What Is the Immaculate Conception?

Incorrectly, many people think this feast day refers to the conception of Christ through the action of the Holy Spirit. Correctly, the Immaculate Conception refers to the state Mary was in from the very moment of her conception in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne, allowing Mary to be free from Original Sin.

Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, “full of grace” through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaimed on December 8, 1854: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” — Catechism of the Catholic Church

Mary was granted this extraordinary privilege because of Her unique role in history as the Mother of God. That is, She received the gift of salvation in Christ from the very moment of her conception.

Even though Mary is unique in all humanity for being born without sin, She is held up by the Church as a model for all humanity in Her holiness and Her purity, in Her willingness to accept the Plan of God for Her.

Every person is called to recognize and respond to God’s call, to their own vocation, in order to carry out God’s plan for their life and fulfill the mission prepared for them since before the beginning of time.

Mary’s “Let it be done to me according to Thy Word,” in response of the Angel Gabriel’s greeting is the response required of all Christians to God’s Plan.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a time to celebrate the great joy of God’s gift to humanity in Mary, and to recognize with greater clarity, the truth that each and every human being has been created by God to fulfill a particular mission that he and only he can fulfill.

As we celebrate over the next few days to express our gratefulness for the gifts of family, friends and community, let us remember that first and foremost ALL Glory and Honor is to the Lord our God for his mercy and grace. And, through his grace we are thankful to those who have paved the way and continue to pave the way for we are surrounded by a Great Crowd of Witnesses…..and we are so thankful for them. 

The following virtual video of the current Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Music Ministry singing “We Are Surrounded” is from our very own CD titled “We Offer Praise” produced in celebration of the choir’s 40th Anniversary in 2013. The CD was recorded and produced under the direction of our late Director of Music Ministry Kenneth Wayne Louis who recently went ‘home to glory’. We are so grateful for his extraordinary talent, leadership and faithful inspiration. As Mr. Louis would always say “To God Be The Glory”. 

Please know we are so very thankful to all our parish family….for your support…for your faithfulness….for your love for God and this parish. May God bless you!

On July 24, 1990, the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States designated November as Black Catholic History Month to celebrate the long history and proud heritage of Black Catholics. November not only marks a time when we pray for all saints and souls in loving remembrance, but also a time to recall the saints and souls of Africa and the African Diaspora.

Some people forget that Christianity did not originate in Europe and even express surprise when they learn that Black Catholic History began in the Acts of the Apostles (8: 26-40) with the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch by Philip the Deacon. This text is important for several reasons. First, it chronicles the conversion of the first Black African in recorded Christian history. Second, the text suggests that the man was a wealthy, literate, and powerful emissary of the Nubian Queen and also a faithful, practicing Jew prior to his baptism. Clearly, he was not an ignorant heathen. Third, the Ethiopian Eunuch’s conversion predates the conversions of Saints Paul and Cornelius. Most significantly, many cite this conversion as the very moment when the church changed from a Hebrew and Hellenist community to the truly Universal and Catholic Church.

Black Catholics trace their faith history back to Christian antiquity long before other nations heard the “Good News.” Christian Africa was indeed a “leading light” in early Christendom. Black Catholics point to three popes who were born in Africa: Saints Victor I, Melchiades, and Gelasius I. All three shepherded the early church through tough and tumultuous times in history. Black Catholics claim many Saints of African descent such as Saints Cyprian, Zeno, Anthony of Egypt, Moses the Black, Pachomius, Maurice, Athanasius, Pisentius, Mary of Egypt, Cyril of Alexandria, Monica of Hippo, Augustine of Hippo, Perpetua, Felicitas, and Thecla.

Not many people know that King Nzinga-a-Nkuwu Mbemba (Afonso the Good) of the Kongo and his subjects made their profession of faith thanks to the work of Portuguese missionaries one year before Christopher Columbus made his famous voyage in 1492, or that Pope Leo X consecrated the king’s son, Henrique, Titular Bishop of Utica in 1518 which was one year before Martin Luther nailed his list of ninety-five theses to the Church in Wittenberg. Bishop Henrique was the first native bishop of West Africa. However, he died in 1531. The Congolese Church and the hopes for an indigenous clergy died with him. Finally, the genocidal slave trade killed true evangelization in sub-Saharan Africa for several centuries.

Notwithstanding the moral crimes of chattel slavery, the French and Spanish missionaries ministered to their free and enslaved African population within their respective colonies. This ministry laid the foundation for Black Catholic communities within the United States, i.e. Mobile, Alabama; New Orleans, Louisiana and Saint Augustine, Florida. It is important to note that many African-American Catholics cherish a certain Peruvian Dominican, Saint Martin de Porres, the only Black Saint from the Western Hemisphere to date.

Tragically, the American Catholic Church did not seriously commit its time and resources to minister to the African-American population during the ante-bellurn or post-bellum periods. However, God made a way!!! In spite of insuperable obstacles and opposition, African-American Catholics created a remarkable movement of faith and evangelization. Many courageous people played pivotal roles within church history like Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, Mathilda Beasley, Daniel Rudd, and the Reverend Augustus Tolton. They witnessed their faith, ministered to their people, and left lasting legacies in the face of prejudice, ignorance, and indifference. One cannot read their stories without feeling tremendous joy, sorrow, and inspiration. They are truly heroic accounts!

Black History Month provides opportunities to learn and share the whole history and rich heritage of Christian Catholicism. Ubi Victoria Veritas! The Victory of Truth!

This month our parish will highlight the enduring faith journeys of 6 Catholic leaders of African descent that are on the road to canonization as a Saint via webinars, links to videos, movies, books and other pertinent information.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND LINKS WITH INFORMATION

Click here for more information on the Women’s Ministry webinar (Nov. 14th) along with bios.

JOIN OUR CLERGY AS THEY HOST OUR WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES ONLINE ( via Zoom)

MONDAY EVENING YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY – begins at 8PM every Monday. This bible study was created for young adults from ages 18 to late 30’s and provided an environment for both catechesis and fellowship of our young adults. This bible study is held via Zoom.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY – begins at 7:15PM every Wednesday. The current topic is First Peter. This is the original weekly bible study created for all ages and is only held online via Zoom. It is currently hosted by Seth Seaman who is a seminarian assigned to and working in our parish for the year.

Our bible studies are interactive and inspiring. They allow the participant and the facilitator to break open the word of God together at a pace that allows you to absorb and comprehend God’s word and how it works in your every day life. Scripture is vital to our relationship with God and each other. Take the opportunity to tune it and see how God’s will will inspire you. These studies are for those who are either new to bible study or experienced.

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN THE BIBLE STUDY?

Due to current COVID-19 pandemic protocols, our bible studies are offered via Zoom (online). You will need a computer, tablet or cellphone to participate via Zoom.

If you are interested in attending either bible study online via Zoom, please note that on the day of the respective bible study you will receive via email a Zoom link through Flocknote. In order to receive the Zoom link, you will need to subscribe to the bible study of your choice on Flocknote at hcscchurch.flocknote.com.

Flocknote is the manner in which we are communicating to our parishioners information such as Zoom links. Flocknote is FREE and allows you to manage what communications you receive from our parish. You can create your login and subscribe to the bible study of your choice. You manage your own account and can unsubscribe or delete your account at any time.

If you still have questions, contact the rectory office at
202-546-1885 or hcscstaff@hcscchurch.org.

Dear Parents,

We are happy to inform you that Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian parish is able to offer catechism classes this year for youth in grades Pre-K to 12. However, since we remain under COVID-19 restrictions and want to keep our families safe, we will host Sunday school classes online via Zoom. We want to ensure that our youth are able to continue their Catholic religious education during this pandemic. We especially want to encourage you to enroll your child if they need to receive the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation.

If you are interested in having your child(ren) to attend Sunday School classes,  contact our Minister of Religious Education (MRE) Mrs. Shirley Austin at mre@hcscchurch.org or call 202-546-1885. Please know that we do not charge any registration fees. 

 If you have questions or concerns, contact Shirley Austin at 202-546-1885 ext. 26 or mre@hcscchurch.org.

Click here for Sunday School Registration Form 2020-2021