Bishop Dorsonville is coming SUNDAY OCTOBER 3rd, as we CELEBRATE 10 years of Hispanic ministry at OLHOC. On this occasion, he will also bless the recently renovated daily Mass Chapel and dedicate it to “Our Lady of Guadalupe". At the turn of the 21st century (1999), Pope John Paul II pro- claimed Our Lady of Guadalupe the "Patron Saint of the Americas" (including our own country, USA) and the "Protectress of Unborn Children". It is fitting that this dedication takes place at the beginning of October, which is the RESPECT LIFE MONTH, and also the month of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Bishop Dorsonville is not only overseeing the large and growing Hispanic Ministry of the Archdiocese of Washington. He is also overseeing all the diverse communities that constitute more than half of the Archdiocese's Catholics, including Hispanics, Filipinos, African Americans, Native Americans, Africans, Caribbeans, Vietnamese, South Asians. Our own parish has become one of the most diverse parishes of the Archdiocese. We are all proud of our UNITY IN DIVERSITY. To experience our diversity, you just have to come and join the 200 children of our Religious Education Program and their parents on Sunday morning (classes start at 9:45 am) or Monday evening (classes start at 6:45 pm).

This October 3rd Celebration is for the entire parish. Our LORD JESUS IS INVITING each one of you: Come! Bring a friend! COME AND CELEBRATE!

The greatest celebration is the Mass and the coming of Jesus in the Eucharist! Come and Adore HIM! COME TO HIS FEAST! Come and participate in our parish’s EUCHARISTIC RENEWAL! Only JESUS can RENEW us! Only JESUS can give us a NEW HEART of LOVE and JOY! Are you prepared to come and PROCESS with HIM outdoors for about 20 minutes? Are you prepared to come and RECEIVE HIM IN THE EUCHARIST! We will also recall the Feast of OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY (October 7) so closely associated with Our Lady of Fatima . COME to CELEBRATE OUR UNITY IN DIVERSITY! Come and dress in your best attire (including traditional attire from your country of origin).

You are all invited to participate in our entire OCTOBER 3rd program:

5 pm: Welcoming and meeting Bishop in Narthex

5:30 pm: Rosary in the main church

6 pm: Outdoor Eucharistic Procession

6:30 pm: Bishop blesses the renovated daily Mass Chapel and dedicates it to Our Lady of Guadalupe

7:00 pm: Bi-lingual Mass including the blessing of the new Divine Mercy painting and the unveiling of Eucharistic display near the statue of Our Lady of Fatima

8:15 pm: Reception and celebration In the Father Martin Hall (food and music).

We are blessed with all the on-going, regular activities of FAITH FORMATION at our parish, including the Religious Education program for about 200 children (in person), our YOUTH program for high schoolers (Lifeteens on Sunday afternoons), our Bible Study on Sunday mornings, our classes of CATHOLICISM FOR ADULTS AND RCIA (Wednesday evenings), St Andrew School of Evangelization (Monday evenings in chapel), the Knights of Columbus (two Tuesday evenings every month), the two Scripture Prayer Groups (Tuesday mornings in Narthex after 9 am Mass, and 7 pm online Fridays).

As we begin a new Year of faith formation, and evangelization, we will begin a new CATECHESIS for 13-year old's and above (Catholics and non -Catholics looking for a CHANGE in their lives) on Mondays and Thursdays (7:00 pm) beginning MONDAY OCTOBER 4th. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND/OR INVITE A FRIEND. I am glad to announce that our own Fr. Jan will be part of the team, along with two couples and two seminarians. More details will be shared in the coming days.

May our Heavenly Father bless all of us and help us to share with our families and friends THE GOOD NEWS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, OUR SAVIOR! May OUR BLESSED MOTHER keep protecting all of us and guide us to her SON!

One in Christ,

Fr. Alain