The Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes
12th and Massachusetts Ave, NW - Washington, DC 20005 - 202.347.8161
12th and Massachusetts Ave, NW - Washington, DC 20005 - 202.347.8161
WE ARE A COMMUNITY that expresses its love for our Lord Jesus Christ in ancient worship forms. We are a community that seeks to understand what it prays. We are a community that asks the Holy Spirit to teach us to love one another, and the world beyond our church walls. By God’s graciousness, we are growing. We would love to have you join us!
From the Rector:
Inner Beauty
#12thandMass
September 9, 2018
Saint James asks, “Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?” (2:5). Some would call this revolutionary. Some would simply call this the mystery of divine love. God, who is love, sees what the naked eye does not: our inner beauty.
The words of Saint James remind me of the three years I spent in the L’Arche community (I was in a community in Brussels, Belgium. There are four communities in the greater Washington, DC area, for which our Parish Administrator, Mark Cosenza, was formerly Director or Operations and Finance). “The aim of L’Arche is to create communities, which welcome people who have intellectual disabilities. By this means, L’Arche seeks to respond to the distress of those who are too often rejected, and to give them a valid place in society.” (Charter of the Communities of L’Arche). At L’Arche, the “poor in the world” are recognized as “rich in faith”. And, those who choose to live with them are enriched in faith.
Saint James asks, “Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?” (2:5). Some would call this revolutionary. Some would simply call this the mystery of divine love. God, who is love, sees what the naked eye does not: our inner beauty.
The words of Saint James remind me of the three years I spent in the L’Arche community (I was in a community in Brussels, Belgium. There are four communities in the greater Washington, DC area, for which our Parish Administrator, Mark Cosenza, was formerly Director or Operations and Finance). “The aim of L’Arche is to create communities, which welcome people who have intellectual disabilities. By this means, L’Arche seeks to respond to the distress of those who are too often rejected, and to give them a valid place in society.” (Charter of the Communities of L’Arche). At L’Arche, the “poor in the world” are recognized as “rich in faith”. And, those who choose to live with them are enriched in faith.
The Sunday School for Ascension and Saint Agnes has resumed for a new year. All children ages 3-12 are welcome to participate in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd which meets immediately before the 10:30 a.m. Mass. The classroom (Atrium), is located in the lower level of the church. Please contact Victoria Ebell to register or to learn more about our Sunday School.
Worship ServicesSundays
Monthly Mass at Thomas House — The parish will facilitate a monthly Mass for the residents of Thomas House, a retirement community at 1330 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Father Richard (Rick) Houghton, a resident, will celebrate. Deacon Mary McCue will assist. The first will be Thursday, May 10 at 11:00 in the Chapel (first floor). All are welcome to attend. If you'd like to assist with this, please contact Deacon Mary. To see our full calendar click here. |
Faith Day at Nationals Park is on Saturday, September 22. The game starts at 4:05 pm. All parish youth, family and friends are invited to join Kelsie, our Youth Coordinator. Please contact Kelsie BEFORE September 16 if you would like to come with us.
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A Parish Prayer for Renewal and Growth
Gracious Lord,
We, your disciples and friends,
ask for the grace to grow in faith, hope and love
and to grow in membership in our part of the Body of Christ,
Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes.
Help us always to heed the words of the Letter to the Hebrews (13:2):
to “let mutual love continue” and
“not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,”
believing that, “by doing so,
some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Lead us into our neighborhoods to be agents of holy transformation,
and, with apostolic zeal, to bring back new parishioners
with whom we may worship you as an awesome God.
Give us hearts wide open to welcome them
and all those who come through our doors.
And, by the power of your Spirit, may we, together,
“go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)
AMEN
We, your disciples and friends,
ask for the grace to grow in faith, hope and love
and to grow in membership in our part of the Body of Christ,
Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes.
Help us always to heed the words of the Letter to the Hebrews (13:2):
to “let mutual love continue” and
“not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,”
believing that, “by doing so,
some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Lead us into our neighborhoods to be agents of holy transformation,
and, with apostolic zeal, to bring back new parishioners
with whom we may worship you as an awesome God.
Give us hearts wide open to welcome them
and all those who come through our doors.
And, by the power of your Spirit, may we, together,
“go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)
AMEN