We are open for four Masses per weekend and one daily Mass. Archbishop Gregory gave parishes in our area permission to open for public Masses with the proviso that there be only 100 people including clergy and music ministry.

***NOTE NEW SUNDAY MASS TIMES***

GUIDELINES FOR ENTERING THE CHURCH

• Gatherings before and after celebrations are prohibited.

• All members of the assembly entering the church must wear masks at all times.

• All members of the assembly and all ministers are to sanitize their hands upon entering the church.

• Please use the main door to enter the church. Please alert us if you require the handicap entrance on the parking lot.

• All members of the assembly entering the church need to maintain social distancing at all times, including in the pews.

• The procedure and routes for departing from the church is Dismissal by Pews to avoid crowding at the exit of the church.

• Please Note: When approaching the altar for Holy Communion, please stop at the marks in the aisle and wait until the person in front of you moves up. 

• Immediately after Mass, please go directly to your cars and do not congregate outside the church.

LIVESTREAMED MASS ON YOUTUBE

We will continue livestreaming Mass through our YOUTUBE Channel  (click here). The videos will remain posted there after the Mass has ended, should you miss it live.

Homily for September 20th

Dear Parish Family:

Some years ago, in another parish, a mother and her children were preparing to receive the sacraments of the Church. As the date drew closer, this mother declined the opportunity. When I asked her the reason, she said that she was afraid of having her marriage validated because her husband faced the possibility of being deported. He had been in this country over twenty years and regularly sent money to his mother, but he was illegal. The wife asked if I had seen workers who would usually gather at a local parking lot waiting to be hired for the day. I said I had. She mentioned that on a regular basis, immigration authorities would round them up and send those who were illegal back to their native countries. This was the source of her fear.

This story reminds me of the story in today’s gospel about the generous landowner who paid those who worked only one hour the same as the ones who had labored all day long in the hot sun. Many find the parable very hard to take! If our focus is only on workers’ compensation or the politics surrounding illegal immigration, we have missed the point of the parable.

God’s grace is offered to us constantly. At times faithful believers have questioned the generosity of the Church in offering Christian burial to a notorious person who was known to cheat the poor. Who are we to judge the soul of our neighbor? Death-bed conversions truly do occur. The prophet Isaiah reminded his people:

“Seek the Lord while he may be found,
call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
and the wicked man his thoughts…
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.”
(Isaiah 55:6-7, 9.)

Our Jewish brothers and sisters are now deeply immersed in the “High Holy Days.” Between “Rosh Hashana” (which began at sunset on the 18th) and “Yom Kippur” (the 28th) they are reflecting on the year that just ended, asking forgiveness for their offenses, and making resolutions for the year that has just begun. “Yom Kippur,” the “Day of Atonement” is the holiest day of the year. Jesus celebrated these days with his family and friends. He knew these words of the prophet Isaiah and was more aware than anyone of the overwhelming generosity of the “Father.” St. Paul, also an ardent Jew, discerned that the abundant mercy of God was made concrete in the very body of Jesus, the Christ. He told the people of Philippi: “For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.” (Phil 1:21)

The parables in Matthew’s gospel were addressed primarily to Jewish followers of Christ. They were meant to scandalize them with the mystery of God’s love. A first-time reader of this gospel could conclude that either Jesus was very naïve about human nature or he was a radical and a revolutionary. What do you think?

Yours in Christ,
Father Bill Foley
 

***NEW SUNDAY MASS TIMES***

Saturday 5:30 PM Vigil
10:00 AM
1:00 PM
5:30 PM

PRE-COVID19 MASS TIMES:

SUNDAY:
SATURDAY 5:30 PM (Sunday Vigil)  |  7:30 AM  |  9:00 AM (ASL Interpreted)  |  10:30 AM (Church & Gym*)  |    12:30 PM  |  5:30 PM
*There is no Gym Mass in the summer

WEEKDAY & SATURDAY MASSES*:
MON-FRI: 6:30 AM  |  8:00 AM  |  5:30 PM
SAT: 8:00 AM  
*Federal Holidays: Mass is at 10:00 AM ONLY

FILIPINO MASS in Tagalog every 4th Sunday at 3:30 PM

HOLY DAY MASSES:
Eve of the Feast: 5:30 PM  |   Day of the Feast: 6:30 AM  |  8:00 AM  |  11:00 AM  |  5:30 PM

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

There is no Adoration at this time.

CONFESSION

BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH
5949 Western Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20015

DUFFY PARISH CENTER OFFICE
3630 Quesada Street NW
Washington, DC 20015
Main Phone: 202.966.6575
Fax: 202.966.9255

SCHOOL ADDRESS
5841 Chevy Chase Parkway
Washington, DC 20015
School Phone: 202.966.6682

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