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Lent 2021

February 28, 2021 By admin

The 2021 Lenten season began on
Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17) and ends on
Holy Thursday (April 1) 

What are you doing for Lent?

During Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer, to service by giving alms, and to sacrifice self-control through fasting. Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Friday during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. Contemplate the meaning and origins of the Lenten fasting tradition in this reflection. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God’s gifts–not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us: “Not only to enable the poor in our goods is to to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2446).

NOTE: We kindly request that all attendees wear a face mask/covering and practice safe social distancing for all events held in the sanctuary. We are allowed up to 170 people in our sanctuary according to the local COVID-19 safety regulations.

During Lent, it is good practice to celebrate the Sacrament of reconciliation (Penance) and ask for God’s mercy and grace as you begin your journey. The Light is On for You campaign runs throughout the Lenten season. The church is open from 6:30-7:15PM every Wednesday during Lent. Just come into the sanctuary. 

For Lent, the Church gives us a slogan—Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving—as the three things we need to work on during the season. We have some activities at our parish that may provide you assistance during this Lenten season:

IT’S A TIME OF PRAYER. Lent is essentially an act of prayer spread out over 40 days. As we pray, we go on a journey, one that hopefully brings us closer to Christ and leaves us changed by the encounter with him. Here are some suggestions:

  • Join with the women of the parish at the Lenten Women’s Day Retreat on Sat., Feb. 27th from 8am-3pm. Sessions will be held in the sanctuary and livestreamed. Visit Lenten Women’s Day Retreat for details and to RSVP.
  • Spend some time each day in prayer.  There are resources available for daily reflections at USCCB.org  or EWTN.org. We also have a daily Lenten reflection link on our MyParish app. If you don’t have the parish app, visit the myparishapp.com and download to your mobile device.
  • Attend DAILY MASS during Lent. Our parish offered daily weekday mass at 7:00am in the main sanctuary and 8:00am on Saturdays.
  • Attend a EUCHARISTIC HOLY HOUR offered every Friday from
    6-7pm in our Church
    .
    Come and spend an hour in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in reflection and prayer.  If you have never done this before, it’s a beautiful opportunity to sit quietly in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and pray or read the bible or just speak to Jesus in quiet reflection.
  • Attend the STATIONS OF THE CROSS offered every Friday beginning at 7pm in our Church. The Stations of the Cross began as the practice of pious pilgrims to Jerusalem who would retrace the final journey of Jesus Christ to Calvary. Later, for the many who wanted to pass along the same route, but could not make the trip to Jerusalem, a practice developed that eventually took the form of the fourteen stations currently found in almost every church. Come and experience the journey with other parishioners.
  • Join us for a virtual LENTEN ‘SOUP’ & SCRIPTURE every Wednesday at 7PM via Zoom. Subscribe to the Adult Bible Study at hcscchurch.flocknote.org to receive the weekly Zoom link.
  • Join the young adults for a virtual YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY every Monday at 8:00pm. Subscribe to the Young Adult Bible Study at hcscchurch.flocknote.org to receive the weekly Zoom link.

IT’S A TIME OF FASTING AND TO WORK ON DISCIPLINE.  With the fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, meatless Fridays, and our personal disciplines interspersed, Lent is the only time many Catholics these days actually fast. And maybe that’s why it gets all the attention.  Fasting is actually a form of penance, which helps us turn away from sin and toward Christ. For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.

The 40 days of Lent are also a good time to work on personal discipline in general. Instead of giving something up, it can be doing something positive. “I’m going to exercise more. I’m going to pray more. I’m going to be nicer to my family, friends and coworkers.”  Reflect on how you want to fast or work on discipline.

IT’S A TIME FOR ALMSGIVING.  The foundational call of Christians to charity is a frequent theme of the Gospels.  During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on “almsgiving,” which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity.  As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is “a witness to fraternal charity” and  “a work of justice pleasing to God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462).  Here are some suggestions for charitable giving this Lent:

  • Participate in the CANNED FOOD RIVE that our Social Concerns Ministry is hosting in collaboration with the Oblate Sisters of Providence for Catholic Sisters Week in March. Visit Canned Food Drive for dates and details on what to donate.
  • Donate to the POOR BOXES located on the walls of the Church near the exits. The funds from these donations help provide food for our food pantry.
  • Contact Catholic Charities DC for more opportunities to assist those in need.

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Canned Food Drive

February 20, 2021 By admin

Join with our parish this Lenten season in conjunction with the Oblate Sister of Providence in a CANNED FOOD DRIVE from February 7 – March 7.

The Oblate Sisters of the Providence (OSP) are collecting canned food for families and youth in the Baltimore community for Catholic Sisters Week in March. They have asked our parish to contribute to this food drive.

You can drop off the food at the church or the rectory office. Or, you can order food from a local grocery or online for delivery to:

Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Church
1357 E. Capitol Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003


NOTE: Please have local grocery store orders delivered when the office is open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10AM-4PM.
If you are ordering online through Amazon or other vendor, please make sure the orders are scheduled to be delivered no later than Friday, March 5th.

We kindly ask you to donate the following canned items:

  • Canned proteins (tuna, salmon, chicken, pork, sardines)
  • Canned vegetables (green beans, corn, carrots, mixed)
  • Canned potatoes
  • Canned chunky soups
  • Canned stews
  • Canned pasta (Spaghettios and Ravioli)
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned beans

Questions, contact the rectory office at 202-546-1885 or hcscstaff@hcscchurch.org. Thank you for your generosity!!

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Black History … A Continuation for 2021

February 20, 2021 By admin

Although February is celebrated as Black History Month in the United States, our parish community will recognize the importance of this history throughout the 2021 year.

At the beginning of February 2021 and Black History month, Cardinal Gregory made the following statement linking our shared American history:

So, throughout this month and beyond, we will share historical and current information on the history of the African-American through links and other media. Please check back here from time to time throughout this year to learn about the shared American history that is a part of all of us.

  • Cardinal Gregory’s interview with Al Roker on The Today Show: https://www.today.com/news/america-s-1st-black-cardinal-wilton-gregory-opens-about-experiences-t208418 
  • Cardinal Gregory’s interview on CNN: https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2021/02/23/cardinal-gregory-prayer-tapper-covid-special-sot-vpx.cnn
  • The Catholic Standard offers an informative and inspirational collection of interviews with black Catholics located here in our diocese. Click for flyer w/details and link to articles:  Catholic Standard Black Voices Series 2021
  • Origin of Black History Month – learn about Carter G. Woodson and the Association of the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) at https://asalh.org/about-us/about-black-history-month/
  • Federal Government Web Portal: learn more about the offerings on black history at https://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/

A Prayer from the USCCB

As in all things, we turn to prayer, asking Our Blessed Mother
to intercede on our behalf:


Mary, friend and mother to all,
Through your Son, God has found a way to unite himself to every human being, called to be one people, sisters and brothers to each other.

We ask for your help in calling on your Son, seeking forgiveness for the times when we have failed to love and respect one another.

We ask for your help in obtaining from your Son the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism and to build a just society.

We ask for your help in following your Son, so that prejudice and animosity
will no longer infect our minds or hearts but will be replaced with a love that respects the dignity of each person.

Mother of the Church, the Spirit of your Son Jesus warms our hearts: pray for us.

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Welcome Back to Mass

December 29, 2020 By admin

“For where two or three gather in my name, there
am I with them.”
Matthew 18:20

NEW: Update on Sunday Mass Schedule (as of 11/29/20)

PRAISE GOD and WELCOME BACK! Our church is open for public Mass.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THE MASS AT HCSC (Updated 2/12/21):

1. Under local diocese and health officials guidelines, our parish is able to celebrate a public Mass for up to 170 people in attendance. Attendees are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. If attendance at Mass reaches the maximum on a regular basis then we may move to a ‘reservation’ process. We will keep you informed of the procedures if we decide to do this.

2. Our regular weekday and weekend schedule resumes with ALL masses held in the main sanctuary. The schedule is as follows :

Monday-Friday: 7:00AM
Saturday: 8:00AM
Saturday: 4:30PM (vigil Mass)
Sunday: 8:00AM, 9:30AM (NEW); 11:00AM; 7PM

3. Confession will be heard 1/2 hour prior to each Mass in the confessionals (which are sanitized before each Mass).

4. Ushers are present at Mass on the weekend to provide instructions for seating. We have roped off every other pew for social distancing.

5. Please practice safe ‘social distancing’ and wear a face mask/covering to church. If you forget your face mask, we have extras available (ask an usher).

6. Touch-free hand sanitizer dispensers are available in the sanctuary. And, the sanctuary will be cleaned/sanitized between Mass for your safety.

7. The clergy uses alcohol to sanitize their fingers between the distribution of Holy Communion.

NOTE: If you feel sick/ill or have a fever, please DO NOT come to Mass for the safety of yourself and others.


WHAT IF I AM STILL UNABLE TO COME TO MASS OR FEEL ANXIETY DUE TO AN ILLNESS OR AGE?

The dispensation issued by Archbishop Gregory from the obligation to attend Mass during this time remains in effect since we are not yet allowed maximum capacity and we realize that some of our parishioners may be more cautious due to underlying health conditions or age. All persons who are subjects of the Archbishop of Washington no matter where they may be, and all other persons who are actually present in the Archdiocese of Washington who are under the obligation, are dispensed from the obligation until further notice (cann. 87 §1, 91).

TELEVISED/RECORDED MASS

1. Msgr. Charles Pope records a mass each week that is distributed via Flocknote and on our facebook page. It is available on our Youtube channel (hcsc_church). You can subscribe to our Youtube channel and receive notification of when it is published each Saturday afternoon. You can also visit our website (hcscchurch.org) each Sunday morning by 10am for a link to the recording on Youtube.

2. You are also invited to view Mass on TV (filmed in the Crypt Church of the National Shrine) which airs every Sunday at 10:30AM on WDCW-50:

No cable: Dish or Direct TV subscribes: Ch. 50
Comcast: Ch 23 in Washington, DC and Montgomery County; Ch. 3 in Prince George’s County and Southern Maryland
RCN: Ch. 15
Verizon: Ch. 3

**************************************************

Thank you and May God bless and keep you safe during these difficult and challenging times in our world. We are so looking forward to welcoming all of you back to the liturgy and to our parish home. We are very grateful for your patience.

HCSC RECTORY OFFICE & ADMINISTRATION

For your safety and the safety of our staff and clergy, our rectory office will operate on a limited schedule with reduced staff. The office hours are:

Monday-Wednesday: 10AM-4PM
Friday: 10AM-4PM

Please contact the office staff for funerals, weddings, baptisms and other sacramental needs at 202-546-1885 or hcscstaff@hcscchurch.org.

NOTE: We have votive candles, holy water bottles and other religious items available in the rectory office since our church store has limited availability. We kindly ask you to call us prior to coming so we can prepare your purchase. Thank you.

TITHING

This is a very difficult time for everyone both spiritually and financially. If you are able to provide your tithes, please know that you can submit it electronically and securely through Faith Direct. Click this link or call 1-866-507-8757 to begin eGiving or to make a one-time donation.

If you are unable to use electronic tithing, you are welcome to mail to:
1357 E. Capitol St., SE, WDC, 20003
or drop off at the rectory office.
We are so grateful for your continued support and generosity.

COMMUNICATION AT OUR PARISH

Check this website frequently for updates and stay in touch via our parish social media (MyParishApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube).

Our parish has a mobile app called MyParishApp which is an easy way to send you notifications on your mobile device. Visit your app store (available for android & Apple phones) and download it to your mobile device. Make sure you turn on your notifications after you download so you can receive updates.

Our parish is also using an online communication tool called FLOCKNOTE to send email messages to those who subscribe. Flocknote allows you to choose the news you want, and direct access to manage your FREE subscription. Text HCSC to 84576 or visit https://hcscchurch.flocknote.com/ to receive emails with updates from the parish. If you have not done so, subscribe and stay connected.

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Filed Under: News, Uncategorized Tagged With: coronavirus, covid-19, pandemic

In Memory of Deacon Ralph W. Cyrus, Jr.

December 29, 2020 By admin

Deacon Ralph W. Cyrus, Jr. of the Archdiocese of Washington died on Thursday, December 17, 2020 after a long illness and a Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, December 30th at
Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.
The Rev. Msgr. Charles Pope was the celebrant and
Rev. Msgr. Raymond East was the homilist.

Deacon Cyrus was a devoted father to Brandon (Shara), Maya, Brian, and Ralph III; grandfather to Brendan; brother to Marilyn Woodall, Annette Libert, Kiernan Seth (Maria), Donna Seth (Sylvanay) and Trevor Cyrus; uncle to eight nephews and six nieces. 

He was ordained to the permanent diaconate on September 12, 1992. After ordination he served out his vocation at the following parishes in Washington, DC; Saint Teresa of Avila; Saint Francis Xavier; and finally at Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian.



Oh Lord, How excellent! How excellent! How excellent!
How excellent is Thy name. 

There is none like you, none like you, none like you
Jesus, How excellent is Thy name.

Condolences may be sent to:
The Cyrus Family
10004 Traverse Way 
Fort Washington, Maryland 20744 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Bishop McNamara High School at https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/16625/donations/new or Howard University, College of Engineering & Architecture at https://giving.howard.edu/opportunities-give/schools-and-colleges

VIEWING & MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL  
December 30, 2020

Click here for: Funeral-Program-for-Deacon-Ralph-Cyrus

You may view the recorded Viewing and Mass of Christian Burial for
Deacon Ralph W. Cyrus, Jr. via the following Zoom link. You will need to copy the Access Passcode: tJy@e@Z4 in order to access the recording. Please note the recording begins at the viewing so you can fast forward 1 and 1/2 hour to the funeral.

CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK TO VIEW FUNERAL:

https://zoom.us/rec/share/grFZNCEg9Gq17XtfQ4UiW3mlESC-01NjP0A8y62canSXIIHBjpl6Vjmx3YU1pR6-.KBtw9aZjV1GLw7nm

Access Passcode: tJy@e@Z4

I never lost my hope.
I never lost my joy.
I never lost my faith.
But most of all, I never lost my praise.


(from the song “I Never Lost My Praise” by Kurt Carr)

PRAYER FOR THE ETERNAL REST
Eternal rest grant upon them,
O Lord, and let perpetual light
shine upon them. May the soul
of all the faithful departed, through
the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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First Friday Holy Hour

June 21, 2019 By admin

Every Friday, our parish holds a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration in the Church. 

NOTE:  During the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, we will continue to hold a Holy Hour for 100 or less people in the church sanctuary. You are required to wear a mask or face covering. Please practice safe social distancing when seated in the sanctuary. Please DO NOT come to Holy Hour if you feel sick or at high risk. Hand sanitizer is available in the rear of the church.

This is a devotional tradition of spending an hour in Eucharistic adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration is a sign of devotion to and worship of Jesus Christ, who we believe to be present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, under the appearance of the consecrated host. As a devotion, Eucharistic adoration and meditation are more than merely looking at the Blessed Host, but are believed to be a continuation of what was celebrated in the Eucharist.

The inspiration for the Holy Hour is Matthew 26:40. In the Gospel of Matthew, during the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion, Jesus spoke to his disciples, saying “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38) Returning to the disciples after prayer, he found them asleep and in Matthew 26:40 he asked Peter:

“So, could you men not keep watch with me for an hour?”.

All are welcome to come and spend time with the Lord in prayer. Bring your bible or other devotional prayers if you like.

Resources: 12 Reasons to spend a holy hour in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament (Catholic News Agency)

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Annual Mens’ Retreat

April 18, 2019 By admin

Click here for Holy Name Society Annual Men’s Retreat Flyer with cost and information
Click here for Bio of Retreat Facilitator – Deacon Steven Nash
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September 9, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

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Greetings from our parish

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Contact Us

1357 East Capitol Street, S.E.
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202.546.1885
E-mail: hcscstaff@hcscchurch.org

Rev. Msgr. Charles Pope, Pastor

Sacramental Information

Confessions are heard on Wednesdays from 6:15-7PM, Fridays from 6-7PM and 1/2 hour before each weekend Mass (except the Saturday 8AM Mass)
Contact the Rectory office at the number or email above for sick calls, funerals, weddings, baptisms and other sacramental needs.

Mass Schedule

WEEKENDS:
Saturday Mass at 8:00AM
Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:30PM
Sunday Mass at 8:00AM; 9:30AM; 11:00AM and 7:00PM
(NOTE: Due to COVID-19 - Please social distance and wear face/mask covering)

WEEKDAYS:
Mass at 7:00AM
(NOTE: Due to COVID-19 - Please social distance and wear face mask/covering)

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION:
Mass held at 7:00AM, 10:00AM and 7:00PM

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