February: Corporal Works of Mercy

This month's theme is the Corporal Works of Mercy. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities (no. 2447). Click here to see the many ways you may join us to get involved and gather, in-person and online, with your fellow parishioners.

Clickable pdf with links to take action

Donate to the Cathedral

Diocesan Annual Appeal

There are a million things pressing for your attention, and so many worthy causes that you can support, one important cause is the 2021 Annual Diocesan Appeal. We are so blessed at the Cathedral because of the assistance of the Appeal; funds received from previous annual appeals have been put towards the new organ and the many ministries and activities being held here. You have likely received a letter and brochure from Bishop Knestout regarding the 2021 Appeal. Please take a moment to reflect on all the ministries the Appeal supports and prayerfully consider a new gift or an increase in your gift if you have contributed previously. Our 2021 Annual Appeal goal is $49,820; we have collected $605 towards that goal. While reflecting on your gift, please also consider giving online. You can do so at https://richmondcatholicfoundation.org/appeal/ If you have any questions at all about the Appeal, or how to adjust your online giving, contact Tiffany Baham at (804) 212-3890 or tbaham@richmondcathedral.org.

Give to the Appeal

Confessions and Stations of the Cross

In an effort to make the Sacrament of Penance more available during Lent the Cathedral will hold Stations of the Cross every Friday at 6:00 p.m. with Confessions beforehand at 5:00 p.m. If you are unable to attend in person, Stations will be livestreamed at our Cathedral Facebook page.

Clickable PDF

February Service:

Please bring all items to the bins located at the entrance to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Collections will be ongoing throughout the month of February.

Gospel Readings During Lent: Year B

According to the cycle of biblical readings for Mass (Lectionary), the account of Jesus’ temptation is read on the First Sunday of Lent (this year, Mark 1:12–15), and the account of his Transfiguration (this year, Mark 9:2–10) on the Second Sunday of Lent.

When the Scrutinies in preparation for adult Baptism are observed, the Gospel about the Samaritan woman is read on the Third Sunday of Lent (John 4:5–42), the story of the man born blind on the Fourth Sunday of Lent (John 9:1–41), and the account of the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1–45) on the Fifth Sunday of Lent.

In Year B of the Lectionary (the current year), Jesus’ cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple is read on the Third Sunday of Lent (John 2:13–25), Jesus’ dialogue with Nicodemus (John 3:14–21) on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, and the coming of Jesus’ “hour” (John 12:20–33) on the Fifth Sunday of Lent.

On Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, which is the sixth Sunday of the Lenten season, the Gospel read at the procession or beginning of Mass is that of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem (this year, Mark 11:1–10); during the Mass proper, the Passion is read (this year, Mark 14:1–15:47) (General Introduction to the Lectionary, no. 97).

Sacramental Preparation is Underway

Please pray for the following children as they prepare for their First Penance and First Holy Communion:

Addyson Cabrera

Adelynn Elisabeth Seitz

Aidan Joseph Gans

Aiden James Edwards

Arnel Rafael Ellorin Guzman

Benjamin M Hartley

Chase Frederick O'Shea

Eliza James Smothers

Francis John Ferreira

Jonathan Tyler Lucier, Jr.

Keara Malone Brown

Lilly Grace Brown

Mary Dorothy Lapington

Sofia Vienna Salay

Stephanie Nicole Peltier

Tate Holbrook Burris

Teagan Alese Monahan

Zaid Taurik Haddad

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

RCIA sessions are every Tuesday evenings at 6:00 pm on Zoom. We begin each session by praying the Gospel for the upcoming Sunday. By spending time reading and discussing the Gospel passage we discover how we are all connected to the Word of God in our daily lives. Last week Deacon Charles Williams guided us through the Liturgical Season of Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday. The season of Lent calls us to examine our lives and bear witness to our faith. This week Deacon Chris presented on the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

RCIA would like to thank the CCM students for their help this week in preparing materials for the RCIA members!

Rite of Election

The Rite of Election takes place at the 9:00 a.m. Mass on the First Sunday of Lent. At this rite, the names of adult parishioners who are preparing for the Sacraments of Christian Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—are presented to Bishop Knestout. The bishop then chooses (“elects”) them for these sacraments, which they will receive at the Easter Vigil. The Rite of Election or Enrollment makes these parishioners members of the Church’s elect. Please pray for the elect during Lent, which the Church calls their “Period of Purification and Enlightenment.”

SILENCE DURING LENT

We know that silence is necessary to prepare ourselves to encounter God. It is in silence that the religious or spiritual sense of the child may be developed. Silence leads the child to a relationship with him or herself, through the listening of his or her own breathing. As children become conscious of their inner silence, they realize that this allows them to be able to listen to and answer God. Silence is a great help for the child’s prayer life. At home, you may want to practice quiet time at the prayer table. Silence is necessary for prayer.

- From cgsusa.org

Click here to join Zoom

Liturgical Notes for Lent

The liturgy or worship of the Church during Lent evokes the 40-year sojourn of the Chosen People in the desert and the 40 days that Christ spent in the desert praying and fasting.

Regarding music, the Alleluia is not sung (a different acclamation is used in instead); the Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is suppressed; and instrumental music is used only to support the singing of the people (there are no preludes, interludes, or postludes). As for décor, the priest wears violet (purple) vestments—the color associated with penance—and flowers are prohibited in the sanctuary.

Exceptions to some of these norms include major feast days and the Fourth Sunday of Lent (March 4–5), also known as Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 53, 62 B, 305; Ceremonial of Bishops, no. 252; Instruction on Music in the Liturgy, Musicam sacram [1967], no. 66).

February 17 - March 28, 2021

Join others throughout the diocese for an hour or more of peaceful prayer in the public right-of-way outside the Planned Parenthood (201 North Hamilton Street, Richmond, VA), at home, or church. People will be praying from Ash Wednesday (2/17/21) through Palm Sunday (3/28/21) Contact: Ann Niermeyer | 804-714-5170 | pray4dads40days@gmail.com

www.40daysforlife.com/richmond

Maintenance Technician Needed:

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is looking for a full time (40 hours/week) maintenance worker.

Duties include cleaning and sanitizing the church and office area, assisting the Director of Facilities and staff members as needed, and performing scheduled preventative maintenance and general repairs when needed.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift 50 lbs., the ability to work flexible hours, to walk extensively throughout the workday, and to climb ladders and navigate heights such as the roof areas. This position requires a successful clearance by Social Services, criminal background check, and certificate of VIRTUS training, all of which are provided through the parish. Salary is based on diocesan scale and demonstrated experience in the maintenance field.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to tbaham@richmondcathedral.org

SCHEDULE

Masses

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 12:05 p.m. (Cathedral Facebook)

(Cathedral open from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. (no livestream)

(Cathedral open from 5:30–7:30 p.m.)

Saturday: 5:15 p.m. (Cathedral Facebook)

(Cathedral opens at 4:15 p.m.)

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. (Diocesan Livestream)

Bishop Knestout, celebrant(Cathedral opens at 8:00 a.m.)

Sunday: 11:00 a.m. (no livestream)

(Cathedral opens at 10:00 a.m.)

Sunday: 5:15 p.m.

Cathedral opens at 4:15 p.m.)

Online registration for weekend Masses is greatly appreciated and expedites entry. Those who register online and arrive at least 15 minutes early are guaranteed a seat. Thank you for helping our hard-working Cathedral ushers, who endeavor to have everyone seated before Mass begins.