Contents:

• From the Vicar

• Giving Voice to Your Faith Class

• Ascension Day

• Pentecost

• St. Michael's Conference

• Vacation Church School

Dear Friends in Christ:

ASCENSION DAY is often an overlooked Holy Day. This year it falls on May 1 and, as has been our custom, we will celebrate two masses on that day, a Low Mass at 9:30 a.m. and a Solemn Mass at 7:30 p.m. The rector of St. Paul's K Street, (a famous Anglo Catholic church in Washington DC) Father Andrew Sloan has written, "As the Epiphany makes sense of Christmas, so the Ascension makes sense of the Resurrection. It shows us a major reason for and the effect of the Resurrection when Our Lord takes our human nature to be forever in Heaven and makes Heaven, in that sense, our rightful home".

On May 11 the Catholic Church celebrates the great Feast of PENTECOST one of the three great festivals (along with Christmas and Easter) of the entire liturgical year. Pentecost is one of the historic days for the church to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism, thus if you have a child (or know of an adult) who desires to be baptized, please call the church office. May 11 is also Mother's Day in the secular calendar and the day for the Diocesan Wide Fund raiser for "La Gran Familia" orphanage in Mexico. Bishop Iker has graciously postponed the traditional "Pentecost Offering for the endowment of the Episcopate" until the following Sunday, TRINITY SUNDAY, where, again as is our custom, we will sing the beautiful and historic Athanasian Creed in Procession at the Solemn Mass.

The feast of Corpus Christi (wherein we give thanks for the great gift of the Body of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament) is May 22 and in addition to the regular mass that day, Deacon Richards will be officiating at a Holy Hour and Exposition in honor of Corpus Christi the previous Friday, May 16, at 6p.m.

We hope that everyone who is able will take part in these wonderful celebrations to the greater glory of God and spiritual benefit to ourselves.

Faithfully, Your Friend and Vicar

Fr. Christopher C. Stainbrook.

"Giving Voice to Your Faith" Class

Long time Parishioner, Vestryman, and Sub Deacon Chris Christian has started a class for St. Timothy's members to help them confidently discuss their catholic faith, our church, the reasons they come to church, and especially why they attend St. Timothy's, and communicate that message to friends, co workers and others who are not in the church or are looking for a church to join.

The Class is entitled "Giving Voice to Your Faith". It meets on Sunday mornings after Solemn Mass in the Father Acker Memorial Classroom though the time and place are flexible.

The class format is informal but substantive. The discussions are kept simple and easy while at the same time allow the class members to reveal their natural abilities to share their faith. Chris facilitates the discussion with topics that are designed to help people confidently express their own very personal and deep understanding to others. It is expected that many will also gain a deeper understanding of their own belief and as time goes by, they will "find their voice"... hence the title of the class.

Father Stainbrook is an enthusiastic supporter of this venture and both he and Chris truly believe that it will catch on quickly and have a positive result in our ability to bring in new members. Sign up or see Chris and plan to and attend this class to learn how to Give Voice to Your Faith!

Ascension Day is Thursday, May 1st. We are reminded that Ascension Day is a Holy Day of Obligation. There will be a Low Mass at 9:30AM and a Solemn Mass at 7:30PM.

PENTECOST is May 11th. Parishioners are encouraged to wear red for the Holy Spirit at any mass on that day. To continue Gods Work in Mexico, this Mother's Day/ Pentecost Sunday, why not make a gift to La Gran Familia in honor or in memory of a wonderful woman in your life? Offering envelopes and presentation cards will be available in the narthex on May 4th and May 11th. Honoree's names will be published in June on the diocesan website.

The St. Michael's Conference will be held this year from June 15th through June 21st. Applications are now available in the Parish Hall. Applications for the Camp Crucis Summer sessions are available as well.

VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL is coming! This Year's Theme is TREASURES OF THE FAITH- Our boys and girls are invited to the ultimate Treasure Hunt where they will discover the lasting treasures of the Church, the Catholic Faith and the Holy Bible. Prepare to set sail on the week of June 23-27 (Rectory Pool and Pizza party on Friday June 27).