body. It has been linked to a wide range of health issues, including mood, sleep, and appetite problems — and yes, even heart disease.

Learn 5 ways to de-stress and help your heart: Stay positive. Laughter has been found to lower levels of stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and increase “good” HDL cholesterol.

Meditate. This practice of inward-focused thought and deep breathing has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure. Meditation’s close relatives, yoga and prayer, can also relax the mind and body.

Exercise. Every time you are physically active, whether you take a walk or play tennis, your body releases mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. Exercising not only melts away stress, it also protects against heart disease by lowering your blood pressure, strengthening your heart muscle, and helping you maintains a healthy weight.

Unplug. It’s impossible to escape stress when it follows you everywhere. Cut the cord. Avoid emails and TV news. Take time each day — even if it’s for just 10 or 15 minutes — to escape from the world.

Find ways to take the edge off your stress. Simple things, like a warm bath, listening to music, or spending time on a favorite hobby, can give you a much-needed break from the stressors in your life.

April is National Autism

Awareness Month

The month is dedicated to promoting autism awareness, inclusion, and ensuring those on the spectrum have the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life.

The first signs of ASD usually appear by age two. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, with a wide spectrum of functionality from low functioning to high functioning. A child or adult with ASD may exhibit a variety of symptoms including: Failing to respond to his/ her name Resists cuddling and holding Prefers to play alone Poor eye contact Delayed Speech Repetitive movements Dependent on routines and rituals Doesn’t engage in imitative or make- believe play

Currently, there is no known single cause of autism. Researchers have begun researching the role of genetics and the environment in those that develop ASD.

Many with autism have additional medical conditions such as sleep disturbance, seizures, and gastrointestinal distress; addressing these conditions can improve attention, learning, and related behaviors.

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April 19, 2020 Second Sunday of Easter

Some American Indian tribes employ a rite of passage to initiate their members into adulthood. The details of

the rite are secret and carefully guarded. On the longest night of the year, a young boy of 12 or 13 years is taken

to a tree in the forest. There, alone, and without provisions or weapons, he is told to stand still until the dawn.

The young boy must face the threat of wild animals, the darkness of the forest, and the terrible fear of the

unknown. You can imagine how happy he must be when at last he sees the rays of the dawn. But then, he sees

something else that makes him even happier, because at dawn, out from one of the trees nearby, steps his father. Although the boy thought he had been alone, his father was watching and guarding him all through the night.

The experience of the disciples in today’s Gospel can be compared to that of this young boy. Their story, like

his, took place at night. They too were alone and afraid. They were alone because Jesus, to whom they had

pledged their lives, had been brutally crucified. All their dreams of serving in his company had been brought to

an abrupt end. They were afraid because the power of Rome that so efficiently brought Jesus to his death could

at any time be turned against them. They gathered behind locked doors and trembled in fear. Then, suddenly,

Jesus steps into the locked room and offers them peace. Everything changes in that greeting. The apostles now

see that Jesus is alive. They realize, as did the young Indian boy, that although they thought they had been alone,

Jesus had been watching them and guarding them. Now they could see and hear him. Now Thomas was invited to touch him. Jesus’ presence was obvious.

But the most important lines in today’s Gospel are the lines that Jesus says to Thomas: “Have you believed

because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We are the ones that

Jesus is blessing in those lines, because we have not seen his risen body and yet we have faith. You see, the

reason the disciples saw the risen Christ was so that we do not need to see him. The reason that Thomas touched

the risen Christ is so that we do not need to touch him. If we believe in the witness of the apostles, we can believe that Christ is near even when his presence is not obvious.

When we have to face a crisis in our life, when we lose someone that we love, are hurt by someone that we

trusted, have to face the consequences of a terrible mistake, we want to see Jesus. We want the assurance that

he is with us. But Easter tells us that even when Christ is not visible to us, we are visible to him. When we have

to face decisions about our future—what school should we attend, who should we love, what career should we

follow—we want to touch Christ. We want the confidence of knowing that he is with us to help us make the

important decisions in our life. When we face sickness, when we begin to realize that our life is coming to an

end, we want to hear Christ say to us, “Peace be with you,” so we will know that he will be there to greet us when our life is through.

The apostles were allowed to hear those words so that we do not need to hear them. If we cling to their witness,

then we will know that Christ is truly risen. And with that faith we will not need to be afraid. Although at times

it may seem like we are standing alone, Easter faith will tell us that Christ is watching and guarding us all through the long dark night.

I was impressed with this explanation of the Gospel in a daily reflection book and thought it should be shared.

Commentary Taken from: Fr. George Smiga

Ages 7+ April 19, 2020 • John 20:19-31

© 2020 CRI • PO Box 9290, Canton, OH 44711 • www.ChildrensBulletins.com

Second Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday · Matthew 28:18-20: The Commissioning of the Disciples Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has

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