Enjoy a day of fun for children ages 0-14 this fall with halloween costumes, games, prizes, hotdogs, treats, family and friends!  The festival will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2011 in the Parish Center.

Please see Parish Events for more details.

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Please join us once a month from October – March (dates TBA in bulletin) for a Square Dance with live musicians and caller in the Parish Center.  Dancing will be from 8pm-10pm in Parish Center.  Some dances may be proceeded by a potluck dinner at 6:30pm.   No charge or experience necessary.  For more information, please contact Leo Gorman at lgorman7@excite.com or 202-244-2394.   

Why should we study the Bible? 

When the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe has something to say, we had better listen. Just as children cannot grow to be strong without food, the faithful must partake of the food of the Word of God in order to mature as believers. Even mature believers who have studied the scriptures for years can still uncover many more precious truths in God’s Word.  

The goal of true Christians is to know God more fully so that we can love, follow and worship more completely. It is only through systematic study, combined with prayer, that we can achieve this goal. Imagine trying to build a relationship with someone about whom you know nothing. It is next to impossible, since you have nothing on which to base your relationship. In order to forge the necessary connections, you must communicate and listen. It also helps if the two of you have shared goals and a history of commitment and caring. Bible study can help you build your relationship with God through communication, shared goals and learning about your religious heritage.

Looking for a Way to Live Your Faith?

Patrice Morace and the RCIA team are asking you to consider walking with one person as a companion. The time commitment will average an hour a week, which can occur on Tuesday nights, or during the weekend Mass, which you and the person discerning a call to be a Catholic attend.

 Companions do not have to be either catechists or saints– just regular folks willing to be present to another on a consistent basis over a period of time. This is a wonderful way to learn more about your faith, to get to know another person in the parish, to grow in your ability to talk a little about how you experience God in your everyday life.

In November, our parish will be welcoming people inquiring into our faith into the catechumenate, and this is where companioning begins and continues to their reception into full membership in our church.

If you are interested in discerning this very important ministry and offering your support to those God is calling, please contact Patrice Morace at: 202.362.3323 ext. 13 or morace@annunciationdc.org.

At the beginning of each Pastoral Council year the Council hosts an open retreat to which all members of parish ministries, and the parish at large are invited.  The retreat is held on the Saturday after Labor Day and begins with coffee at 8:30 a.m.  The retreat for 2010-2011 is scheduled for SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11. Please save this date and consider joining us for this very special event.

The Council generally meets on the third Thursday of the month. 

The 2010-2011 calendar for council meetings is as follows: 

October 21

November 18

January 20 or snow date February 17

March 17

April 14* (second Thursday due to Holy Week)

May 19

The executive committee meets with the pastor two weeks prior to the Council’s meeting in order to finalize the meeting agenda.  The pastor may also use this time to consult the executive committee on any matter he chooses.

 The current executive committee membership is:

 Mr. Donald Kursch, Chairperson

Mr. Robert Mailley

Mr. Hugh Dempsey

Mrs. Honora Precourt

Guidelines for the Pastoral Council at the Church of the Annunciation

Washington, D.C. 

The Purpose of the Pastoral Council           

The Pastoral Council is both a process and a structure that enables parishioners to accept and share more fully the task of continuing the church’s work in service to the community of Annunciation Parish and its neighbors.  In discharging its responsibilities, the Pastoral Council will be guided by the following principles: 

• The Pastoral Council with the Pastor makes policy decisions; parish staff make administrative decisions
• The Pastoral Council will operate by consensus, always open to the Holy Spirit, when discerning major decisions that establish goals and objectives for the future.
• The Pastoral Council decisions will be consistent with faith and morals, civil and church law, and diocesan policies.
• The Pastor ratifies decisions of the Pastoral Council through his presence and participation in the consensus process.
• Together with the pastor members of the Pastoral Council have a unique  responsibility for the development and evaluation of the Parish Pastoral Plan.
• The Pastoral Council is an advisory and consultative body to the Pastor. The Council also has the responsibility to communicate with the Pastor on issues and matters which members of the parish may wish to bring to the Pastor’s attention.

 The Mission of The Church of the Annunciation 

            By the power of the Holy Spirit, Annunciation parish exists to further God’s reign in all its members. Through worship, education, service, and prayer we gather together to minister to all God’s people in healing and in reconciling love. 

 Membership on the Pastoral Council

The Council will be made up of 14-16 members and, as far as possible, the full membership will reflect the demographics and the ethnic composition of the Parish Community. 

Membership Selection Criteria

The following criteria will be used to call forth members of the parish to serve on the Parish Pastoral Council:

The nominee is a baptized catholic, Has been an active member of the parish, Is a participant in the on going life of the parish, especially in the celebration of the weekend Eucharist, and Is a responsible parishioner who manifests the following gifts:

• a desire for spiritual growth
• an enthusiasm for the future of the parish
• a willingness to listen, to speak honestly and to work toward consensus
• an ability to inspire and empower others, and to delegate
• shows flexibility and openness with people and ideas.
• will responsibly prepare for meetings and council work

·         Membership Selection Process

The Pastor will accept nominations for Pastoral Council vacancies from the current councilors, and members of the parish including self – nomination. The Pastor and /or his designee, or both, will meet with each nominee to discuss the expectations and responsibilities of the Pastoral Council Members.  After a period of mutual discernment, a final list of nominees will be prepared and submitted to the pastor for his selection / appointment.  The criteria above will be included in the discernment/reflection. 

                                    Term of Service

Pastoral Council members, excluding councilors who have some need to resign, will serve one three year term with the option of a second.  The Pastor may extend the term of service when it is necessary to provide continuity for the Pastoral Council during periods of transition or when major decisions are being considered. 

       Pastoral Council Meetings:     The Council meets monthly from September through June.

Meetings begin with prayer led by a council member.  Following prayer the Council chairperson and staff facilitator (if present) focus on the pre – determined agenda.   To assure parishioners input to the pastor, each meeting agenda will include an opportunity for council members to raise new business. A reflection from the Pastor is included at the end of each meeting.  Meetings close with prayer.  

Special meetings of the Council may be called by the Pastor or by the Chairperson of the Council. 

The Pastoral Council Executive Committee will be appointed by the Pastor. It shall meet at such times as determined by the Pastor and the Chair of the committee to consider such matters as the Pastor and the Chair shall determine.  It shall set the agenda for the Pastoral Council Meetings. 

The Pastoral Council secretary keeps records of each meeting and provides copies of the minutes to the membership and interested parishioners.  

In general, Pastoral Council meetings are open to all parishioners.