Church ShieldEpistle Header

In This Issue
Photos
A Letter From Abba Home
On Last Sunday's Sermon
A Prayer
Tóm Tắt Bài Giảng

Upcoming Events 



Saturday, Oct 8

Combined Choir Practice, 10 AM-12:30PM  

 

Tuesday, Oct. 11

Commissions, 6:30 PM

Vestry, 7:30 PM  

 

Saturday, Oct. 15

Combined Choir Practice, 10 AM-12:30PM

 

Food Preparation for the Homeless, 1 PM.   

 

Sunday, Oct 16

Inquirer's Class, after church   

 

Saturday, Oct. 22nd

- Combined Choir Practice, 10 AM-12:30PM  

- Cookies for Coeds Packing Party, 10:00-noon (at the Spinellis') 

 

Sunday, Oct. 23

Seminarian Committee Meeting, 12:00 PM  

Odeon Concert, 4 PM  

(Matt Tucker+'s installation as Rector of Christ Church, Bordentown, NJ, 4 PM)  

 

Tuesday, Oct 25

Orchestra for Combined Choir Rehearsal,  

7 PM - 9:30 PM  

 

Wednesday, Oct 26

Boy Scouts meet in the Lounge, 7:30 PM ~ 9:30 PM (Bobby Dubas) 

 

Saturday, Oct 29:


- Combined Choir  

Dress Rehearsal,  

10 AM-12:30PM

 

Small Church Day at Christ Church, Spotsylvania, VA, 9 AM ~ 2 PM  

 

Sunday, Oct. 30

Inquirer's Class, after church 

 

Haydn's Theresa Mass, combined choir, at St. Patrick's, 4:00 PM   

 

Sunday, Nov. 6

(Daylight Saving Time ends)

Inquirer's Class, after church 

 

Tuesday, Nov 8

Commissions, 6:30 PM' Vestry, 7:30 PM  

 

Nov. 11-13

6th & 7th Grade Weekend at Shrine Mont 

 

Sunday, Nov 13

Inquirer's Class, after church 

Odeon Concert, 4 PM

 

Saturday, Nov 19

Food for the Homeless 

 

Sunday, Nov 27

(1 Advent)

Stewardship Sunday  

 

Inquirer's Class, after church (last session)   

 

Sunday, Dec 4  

 Bishop Visitation, 3 PM

 

Saturday, Dec 10

Vietnamese Christmas Star making, 10 AM 

 

Sunday, Dec. 11

Annual Meeting after church

 

Wednesday, Dec 14

Blue Christmas Service, 7:30 PM  

 

Sunday, Dec 18

Greening the church 

 

Saturday, Dec 24

Christmas Eve

Children's service,  

6:30 PM 

Music, 7:00 PM

Holy Eucharist, 7:30 PM 

    

Sunday, Dec 25

Christmas Day Service, 10:30 AM 

 

Sunday, Jan 1

New Year's Day Celebration after church, potluck.

 

Sunday, Jan 22

Tết Celebration, after church, potluck!  

 

 

 

 

 

Birthdays

 

6   Catherine Leonard

(today!) 

6     Muahmong Vang

(today!) 

12   Jean Wetrich

14   Hong Van Phan

15   Sheila Henderson

16   Joe Hiller

17   Natalie Dang-Ellis

17   Jorden Benjamin

22   Emmeline Pizzola,  22   Matthew Pizzola

22   Tess Miller

23   Paul Los, Jr.

27   Victoria Coker

28   Harriette Benjamin

30   Carolyn Gawarecki

31   Margaret Mills

 

 

 

Our Prayer List 

 

We remember in our prayer:

 

Margaret Mills, Jim Owens, William Yale, Laura Đoàn, Bob Aronstein, Kari Boeskov, Mary Anne Bogie, Mary Carper, Thomas Cascella, Marie Cosimano, Hai Dang Do,  Jane Chapman, Tim Clary, Dorothy Connelly, John Davis, Donald DeVaughn, Michael Dickinson, Loretta Dougherty, Ingrid Eckstrand, The Edsall Family, Archie Ellis, Mary Farmer, The Faubion Family, Nance Finegan, Luis Garay, Thomas Garner, Anne Goodwin, Jean Graham, Nick Giuliani, Canedo Guillermo, Katherine Hafele, Anne & Thomas Edsall, Margaret Ellis Harris, Bill and Betty Henderson, Sheila Henderson, Eldon Paul Henry,  Alek Hensley, Leslie Hogan, Cindy Hogman, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Michael Horn, Virginia Hughes, Angelina Jansen, Lindsay Johns, Gray and Bob Johnson, Jamie Kaplon, Robert Kelley, Quinn Kimball, Jeffry King, The Kontess Family, Susan Lawrence, Bau Le, Timothy Livingood, Joe Magrogan, Colleen Mavrikas, Michael Mills, Evelyn Morgan, Que Nguyen, Chick Nixon, Keslie Nolan, Olive Oliver, Gary Owens, Irene Pierce, Joann Piper, Faith Poole, William Ross,  Molly Saviola, Nora Searle, Bill Sitler, Irene Skowron, Karine Simpkin, Brian Smith, Josh Smithers, Candi Stewart,  Barbara Stefl, Kara Stryker, The Strysko Family, Walter Sushko, Steven Talbert, George Thomas, Clara Torres, George Torres, Michael Weekes, The Westfall Family, Paula Wiech, Meredith Wiech, Donna Wolfe, Peter Kosutic, Chris, Tasha,  Mark Zimpel 

 

We pray especially for Julie Taylor and Marcia Gnuse, friends of the Spinelli.

 

 

We pray for all US personnel serving overseas, especially Garway Thomas and Cate Johnson.

 

Note: If you have a loved one or friend who needs prayer please call the church and leave a message at 703-532-5656, or write to Tinh+ at

stpats3241@gmail.com  or call him at 703-405-9571.  Also, should a name need be removed from the list, please let Tinh+ know promptly, and give the reason. 

 

 

Saint Patrick's Ministers 

The Ministers of Saint Patrick's Church are the People of this Parish

 

supported by

 

The Reverend  

Tinh Trang Huynh, Vicar

Mr. Toua Vang,  

Seminarian Assistant 

Ms. Mariko Hiller,  

Music Director

Ms. Rachel Burgess,

Nursery Care

 

We serve our Lord as part of the Diocese of Virginia

 

led by

our chief pastors

 

The Rt. Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston, Bishop 

 

The Rt. Rev.  

David Colin Jones, 

Bishop Suffragan

 

and  

The Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick,

Assistant Bishop 

The Vision of St. Patrick's

Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church is a community of care, called to be Christ-centered and multicultural in worship, Christian education and action to proclaim Christ's love to the world.

About St. Patrick's Church

Saint Patrick's was founded in 1953 as a mission church from the Falls Church.  The congregation met for the first time on January 3, 1954 in the cafeteria of the Graham Road School.  The building was completed in 1956.  Members of St. Pat's have been known for their involvement in outreach ministries since the very early days of the parish.  In 1995, Saint Patrick's became an Anglo-Vietnamese church, and has become more and more multicultural.  Some of us say that St. Pat's is like a window through which we can see God's love.  Other parishioners suggest St. Pat's is a "safe haven" for all who seek peace, a quiet place for those who want to find rest.  Many in the congregation mention caring is what makes St. Patrick's special to them.  Our vision statement reflects what we are in our hearts:  St. Patrick's Episcopal Church is a community of care called to be Christ-centered and multicultural in worship, Christian education and action to proclaim Christ's love to the world."


St. Patrick's Organized for Missions and Ministry 

 

Vestry Committee:  Senior Warden:  Tom Auld;  Junior Warden:  Vivian Benjamin; Registrar:  Winnie Lebo; Treasurer:  Kathy Oliver;  Other members of the Vestry:   Victoria Kennedy, Jocelyne Miller, Pierre Chanu, Chris Nicholson.

 

GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Altar Guild:  Lucille Selby;  Bell Choir: Mariko Hiller; Church Office:  Lois Cascella;  Offering Counters: Bob Cascella; Youth Ministry:  Maggie Spinelli; Region VIII Representative: Felix Spinelli;  Diocesan Council Delegate: Amelia Nicholson; St. Margaret's Circle:  Ann Nelson;  Telephone Chain: Alice King; Ushers: Bill Houston; Odeon Chamber Music Series:  Mariko Hiller; Westlawn Elementary School:  Winnie Lebo; Falls Church Community Services: Catherine Dubas; Hypothermia Shelter Program:  Felix Spinelli;  Church Women United:  Amelia Nicholson. The Epistle Newsletter Editors: Winnie Lebo and Cindy Rhoad. 



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October 6, 2011

Photos

MS Walk -- The Spinelli
Felix, Maggie, Ruth Spinelli, and their friend Flossie from Hampton,VA, after the September 25th MS Walk.  The Spinellis wish to thank all of you for your generous support.

Below are pictures of the Blessing of the Animals, Oct. 2, 2011 

Dash and Savannah


Dash


Erin's kitten  

Mickie's cat


Star

 

 

Rosie  

Parish Notes  

A letter from Abba Home, Pakistan. 

 

 

Rev.Tinh Huynh Vicar

Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church

3241 Brush Drive

Falls Church,VA 22042 USA

 

Subject:          Thanks Giving

  

Respected Father,

The management of Abba Home is grateful to the priest, parish Council and parishioners for 25 minor daughters of Abba Home sending

  • 4 boxes of wool. Yarn, pencils, color pencils, paints, ball points, buttons, sewing needles with hooks, note books, erasers, sharpeners and soft toys
  • Monetary contributions

The gratitude is also offered to Catherine Johnson for her efforts sharing the needs of deserving minor orphan with the above stated generous people.

The minor orphanage girls are filled with joys and prayers for making best use of the gifts and donation becoming capable growing and developing in education and wisdom.

Yours Truly,

 

Ashraf Naheed

Abba Home

Orphanage for girls,Pakistan

www.abbaorphancare.com    

 

On Last Sunday's Sermon 

 

(Matthew 21:33-44) 

 

Jesus told his disciples a story: A land owner leased his vineyard to tenants and went away on business.   When the time came, he sent his slaves to the vineyard to collect the produce. The tenants beat and killed the slaves, and they even killed the landlord's son, who came last to the vineyard. Jesus asked: "What will the vineyard owner do to the wicked tenants?" They said, "He will kill them all, and let other tenants work in the vineyard."  Jesus then said, "The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom."   

            The story itself is an allegory, and the Church has explained that the vineyard is Israel, the wicked workers are the religious leaders of the Jews, the slaves are the prophets of old, and the son is Jesus --  God will prevail over evil and punish evildoersThe answer is very clear, yet our question is: What does Jesus want us to do? 

            Jesus warns that the kingdom of God will be taken away from us and given to those who produce the fruits of the kingdom.  Fruitfulness is the issue. 

            Would it make sense if we said that God owns our lives, and that we are stewards who are responsible for our fruitfulness?

            We tend to think that we have control of our lives and we can do what ever we want with them.  Success, for instance, seems to be the main thing in life for many people. Yet the more we pursue success, the more fearful we become; hence competition, greed, violence, and hatred. The pursuit of success may deprive the soul of the care that it needs. Jesus emphasizes fruitfulness.

             When time comes for us to leave this world, we will not worry so much about properties, title or position, but we may ask how well we lived our lives -- how we touched the lives of the people we came to know, how we made peace and restored relationships, and whether we did well with forgiveness and reconciliation.  

             We may not be able to recall the look of the car we drove or of the shoes we wore some twenty years ago; yet we never forget the things that a friend or a stranger did for us, like visiting us while we were sick, or giving our car battery a boost when it ran down. No matter how little those things seem, we always remember them in detail.

            The Lord calls us to offer our lives to him.  He wants the fruits.  As we respond to his call, heaven can be realized in our hearts even as we live in this world.

 
A Prayer

For Today


O God:
Give me strength to live another day;
Let me not turn coward before its difficulties
     or prove recreant to its duties;
Let me not lose faith in other people;
Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of
     ingratitude, treachery, or meanness;
Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;
Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly
     and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me
     or take away the joy of conscious integrity;
Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good
     in all things;
Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;
Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness;
     and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;
     in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord
     and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

(Forward Day By Day, back cover) 
Tóm Tắt Bài Giảng Chúa Nhật Vừa Qua

(Ma-thi-ơ 21:33-44) 

 

Đc Giêsu kể cho các môn đệ một câu chuyện: Một doanh nhân kia giao vườn nho ḿnh cho các tá điền chăm sóc, trong khi ông đi làm ăn xa. Tới mùa hái, ông cho các đầy tớ ḿnh đến vườn thâu hoa lợi. Bọn tá điền đánh đập và giết các đầy tớ. Cuối cùng, ông sai con ḿnh tới vườn, họ cu~ng giết luôn. Chúa hỏi các môn đệ: "Như thế, chủ vườn sẽ đối phó thế nào?" Họ trả lời,"Ông ấy sẽ giết hết bọn chúng, và giao vườn nho cho tá điền khác." Sau đó Chúa bảo," Nước Trời sẽ bị cất khỏi các ngươi để ban cho một dân sanh hoa trái cho Nước Trời."

            Đây là một câu chuyện có tính cách biểu tượng, và Hội Thánh đă giải thích rằng vườn nho là h́nh bóng của dân Do Thái, ông chủ là Thiên Chúa, bọn tá điền hung dữ là giới lănh đạo tôn giáo Do Thái hồi đó, các đầy tớ của ông chủ là những ngôn sứ thời xưa, và con của ông chủ là Đức Giêsu. Sự giải thích rất tỏ tường, theo niềm tin Kitô Giáo. Song câu hỏi của chúng ta là trong đoạn nầy Chúa dạy chúng ta phải làm ǵ?

            Đức Giêsu cảnh cáo rằng không sanh hoa kết trái cho Nước Trời th́ sẽ mất Nước Trời. "Hoa trái" là vấn đề chính.

            Có nên nghĩ rằng cuộc đời ḿnh như cái vườn nho: Chúa là chủ của cuộc đời chúng ta, và ta chỉ là quản gia chăm sóc để nó sanh hoa kết trái?

            Chúng ta thường tưởng rằng ḿnh là chủ của đời ḿnh, muốn làm ǵ th́ làm với cuộc đời ấy. Chẳng hạn, đối với nhiều người, thành công là sự việc chính cho đời. Nhưng càng chạy theo thành công th́ càng thêm sợ hăi, nẩy ra tranh giành, tham lam, bạo động và ghen ghét. Nhiều người theo đuổi thành công mà quên chăm sóc cho cái tâm của ḿnh. Đức Giêsu nhấn mạnh về hoa trái.

            Khi chúng ta chuẩn bị ĺa đời, chúng ta sẽ không màng đến của cải, chức tước hay địa vị, mà có lẽ chúng ta sẽ tự hỏi ḿnh đă sống đời ḿnh như thế nào, có tốt hay không - có giúp đỡ được ai, có làm cho người ḥa thuận, nối lại mối liên hệ hay là tha thứ cho ai?

            Chúng ta không thể nào nhớ rơ chiếc xe ḿnh đi hay đôi giày ḿnh mang cách đây hai mươi năm; song chuyện rất nhỏ mà người quen hay lạ làm cho ḿnh - chẳng hạn như đến thăm khi ḿnh bị bệnh, hay câu b́nh điện xe giúp ḿnh lúc hết điện - th́ nhớ măi từng chi tiết. Đó chính là hoa trái.

          Chúa gọi chúng ta dâng đời ḿnh cho Chúa. Chúa muốn hoa trái. Khi chúng ta đáp lại tiếng gọi ấy, Nước Thiên Đàng đă thể hiện trong ḷng, ngay khi chúng ta sống trên đời nầy.


May God bless and keep you, and may God grant us peace. 

 

The Rev. Tinh T. Huynh

Vicar of Saint Patrick's Church