Our Lady Queen of Peace

Where: Our Lady Queen of Peace church, 3800 Ely Place SE, Washington, DC 20019.

When: Sunday, December 18th, 2011.

Web: The parish has no website.  This is its listing on parishes.org

We attended 10:30am Mass at this parish church in the Fort Dupont area of the city. A single priest celebrated Mass, aided by a deacon, 15 choiristers, 2-3 band members, 9 altar servers, and 4 eucharistic ministers.  This was one of the largest retinues we've seen at a regular Sunday Mass in the district.  The congregation of about 150 was exclusively black and trended older and female.

The Mass followed the standard rite.  Both the host and wine were offered for communion.  The priest gave communion to some infirm people in their seats before everyone else.  The deacon gave the homily - from a prepared text - that used various quotations from Scripture and Advent reading themes to remind us that God is always with us.  This, the deacon told us, was the meaning of Christmas.

St Augustine

Where: St Augustine, 1421 V St NW, Washington, DC 20009.

When: Sunday, 27th November, 2011.

Web: The parish website is here.


We attended 10am Mass on November 27th - the first Sunday of Advent and date of the first official use of the new missal translation.  St Augustine's church, located in the Shaw neighborhood of the city, was well prepared for the new translation - the congregation did not miss a beat with the new responses and prayers.  Also, the church provided an Advent package for all congregants that included materials on the new translation and varioues Advent materials.

A single priest celebrated Mass, assisted by a deacon, two readers, four eucharistic ministers, a cantor, organist, pianist, and several choiristers.  Both the host and wine was offered for Communion.  The congregation was mostly black - as one would expect in the first city church established for African Americans - but contained several white people, perhaps reflecting the changing neighborhood population.  We heard the priest give a lengthy homily on the meaning of Advent; he called on us all to invest daily in our relationship with God.  He also linked Advent - the beginning of the Church's liturgial season - to the new translation, asking us to make use of it to deepen our understanding of our faith.

Church of the Immaculate Conception

Where: Church of the Immaculate Conception, 1315 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

When: Sunday, November 20th, 2011.

Web: The parish's website is here.

We attended the 6pm Latin Mass (Novus Ordo) at this small parish in the Shaw neighborhood, just north of the Washington Convention Center.  A single priest celebrated the Mass, with the assistance of a lector/eucharistic minister and organist.  Though the bulk of the Mass was in Latin, the hymns, readings, and homily were all in English.  The priest used the homily to explain the history and meaning of today's feast, Christ the King, and to preach against the narcissistic individuality so pervasive today.  The Eucharist was offered in both bread and wine forms to the congregation of about thirty people.

St Anthony of Padua

Where: St Anthony of Padua church, 1029 Monroe St NE, Washington, DC 20017.

When: Sunday, October 30, 2011.

Web: The ADW listing is here; the parish's own website is here.

We attended 8:30am Mass at this parish church, which serves the Brookland neighborhood of the city.  A lone priest celebrated Mass, with the assistance of a deacon, two alter servers, two readers, two eucharistic ministers, an organist, and a cantor.  The Mass followed the standard rite.  The priest focused his homily on the Gospel reading, in which Jesus highlighted the hypocrisy of religious (and other) leaders, who were interested more in the trappings of office than in serving God.  The priest noted similar dangers in our own times and in our own lives.

Both bread and wine were offered for communion.  At the end of Mass, a nun came to the alter to receive consecrated hosts to give to those unable to attend Mass - the congregation prayed over her.  The congregation itself was about fifty; a diverse group including young and old, families, couples, and single people; and blacks and whites.

Georgetown University Hospital chapel

Where: Georgetown University Hospital chapel, 3800 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007.

When: Sunday, October 9th, 2011.

Web: The hospital's pastoral care website page is here.

We attended midday Mass at what is the main chapel in this Catholic hospital.  The small chapel was quite full - we estimated the congregation at 75.  Several people were standing at the back.  Most of the congregation were white; ages were mixed.  Notably most people were in 'civilian' clothes - we saw very few in hospital scrubs.  We think that the chapel serves as a convenient Mass location for the neighborhoods surrounding the hospital.

A lone priest celebrated Mass, unaided by anyone.  For the first time in a long while, we heard a priest read all three readings - he did not ask for a lector.  Though the Gospel reading was Jesus' parable of the wedding feast, the priest focused his homily on joy.  He posited that being mirthful and happy on earth is good preparation for heaven, which is joy itself.  He read an extract from a book called "Between Heaven and Mirth", which illustrated his points.

Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church

Where: Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church, 7142 Alaska Ave NW, Washington, DC 20012

When: Sunday, October 2nd, 2011.

Web: The church's website is here.

We attended the 11:00am divine liturgy at the only Maronite church within the district.  The Maronite Church is in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.  The Maronite divine liturgy has essentially the same structure and focus as the Roman Catholic standard rite, or so it seemed to us.  A single priest led the liturgy, aided by two deacons and accompanied by several other (robed) servers that had prepared the altar before the liturgy's beginning.  The priest began the service at the church's entrance - seemingly to welcome a baby's first visit to the church (we thought wrongly that there would be a baptism).  He returned to the altar area, began a lengthy series of prayers (some in English, others in Syriac), aided by a wonderful choir. 

This led to the readings - one from the New Testament (read by what we think was a lay person) and one from the Gospel (read by the priest).  Deacons translated both readings into Syriac.  The priest's homily asked us all not to be fearful of God's love - and to live life as if our Master could return at any moment.  He gave several examples of how we let fear restrict us in our daily lives.

The Communion rite followed.  Communion was by intincture - the priest and deacons dipped the bread into the wine as each person came up to receive (solely by mouth - we saw no one take it by hand). 

The church was quite full - we estimate the congregation at about 125.  The congregation appeared overwhelmingly Lebanese.  There was a good mix of old and young, including several families with young children.  We were very happy to experience worship in this unique and ancient branch of the Catholic Church.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Where: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1600 Morris Road SE, Washington, DC 20020.

When: Sunday, September 18, 2011.

Web: The parish's ADW listing is here; its own website is here.

We attended 11:00am Mass at this parish church in the Anacostia neighborhood.  We arrived at the church a little early, and entered to find a small group praying the Rosary.  By the start of Mass, the congregation was about eighty strong.  The congregation was exclusively black (aside from us), and largely older.  There was a noticeable absence of teens and other young people.

Two priests celebrated Mass with the assistance of a deacon, three altar servers, two readers, and a Gospel choir of eight.  The Mass followed the standard rite.  Both bread and wine were offered for communion.  The priest focused his homily on the Gospel reading of the day, in which Jesus told the parable of the farm laborers (each paid the same, irrespective of their work).  The priest forcefully told us that the inequality on earth will not be present in heaven; that God loves us all equally; and that those of us who might be pious or consider ourselves better than others (for whatever reason), will be welcomed no more or less than a wicked person.

St Peter

Where: St Peter's Catholic Church, 313 2nd St SE, Washington, DC 20003.

When: Sunday, September 11, 2011

Web: The parish's ADW listing is here; its own website is here.

We attended 11:00am Mass at this parish church in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.  The Mass was very well attended - indeed, the congregation of 200 or so almost filled the church.  The congregation was overwhelmingly white, reflecting the demographics of Capitol Hill.

A single priest celebrated Mass, assisted by a deacon, two readers, an altar server, and a folk choir.  The Mass followed the standard rite.  Both bread and wine were offered for communion.  The priest focused his homily on the theme of forgiveness.  While the readings centered on this theme anyway, it was particularly appropriate on this day, the tenth anniversary of 9/11.  The priest noted that hatred, even of those who commit terrible acts, bind us up in negative feelings that keep us distant from God's love.

Main Chapel at Children's National Medical Center

Where: Main Chapel at Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington DC

When: Saturday, September 3rd, 2011

Web: The hospital's pastoral care page is located here.

We attended the 4pm Vigil mass in the hospital's main chapel.  The chapel is in fact a multi-faith room, with materials from other religions on display.  It is much smaller and less overtly Catholic than chapels at the nearby Washington Hospital Center and Veterans' Hospital.

A lone priest celebrated Mass for the congregation of five people.  He asked a member of the congregation to serve as lector (no one volunteered to be cantor).  The Mass followed the standard rite.  The priest offered both bread and wine for the Eucharist.  He focused his homily on the concept of a watchman.  We are to watch over our own and others' faith, something increasingly hard to do in today's secular society, he said. 

Chapel at Convent of Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Eucharist

Where: Chapel at Convent of Divine Providence, Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Eucharist, 2907 Ellicott Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008

When: Friday, July 15th, 2011.

Web: The OSSE does not have a website.  This website gives a basic overview of the order.  The ADW directory gives their contact details.

We attended the regular 7:30pm Friday Mass at this convent in the leafy Forest Hills neighborhood of the city.  The Oblate Sisters are a small contemplative order from Mexico with convents in Massachusetts as well as DC. The surprisingly large wooden-finish chapel (with space for about sixty people) sits at the edge of the convent's property.

The priest was assisted by two altar servers, a reader, a eucharistic minister, and various people in the twenty-strong congregation who sang hymns and said intercessory prayers.  The priest focused his homily on God's love for each one of us and of how our love of Him should be greater than our love of the law or anything else.  He spoke of how the sacraments were instruments of God's love for us.  The Mass followed the standard rite.  Both the host and wine were offered for Communion.

St Thomas More

Where: St Thomas More, 4275 4th St SE, Washington, DC 20032

When: Sunday, July 10th 2011.

Web: The parish's ADW listing is here; it's own website is here.

We attended 8:45am Mass at this church in the Washington Heights neighborhood, just across the border with Maryland.  There were about 125 people in the congregation for the first of two Sunday masses.  The parish priest was assisted by his deacon, three altar servers, two readers, and a four-person choir. 

The mass followed the standard rite.  The priest based his homily on this week's Gospel, in which Jesus used the parable of the farmer sowing seeds.  The priest contended that we (the congregation and, by extension, the faithful) were the fertile ground into which God's Word had taken root and borne fruit.  He asked people to continue to tithe to the church.

Toward the end of Mass, the priest asked guests to stand up.  We introduced ourselves, were welcomed warmly, and received a little gift pack.  This was a very nice touch.

Monastery of the Holy Cross

Where: Monastery of the Holy Cross, 1302 Quincy St NE, Washington, DC 20017.

When: Sunday, June 5th, 2011.

Web: The monastery's website is here.

This monastery in the quiet residential Brookland neighborhood is part of the Ukranian Catholic Church, which is in communion with the Roman Catholic Church.  It is of the Byzantine Rite.  This monastery, and the Church of the Most Holy Family not far away on Harewood St, are the only Ukranian Catholic sites within the District.

The liturgy was held in a basement chapel.  A lone priest celebrated the liturgy, assisted by one alter server - if that's the right term - and a lector.  The Byzantine Rite follows the same basic structure of the Latin Rite, at least to our lay eyes - broadly, liturgy of the word followed by liturgy of the eucharist.  The service was lad by the priest and involved a lot of chanted and sung prayers. responses, and hymns.  Communion was by intincture.  The priest's homily ranged over many subjects, but centered on the security that God's love and salvation should bring to us.  He meditated a little on the mystery of the Trinity as well, noting in particular that it is a mystery and beyond human understanding.

The congregation was about twelve strong.  The priest invited us to share coffee with the regular congregation after the service.  Everyone was very friendly toward us.

Holy Comforter/St. Cyprian

Where: Holy Comforter/St Cyprian Church, 1357 East Capitol St NE, Washington DC 20003.

When: Sunday, May 15th, 2011

Web: The parish's website is here; the ADW listing is here.

We attended 11:00am Mass at this popular church in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of the city.  Shortly after our arrival, we were spotted as visitors, greeted, and handed a welcome card.  As the priest began Mass, he asked for visitors and new parishoners to stand - we were greeted by applause.  These were very welcoming touches.  Also before the start of Mass, and a first in our DC Mass-going experience, the priest led the congregation in repeating the church's mission and vision statements.

A lone priest celebrated Mass, assisted by a deacon, two readers, two altar servers, and a large choir/band.  The choir and band provided music throughout all parts of the Mass.  The Mass followed the Standard rite.  The priest gave a homily directed in part at the church's youth group, which, that morning had returned from a two-day retreat.  Basing his homily on the parable of the shepherd and sheep from today's Gospel, he told them to forget the numerous cultural influences that lead them away from God and the life He wants for us.  He called on (us) older members of the congregation to affirm that. 

Toward the end of the (already lengthy) Mass, several members of the youth group shared their experiences and learning from the retreat.  Various organizers and supporters were recognised as well. 

Pope John Paul II Cultural Center

Where: Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, 3900 Harewood Road NE, Washington DC, 20017

When: Saturday, April 30th, 2011.

Web: The center's website is here.

We attended Mass at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, not far from the National Shrine and CUA campus.  The Center was in the midst of a weekend of events to coincide with the beatification of Pope John Paul II.  This included this evening's Mass, which served as the Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday.

The Mass was held in the beautiful atrium at the Center, overlooking the pool and meadow.  There were about eighty in the congregation - including a large Polish contingent.  A single priest celebrated Mass, assisted by an altar server, two readers, and two cantors, one of whom played the piano.  The Mass followed the standard rite, though there was a special prayer for Pope John Paul II's case for sainthood at the end.  The priest told us an amusing anecdote of concelebrating Mass with John Paul in 1999; for the most part, however, he centered his homily on today's Gospel reading.  He spoke of Jesus's divine mercy toward the apostles; instead of upbraiding them for abandoning Him at the cross, he gave them His peace, gave them the power to forgive sins on His behalf, and told them to found the Church.  The priest asked how many of us had abandoned Jesus, and were in need of His divine mercy?

Holy Name

Where: Holy Name Catholic Church, 920 11th St NE, Washington, DC 20002.

When: Sunday, April 24th 2011.

Web: The ADW listing for the parish is here; it's own website is here.

We attended the 11:00am Easter Sunday Mass at this church in the Atlas District.  A single priest celebrated the service, assisted by an altar server, two lectors, an eight-member choir/band, and two Eucharistic ministers.  The congregation was large, about a hundred; hard to know if this was a regular number or a larger turn out for Easter.  The congregation was largely black, though with some Hispanic and white members as well.  Notably for a gospel choir, there were two white singers.

The Mass followed the standard rite, though augmented by a baptism after the homily.  Both the host and wine were offered for Holy Communion.  The priest focused his homily on the distinctive nature of Christ's death and resurrection, noting that they make Christianity unique amongst world religions.  He referred to St Ignatius' writings on the resurrection, especially his description of Christ's first meeting with His mother, Mary, after the resurrection.  The priest opined that Mary was not present at the tomb - perhaps contrary to what one would expect - because she understood and had abolsute faith in Scripture.  The priest ended his homily by noting that we are required to keep the Sabbath holy and attend Mass - but that it just the minimum requirement, we are expected to live our faith as well.

St Margaret's Episcopal Church

Where: St Margaret's Episcopal Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009

When: Sunday, April 17, 2011

Web: The Dignity/Washington website is located here.

We attended the regular Sunday evening Mass organised by the Dignity/Washington group and held at St Margaret's Episcopal Church just north of Dupont Circle.  This is the only regularly-scheduled Catholic Mass in the District organized by and largely for gay Catholics.

Today was Palm Sunday.  Before the Mass started, the priest and congregation gathered in the hall just outside the church entrance to bless a new crucifix and to bless the palms.  We then processed around the pews to our seats.  A single priest celebrated Mass, assisted by a pianist, organist, several readers, a choir of about seven, and an altar server.  The Mass followed the standard rite, with the appropriate deviations for Palm Sunday.

The priest chose to read the long form of today's Gospel, which described Jesus' Passion from the time of the Last Supper to just before His Resurrection.  Because of its length, five members of the congregation assisted the priest with the reading; each read the lines of a particular person (Judas, Pontious Pilate, etc.)  The group read the Gospel very clearly and with great passion.  The priest gave a brief homily beforehand; he noted adriotly that many of us who would have cheered Jesus into Jerusalem with our palms would also have betrayed him in the garden. 

The congregation was about fifty strong - mainly white, middle-aged men.  There were some women and some younger people too.  Most seemed to be members of the Dignity/Washington group (they wore name badges). 

Chapel at Providence Hospital

Where: Chapel at Providence hospital, 1150 Varnum St NE, Washington, DC 20017.

When: Sunday, April 3rd, 2011.

Web: The hospital's chaplaincy page is located here.

We attended 12:00pm Mass at this Catholic-run hospital in the Brentwood area of Northeast DC.  A single priest celebrated Mass with the assistance of a reader and a pianist/cantor.  The congregation was about 25 or 30 strong - certainly some hospital staff but possibly some people from the neighborhood too.

The Mass followed the standard rite.  The priest focused his homily on the gospel, in which Jesus performed the miracle of making a blind man see.  The priest explained how Jesus cured his physical and spiritual blindness; and that, without the light that God is in our lives, we too would be blind.  He reminded us to share that light with others - we are not to keep it to ourselves.

Church of the Annunciation

Where: Church of the Annunciation, 3810 Massechusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

When: Wednesday, March 9th, 2011.

Web: The parish's ADW listing is here; its own website is here.


We attended the 7:30pm Ash Wednesday Mass at the church in the Cathedral Heights/Cleveland Park area of DC.  The church was packed with congregants for this Mass at which ashes are blessed and administered to people.  Though not a Holy Day of Obligation, many Catholics attend Ash Wednesday Mass to receive the ashes and, perhaps in some cases, from a mistaken belief that it is a Holy Day.  In any case, it was wonderful to have the church full.  The congregation was largely white, though with many minorities.

A single priest celebrated Mass with the assistance of a cantor, organist, two readers, and altar server.  The Mass followed the standard rite, with the addition of the blessing and administration of the Ashes.  In his homily, the priest asked us not to make Lent solely an internal spiritual journey, but to share it with others.  In particular, he called us to invite someone back to church during the next 40 days.  This was a challenging but worthy note on which to begin the Lenten season.

Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, Howard University

Where: Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, 2365 6th St NW, Washington DC


When: Sunday, March 6th, 2011.


Web: Howard University's campus ministry website is located here.

We attended the weekly 10am Mass at the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel on the Howard University campus.  The college's chapter of the Newman Society organizes the weekly mass for the (seemingly small) Catholic community on campus.

There were about 18 people at this particular mass, including a sister and a six-member choir/band.  Because of the small number, the sister directed us all to sit on stage near the altar.  We were all very close together!  The mass followed the conventional rite.  We sang many parts of the mass, including the Profession of Faith and the Our Father.  The priest gave a homily about Jesus' command to act out our faith in all aspects of our life, be it at college, work, or elsewhere.

Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart

Where: Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart, Georgetown University, 3700 O St NW, Washington

, DC 20057

When: Sunday, February 20th, 2011.

Web: Georgetown University's Catholic campus ministry page is located here.

We attended 12:30pm mass at the main Georgetown University chapel.  This was one of seven Sunday masses at the chapel.  The congregation was about one hundred strong; in our opinion, a mix of faculty, students, and visitors like us.

A lone priest celebrated Mass with the assistance of four eucharistic ministers, two readers, and a five-strong choir.  The Mass followed the standard rite.  The priest gave brief introductions to the first and second readings (the first time we've come across this practice).  His homily focused on Jesus' command to reject violence and revenge - especially the difficulty of doing this in our lives.  He noted that even if the world obeyed the law that Jesus' command succeeded - an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth - the world would be a better place than it is now.

St Gabriel

Where: St Gabriel's Church, 26 Grant Circle NW, Washington, DC 20011.

When: Sunday, February 13th, 2011.

Web: The ADW listing for St Gabriel's is here; the parish's own website is here.

We attended 11am Mass at this lovely church in the Petworth neighborhood in Northwest DC.  We arrived at the church a little early, just in time to hear a group recite the Rosary and the Litany of Mary.  This is the first church we've seen do that before a Sunday Mass.  Obviously some parishoners were in the church early for this; about 125 people were in attendance for Mass.  The congregation was mostly black (and older), but with quite a few Hispanics and a couple of white people as well. 

A lone priest celebrated Mass with a deacon, five altar servers, two readers, two eucharistic ministers, three cantors, and a four-person band.  The Mass followed the standard Rite.  The priest gave a homily on the central importance of the ten commandments.  The priest summarized portions of his homily in Spanish.

St Vincent's chapel, Catholic University of America

Where: St Vincen't chapel, Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20064 (the chapel is located near the CUA-side enterance to Brookland Metro station, just off John McCormack road)

When: February 6th, 2011.

Web: The CUA campus ministry site is located here.

After a vacation break, and cause to attend the Basilica a couple of times during January, today we returned to our pilgrimage around DC churches and chapels.  Today we attended the 11am Mass at St Vincent's chapel, one of three such chapels on the Catholic University of America campus that offer Mass. 

A single priest - we think from a monastic order - celebrated Mass with the assistance of two altar servers, two cantors, a pianist, two readers, and five eucharistic ministers.  The Mass followed the traditional rite.  The priest focused his homily on today's Gospel reading, in which Jesus commanded us to make our faith known to the world.  The priest reiterated Jesus' message, asking us to share our faith with others by living overtly Christian lives.

The congregation was, as one might expect, overwhelmingly young students.  Almost all of the hundred or so in attendance were white.  There appeared to be slightly more females than males.  It was encouraging for us to see so many young people attend Mass on a beautiful spring morning.

Chapel of the Incarnation, Washington Hospital Center

Where: Chapel of the Incarnation, Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving St NW, Washington DC, 20010.

When: Sunday, January 2nd, 2011.

Web: The website for the WHC chaplaincy service is located here.

We attended the daily 12:00pm Mass at the chapel in the Washington Hospital Center.  This little chapel seats about twenty; the congregation of mainly hospital staff was about that number.  The hospital chaplain celebrated the Mass with the assitance of a pastoral sister, who prepared the chapel, led the Angelus before Mass, led the singing of hymns (with a harmonica), and served as eucharistic minister.  She asked a member of the congregation to read both readings and the responsorial psalm.  

The Mass followed the standard rite.  Both the host and wine were offered for Holy Communion.
As today is the feast of the Epiphany, the priest focused his homily on firstly explaining the manifestation of Jesus to the magi (it announced Jesus to the gentiles and it ended man's dependance on the stars for guidance) and secondly reminding us that we were to be 'stars' guiding each other through life.