The primary role of the altar server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass. This is done through specific actions and by setting an example to the congregation by active participation in the liturgy (hymns, responses, etc.), by looking alert and sitting or standing at the appropriate times.

Altar Servers are liturgical ministers of the parish. As a liturgical minister, they have special tasks to perform during liturgies, especially during the celebration of the Mass.
Altar Servers should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence. They should have already received holy communion for the first time and normally receive the eucharist whenever they participate in the liturgy.

Servers should receive proper formation before they begin their ministry. The formation should include instruction on the Mass and its parts and their meaning, the various objects used in the liturgy (their names and use), and the various functions of the server during the Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Servers should also receive appropriate guidance on maintaining proper decorum and attire when serving Mass and other functions.

Since the role of server is integral to the normal celebration of the Mass, at least one server should assist the priest. On Sundays and other more important occasions, two or more servers should be employed to carry out the various functions normally entrusted to these ministers.

Servers should normally be vested. Altar servers may wear a cassock and surplice, or alternately, an alb.

Servers carry the cross, the processional candle(s), hold the book for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine, and water to the clergy during the preparation of the gifts or assist them when they receive the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest and deacon as necessary.

ALTAR SERVER PRAYER

Loving Father, creator of the universe,
you call your people to worship,
to be with you and one another at Mass.
I thank you for having called me
to assist others in their prayer to you.
May I be worthy of the trust placed in me
and through my example and service
bring others closer to you.
I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ,
who is Lord forever and ever.  Amen.


Tawanda Harrison, Co-ordinator
[email protected]

No earthly beauty can compare with the loveliness of God’s presence, but it is for the Incarnation Altar Society to ensure that His dwelling place is maintained with the greatest dignity, honor, and respect that we can possibly offer. The mission of the Altar Society is to foster love for the house of God and to labor for its care and adornment.

The Altar Society assists the Pastor in maintaining the Altar, Sanctuary, and Sacristy. Some of the things that the group does for the church include arrangement and care of the altar linens, maintaining the sanctuary candles and the votive candles, and maintaining the holy water stoups. They generally work behind the scenes, taking care of all the details that keep the Church linens, brass, etc. looking clean and beautiful. They set up the altar before every scheduled Mass, they change the altar linens, they arrange the altar flowers and generally keep the sanctuary clean and tidy.

Incarnation is blessed with a group of dedicated and faithful volunteers who quietly and efficiently take care of our church. Their work is quiet and unobtrusive, overseeing the reverent care of the altar and maintaining flower arrangements that grace the sides of the tabernacle. Extra care and service are done during major holidays such as Christmas and Easter. They also decorate for special occasions and care for the plants and flowers.

Mary Arnett, Co-ordinator
incarnation [email protected]

Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. - Psalms 23:6

At one time or another, every family, every individual, must deal with the loss of a loved one – a parent, spouse, child, close friend.  Sometimes death is preceded by a long, exhausting illness, sometimes it is sudden and shocking.  In the midst of their grief, those closest to the deceased person find themselves faced with making many immediate decisions, including plans for a funeral and final interment.

At such time, a member of the Bereavement Ministry meets with family members and assists them in planning their loved one’s funeral or memorial liturgy, call the Mass of Resurrection.  Members of this ministry are trained and experienced in responding sensitively to the needs of those experiencing loss and sorrow.  Their guidance is subtle, caring and practical, and they are there to help from the first meeting to the final blessing.

As soon as the Parish Office is notified of the death of a parishioner, the Bereavement Ministry is contacted and a member is assigned to assist the family in preparing the Funeral Mass.  The member then calls and arranges for a time to meet, usually at the church.  Ideas for Scripture readings are provided, along with some suggestions for music.  The Bereavement member then takes care of notifying all necessary parish ministries – the Priest, servers, and musician(s) – and is available to respond to the family’s needs or questions.

On the day of the funeral, members of the Bereavement Ministry arrive early at church to make sure everything is ready and is there to greet family members and mourners.  Following the Mass, members of the Bereavement Ministry ensure that personal items, such as displayed photographs and cards are given to the family.

Bereavement Committee:

Yvonne Scott	Joyce Thomas
Myra Miles

“Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant,
which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.”
– Matthew 26:27-28

 An Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) in the Catholic Church is an “acolyte”, or another of Christ’s faithful, deputed in certain circumstances to distribute Holy Communion. The term “extraordinary” distinguishes such a person from the ordinary (normal, regular) minister of Holy communion, namely ordained clergy.

In every celebration of the Eucharist, there should be a sufficient number of ministers of Holy Communion, so that it can be distributed in an orderly and reverent manner. Canon law permits that “where the needs of the Church require and ministers are not available, lay people may exercise the ministry of the word, preside over liturgical prayers, confer baptism and distribute Holy Communion, in accordance with the provisions of the law.” The term “lay people” does not distinguish between men and women.

An Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) is an adult lay person who has been selected by the Pastor to serve the community of the faithful by distributing the body and blood of Christ at Mass when requested to do so. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are also commissioned by the Pastor to take Holy Communion to those members of the parish who are unable to celebrate Sunday Mass with us.

There are two aspects of Eucharistic Ministry at Incarnation Parish. EMHCs assist the clergy in distributing Holy Communion during Sunday and weekday liturgies. In addition, they are sent forth by the parish to bring the Word of God and the Eucharist to parishioners who are unable to join us at Mass because they are ill, homebound, in nursing homes, or in local care facilities.

Q: Who may serve as an EMHC?

• Must be 16 years of age or older and have received all the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
• If married, the marriage must be a valid Catholic marriage.
• Must be a practicing Catholic who is a registered parishioner and shows a deep reverence for and devotion to the Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread and wine.
• Must have a sense of responsibility, and a sincere desire to serve their fellow parishioners.

Q: I want to volunteer. What do I do?

Volunteers must receive sufficient spiritual, theological and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge and reverence. To arrange for training or to ask any questions you may have, please contact the parish office 202-396-0942 or email Roberta Bumbray, EMHC Coordinator, at [email protected].

The Holy Name Society calls together the men of the Parish and serves to help strengthen their faith, encourage their spirituality, and instill in them a confidence born in Christ.

The Holy Name Society is an international confraternity of the Catholic Church established in the year 1274. Throughout the ages and through its entire development and growth, the Society has fostered reverence for the Name and Person of Christ. Its primary purpose is to promote love, honor, and respect for the Most Holy Name of Jesus. As members we accept and acknowledge that it is our reverence to the Holy Name of Jesus, our awareness of his gracious gifts, and our witness to His Good News that inspire us to serve as examples to all, especially our youth.

The activities of the Holy Name Society can be divided into three main areas: Spirituality of Men, parish religious life, and youth. Some examples of the Society’s activities are Annual Stations of the Cross, Annual Lenten Fundraiser, participation in Parish missions, participation in Catholic Men’s retreats, and support of various parish and archdiocesan charitable initiatives.

The Society meets on the 2nd Sunday of every month, September – June. We attend the 8:00 Mass and receive communion as a group. Meetings are held immediately after Mass.

The Holy Name Society extends an invitation to all men of the Parish to join us.

If you have further questions or are interested in joining us, please contact the Parish Office, 202-396-0942

Jerome V. Brigham, Jr., President

The Lord has given me a well-trained tongue, that I may know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Isaiah 50:4

Do the Words of the Lord excite you? Maybe the Lector Ministry is for you!

Come help our Ministry by proclaiming and bringing the Word of the Lord to your community. The readings are a part of the Church’s liturgy. Most people in our assembly hear the Word of God only in that formal setting. Their only regular exposure to Scripture is from the lips of the Lector and the Homilist there.  As a Lector, you will be a minister, not just a reader. Combining your faith with skill when reading the Scripture, you will help bring the presence of God to those gathered in worship.

What do you need to become a Lector?

1. Skills of public speaking (adequate loudness, good phrasing, proper emphasis, etc.)
2. Respect of the Scripture as something holy.
3. Some native abilities such as confidence, poise, and sensitivity to the assembly.

What happens after I volunteer?

There are some training sessions both in the church and at the Archdiocese. You will receive a Lector’s Workbook, which has all the regular mass readings, pronunciations, and helpful hints. You will also be entered into Incarnation’s electronic database and will receive information on schedules and the readings. You will be partnered with veteran Lectors for a period of time until you become comfortable with the ministry.

	Barbara Brigham Lector Coordinator

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. - Romans 12:13

President: Robert Stewart
Vice President: Mary Arnett
Recording Secretary: Brenda Wilson
Corresponding Secretary: Frankye Stewart
Treasurer: Barbara C. Gardner
Sgt. At Arms: Vacant
Chaplain:  Vacant
Funeral/Memorial: Barbara A. Luther

Ministers of  Hospitality

The Ministers of Hospitality (MOH) greet parishioners and guests warmly and make them feel good about their presence in church.  MOH welcomes the parish community in Christian love and service, draws people together, opens them to participation and sets the tone for the liturgy. MOH are highly visible through a warm and positive attitude, create a sense of welcome, service, care for the assembly, assist in ensuring smooth operation of Mass.

• Open membership.
• Training sessions offered on regular masses and funeral masses.
• Quarterly meetings.

Click here to download the membership application.

The Parish Pastoral Council is an important consultative body for the pastor and should reflect and represent the various pastoral activities that are carried out within the parish. The members of the council should be representative of the parish, knowledgeable about the faith, committed practicing registered members of the parish, knowledgeable about the various programs, ministries, and initiatives of the parish, committed to the evangelizing mission of the Church.

The Parish Pastoral Council functions to discern and plan for the ministry of the parish. The council is to assist the Pastor in his pastoral planning. The council should reflect on and discuss items brought to them by the pastor. The pastor may also ask council members to take a lead on the implementation of specific goals and priorities. The efforts of the members are used to aid in the implementation of the parish’s pastoral plan. This means that, although parishioners may be wearing many hats, the one being worn for the council is that of consulter and in some cases leading and coordinating implementation.

One very important function of the Council is to report to the pastor about the events and works of the various ministries and organizations in the parish. As members of parish organizations, they share particular experiences with the parish as a whole through their membership on the pastoral council. These members would not be delegates of the various committees or organizations in the strict sense; They serve as vehicles for communicating the work of the council to and soliciting input and ideas from the particular groups to which they belong.

The pastor is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the council. Since the council is his consultative body, he establishes the council’s goals and provides the guidance and priorities necessary for its proper functioning.

The President presides over and conducts all meetings of the Pastoral Council, establishes and appoints members to standing and ad-hoc committees, and serves as an ex-officio member of all committees.

The Vice-President assists the President in the performance of the above duties, assumes the duties of the President when needed, assumes special responsibilities as designated by the Chairman, President and/or Pastoral Council, and serves as an ex-officio member of all Pastoral Council Committees.

The Secretary keeps the minutes of the meetings, prepares Council documents and reports, and implements certain requests and decisions of the meeting. The Secretary will prepare a brief synopsis of each meeting that will be made available to the parish community in the bulletin and/or on the parish website. The Secretary will distribute minutes and the approved agenda to council members in advance of the next meeting. The Secretary will also maintain contact information for all council and committee members.

St. Vincent de Paul has two days monthly for food distributions. Please note that food will be distributed on the third Friday of each month 10:30 am - 12:30 pm and fresh produce will be distributed on the third Tuesday of each month from 12:00 - 2:00 pm.  Please contact the church office should you need additional information.

The Society assists the poor in a variety of ways that include spiritual needs, shelter, and personal concerns such as rent and food. They work for and with others who wish to live their faith by loving and serving their neighbors by providing whatever is humanly possible to take care of an individual or family. Pictured below is one of the Society’s members, Joyce Thomas, getting food ready for distribution to the needy.

Joyce Thomas












St. Vincent de Paul Counselors

Yvonne Scott

Mission Statement
The Incarnation Sodality fosters in its members an ardent devotion, reverence, and love toward our Blessed Mother. Their mission is to impart to its members a Christian way of life which will enable apostolates of our church. With Mary as its model, the Sodality establishes a Parish Center of Catholic Action which involves Sodalists in spiritual and apostolic actions, providing help with the needs of the church. The Sodality provides a medium through which the Sodalists may speak as a unit for a better understanding and a deeper appreciation of the principles and ideals in religion and community affairs.

• Membership is open to men and women twenty-one or older of the Catholic faith.
• A minimum of three membership/ orientation sessions required prior to installation. 

The Incarnation Sodality recites the Rosary at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8:00 a.m. mass – First Sundays from October through June (excludes January). General meeting follows.

The Executive Board meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7 p.m. via teleconference/Zoom, unless Sodalityotherwise notified. All Officers and committee chairs are required to attend. All Sodalists are welcome in  Executive Board teleconference but have no voting privileges.


                                                          OFFICERS

Deacon Joseph E. Bell, Moderator

Yvette Greene, Prefect
Tawanda Harrison, Vice Prefect
Kathleen (Kathy) Perry, Acting Recording Secretary

Patricia Lee, Corresponding Secretary

Kathleen Perry, Treasurer

Committees/Chairpersons
AUDIT: Yvonne Scott
BUDGET:
ECHO: Barbara A. Luther
FRIENDLY VISITOR - Sylvia Taylor
HOSPITALITY: Melissa (Missy) Littlejohn
LITURGY: 
MEMBERSHIP: Kathleen (Kathy) Perry
PASTORAL COUNCIL: Yvette Greene
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: Deacon Joseph Bell
TELEPHONE/DIRECTORY: 
WAYS & MEANS: T’Wana Warrick-Bell

Advisory Board (Past Prefects):
Barbara A. Luther: 1990 – 1992; 2010 – 2012
Evelyn C. Thomas: 1992 – 1994
Barbara Ford-Turner: 1994 – 1996
Roberta Bumbray: 2000 – 2002
Karen F. Somerville:  2006 – 2008; 2008 – 2010
Sheila Hall: 2012 – 2014
Kathleen D. Perry: 2014 – 2016; 2016 – 2018
Yvette M. Greene:  2020 - 2022; 2022 - 2024
 

(Ages 19 -40ish) Providing a cohesive organization that advocates the continued spiritual growth for young adults; Integrating young adults into the parish life; recognizing them as vibrant and valuable members of the parish.

What’s Going On? 

We just wrapped up the Convenience Bag Campaign!


A More Regional Young Adult Ministry
We are currently in the process of forming a sort of alliance with the other young adults at other parishes. In the intended meeting, we will develop a calendar of events. Please make your suggestions to [email protected].

Prayer
There are 4 types of prayer:

• Blessing and Adoration (praising God)
• Prayer of Petition (asking for what we need, including forgiveness)
• Prayer of Intercession (asking for what others need)
• Prayer of Thanksgiving (for what God has given and done)

 
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Study
This is where we’ll have the opportunity to grow in our faith in small groups, Bible studies, lectures, and conferences