This is a follow-up to last week's column announcing the OCTOBER 3rd CELEBRATION. Yes, YOU ARE ALL INVITED: COME AT 5 PM this Sunday! COME and CELEBRATE with Bishop Dorsonville. Our Lord Jesus is inviting you! You can't reject HIS invitation! There is much to celebrate: 10 Years of Hispanic Ministry, Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (anticipation of October 7), Dedication of our renovated Chapel to Our Lady of Guadalupe (Patron Saint of the Americas , Protectress of the Unborn, and Queen of Evangelization), Blessing of the new, inspirational painting of Divine Mercy (last painting by Orlando Lagman), Outdoor Procession of the Blessed Sacrament , Praying for Unity in the EUCHARIST (Paschal Mystery and Holy Communion), unveiling of the EUCHARISTIC DISPLAY to be one of the focus of our YEAR OF EUCHARISTIC RENEWAL, and FIESTA in the Father Martin Hall (food and music). Come and dress in your best attire, including

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 proclaimed 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...

We had an AWESOME 40-HOUR ADORATION preceding our 41st birthday OUTDOOR MASS and annual picnic. WE THANK GOD for our staff, ourclergy and all the volunteers who made these three events possible, including the Altar Guild, Marian Group, the Knights of Columbus, the Couples for Christ and our own Parish Council. God has kept pouring so many blessings on our children, youth, parents, teachers at the beginning of a new School Year! THE 40-HOUR ANNIVERSARY ADORATION has become MORE and MORE BEAUTIFUL over the last three years. In addition, this year we experienced NEW SIGNS FROM GOD, which could be interpreted as "little” miracles. The first SIGN from GOD happened...

We are entering our fifth decade! We are no longer a baby. HAPPY 41st OLHOC!!!We are getting up in age. But we remain one of the youngest parishes of the Archdiocese. MAY GOD CONTINUE BLESSING our parish and all our parishioners! May we keep the pioneering spirit of our founders! When Cardinal Hickey established our parish, he put us under the "double" protection of OUR BLESSED MOTHER. First, he chose her as our patron saint. Our name will always remain "OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS”. Second, he also chose the Feast Day of OUR LADY OF SORROWS, SEPTEMBER 15, to be the day of our birth. I will never forget my first day...

Lots of excitement in the last few days as our children and youth are coming BACK TO SCHOOL or entering college. Vacation time is over! Also, a great change from last year: teaching will now be in person! With the excitement comes some anxiety about adapting to a new situation and also possible future changes/uncertainties. ONE SIMPLE MESSAGE: "BE STRONG, FEAR NOT!” says the LORD to those whose hearts are frightened (through the great prophet ISAIAH: 35:4 in First Reading of this coming Sunday Masses). YES! DO NOT BE AFRAID! Do not be anxious. May all children, youth, parents and teachers have TRUST IN GOD! Parents and teachers you are the ones to witness that LOVE OF GOD to your children and youth. Recall the powerful words of St Paul to the Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE OF GOD, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in CHRIST JESUS" (Philippians 4:6-7). Parents, you are invited...