How to Enter the New Year
God of all time,
help us enter the New Year quietly,
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,
mindful that our steps make an impact
and our words carry power.
May we walk gently.
May we speak only after we have listened well.
Creator of all life,
help us enter the New Year reverently,
aware that you have endowed
every creature and plant, every person and habitat
with beauty and purpose.
May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honor rather than destroy.
Lover of all souls,
help us enter the New Year joyfully,
willing to laugh and dance and dream,
remembering our many gifts with thanks
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.
May we welcome your lavish love.
May we cast off the small, vindictive god our fears have made.
May the grace and peace of Christ bless you now and in the days ahead.
Away
I will be away from the parish from January 2 to 9 to accompany a group of students from Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) at VCU on a mission trip to Ponce, Puerto Rico. Daily and weekend Masses, along with weekday and Saturday confessions, will be covered in my absence. I look forward to seeing everyone upon my return. —Fr. Tony Marques
Christmas Season
Christmas is a liturgical season that extends beyond December 25. Christmas Time, as this period is known, includes the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (January 4–5), and ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (January 11–12). Epiphany, which is also known as Three Kings Day, commemorates the visit of the Magi, when Christ was revealed as the Savior of all peoples. The Baptism of the Lord recalls another epiphany, when Jesus was manifested as the Son of God after being baptized in the Jordan River.
House Blessing
It is customary to bless homes on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Three Kings Day), since this feast commemorates the visit of the Magi to Christ’s “home” in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1–12). The blessing of homes typically includes writing, in chalk, the following inscription above the front door: 20+C+M+B+20. The numbers 2020 indicate the year. According to Scripture, the Magi were astrologers (Matthew 2:1–2, 7), and ancient calendars were based on astronomical phenomena. The letters CMB stand for the traditional names given to the Three Kings: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. CMB is also an acronym for the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat: “May Christ bless this house.”
The traditional date for the feast of the Epiphany is January 6 (which follows the twelfth day of Christmas). In the United States, however, Epiphany is observed on the Sunday between January 2 and 8. Chalk will be blessed at all Masses on the weekend of the Epiphany (January 4–5), which families can then use to bless their homes. A text for the blessing of homes is included with the bulletin.
Announcement of Easter
According to the Roman Missal, “On the Epiphany of the Lord, after the singing of the Gospel, a Deacon or cantor, in keeping with an ancient practice of Holy Church, announces from the ambo the moveable feasts of the current year” (Appendix I: Various Chants for the Order of Mass, The Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts). The Announcement of Easter will be sung at the 11:00 am Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (January 5).
Perhaps the custom of announcing the date of Easter and the other feasts on Epiphany arose because the Magi were astrologers (Matthew 2:1–2, 7), and ancient calendars were based on celestial events.
Come Home to Catholic Education - Admissions Deadline Coming Up!
St. Benedict - RVA's oldest parochial school - is now enrolling students in grades JK-8 for the 2020-2021 academic year. Come and learn about our challenging classical curriculum, our beautifully diverse school, our well-prepared graduates, and our warm, family-like community! At St. Benedict, learning together, playing together and praying together is a normal school day for our students. As a small-school community, with one class per grade, your child is known, loved and supported academically and spiritually throughout their journey. Come home to Catholic education - - call us today to explore how! JK & K screenings are taking place in January and our Admissions deadline is January 27th for first-round acceptance. Register for a tour or upcoming screening on our website at www.saintbenedictschool.org or call us at 254-8850. St. Benedict Catholic School is centrally located in the Museum District and has been nurturing a love of God, a love of service and a love of learning since 1919.
Wednesday Mass
With VCU on Christmas break, Mass on Wednesday will be at 12:05 beginning on December 18 (and excluding holy days). The 7:00 pm Wednesday Mass, followed by confessions, will resume with the return of students on January 15.
Thank you for all of your support to provide meals for those RCIA members seeking to join the Catholic Church. The RCIA program relys on the generosity of cathedral parishioners for meals on their Tuesday night sessions.
Please consider supporting this ministry by bringing dinner on January 21, February 11, or February 25.
Email Maria Thorsen at: mthorsen@richmondcathedral.org
Provide a meal for RCIA
Tuesdays Together
Our music and movement program for infants to PREK and their caregivers meets weekly on Tuesdays from 10:00am to 11:00am in the large classroom in the basement. It is a wonderful time for fellowship and fun! Join us!
Online giving allows you to make your donations without writing a check each week.
You can set up a recurring weekly or monthly payment, allocate different amounts for our different collections, and view complete, accurate financial records at any time. It saves all of us time and is a win-win for our parish!
Those who wish to continue to use our traditional methods of offering, including envelopes, may do so.
However, we ask that you prayerfully consider Online Giving. If you would like to enroll, visit: https://www.richmondcathedral.org/donate/
If you have any questions about the program or about setting up your account, do not hesitate to contact Tiffany Baham at tbaham@richmondcathedral.org
A Christmas Gift for Your Parish
In order to balance our parish budget every year we rely heavily on the generous gifts that come to us through the Christmas collection. We also rely heavily on the weekly Offertory gifts that are made 52 weeks out of the year. Both your Christmas gifts to our parish and your weekly Offertory gifts help us manage our operating budget through winter when heating bills are high and unexpected costs arise. For this reason, we ask you to please be as generous as possible with your Christmas gift to the parish. If possible, use both your weekly envelope and your Christmas envelope this Christmas. We need your support. Thank you for your generosity both throughout the year and at Christmas!
We are in need of volunteers to be extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and altar servers. If you are willing and able to serve, please contact the parish office. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of these important ministries!
First Penance and First Holy Communion
Sacramental Preparation for First Penance and First Holy Communion takes place in Second Grade and includes formation classes for the children and parents. Children who are beyond second grade who have not received their First Holy Communion are welcome and encouraged to attend these classes.
All classes begin with a Pot-Luck Family Lunch at 12:00pm in the Parish Hall. Our first class is Sunday, February 16th at noon in the Parish Hall. Need to register? Contact: Joy Weir jweir@richmondcathedral.org or download form from www.richmondcathedral.org
Money Counters Needed
Money counters are responsible for counting weekly collections and preparing the envelopes for permanent records. There are three teams who rotate by the month. We are in need of some volunteers for the January, April, July, and October team. If you are interested, please contact Tiffany Baham at tbaham@richmondcathedral.org
Diocesan Annual Appeal
On behalf of The Cathedral we would like to thank you for your support of the 2019 Annual Diocesan Appeal – Building Our Family of Faith. Because of your generosity and that of your fellow parishioners, we have raised $64,371. This puts us at 118% of our target which is $54,540. When we think about the Catholic Church, our attention immediately turns to the life, people and ministries of our parish. Every year, however, the Appeal challenges us to think about the Church outside of our walls. If you had the opportunity to review the ministries supported by the Appeal you will see that our Church is only as strong as these larger ministries which no parish can address alone. By partnering with our parish on the 2019 Annual Appeal, you are making a true difference by ensuring that these ministries continue to grow. Thank you for the faith and trust you have put into your contribution to the Annual Appeal
Please visit the Cathedral website to review the Adult Faith Formation programs for 2019-2020
www.richmondcathedral.org
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
to the Sick and Homebound
This is a wonderful ministry whereby you will meet some of the nicest and most grateful people imaginable. The time commitment is minimal and the reward is everlasting!
If you can commit to spending a few moments once a month, taking the Eucharist to those who would otherwise not receive it, contact the Eucharistic Minister Coordinator.
If you can commit to spending a few moments once a month, taking the Eucharist to those who would otherwise not receive it, contact the Eucharistic Minister Coordinator.
John Aune
jraune@outlook.com | (217) 649-5566
Updated Weekend Bulletin
Give with Vanco
You can give:
• online through QR code or visit
www.richmondcathedral.org/give/
• through Mobile App by downloading the
‘GivePlus Church’
• or by texting the amount you wish to give to 804-315-0903. You will have to enter your credit card or bank account number the first time you give. For more information please call the church office 804-212-3898
Parking Voucher
The parking vouchers for the VCU Decks have been updated. Please use this QR code to vacate the decks and avoid paying for parking.
Bulletin Update!
Please check out our weekly bulletin for more in-depth information regarding events at your Cathedral!
Bulletin Update
More events and information found here:
Wednesday, August 15, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Please join us for a Solemn Mass at 12:00 Noon with special music sung by the Cathedral Schola Cantorum or a sung Mass at 6:00p.
"When speaking of families, often the image of a treasure comes to my mind.
Today's rhythm of life, stress, pressure at work, and also the little attention paid by institutions, could put them in danger.
It's not enough to talk about their importance: it's necessary to promote concrete means and to develop their role in society with a good family policy.
Today's rhythm of life, stress, pressure at work, and also the little attention paid by institutions, could put them in danger.
It's not enough to talk about their importance: it's necessary to promote concrete means and to develop their role in society with a good family policy.
Together, let us ask Jesus that any far-reaching decisions of economists and politicians may protect the family as one of the treasures of humanity."
-Pope Francis
HOLY SMOKES!
PREK-Middle School Open House
Sunday, Sept. 9 | 10:00 - 11:00 am
Join us in our new church offices on the first floor to learn about our wonderful year of children’s formation and middle school youth group. You will get a chance to meet your child’s catechist or group leader. Coming from the church, go past the bathrooms through the hall and two sets of doors to reach the new office. Coming from the street, you can enter directly through the double doors at 823 S. Cathedral Place.
High School and Confirmation Open House
Sunday, September 9 |12:00-1:00pm
Join us in our new church offices on the first floor to learn about our high school youth group meetings and the chance for service hours. If you are in your sophmore year or older and would like information on the Sacrament of Confirmation, please attend this open house. Coming from the church, go past the bathrooms through the hall and two sets of doors to reach the new office. Coming from the street, you can enter directly through the double doors at 823 S. Cathedral Place.
Bible Timeline: A Story of Salvation History
*Now Mondays* 7:00p - 8:30p | Parish Hall (New Location)
Dates: September 17th, September 24th, and October 1st
“To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; to seek Him, the greatest adventure…” St. Augustine. The Bible Timeline is a Catholic approach to Scripture that invites us into a transformative encounter with Jesus Christ.
Everyone is invited. Please attend and bring a friend!
Please note temporary change of location:
The Nursery will be located in the large classroom on the lower level for about 4 weeks. All nursery supplies have been stored as the rooms are cleaned and painted, so we are asking that you bring a bag of toys that the children can share each week. Please have diapers available, if needed.
If you have any questions please email:
Women's Book Group
Fridays at 10am | Parish Hall
Sept 28, Oct 5, Oct 12, and Oct 19
“Through her unique gift for
storytelling, combined with profound
spiritual insight, Sr. Bridget
Haase's Doors to the Sacred will invite
readers to open the door to the room of
daily experience, stand under its
ceiling of providence, walk the floors of
faith, and explore its nooks and
crannies of divine surprises and
disguises. By so doing, they will
discover that each event of life is holy,
saturated with God, and filled with
hope.” – Paraclete Press
