ÿþ<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"><html><head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Mozilla/4.75 [en] (Windows NT 5.0; U) [Netscape]"> <title>From the Pastor's Desk</title> <!------------------------------------------------------------------------> <!-- --> <!-- This document is proprietary to Christ the Redeemer Catholic --> <!-- Church in Sterling, Virginia. Webpage contact is Jim Kingsbury. --> <!-- Please follow all Guidelines and Code of Conduct. --> <!-- --> <!-- Please use Relative Paths when linking to documents and images. --> <!-- We will change all to Absolute paths when we go on-line as --> <!-- WWW.CTRCC.ORG. 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Howard picture --> <tr><td BACKGROUND="../images/cnvbkgnd.jpg"><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=15><a href="../images/Fr-Howard.jpg" TARGET="NewPage"><img SRC="../images/Fr-Howard.jpg" ALT="Fr. C. Donald Howard, Pastor" BORDER="2" HEIGHT="170" WIDTH="200"></td> <!-- End Fr. Howard Picture --> <!-- Comment out Bishop Loverde picture <tr><td BACKGROUND="../images/cnvbkgnd.jpg"><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=15><a href="../images/Loverde.jpg" TARGET="NewPage"><img SRC="../images/Loverde.jpg" ALT="Paul Loverde, Bishop of Arlington" BORDER="2" HEIGHT="200" WIDTH="170"></td> End Bishop Loverde Picture --> <!-- Comment out Pastoral Message Graphic <tr><td BACKGROUND="../images/cnvbkgnd.jpg"><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=15><a href="../images/New_Pastor_Graphic.jpg" TARGET="NewPage"><img SRC="../images/New_Pastor_Graphic.jpg" ALT="Pastoral message" BORDER="2" HEIGHT="200" WIDTH="200"></td> End Pastoral message Graphic --> <td BACKGROUND="../images/cnvbkgnd.jpg"><center><font FACE="BernhardFashion BT" color="#FF0000"><br><font size="+4"><b>Christ the Redeemer</font><br><font size="+4">Roman Catholic Church</font><br><b><font size="+2">Phone: (703) 430-0811</font></font></b></center></td></tr> </table> <!-- Set Page Navigation --> <table WIDTH="760" BACKGROUND="../images/cnvbkgnd.jpg" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> <colgroup> <col ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="10"> <col ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="100"> <col ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="320"> <col ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="320"> <col ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="10"> </colgroup> <tr><td COLSPAN="5"><center><br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<a href="../index.html" onMouseOver="return titleswap('Home', '3', 'home_on');" onMouseOut="return titledel('', '3', 'home_on');"><img SRC="../buttons/home_off.gif" ALT="Home" BORDER=0 height=45 width=140></a> <a onclick="history.back()" onMouseOver="return titleswap('Back', '4', 'back_on');" onMouseOut="return titledel('', '4', 'back_on');"><img SRC="../buttons/back_off.gif" ALT="Back" BORDER=0 height=45 width=140></a> <a href="../schedule.htm" onMouseOver="return titleswap('Mass Schedule ', '5', 'sched_on');" onMouseOut="return titledel('', '5', 'sched_on');"><img SRC="../buttons/sched_off.gif" ALT="Mass Schedule" BORDER=0 height=45 width=140></a> <a href="../staff.htm" onMouseOver="return titleswap('Parish Staff', '6', 'staff_on');" onMouseOut="return titledel('', '6', 'staff_on');"><img SRC="../buttons/staff_off.gif" ALT="Parish Staff" BORDER=0 height=45 width=140></a></center></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=30 width=15></td></tr> <!-- Comment Out Fr. Howard Back Page Title --> <tr><td valign="top">&nbsp;</td><td BACKGROUND="../images/cnvbkgnd.jpg" COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="CENTER"><font size=+3><b>Pastor's Message, February 5, 2012</font></b></tr> <!-- End Fr. Howard Back Page Title --> <!-- Comment Out Other Back Page Title <tr><td valign="top">&nbsp;</td><td BACKGROUND="../images/cnvbkgnd.jpg" COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="CENTER"><font size=+3><b>Pastoral Message, Week of January 22, 2012</font></b></tr> End Other Back Page Title --> <!-- Special Announcement taking up two columns <tr><td COLSPAN="5"><center><p>&nbsp;<p><font size=+2 FACE="BernhardFashion BT" color="#FF0000"><p>Please Consider The <a href = "../Back_Page_Archive_2006/Financial_Report_2005-2006.htm">2005-2006 Financial Statement</a>.</font></center></td></tr> End Special Announcement --> <tr><td valign="top"><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=30 width=15></td></tr> <!-------------------------------Insert Latest Commentary Here ----------> <tr><td valign="top">&nbsp;</td><td VALIGN="TOP"> <!-- Comment Out First Communicants <a href="../announcements/Special_announce.htm"><img SRC="../images/First_Communion.jpg" ALT="First Eucharist Candidates" BORDER="2" HEIGHT="200" WIDTH="225"><p><center>Congratulations to First Communicants.<br>Click Here for Details.</a> <p><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=25 width=15> End First Communicants --> <font FACE="BernhardFashion BT" color="#FF0000"><font size=+2><u><b>Previous<br>Messages</b></u></font></font> <p><a href="../pastor/Comment_20120129.htm">1.29.2012</a> <br><a href="../pastor/Comment_20120122.htm">1.22.2012</a> <br><a href="../pastor/Comment_20120115.htm">1.15.2012</a> <br><a href="../pastor/Comment_20120108.htm">1.8.2012</a> <br><a href="../pastor/Pastor_Archive_2012.htm">See Archive</a> <p><font FACE="BernhardFashion BT" color="#FF0000"><font size=+2><u><b>Archives</b></u> <br><a href="../pastor/Pastor_Archive_2012.htm">2012</a><br><a href="../pastor/Pastor_Archive_2011.htm">2011</a> <br><a href="../pastor/Pastor_Archive_2010.htm">2010</a><br><a href="../pastor/Pastor_Archive_2009.htm">2009</a> <br><a href="../pastor/Pastor_Archive_2008.htm">2008</a><br><a href="../pastor/Pastor_Archive_2007.htm">2007</a> <br><a href="../pastor/Pastor_Archive_2006.htm">2006</a><br><a href="../pastor/Pastor_Archive_2005.htm">2005</a> <br><a href="../pastor/Pastor_Archive_2004.htm">2004</a></font></font> <!-- Comment Out List of First Eucharist Recipients <p><a href="../ministries/First_Eucharist_2007.pdf"><center><img SRC="../images/Eucharistic_Minister.jpg" ALT="Members of the First Eucharist Class of 2007" BORDER="2" HEIGHT="150" WIDTH="150"><br><center>Congratulations to 2007<br>First Eucharist Recipients<br>Click Here for Details.</a></center> End First Communicants --> <!-- Comment Out Pentecostal Initiations <p><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=15><center><a href="../ministries/Pentecostal_Initiation.pdf"><img SRC="../images/chalis_church.jpg" ALT="Those receiving Initiation Sacraments during Pentecost 2007" BORDER="2" HEIGHT="150" WIDTH="150"><br><center>Congratulations to Those<br>Receiving Initiaiton Sacraments<br>at Pentecost 2007<br>Click Here for Details.</a></center></td> End Pentecostal Initiaitions --> <!-- Comment Out Thanks Announcement <td valign="top"><table WIDTH="500" BACKGROUND="../images/background_of_the_day_light_pink.jpg" BORDER="2" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> <tr><td valign="top"><center><p>&nbsp;<p><b><font FACE="Franciscan" size="+2">Easter Thanks</font></b></center> <p><center><img SRC="../images/Easter_Lily.jpg" ALT="Easter Thanks" BORDER="2" HEIGHT="250" WIDTH="200"></center> <p>&nbsp;<p><blockquote><font face="Franciscan">CTR continues to celebrate the Easter Season: music, flowers, readers, Eucharistic ministers, servers, ushers. Thanks to all of those who serve behind the scenes to make our worship vibrant and prayerful. A big thanks to the Art and Environment folks and "the watering brigade" for their noble efforts in flower support and survival. The music ministry from Holy Week through Easter, and now the Great Fifty days deserves the praise of the community for their help in singing our Alleluias. Closer to the Lord's Table, thanks to those who proclaimed God's Word of life and help feed the community at the Lord's Table. Thanks to our young boys and girls for their efforts at serving at worship.</font> <p>&nbsp;</blockquote></td></tr></table> End Thanks Announcement --> </td> <!-- Comment Out Column Structure --> <td VALIGN="TOP"><blockquote> <font size="+1"><b>Look Wisely Over Your Shoulder</b></font> <p>On a recent trip to Mexico I joked with friends there about having more friends there than in the United States. My days are filled with conversation in Spanish, which only adds to that thought about my life filled with the Spanish language and with Latino friends and parishioners. As we sat and shared stories around our Mexican dinner table, a friend Sabina, who has offered hospitality and care on each of my trips, was pretty sure that I had begun my south-of-the-border experience some twenty-two years ago. <p>When one is learning and laughing, it s easy to lose track of time. Indeed, it was twenty-two years ago that I had made my first trip to Mexico to begin my hesitant steps in learning the language. My host, Eduardo, still enjoys telling our first encounters in his home. At that early visit he began the conversation with who he was and his name. Laughingly he now regales dinner guests with my hesitant one liner:  Me llama Donald (My name is Donald). On that first visit to his home there wasn t much more that followed! Many a night would follow with watching movies in Spanish in his home entertainment center. <p>My reason for traveling to Mexico this time was to baptize a delightful little girl, Ana Sofia. I had encountered her father as he graduated high school and was to begin his university studies. He quickly became my frequent mentor in language, my chauffeur around Mexico City, and, not infrequently, my fellow movie critic which always included group coffee afterward to getting me talking in Spanish. Eight years ago I celebrated his marriage to his wife, Alejandra. There is a wisdom that comes from looking over your shoulder. Change teaches us much about Church, relationships, friendships, and about ourselves. <p><b>Sunday Morning in LA</b> <br>Then came Sunday morning in LA, but not in California. Sunday morning brought the opportunity to celebrate Eucharist with the one o clock community in the parish of Nuestra Senora de los Angeles (Our </blockquote></td> <td valign="top"><blockquote>Lady of the Angels Parish). I learned that the people had identified me as the priest who was always outside to greet them on their way to Mass. So on this recent Sunday the community and choir welcomed their American friend. Finally after twenty-two years I could engage them in conversation after a bright and cherry buenas tardes. The choir, headed up by my friend and host, was still there. They had aged and I had aged. The younger members had matured and married. They brought children by the hand or in their arms. Life had continued in the Church and in Mexico. <p>I thought with this newly gained wisdom how blessed I was to have spent these years visiting the parish and their homes. This was the Church at its best. People celebrated their faith and their friendship. They could share God s Word together and be fed at the Lord s table. These once teenage parishioners were now parents with one, two, or four children. Amazingly to me, they were still in the parish community and often gathered for various fiestas in their homes. <p><b>Red, Silver, or None</b> <br>Sometimes in the Church wisdom comes from reflection on theology and philosophy, both serious pursuits. Some reflection began for me when my friend, in arranging to pick me up at the airport, mentioned that he had lost his hair! He warned me not to be surprised. At the airport I recognized him all the same. The polite Mexicans were kind enough not to mention my head situation: from black, to silver, to white, to none. (They did tell me my Spanish was much better.) At breakfast one morning I joked with the youngest of the family sons, now a mature thirty-one years of age. We both laughed about his newly dyed red hair the first time we met. We admitted we had both learned a lot from those days of his pre-teen years. Wisdom comes in all shapes and colors. <p>The world and the Church continue to change, but long sought wisdom brings enjoyment when we gather at table, both with the Lord and with one another. <p>&nbsp;<b>CDH</b> </blockquote></td></tr> <!-- End Comment Out Column Structure --> <!-- Comment Out Joined Columns (Letter) <td COLSPAN="2"> <table WIDTH="540" BACKGROUND="../images/background_of_the_day_wh.jpg" BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> <tr><td valign="top"> *!-- Comment Out Letter To --* <p><blockquote><center><font face="Beach" size="+1"><b>&nbsp;<p>CHRIST THE REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH <br>46833 Harry Byrd Highway <br>Sterling, Virginia 20164</b></font></center> *!-- End Letter Top --* <img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=25 width=15> *!-- Comment Out Alternate Heading <p>&nbsp;<p><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=350><center><img SRC="../images/Bishop_of_Arlington.jpg" ALT="Seal of the Catholic Bishop of Arlington" BORDER="0" HEIGHT="150" WIDTH="150"></center> End Alternative Heading --* <blockquote><font face="Beach"> *!-- Comment Out Greeting --* <i><p><font size="+1">New Years 2012</font> *!-- End Greeting --* <p><font size="+1"><b>D</b></font>ear Brothers and Sisters at CTR,</i> *!-- Comment Out Letter Body --* <p><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=25><i>On this first day of the New Year we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. This very ancient feast of the Church has always spoken of Mary as the  God-bearer . The good news of the feast is that within Mary s heart, spirit and body, she carried Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary. The divinity of the Father was seen and known in Jesus. In that interaction between God and the human family our humanity was transformed in grace. <p><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=25>What was seen and told by the prophets and experienced by the Shepherds and Kings, is the experience of the community of faith. As Mary before them, they had been told of the action of God within our human family. They saw the bright light of God s glory illumine the night darkness. The Shepherd and Kings were embraced in the very glory of God himself. Their encounter moved them to search out a more intense presence. They saw and they believed. In this encounter with God they became messengers of that graced experience. <p><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=25>Today s feast, like the other Christmas celebrations, gathers us together in worship. Like Mary we hear God s Word of his action among us. As we often read in the Infancy Narratives, Mary guarded this Word in her heart. There she pondered what God was doing and would do within her. That Word was so alive and enfleshed, that she gave birth to a Son, Emmanuel, God-with-us. Again like Mary, we come to know the faithful love and action of God in our lives. This is our hope for the days to come. We can look for his fidelity and actions every day of our life. <p><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=25>Over the last weekend with Christmas, thousands of people celebrated the Eucharist at Christ the Redeemer. After hearing the Word of God, we shared at the Lord s Table. Having eaten at the Table of the Lord s Body, we are transformed. We are gathered into his presence. Like so many in the Infancy Narratives, Mary, Elizabeth, Simeon, the Shepherds, and the Kings, we joyfully bring the good news to others. We become the word of joy and bring an invitation to the following of the Lord whose birth we celebrate. <p><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=25>Words of thanks for the blessing which we are for each of us in the community. Prayers and best wishes for a New Year to know the actions of God among us. </blockquote> *!-- End Letter Body --* *!-- Comment Out Bishop Signature Line <p><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=150>Faithfully in Christ, <br><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=150><img SRC="../images/loverde_signature.jpg" height=30 width=225> <br><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=150>Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde <br><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=150>Bishop of Arlington</i></font> Comment Out Bishop Signature Block --* *!-- Comment Out Informal Signature Line --* <p><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=150>Sincerely, <br><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=150><img SRC="../images/CDH_Signature_White.jpg" height=30 width=225> <br><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=150>(Fr.) C. Donald Howard, S.A. <br><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=150>Pastor *!-- End Informal Signature Block --* *!-- Comment Out Bishop Stuff <p>&nbsp;<p><center>Office of the Bishop + Diocese of Arlington <br>200 North Glebe Road + Suite 914 + Arlington, Virginia 22203 <br>Tel: (703) 841-2511 + Fax: (703) 524-5028 End Bishop Stuff --* *!-- Comment Out Finish off --* <p>&nbsp;</center></font></i> </td></tr></table> *!-- End Finish Off --* *!-- End Signature Block --* *!-- End Signature Line --* </blockquote></font></td></tr> End Joined Columns (Letter) Format --> <!-- Comment Out Copied Letter <font size=+3><b>Message From the Diocese of Arlington</b></font> <p><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=20 width=10> <table WIDTH="600" BACKGROUND="../images/white_background_for_letters.jpg" BORDER="2" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> <tr><td valign="top"><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=20 width=10><blockquote><font size="+2"><center><p><b>2007 BISHOP’S LENTEN APPEAL</b></center></font> <p>This is an opportunity for us to unite with all Catholics in our diocese to share our blessings and to show concern for one another. Please assist the works of vocations, Catholic Charities, family life, and all the other programs carried out by our diocese. Please be as generous as God has been to you. Every gift is important. <p>Next weekend, all will be asked to complete a BLA pledge form at Mass. If you have already given in the mail or decline to give, there will be places to note that on the form. If you have not yet pledged, please read the tabloid that is being distributed with today’s bulletin. Please prayerfully consider Bishop Loverde’s request for support and give generously to assist the work of our diocese. <p><center><img SRC="../images/Hope_English.jpg" height=200 width=200></center> </blockquote> </td></tr> </table> <img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=20 width=10> <table WIDTH="600" BACKGROUND="../images/white_background_for_letters.jpg" BORDER="2" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"> <tr><td valign="top"><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=20 width=10><blockquote><font size="+2"><center><p><b>PETICIÓN CUARESMAL DEL OBISPO 2007</b></center></font> <p>Esta es una oportunidad para que nos unamos con todos los Católicos en nuestra área para compartir nuestras bendiciones y para enseñar preocupación por el uno al otro. Por favor asistan los trabajos de las vocaciones, Caridades Católicas, Vida Familiar, y todos los otros servicios que nos ofrece nuestra Diócesis. Por favor sean tan generosos como lo ha sido Dios con ustedes. Cada regalo es importante. <p>El próximo fin de semana, les pediremos a todos que completen un formulario de prenda en la Misa. Si ya han dado o no pueden dar, habrá lugares donde hacerlo en el formulario. Si todavía no han hecho una prenda, por favor lean el tabloide que esta siendo distribuido con el boletín de hoy. Por favor Petición Cuaresmal del Obispo por apoyo y den generosamente para asistir el trabajo de nuestra diócesis. <p><center><img SRC="../images/Hope_Spanish.jpg" height=125 width=200></center> </blockquote> </td></tr> </table> End Copied Letter --> <!-- Comment Out JPG Letter Copy <td valign="top" COLSPAN="4"><center><img SRC="../images/xmas2011.jpg" border="2" height=638 width=483></center></td></tr> End JPG Letter Copy --> <!-- CDH on Vacation <td COLSPAN="2"><center><a href="../images/New_Pastor_Graphic.jpg" TARGET="NewPage"><img SRC="../images/New_Pastor_Graphic.jpg" ALT="We are Church born of the Body of Christ, who said, 'Come, follow me.'" BORDER="2" HEIGHT="380" WIDTH="380"></a><p><font size = +1>The Pastor's Page is taking a break this week.<br>It will return shortly.</font></center></td> <td valign="top">&nbsp;</td></tr> End Vacation--> <!----------------------TO HERE------------------------------------> <tr><td BACKGROUND="../images/cnvbkgnd.jpg" ><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=15></td></tr> <tr><td BACKGROUND="../images/cnvbkgnd.jpg" ><img SRC="../images/spacer.gif" height=15 width=15></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top">&nbsp;</td><td COLSPAN="3"><center><img SRC="../images/CTR-Drawing.jpg" ALT="One Table - Many Peoples" BORDER=0 height=225 width=600></center></td></tr> <tr><td COLSPAN="5"><p><hr align="center" width="90%"> <p><center><i>Comments, questions, or suggestions? Email <a href="mailto:The_WEBster@ctrcc.org">The WEBster</a>.</center><br><br></td></tr> </table> </body></html>