Come Holy Spirit, Come: March 2001

Sunday, March 25, 2001

The Mission of Holy Spirit Parish

MISSION STATEMENT

Holy Spirit Church

Holy Spirit Parish initiates believers into Christ's life by teaching Christ's saving doctrine, by its sacramental life, by practicing the charity of the Lord in good works and love, and by promoting social justice. Furthermore, the parish makes every effort to bring the gospel to those who do not believe or have ceased to practice the Catholic faith.

REFLECTION UPON OUR MISSION

The mission of this parish is one and the same with that of the universal family of faith established by Jesus Christ. The Church has but one mission: to proclaim the Good News that the Father has reconciled all men to Himself in Jesus. There are three important dynamics to this mission to spread the Gospel: to teach Christ’s saving doctrine; to prepare our people and to sustain them for a full participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church; and to practice the charity of the Lord in good works and brotherly love [cf. CCC 2179]. By God’s grace, this is accomplished through sound preaching and formational instruction programs; through well planned liturgies and active faith; and through a willingness as individuals and as groups to utilize our God-given gifts and goods for others.

Despite definite boundaries, today, it must be admitted that people in the area attend the Church which seems to best suit them. There are several other Catholic churches in the immediate area and so our numbers remain small. However, our faith is strong, our hearts are loving, and our hands are ready for service.

Within the life of every Catholic Parish there comes a time when it achieves maturity. Out of the richness of our past, with its joys and sorrows, we must step forward into a new age (Acts 2:42,47b). This process brings with it the duty and privilege to share with others the richness of its visions. "For without a vision the people will perish" (Hos. 4:6). Guided by our vision, we, a pilgrim people on the way to the fullness of the risen life, must witness to Christ here in our everyday lives and here in Prince George's County.

Nurtured by the Spirit, we gather together in celebration so that we may know Christ, and in knowing Him we may bring life to the world we touch. Our faith must be a living faith. It is the driving force of our whole life as "Church".

We can only celebrate that which we know and understand, and to do this we must be educated in our faith. Through our continued education, we must learn who we are and what we are to become in God's plan. In our outreach (evangelization) we are to be the eyes, hands, feet, and heart of Jesus, loving the world. Ours is a shared responsibility of discipleship in that all parishioners share the responsibility of parish life, support, and renewal.

Finally, our union in prayer and service reflects the Spirit that unites us. Because we share that Spirit through baptism, we are the BODY OF CHRIST, a temple to the glory of God. "You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is fitted together and takes shape as a holy temple in the Lord; in him you are being built into this temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:20-22).

WEEKLY PARISH SUPPORT

As an expression of our stewardship and obligation to support the Church, we invite each person or every family in the parish to make a confidential pledge of a weekly sacrificial gift. This weekly offering to the Lord is a tangible challenge to our discipleship. It is a sacrifice which says, "Thank you, Lord," for the many blessings you have bestowed. We give back to God a share of what our Father in heaven has generously given to us. Usually brought up with the Eucharistic gifts at Sunday Mass, it is a sign of our self-donation and personal surrender. Just as the bread and wine shall become the living presence of our Lord, body and soul, humanity and divinity, so too are we asking for ourselves to be transformed into more perfect likenesses of Christ.

Practically speaking, the amount given will vary from person to person. We realize that an amount given by one might be an impossible sum for another. But, remember the widow’s mite in the Gospel, it was more significant to the Lord than a larger sum from others because she gave of her substance. Note Deuteronomy 14 and Malachi 3. Some tithe 5% of their income to the parish and another 5% to other charitable causes, like the Cardinal’s Appeal, Red Cross, foreign missions, and various diocesan (second) collections.

When new parishioners register they are asked to take envelopes. The parish can budget ahead, knowing that a certain income will be coming in. We respect the feelings of parishioners who would feel anxious about obliging themselves to a definite figure. A statement is available at the end of the year summarizing your giving. It can be used for tax purposes. Each year, parishioners are asked to consider renewing or revising their commitment. The support of one's parish is a Christian work and a fulfillment of a precept of the Church.

"Stop worrying, then, over questions like, What are we to eat, or what are we to drink, or what are we to wear? The unbelievers are always running after these things. Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first his kingship over you, his way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides" (Matthew 6:31-33).

DECREE

We hereby decree the canonical erection of a new Parish, and by virtue of this Decree, erect, and declare erected, a new Parish which shall belong to the category of "paroeciae amovibiles," and the Pastor of which shall be a "parochus amovibilis." This parish shall be known as Holy Spirit Parish. The prospective offerings of the faithful will constitute the support of the parish.

The boundary lines of Holy Spirit Parish effective as of noon on May 28, 1966, are as follows:

Beginning at the intersection of Ritchie Road and Walker Mill Road; north on Ritchie Road to Central Avenue; East on Central Avenue to the Capital Beltway; South on the Captal Beltway to the Ritchie-Marlboro Road to White House Road; East on White House Road to the dirt road running south to Brown Road; thence along this dirt road to Brown Road; West on Brown Road to Ritchie Road (Route 221); South on Ritchie Road to Ritchie Road to Westphalia Road, Southwest on Westphalia Road to Marlboro Road; West on Marlboro Road to Forestville-Ritchie Road; North on the Forestville-Ritchie Road to Marbury Drive; Northwest on Marbury Drive and its extension to Walker Mill Road; Northeast on Walker Mill Road to Ritchie Road, the point of beginning.

Given at Washington, D.C. from the Chancery on the sixteenth day of May in the year of Our Lord 1966.

sighned
Patrick A. O'Boyle
Archbishop of Washington, D.C.

SEAL

signed
John B. Roeder
Chancellor

Parish Ministries & Groups

REGARDING THE LITURGY

The Liturgy Director, along with a committee of volunteers, is responsible for church decoration and makes imput about special liturgies.

ALTAR SERVERS: Young people from fourth grade through high school serve regularly at parish Masses. When they are not available men sometimes perform this valuable service.

HOLY SPIRIT CHOIR: Parishioners of all ages sing in our choir at the Sunday 10:30 AM Mass.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION: Commissioned for yearly terms, the laity assist the clergy in the distribution of the Eucharist at Mass and to the homebound.

LECTORS: This service of proclaiming the Word of God is open to adult Catholics and teenagers from the eighth grade through adulthood.

USHERS: An informal group of parishioners who collect the donations, assist with the offertory gifts, and help with the decorum at Mass.

HOST FAMILIES: Volunteers help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for parishioners in the vestibule before Sunday Mass. They give out the missalettes and hymnals.

REGARDING THE FAITH

The Pastor, along with many volunteers, is responsible for the religious instruction and Christian formation offered in the parish.

BAPTISMAL PREPARATION: The pastor or deacon presents this class each month (as the need arises) in the Parish House. Parents and godparents are instructed on the sacrament of baptism and the ritual as conducted here at Holy Spirit. Information sheets are also filled out that will later be used for the registry and certificates. It is recommended that parents attend the class prior to the birth of the child.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF CHILDREN: Our faith in Jesus and the Church is to be shared with others. High on the list of those to whom we are called to share our faith are our children. Parents share their faith first through their own witness and example. As a parish family, we hand on our faith through our religious education program (CCD). This program of formal religious education provides instruction and formation in our Catholic faith for all children of our parish who attend non-Catholic school and also provides sacramental preparation for all our children. If your child attends a non-Catholic school, it is a serious responsibility for you to enroll him/her in this program. Classes are on designated Sundays from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM with required Mass attendance at 10:30 AM. Classes include K to 8. A Pre-K program is conducted in the Parish House from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

BIBLE STUDY: The deacon offers periodic courses that study the Scriptures. Past sessions covered the Gospel and Letters of John and the Acts of the Apostles. They have met on Monday nights using the Little Rock Scripture Study program. The Fall 2003 program will explore the Captivity Letters of Paul. A Bible is needed and a modest fee covers the other materials: a commentary and workbook. A video support is used for background at classes.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION: The pastor holds these sessions on an appointment basis. Six months or more is the requested waiting period after the priest is notified until the actual date of the marriage. Prenuptial Investigation forms which verify freedom to marry and data for the records are filled out. Baptismal certificates are required and the couple may have to take Premarital Inventory testing to help the priest in counseling them. Beyond the practical aspects of preparing the marriage ritual itself, such issues as the sacramental nature of marriage, marriage and family life, the role of prayer and faith in marriage, natural family planning, etc. will be discussed.

RELIGIOUS BOOK CLUB: Every month, our reader's group gets together at the Parish House to discuss a book read the previous month. Joining is simple. You are registered for the next session when you buy the given book from Holy Spirit Parish. Each person shares his thoughts about the work and maybe any themes or ideas that emerged as important. Each session is limited to ten participants.

RCIA: Adult instructions in the Catholic faith are offered for Catholics interested in reviving their religious knowledge, for Catholics needing Confirmation, for non-Catholics curious about us, for Protestants desiring reception into the Catholic Church, and for the unbaptized seeking initiation into the Christian community. Reception and/or adult initiation into the Catholic faith usually takes place on the Easter Vigil. For the current time and day, contact the rectory. Parishioners are invited to come and are especially valuable as sponsors.

PRAYER & SCRIPTURE STUDY GROUP: This is an informal group of parishioners and friends who meet on Monday nights from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Parish House. They study the bible, discuss how it impacts their faith life, pray, and sometimes watch a video.

REGARDING UNITY & FELLOWSHIP

There are many levels of cooperation and solidarity in the parish and in the local community.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: This is a fraternal organization of Catholic men who join together for the benefit of their families (and youth in general), the Church, and their country. Their charitable work for the needy and the oppressed is well known. Our community is made all the richer because of their strong moral presence and social responsibility. They host a multitude of activities throughout the year. While several councils are represented by the parish membership, our local council is St. Pius X in Forestville, MD. Our contact is Peter Weigand at 301-773-8180.

KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN: Founded in 1886, this is the largest and most prominent semi-military Catholic organization in the U.S., and the fastest growing such organization in Africa and Latin America. Working closely with pastors in service to our parishes and schools, this fraternity engages in many religious, civic, social, and charitable functions. Their activities raise money for charitable needs and for the building of mission chapels in under-served areas across the U.S. The Knights aid their brothers in times of sickness, death, and other tragedies. There is an annual retreat, special Masses, and the uniformed Knights serve as escorts to the Cardinal, particularly during Papal visits. They meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM in the parish hall for St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Upper Marlboro, MD. Membership is open to any Catholic man interested in promoting devotion to the Church and to her works. Our contact is Ellsworth Holley, Sr. at 301-336-4394.

THE LEISURE CLUB: This organization is geared to the socialization and recreation of Senior Citizens in the Forestville area. They meet in the Parish House on Monday mornings. BINGO is one of their fun activities and they often have very nice lunches.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: This organization meets at the Parish House on Friday nights. The support program is open to alcoholics wanting a life of sobriety. Trusting in a higher power, it has met with great success and is very much recommended.

History of Holy Spirit Parish

At 12 noon, May 28, 1966, the eve of the Feast of Pentecost, by decree of the Most Reverend Patrick A. O'Boyle, D.D., Archbishop of Washington, D.C., the Parish of the Holy Spirit, Forestville, Maryland came into being. A new family was added to the household of God.

Breaking Ground on Holy Spirit Church

Ground Breaking Ceremony, Dec. 14, 1969 -- Ed Crough, Builder; Paul Goettelmann, Architect; Rev. (now Msgr.) Michael Farina; Msgr. Peter Rakowski; and Colleen Brinson playing guitar.

Upon a temporary altar draped in red and adorned with flowers of red and white, a new pastor, Rev. Michael F. Farina celebrated the Feast of Pentecost by offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the multi-purpose room of the John Bayne Elementary School on Walker Mill Road. There gathered about the altar in a semicircle was the new family of God.

As Pentecost signalled a new beginning, so too the first Mass and the first Blessing signalled the beginning of this new parish family. In the first year we celebrated our Sunday Liturgies at John Bayne Elementary School. Later that year Sunday Liturgies were transferred to North Forestville Elementary School and Arrowhead Elementary School where they remained until the dedication of our new church in October 1971. In the meantime, we were taking the concept of "Parish Family" introduced by our new pastor and slowly developing a living, caring, parish family.

Cardinal Oboyle Dedicates Our Church

Dedication of New Church - Most Reverend Patrick O'Boyle, D.D. (Cardinal of Washington, DC) in October 1971.

In the earliest days of our establishment, the Friars of the Atonement volunteered to assist us in any way they could. These Friars spent their weekends and occasional evenings helping in various parish activities. They assisted in CCD programs, teen activities, liturgy preparation, choir activities and community outreach programs. Their service was a Godsend to us and, for them, we provided an experience in parish life that was invaluable on their journey to the priesthood.

The Sisters of the Holy Cross were interested in the opportunity for a few sisters to live in and participate in parish activities. When the parish house was moved from Alberta Drive to the present location, the Alberta Drive residence was refurbished as the residence of the sisters. Upon their arrival in the parish, the sisters were immediately incorporated into our parish family. Their efforts focused on Social Concerns. Sister Julia McMurrough, CSC, made us all aware of the needs of our neighbors and showed us ways to meet them. Under her direction, a trailor was acquired by the parish and located on Jeanette Diggs' property on Lincoln Avenue. This served as a parish outreach center for the Apostolate of Charity to provide food and clothing as well as classes in Arts and Crafts, Bible classes for the children, and occasional liturgies. Sisters Patricia McCabe, CSC and Agnes provided professional direction for our CCD programs. Sister Mary Margaret, Sister Helen Claire, and Sister Rosalind contributed to the development of our parish family and all of them provided us with the opportunity to know, work with, and love these dedicated servants of the Lord.

Meanwhile we wrestled with such post-Vatican II concepts for the laity as Parish Councils, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and Permanent Deacons, as well as the more traditional ones (such as pledge drives, parish census and the construction of our new church). The dedication of our new church in October 1971 was a tremendous milestone in our development as a parish family. In five and one half years we had come together, prayed together, worked together and now we had a beautiful church where we could all worship together.

A small parish at our inception, we have remained so due to a critically timed building moratorium and subsequent changing economic and social conditions which have altered the original demographic projections. As a result, the struggle to pay off the mortage has been a continuous struggle throughout most every year of our existence. However, we can now say that, by the grace of God, the debt is finally paid off.

Throughout the years, each time a challenge has been presented to our people they have responded with enthusiasm resulting in an impressive series of accomplishments for a parish so small. This has been in no small part due to the quality of the priests with whom we have been priviledged to be associated. We were one of the first parishes in the Archdiocese to conduct the We Care/We Share Evangelization Program and we were the first parish in the Archdiocese to conduct the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. We were enthusiastic participants in the past two Renew Programs. We have been one of the founding parishes in the Interfaith Action Community, a multi-denominational community effort to focus on critical needs of the community and participate in partnership solutions with government and community. We were also one of the founding parishes in such efforts as the Anti-eviction Fund and family Counseling Centers.

A notable example of our parish family's faith and generosity is the sacrificial giving practiced by so many of our parishioners. Looking back over the years, we have been blessed with the appointment of our clergy (see below). Many permanent deacons have served here, too: Rev. Mr. Anthony Barasso, Rev. Mr. William McNally, Rev. Mr, Frank Clarke and Rev. Mr. Michael Kronschnabel. We owe all the priests and deacons an everlasting debt of gratitude. Each of these men has left his mark on various facets of our parish life and in the process of doing so, touched the hearts of the parishioners involved.

Msgr. Michael Di Teccia Farina
Founding Pastor
RETIRED - Residence at St. Patrick, DC

Fr. Tom Pollard
PASTOR - St. John the Evangelist, Clinton

Fr. Mark Hughes
PASTOR - St. Gabriel, DC

Fr. Michael J. Murray
DIRECTOR - Permanent Diaconate
Residence at Blessed Sacrament

Rev. Francis Benham (Removed from Ministry)
Rev. William C. Tepe March 1, 1981 (dec.)
Rev. John P. Noel O'Callaghan May 6, 1984 (dec.)

Rev. Joseph Bennett (dec.)
Rev. Jeffrey LaRouere, (dec.)
Rev. Godfrey Mosley
Rev. Salvatore Sciurba (Dis. Carm.)
Rev. Paul Herbert (Tribunal)
Rev. Karl Chimiak (Sacred Heart, LaPlata)
Rev. David Mudd (Navy)
Rev. Fred MacIntyre