Friday, March 6, 2009
A Green Health-Spot Luncheon for St. Patrick's Day
Rite of Election for Catechemens and Candidates Celebrated
The Rite of Election for Catechumens and Candidates was celebrated on Saturday, February 28th. Starting at Saint Anthony of Padua at the 5:30 pm Mass, Fr. Tuck sent over 80 catechumens, candidates, and their sponsors forth with the prayers of the parish to the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More. At the Cathedral, Bishop Paul Loverde presided over the Rite of Election, welcoming the catechumens and candidates from Saint Anthony as well as several other parishes. After the rite -- and as the snows were just beginning to fall -- all the catechumens and candidates and their sponsors were invited to a reception with the Bishop. Pictured above are a few of the RCIA group from Saint Anthony with the Bishop.
(photos by Kristen Walker Wright & Mario Medina)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Capital Area Food Bank Recognizes Saint Anthony of Padua
From the Capital Area Food Bank's newsletter, The Teller:
"Help without boundaries. This is how Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church has been serving the community since becoming a food bank member in November 2006. Their program initially served 60-80 families per day. Today, they serve 80 families daily and sometimes up to 120 families daily.
With the help of their pantry coordinator Mr. Ubaldo Cisneros (and Saint Anthony of Padua's Social Justice Minister, chef extraordinaire -- come to the St. Patrick's Dinner and try his corned beef and cabbage or Guinness stew, and sacristan at the 1:00 pm Mass), the church sees no limit with helping families. 'With this ministry it does not matter where you live or what county you belong to, we will always serve you,' Cisneros said.
Even when Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church distributes the food to the families, they also purchase their own food supplies so that the families can come get food more than once a week if they need it. 'I think this is why so many people come to get food from our church, because we don't establish a limit on them,' Cisneros said.
The ministry raises funds through a poor box (the Padua Fund) that is located right in front of the statue of Saint Anthony at the church. With this money they purchase additional food in big quantities that they pack into individual sizes so that they can alwasy have food to keep helping families. They use these funds for basic food like rice, beans, sugar. 'Our church members already know what we use the poor box money for, and they are always very generous,' Cisneros said.
Behind all this work there is an amazing team of volunteers (THEY ARE AMAZING!) that organize this wonderful activity. The ministry has fifteen part time and two full time volunteers. 'Some help to fill out the forms, others pack the food, here is always something to get done for the next day to keep distributing,' Cisneros said.
In addition to food pantry operations, Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church goes far and beyond by preparing 300 breakfasts every Saturday to distribute to the day labor workers and the homeless. The breakfast consists of a sandwich, and soda or juice. During the winter time they prefer to serve hot chocolate to keep the homeless warm. 'The area where they live is a very needy area, there are a lot of low-income families that live there and need our help,' Cisneros said.
The Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church...faithfully supports the mission of the Capital Area Food Bank, and we are proud to have them as a member of our organization."
"Help without boundaries. This is how Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church has been serving the community since becoming a food bank member in November 2006. Their program initially served 60-80 families per day. Today, they serve 80 families daily and sometimes up to 120 families daily.
With the help of their pantry coordinator Mr. Ubaldo Cisneros (and Saint Anthony of Padua's Social Justice Minister, chef extraordinaire -- come to the St. Patrick's Dinner and try his corned beef and cabbage or Guinness stew, and sacristan at the 1:00 pm Mass), the church sees no limit with helping families. 'With this ministry it does not matter where you live or what county you belong to, we will always serve you,' Cisneros said.
Even when Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church distributes the food to the families, they also purchase their own food supplies so that the families can come get food more than once a week if they need it. 'I think this is why so many people come to get food from our church, because we don't establish a limit on them,' Cisneros said.
The ministry raises funds through a poor box (the Padua Fund) that is located right in front of the statue of Saint Anthony at the church. With this money they purchase additional food in big quantities that they pack into individual sizes so that they can alwasy have food to keep helping families. They use these funds for basic food like rice, beans, sugar. 'Our church members already know what we use the poor box money for, and they are always very generous,' Cisneros said.
Behind all this work there is an amazing team of volunteers (THEY ARE AMAZING!) that organize this wonderful activity. The ministry has fifteen part time and two full time volunteers. 'Some help to fill out the forms, others pack the food, here is always something to get done for the next day to keep distributing,' Cisneros said.
In addition to food pantry operations, Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church goes far and beyond by preparing 300 breakfasts every Saturday to distribute to the day labor workers and the homeless. The breakfast consists of a sandwich, and soda or juice. During the winter time they prefer to serve hot chocolate to keep the homeless warm. 'The area where they live is a very needy area, there are a lot of low-income families that live there and need our help,' Cisneros said.
The Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church...faithfully supports the mission of the Capital Area Food Bank, and we are proud to have them as a member of our organization."
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Healthy Heart Fair
On Sunday, Februay 15th the Saint Anthony of Padua Parish Nurse Ministry held a health fair focused on heart health and cardiac risk assessment. The program was open to the parish and neighborhood communities and provided bilingual health counseling in areas like stroke, diabetes, smoking cessation, and exercise as well as blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screenings. Over 120 individuals participated supported by a team of volunteer nurses, students from George Mason University School of Nursing, parish volunteers, and helpers from the Knights of Columbus Roses and the Youth Ministry. As one participant noted, "It was like having Johns Hopkins come to Saint Anthony."
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
St. Anthony of Padua Parish Town Hall Meeting
The Saint Anthony of Padua Pastoral Council hosted the annual Parish Town Hall meeting Saturday, January 17th. The Pastoral Council's program, under the direction of Scott Engdahl (Council Chairman), included music from several parish groups, presentations from parish ministries including Parish Nurse and Youth on their activities in 2008 and plans for 2009, a liturgical movement performance by one of our youth groups, small group discussions about the needs of the parish in the coming year(s), and the presentation of a Tony award to Ann Cartwright for her work in helping to start the Culmore Clinic program as well as time for prayer and reflection.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Christmas 2008
Autumn Club's Annual Christmas Concert!
Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Nacimiento (with little drummer boy)!
Giving Tree Project (with Fr. Acho & Susan Vega)
Manger awaiting Baby Jesus (with little drummer boy).
Christmas Mass
Christmas Greetings (and may the Christmas Spirit stay in our hearts all through 2009)!
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