We belong to a “shrine” dedicated to the central mystery of our faith – the Eucharist! On June 3, the Church celebrated that mystery in particular fashion in the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ – Corpus Christi. Later in the summer the Church will reflect collectively on the Eucharist in the context of the sixth chapter of John’s gospel. The following are reflections I offer on this awesome mystery.

Reflections on the Central Mystery of Our Faith – The Eucharist

By Reverend William E. Foley, Pastor

Parish NewsletterSummer 2018

When we gather for Eucharist, we are reminded that Christ is present in our assembly in multiple ways: in the assembly, in the proclaimed word, in the Eucharistic species, and in the person of the minister. In the mid-twentieth century, theologian, Father Henri de Lubac, re-asserted the patristic teaching that “the Eucharist makes the Church.” What we do each week on “the day of the Lord” forms us as the community called “Church.” Msgr. Kevin Irwin wrote:

Liturgy always presumes prayer with and for each other; it always presumes we accept the perennial challenges of bearing each other’s burdens and of washing each other’s feet. (Irwin, Models of the Eucharist, p. 71)

Two of the Scriptures proclaimed today make mention of the “fragments” left over. Have you ever wondered why the priest breaks a portion of the large host and drops

it into the precious blood prior to Holy Communion? Msgr. Irwin described it thus:

This custom originated in a practicecalled “fermentum.” In the early Churchat Rome (when the Christian population was small), a part of the consecrated bread broken at the Pope’s Mass was taken by deacons to other Churches in Rome where it was placed in the chalice during the singing of the Lamb of God

(Continued on pages 2 and 3)

Starting from our bell tower’s base to the top, literally at 110 feet, a complex web of steel scaf-folding was erected in order to access and repair the slate roof of our bell tower. Our founding pastor, Monsignor Thomas Smyth, would be proud of the efforts and resolution of former pastor Father Ron Potts and current pastor Father Bill Foley to continue to tenderly care for our legendary building, with assistance from the parish Building and Grounds Committee.

From a distance, the handsome architecture of the church building reflects the exquisite taste of Monsignor Smyth and early parishioners. They decided they wanted a church building that would be an architectural gem befitting the Chevy Chase community, not just a structure of ample proportions to physically accommodate worshippers. They hired the nationally known Boston firm of ecclesiastical architects, Maginnis and Walsh, to create a design of a church in the Old English Country Gothic design.

Over the Top: Nearly a Century Tending and Mending

By Joe Bozik

(Continued on pages 4 and 5)

2

The Central Mystery of Our Faith —

(Continued from page 1)

at Masses celebrated at those other Churches. (Irwin, p. 76)

We are reminded at this mo-ment of our “one-ness” with the Church universal and of our “communion with the saints.” The origin of the tabernacle was to have a place to reserve the sacrament for the sick. The realities we call “Church” and “Eucharist” are dynamics that are intimately related. We cannot have one without the other. Thus, what we do each Sunday is of utmost importance not only for ourselves but for all humanity. As, St. Thomas Aqui-nas pondered, “Could anything be of more intrinsic value?”

When we come to the weekly liturgy, we bring all our joys and sorrows and unite our individual stories with our common heritage of salvation proclaimed in the Scriptures. We know that Christ, the Word-made-flesh, is truly present in the Word proclaimed. Msgr. Kevin Irwin wrote:

The power of the pro-claimed word is that it causes something to occur among us. (Irwin, Models of the Eucharist, p. 99)

When the account of the hungry and thirsty pilgrims is proclaimed, do you not also identify with their grumbling and impatience? The “word pro-claimed” is not ancient history. People in general have short memories. We forget that we have been liberated from slavery and are en route to a “promised land.” No one said the journey

would be easy; nor did God ever say we would be abandoned. Signs of God’s presence and care are everywhere; but people are often pre-occupied with their own agenda to notice. To the Israelites, God gave manna; but, to us, God gives a person:

We proclaim these scrip-tures in order that through their very proclamation we can experience here and now that same saving action of God among us just as fully and really as when the biblical events occurred. (Irwin, p. 102)

The fact that such great emphasis is placed upon the “proclamation” of the Word places a heavy responsibility upon lectors and preachers. The assembly, however, also plays a key role in the process as “listeners.” This, too, is a challenge and an art! How many human relationships have ended because people have failed to learn this delicate art of truly “attending” to one another?

The more profound and only really important question is whether we choose to really listen to what we hear in order to direct the way we think and act! (Irwin, p. 113)

When I was in the midst of in-tense training in preparation to run my first marathon, I learned that my ability to run long distances was directly related to the proper combination of rest, nutrition, and hydration. The prophet Elijah was on a journey to the “mountain of God” at Horeb. His energy seemed to be totally sapped. He

prayed for death; but twice an “angel of the Lord” provided him with food for the journey. Jesus recalled for his fellow Jews that God had fed their ancestors with manna to enable them to complete their journey to the “Promised Land.” He went on to say about himself:

I am the living bread that came down from heaven: whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my fleshfor the life of the world. (John 6, 51)

One of the key assertions of our faith is the fact that at every Eucharist we receive the “real presence” of the living God; but, even more powerful is the realization that the saving action of God in human history is made present and transforms us here and now. Father Ronald Rolheiser put it this way:

What the Eucharist makes present is not an iconic Christ to be adored and even consumed, but the reality of Christ’s dying and rising as an event within which we are invited to participate. (Rolheiser, One Great Act of Fidelity, p. 59)

The Greek word for this kind of “memory” which is a “making present” is anamnesis. We have an obligation to participate in the Eucharist on Sundays and Holydays; otherwise, we might forget God’s love and fall into despair (as almost happened to the prophet Elijah). The oppo-site of anamnesis is amnesia!

On the Pages

Of this issue

Father Foley’s Reflections on the Eucharist

1-3

Over the Top: Nearly a Century Tending

and Mending

1, 4-5

The Gift of GirlsUP

6

Middle School Service @ Blessed Sacrament School

7

Special Needs Students Get Creative

7

First Communion and Confirmation Day Scenes

7

Tithing Our Time

8

Bulldog Race 2018

8

Songs and Smiles

9

Spring Sings

9

Editor: Pat Watson Layout: Delphine CleggParish Logo Designs: Ellen SmythArtwork: Blessed Sacrament School students under the guidance of their art teacher, Judy Kearns

The EucharistIt would be helpful to reflect on what it is we do when we gather for liturgical prayer. We all too frequently confuse the official prayer of the Church with devotional or affective prayer. Father Ronald Rolheis-er has provided the following illuminating distinctions:

In liturgical prayer we pray with Christ, through the church, but for the world…All private and devotional prayer can be defined in this way: it is prayer that tries, in myriad ways, to open us or our loved ones up in such a way that we can hear God say to us “I love you!” (Rolheiser, One Great Act of Fidelity, pp 88-89)

When we gather for liturgy, we exercise our priestly role as baptized persons to sacrifice our self-interest and to pray on behalf of the community, the poor, and the world. When we convene for the liturgy spe-cifically called Eucharist, the essential leader is the person in Holy Orders whose pres-ence links us directly with the actions of the Apostles. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM #2002) specifies that the priest acts in persona Christi capitis (in the person of Christ, the head of the Church). The late, Saint John Paul II clarified the role of the ordained priest in these words:

The ministry of priests who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders, in the econ-omy of salvation chosen by Christ, makes clear that theEucharist which they cele-brate is a gift which radi-cally transcends the power of the assembly and is in any

event essential for validly linking the Eucharistic consecration to the sacrifice of the Cross and to the Last Supper. The assembly gath-ered together for the celebra-tion of the Eucharist, if it is to be truly a Eucharistic assembly, absolutely requires the presence of an ordained priest as its president. (JPII, Ecclesia de Eucharistia #29)

When I celebrate Mass with you, I am often awed by the realization that what we do is far greater than ourselves and is in continuity with all who have gone before us and with those who celebrate the same liturgy throughout the world!

The great Eucharistic dis-course from John, Chapter 6, concludes with a challenge. Many found the words of Jesus disconcerting. He asked his closest followers:

Do you also want to leave? (John 6, 67)

After the consecration at Mass, the priest sings or proclaims the words: “Mystery of Faith.” The word “mystery” derives from the Greek; it denotes something of intimate union. The Latin trans-lation is “sacramentum.” Those not yet initiated (catechumens) are encouraged to leave the assembly prior to the Eucharis-tic Prayer. This is a restoration of an ancient practice and is meant to enhance the sense of mystery. This call to absti-nence is akin to that expected of couples prior to marriage:

…the intimacy of the Eucharist, like all deep

intimacy, especially sexual intimacy, needs proper propriety: you don’t make love in public. (Rol-heiser, One Great Act Of Fidelity, p. 124)

Some people have been en-amored of the Tridentine (extraordinary form) liturgy because they long for a sense of mystery. Those old enough to recall when this was the norm can testify that often the mystery was lost in the rapid-ity of the priest’s recitation of the Latin. I believe that the real sense of mystery can only be restored and enhanced by a greater appreciation for the very gift of life and a willingness to let go of all possessions:

Christ…shocked as many people with his capacity to enjoy this Earth as he did with his challenge to live in the face of the fact that this Earth is not our true home. (Rolheiser, p. 107)

I pray that our response to this invitation to share inti-mately in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ will be that of Peter:

Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (John 6, 68)

Artwork by Max Flax, Fifth Grade

Artwork by Clementine Searby, Fifth Grade

What the Eucharist makes present is not an iconic Christ to be adored and even consumed, but the reality of Christ’s dying and rising as an event within which we are invited to participate.

Summer 2018 3

4

Over the Top:

(Continued from page 1) In supporting the New Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish (the parish) is focusing on renewing and increas-ing the vitality of all its parish buildings and facilities, spiritually and physically. As part of this effort, the parish has identified many areas in need, with priorities to address rain-

water infiltration, starting with the Partial Roof Restoration project. The existing roof is a graduated, variegated design featuring Vermont unfading green and Vermont unfading purple slate. It is of excellent quality, was well installed, and shows only certain areas of serious deterio-ration, resulting in water penetration with interior damage. The state of gutters and copper eave flashings is another serious issue. With this as a basic assessment, the parish moved forward with restoration in a stepped approach, starting with selected ar-eas on the steeple and turret roofs—Phase I.

The parish identified five qualified firms and asked each to provide a Request for Proposal in order to select one firm to provide a re-stored, structurally sound tower and church roof with enduring weather protection from the elements. The Building and Grounds

Committee reviewed the bids and recom-mended a firm to the pastor. In October 2017, this project was awarded to Durable Slate Company of Rockville, MD.

The scope of this project was focused on addressing the most vulnerable areas—wa-ter penetration and water-damaged areas. During a pre-bid assessment, the leaking and structural issues were segmented in

scope to: the tower, the main church, and the turrets. If not addressed in a timely manner, the concerns with continued leak-ing will allow more slate to detach and fall from the rotten decking.

The tower is located on the north side or Quesada Street side of the church and provides an important entrance. Contained within the three upper levels of the tower are the chimes power room, the sixteen bronze chimes tubes, and the actuating ma-chines. Safety concerns for parishioners and protection of the chimes during construc-tion were key. Moreover, the integrity of the structural timber under the slate of the tower was questioned, and if compromised could no longer support the tower’s weight.

Leaking is also occurring on the hips of the steeple, which weakens the fastening of the slate. Note that the chimes were

silenced due to safety concerns for both unnecessarily “startling” the workers, and concerns regarding the weakened tower roof substrate during dismantlement of the slate support system, along with the “rattling” experienced during the chimes striking. Chimes are scheduled to begin ringing again this summer.

Most the slates on the main roof are in

excellent condition. Excluding the slates on the roof adjacent to the bell tower, it appears only minimal slate are cracked or missing and in need of replacement.

There are two turrets on the south side of the main roof adjacent to the parking lot. Currently there is no flashing metal on the vertical hip ridges. The original underlay-ment paper and added roofing tar have preserved turrets thus far, but the wood decking is now visible between the mitered slate. The valleys on the turrets have largely been replaced in leaded copper, as has the gutter and spouting system. These areas need no additional work. Considerable slate repair has been done on the roof to the east side of the tower. Un-fortunately, this work was very poorly done after the 2011 earthquake and needs repairs.

BY THE NUMBERS

3 Turrets (Can you find them?)

4 New Copper “Lights” in Bell Tower

125 Pledge Dollars From Each Family

350,000 Dollar Goal for Phases I & II

Nearly a Century Tending and Mending

During inspections, the copper step and counter flashing, as well as the flatseam roof “pan” surrounding the base of the steeple (tower), showed indications of deterioration in areas corresponding with water damage seen within the church sanctuary. It appears that in the past, repairs have been attempted using sealant and rubber patches, which have now failed. Repaired slates do not match the existing slates.

There is significant damage, largely around the copper “lights” on each side of the stee-

ple room. The flanges of the copper lights are perforated around the solder line due to oxidation and the pressure of the surround-ing slate. In addition, water penetrating the lights has caused considerable damage to the wood decking and to the second level weight bearing sill plates. The copper lights were fabricated new at a Richmond, VA, facility and installed.

Leaking is also occurring on the hips of the steeple which weakens the fastening of the slate. The hips were installed in the same manner as the lower level turret hips, no metal flashing was used. The flat roof floor in the chimes striking room also needs to be replaced.

In summary, the purpose of Phase I of this project was to repair and restore the steeple tower roof, including supporting structure and lower turrets, and repair/replace slates on the church roof so as to provide water protection from weather elements for the next decades. Phase II will focus on other areas of the church roof, including the dor-mers, copper eave flashings, and gutters.

As with any major repair project for a cam-pus as large, complicated, and active as ours, there are many nuances and concurrent events—how soon to plan (design, approv-als, permitting), when to start (during school

year or not), and, of course, funding. As one participant exclaimed: “A roof is not just a roof!”

Your continued patience and understanding is appreciated; the parish is focussed on cre-ating a worship space worthy of providing a welcoming, safe experience for everyone, where each visit is a joyful, prayerful experi-ence that one yearns to repeat.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the scaffolding be removed?

Most of the tower scaffolding was removed by May 13, but ladders will be used occasionally until the project is complete.

When will the project be complete?

Project is scheduled to be completed this summer.

When will the chimes ring again?

Chimes will be serviced and begin ringing again this summer.

Photos by Joe Bozik

Summer 2018 5

The Gift of GirlsUPBy Debra Soltis

6

L ong before the “Me Too” movement, an innovative summer program was

inspiring girls across the DC area to figure out who they are, before the world tells them who they should be—a program started by Dr. Kelly Murray, a psycholo-gist, author, mother of six girls and Blessed Sacrament parishioner and sodalist.

Kelly was my best friend, and one of our favorite topics was the challenges facing adolescent girls. So I was not surprised in 2008 when Kelly decided to start GirlsUP to inspire girls to develop a deeper and truer sense of self. The need was clear. Studies show that an American girl’s self-esteem usually peaks at age 9, not to surface again until her mid-twenties. By their teens, girls often begin to overly emphasize their phys-ical appearance and how they are perceived. So that summer, Kelly launched the first GirlsUP program, a week full of discussions and activities aimed at developing a robust sense of self, strength and spirit in girls.

Kelly was enthusiastically gearing up for another session in 2009. But on June 26, 2009, during a violent summer storm, Kelly and her seven-year old daughter, Sloane, were killed. In the midst of bound-less grief, her family decided that Kelly would have wanted GirlsUP to live on.

I was honored to be asked to step in and run the program, which was scheduled to begin the week after the funeral.

Working from Kelly’s handwritten notes and my own experiences as a civil rights lawyer for women, law professor, woman and mother, I went in and led the program. It was powerful—serious without taking itself too seriously. And the girls loved it. At the end of that summer, I became Executive Director, working with Kelly’s husband, Sean, and a talented group of women (many also Blessed Sacrament parishioners) to keep GirlsUP going and growing.

Since then, GirlsUP—using interac-tive activities centered on our program’s five pillars of self-awareness, self-image, self-expression, self-reliance and self-giv-ing—has inspired hundreds of girls ages 10 to 13 to think creatively, communi-cate effectively, assess choices critically and develop an authentic self-reliance.

As GirlsUP has grown, so has our unlim-ited potential. We developed a Teen Board so our GirlsUP Girls could continue with events and activities throughout high school. We partnered with the Unit-ed Nations, so our GirlsUP Girls could learn about and take action to help girls around the world—lobbying on Capi-tol Hill against child marriage; Skyping with Oprah Winfrey’s school in South Africa; and even meeting Malala. And through our partnerships with the Christ Child Society, the Washington School

for Girls and S.O.M.E., we’ve offered GirlsUP at no cost to underserved girls.

Now in our 11th summer, I could not be more proud of GirlsUP, for the gift it is to our girls and the compelling legacy it has become for Kelly. Kelly and I always said we’d write a book together. But I think we’ve done something even better—we’ve blended our voices to help girls find theirs.

To donate or register for GirlsUP, go to www.girlsup.org.

Kelly Murray, Ph.D.GirlsUP Founder

Debra SoltisGirlsUP Executive Director Ph

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A GirlsUP Girl Presents Flowers to Malala

GirlsUP at the 2018 Bulldog 5k

A GirlsUP Girl

Middle School Service is Alive and Well at Blessed Sacrament School!

By Mavis Anning-Gyan, Eighth Grade

Ribbons for Texas

Earlier this school year, Christ Care Corps members (an 8th grade service club) made red, white, and blue ribbons to show sup-port for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The money we raised from selling the rib-bons went directly to an organization that helped people who were affected by the Hurricane. The money helped to rebuild many homes that were damaged as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

Hunger Banquet

Every year, the Blessed Sacrament middle school participates in a Hunger Banquet. This Banquet shines a light on different so-cial classes. Each student is assigned a social class: first, the highest; second, the average class; and third, the poorest. The first class receives a nice meal and utensils, the second class receives rice with chili, and the third class receives just rice with no utensils and is seated on the ground. The Hunger Banquet is a very powerful activity because a majority our school belongs to the first class, but this allows to see what food most of the world is supplied with.

Labors of Love

Every year, before the Mission Fair, Blessed Sacrament students complete chores at home, in exchange for money. This money goes to the Holy Cross Sisters and their service proj-ects, one of which is a school in Uganda. The grade that raises the most money is allowed to go out to the Mission Fair first!

Scenes From Holy Communion and Confirmation Days

Photos by Judy Kearns

Photos by Pat Watson

Special Needs Students Get Creative

Summer 2018 7

And they were off . . .

At 8 a.m. on May 5th, racers took off for the Eleventh Annual 5k Bulldog Run and Kids Fun Run. They were sent off with a blessing from Father D’Silva, and crossed Western Avenue with assistance from the Montgomery County Police. The race route

continued down Brookville Road, through the hills of Chevy Chase, eventually ending back at the school. When the results were tallied, Matt Kootman placed first with 20:20, but many parents, students, and friends of Blessed Sacrament School were close behind. Partial proceeds from the race were to benefit the GirlsUP summer camp.

S ince I was appointed by Monsignor John Enzler, our then pastor, as a

Steward of Time, I have tried to develop this role in various ways: time reading and taking courses to develop my spiri-tual life, time organizing and managing a Blessed Sacrament play reading group, time serving as an Arimathean, and time writing for a decade, a column called “Just in Time” in this newsletter.

Recently I read some interesting ideas

contained in “The Treasure of Time”, an essay written by Father Michael Casey, an Australian Cistercian monk, author, lecturer and well-known retreat master. Father suggests that as a member of a religious group, we must sacrifice for the group. Some translate this sacrifice into the gift of treasure, but Casey suggests a better sacrifice of self-giving, especially of time.

Those who come to Mass give time to God in His home, the church. Some give time

praying before the Blessed Sacrament, a habit I have found very beneficial. All are invited to participate in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Exposition every Monday through Friday, 3-5:15 p.m. in the church. This is followed by Benedic-tion and the 5:30 p.m. Mass. (On federal holidays there is no Adoration or 5:30 p.m. Mass, and on the Thursday before first Friday each month, Adoration is from 6-8 p.m. with a Holy Hour from 7-8 p.m.)

Tithing Our TimeBy John Dluhy, M.D.

Snapshots From This Year’s Bulldog Race

8

Artwork by Emilia Jaeger, First GradeArtwork by Emily Talbott, Second GradeArtwork by Quincy, Sixth Grade

Photos by Pat Watson

Songs and Smiles!

B athing our cabin before dawn was a vast cloud of morning dew resting

gently upon our mountain ridge. Walking through the small dancing beads of mist to the chapel for morning prayer, I looked to the east and was stunned! Shining faintly through, outlining the silhouettes of trees jaggedly peaking from the crest of the mountain across us, was our glorious star awaking life in Jamaica. A chorus of birds singing excitedly, resounding across the fading ridges beyond us to the west, complimented the beautiful trees sway-ing, and it seemed as if I had just intrud-ed upon their own morning praises.

Eleven years ago, the founder of Mustard Seed Communities, Monsignor Gregory, was winding up the narrow and forested roads with the resident priest here, Father Gavin Augustine, until he came to this ridge and exclaimed spontaneously, “This is the spot!” We are blessed to work and encoun-ter those at “this spot” and what has now become “Jacob’s Ladder.” Just today we

gathered for the blessing of the chicken coop we funded earlier this year! Father Ivany said a prayer and sprinkled holy water all around the new structure.

In the afternoon, some of us continued to scrape and mix concrete, while others matched the morning birds in singing, laughing, and praising with the residents. I was in the latter group. As we were singing, a resident named Roja gestured to me to sit down across from him. I came over and he reached out his hand. Placing my hand in his I expected him to want to talk, but he looked away. I too was silent. He just wanted me to be with him. A story came to mind of Saint John Vianney, who once saw a man praying before Our Lord, hidden in the tabernacle. Saint Vianney asked the man what he does when he prays. The man responded, “I look at God and God looks at me.” That is enough. Here before me I got to experience Christ in Roja. More precious than the sun’s beautiful, life-giving rays, was here before me Christ’s shining splendor, veiled by a cheerful smile.

Conor Hardy, Blessed Sacrament parishioner, former police officer and teacher, is now a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Washington.

By Conor Hardy

I am grateful to the parish for participating financially and prayerfully in a mission trip I took part in in Jamaica earlier this year. The following is a blog post I wrote in March about my experiences during that mission.

Robins are singingSurely they’re bringingAs are Morning Doves Their songs of spring’s loves.

A language their own So sweet so in tune Awakens today Creation’s new day.

Angels orchestrate Assuredly make This new symphony Innocence at play.

Sounds oh so pleasing Our senses teasing Heaven seems nearer Can it be clearer?

Creation’s new dayAwake us today Be our alarmings Lest we miss spring sings.

Father Ivany Blesses the Chicken CoopPhoto Courtesy of Conor Hardy

Spring SingsBy Joe Bozik

Note From the Editor: Thanks to our contributing authors, photographers, art teachers and their students who have helped create this year’s news-letter. We are grateful that out parish is blessed with generous, talented parishioners willing to share their God-given gifts.

Artwork by Olivia Jezior, Sixth Grade

Summer 2018 9

3630 Quesada Street, NWWashington, D.C. 20015

202.966.6575www.blessedsacramentdc.org