Website: www.nativityburke.org TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME September 21, 2008

Dear Parishioners, “When I was growing up, my family had its own way of dealing with disagreements. We just stopped speak-ing. Sometimes the deep freeze lasted a day, some-times a week. Every once in a while, an offending cousin or aunt was simply erased from the family landscape, airbrushed out of our lives like a deposed member of the Politburo.” These were the opening sentences of “My Turn”, a weekly column that appeared in Newsweek (September 15, 2008). The author, Janice Wilberg, stopped talking to her parents, after a series of family difficulties, ended in an angry phone conversation in 1988. For twelve long years they missed out on eve-rything that makes family a family. Holidays not shared together, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day not celebrated. And as the author so accurately pointed out: “after a year or two (of keeping walls up), it’s not so easy to pick up that phone.” The wall began to crumble. The thaw came when her father sent her a card in which he wrote three very powerful words: “I am sorry.” I recommend that you read the entire column in Newsweek. As I read the article I recalled numerous counseling cases in my career that mirrored the same. People building walls. And what is so sad is that oftentimes, as the years go by, we forget just what put the wall up in the first place. And, if we do remember, it was usu-ally over a miniscule matter. And yet pride keeps us from making the phone call or writing the note. And sometimes the death of the other really signals what a mistake we did make. My parents had a close friend, Rita, who didn’t speak to her sister for many years. Both went to their churches each week, professed themselves as Christians. One of the most important teachings of Jesus was love and forgiveness. And how often do we pray “Forgive us our trespasses (faults) as we forgive those who have trespassed (hurt) against us.” For some of us might just be “saying” the words rather than “praying” them? Perhaps I am being naive, but it continues to baffle me that people find words such as: “I’m sorry.” “I was wrong.” “ Can we talk this over?” so difficult.

Any therapist will tell you that when you can forgive another person that has hurt us, we begin feeling bet-ter. Could forgiveness be for ourselves? I recall the words of two prisoners of war: “Have you forgiven your captors yet?” “No never!” “Well then, they still have you in prison don’t they?” (The art of Forgiveness. Loving Kindness and Peace by Jack Kornfield.” We begin the work of forgiveness primarily for our-selves. Forgiveness should not necessarily be equated with forgetting, or even with liking the person who of-fended us. Love and like are two different words. And the great commandment was that we were to LOVE the other. I encourage reading the above article. The final sen-tence of Ms. Wilberg’s article sums it all up. “Maybe there are other members of the grudge-holding culture who might listen to my story and make the move. It’s not too late.” Have a nice week.

Thought of the Week: “Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is power correcting every-thing that stands against love.” Martin Luther King

ALTAR FLOWERS For Our Families and Friends from Len and Mary Ann Yankosky and In Loving Memory of Scott Smart from Toni Smart

It is commendable that our parishioners desire to have their loved ones remembered at Mass. Our wait list for Mass Intentions is approaching two years . To accommodate your requests we are able to send Mass stipends to the Divine Word Missionary Fathers, The Dominican Monastery in Linden, VA and Food For The Poor.

Website:www.nativityburke.org TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME September 21, 2008

Mass Intentions Monday, September 22 BILL O’MALLEY……...……..…......……. 7:30am…Fr. Martin Tuesday, September 23 HUGO SARAVIA………………………...7:30am…Fr. Martin Wednesday, September 24 Special Intention for JENNIFER HAY………………………... 7:30am…Fr. Martin Thursday, September 25 WILSON LOPEZ..……...............……... 7:30am…Fr. O’Keefe Friday, September 26 IDA ROSSI………………….….………….7:30am…Fr. O’Keefe Saturday, September 27 LOUIS CAIAZZO……….....…..…… . ...9:00am…Fr. O’Keefe AMY LOUGEE…………....…….……….5:00pm…Fr. Wilson Sunday, September 28 IRENE RICHERT………………………...7:30am…Fr. O’Keefe THOMAS BASCIANI………………….…9:00am…Fr. Hughes SHIRLEY McNASTAR….....….. ………11:00am....Fr. Wilson VERONICA MAYER....... ………. …..12:45pm…Fr. O’Keefe

RCIC classes are starting Sept. 22, Monday nights at 7:00 pm! This means that volunteers are needed. If you are interested, please get in touch with the Youth Coordinator, Paul Devine at 703-455-2400 ext. 115 or CYO@nativityschool.org.

FAMILY PRAYERS – During the summer we have been taking a look at the prayer life of the Church, its customs, its devotions, its public prayer. Now as summer comes to an end, let’s look at prayer in the family setting. There are two customs which go back centuries to the time of Christ and before. The first is the practice of “saying grace” or the blessing before and after eating. This tradition of praying at table actually has its roots in the Jewish faith. The Jewish people considered their food blessed on the basis that they had thanked God for it. The blessing-thanksgiving was done over the two main food items – bread and wine. For the Seder meal, the prayers were more elaborate. This we see at the Passover meal. Christians have kept this ancient Jewish practice, and in fact, while we pray before and after meals in our homes, we have incorpo-rated the prayer into the Eucharistic Prayer in the Mass. The second custom or tradition is that of parents blessing their children espe-cially at bedtime. In our Baptismal Rite, the parents and godparents are asked to make the sign of the cross on the forehead of the child, as a sign that the child is now dedicated to the Lord. Throughout the centuries, parents have taken this gesture out of the Rite and into their homes. While it was a popular custom for many years, in recent times this blessing custom has declined. However, some ethnic groups, particularly the Hispanic culture, have continued this tradition to this day.

Religious Education classes begin September 21, 22, and 23, for students registered BY September 5. On the first day of class, students should report to the Parish Hall to meet their teachers and be escorted to their classrooms. Students registered AFTER September 5, start classes the week of September 28. Catechists and Assistants will be commissioned at the 9:00am Mass on Catechetical Sunday, September 21. Confirmation Catechists and Assistants should attend a very important information meeting on Sunday, September 28, at 7:30pm in the library. First Penance Catechists and Assistants should attend a very important information meeting on Sunday, October 5, at 7:30pm in the library. Confirmation Students and Parents should attend the Confir-mandi Investiture Service and very important information meet-ing on Wednesday, October 8, at 7:00pm in the church. First Penance Parents should attend a very important informa-tion meeting on Wednesday, October 15, at 7:00pm in the church.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Many thanks to all the parishioners who donated food to ECHO on the weekend of September 6th. Your generos-ity is very gratifying and deeply appreciated by

ECHO’S Clients.

FYI…...The Scripture readings will no longer be printed in the weekly Bulletin. They are listed on the first page, left hand side of Faith Connection.

16th Annual International Week of Prayer and Fasting, Octo-ber 5-13, 2008. October 11th: Healing, Hope and Prayer Day At the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, Washington, D.C., 10am to 5pm. Talks, Mass, Healing Prayers, Confessions. Speak-ers include: Fr. Jose Maniyangat, Fr. Dan Leary and Richard Bin-gold. October 12th: Healing and Hope Awards Banquet at the Georgetown University Conference Center, Washington, D.C., that includes a Reception and Silent/Live Auctions with re-nowned speaker, healing nun and author of Miracles Do Happen, Sister Briege McKenna and Raymond Arroyo, EWTN News Di-rector and Author, as our Master of Ceremonies. October 13th: Eucharistic Prayer Vigil at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 9am to 5pm. Speakers include Bishop Martin Holley, Sister Briege McKenna, Immaculee Ili-bagiza, Fr. Clement Machado, Fr. Frank Pavone, Congressman Chris Saith and Dan Lynch. For more information on all events and online registration for the events on October 11 and 12 go to:www.IWOPE.org or call703-707-0799 or toll free at 1-888-478-PRAY.

Cursillo (‘kur-see-oh’): A three day retreat-seminar could change your life-it did mine! For more information contact parishioner Frank McLeskey, fmcleskey@verizon.net or call 703-455-9309.

Website: www.nativityburke.org TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME September 21, 2008

Supporting Vocations…The Knights of Columbus was founded in New Haven, Connecticut over 125 years ago by a young parish priest, the venerable Father Michael J. McGivney. Today, this proud tra-dition is exemplified through Knights supporting vocations. As Knights, our faith is our foundation. Dedicated to the Catholic Church’s growth and her good works, we support religious outreach, promote vocations and provide financial sup-port to seminarians and postulates. This past year, Nativity Knights supported 4 seminarians with $2,000 in scholarship funds. We are searching for the next generation of Knights...Interested in having the experience of a lifetime by joining this great fraternal organization that is involved in giving back to our Church, our families and our community? Visit the coffee room after Mass to visit with a Brother Knight or call George Getek 703-978-6674 or Matt Smith 703-455-3197.

Nativity Catholic Pre-School has added a Tuesday and Thurs-day AM class for “young 4s” (children born between Oct. 2004 to Sept. 2005). If you are interested in enrolling your child, please contact the Preschool office at 703-455-2300 ext. 136. Nativity School still has openings in grades 3, 5, 6 and 7. Call 703-455-2300 ext. 119

OPERATION STARFISH® UPDATE On August 14th, Church of the Nativity was hon-ored by Food For The Poor for 10 years of service to the poor of Haiti through Operation Starfish®. Fr. Martin was at Food For The Poor’s Florida headquarters to present Nativity’s 2008 gift, but he was surprised by all 250 em-ployees who gathered to celebrate Nativity’s ministry to the poor. The celebration began with a video presentation showcasing 10 years of Nativity’s work in Haiti (copies will be available soon for parishioners). In honor of Fr. Martin, all FFP employees re-ceived the book JOHN: Stories of the Word and Faith, by Fr. Robert Karris, O.F.M. Fr. Karris is a professor at St. Bonaventure University and a Food For The Poor homilist. Nearly all the em-ployees asked Fr. Martin to personalize their books. The event ended with a performance by SUPREMACY, a Haitian men’s singing group, and a final prayer by Delane Bailey-Herd with her newborn daughter, Destiny. Many of you will remember De-lane’s visit to Nativity last year when she performed with our choirs and spoke eloquently about our work in Haiti. A 10th anni-versary “Starfish” cake was served to all. Fr. Martin also mixed some business into this happy day, as he met with Web Marketing, Public Relations, and Church and School Development staffs to explore methods of spreading Operation Starfish® to an even broader ecumenical audience. Nativity’s 2008 Operation Starfish® gift was $269,681.28, making the 10-year total just under $2 million. With the 2008 gift, a new Nativity Village Development project is be-ing constructed in Lozandier on Haiti’s south coast.

V.O.I.C.E. Founding Convention, Sunday, October 5th, 4:30 to 7:00 pm. Do you care enough to make a difference about affordable housing and homelessness, reducing a 14 month citi-zenship application backlog, increasing access and funding for English as a Second Language, and providing more affordable dental care for adults in Northern Virginia? If so, plan to attend the Founding Convention of V.O.I.C.E. (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) on Sunday afternoon, October 5th, 4:30 to 7:30 pm at First Mount Zion Baptist Church, 16622 Dumfries Road (VA Rt. 234) in Dumfries, VA, 22025-1920. Political leaders from Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria and Prince William County will be on hand at the Convention to respond to the V.O.I.C.E. Action Agenda on these issues. Call or write Joe Pettit, 703-455-4937, pettit@georgetown.edu for a copy of the V.O.I.C.E. Action Agenda and for more details on the Convention, including a map. (Car pools will leave from the western section of Nativity’s park-ing at 4:00 pm.)

Nativity CYO Basketball registration starts NOW!!! If your child is in grades 4th-8th at Nativity School or CCD then sign them up! For information contact Paul Devine by phone at 703-455-2400 ext. 115, or by email at CYO@nativityschool.org. Or contact Don Zdance-wicz at zdancewicz@verizon.net

PRO-LIFE CORNER Be persistent in doing whatever you can to help end abortion. Remember to write your Senators and Representa-tives in Congress telling them of your pro-life views. Thank them when they support pro-life legislation. Rebuke them in a respect-ful way when they vote against pro-life legislation. Always keep them in your prayers. Choose Life Today. Choose Life Tomor-row. Pray Always. We Must Do No Less. Please support the Tepeyac Family Center. 11135 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030, 703-273-9440 x 107, with your prayers and financial resources. Info on this crisis pregnancy center can be found at www.tepeyacfamilycenter.com

.BOOKKEEPER’S CORNER: This informative corner will share with you a few of the many bills that are paid through the Book- Keeper’s office. In September, our Dominion Virginia Power bill was $8,164.64. That was for all Parish buildings (Church, School, Rectory, Parish House and Convent.) Thank you for your continued generosity!

BOOK FAIR SAFARI Nativity School will hold its Fall Book Festi-val beginning September 23rd to the 26th. You are invited to shop on Tuesday through Thursday from 8:15 am to 2:50 pm ; on Monday from 4:00 to 9:00 pm (this is for CCD families); on Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 pm and on Friday morning from 8:15 to 11:00 am. If you are shop-ping during school hours, you must sign-in at the school office. Bring a friend and come and shop at the fair. READING IS FUNDAMENTAL!

Website:www.nativityburke.org TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME September 21, 2008

Sunday, September 21 CRS Trade Fair Coffee (OC) SCHOLASTIC FALL BOOK FAIR, Monday through Friday. See notice in bulletin for times. 9:00 am...Commissioning of Catechists and Assistants (CH) 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00 pm...CCD Classes (PH) 2:00 pm...Baptisms (CH) 2:00 - 4:00 pm...Venturing Crew 1100, Open House (APR) Monday, September 22 4:00 & 7:00 pm...CCD Classes (PH) 7:00 pm...RCIA (GR) 7:00 pm...RCIC (PH) 8:00 pm...AA Mtg. (APR) Tuesday, September 23 9:30 am...Bible Study (APR) 4:30 & 7:00 pm...CCD Classes (PH) 7:30 pm...Legion of Mary (APR)

Wednesday, September 24 10:00 am…Mom and Me (APR) 7:30 pm… Evening Bible Study (RM. 9) 7:30 pm… BSA Troop 1100 (PH) Thursday, September 25 9:30 am...Craft Group (APR) 7:30 pm...Prayer Group (APR) 7:30 pm...Venture Crew (RM. 4) 7:30 pm...Baptism Preparation class (RM. 8) Friday, September 26 10:00 am...Legion of Mary (APR) 7:00 pm...Family Fellowship Group (PH) Saturday, September 27 10:00 am...Dog Obedience Class (PL) 10:00 am...ESL Classes (RM. 4,5,6) 7:00 pm...Spanish Mass (CH)