"Love your neighbor as yourself." Mk. 12:31

     When some people read about the story of the widow who has nothing and still put two coins, everything she has, into the collection box, they will falsely interpret it as the oppression and exploitation of the poor by an established religious institution. Jesus condemns, just as our church today continues to do so, the oppression and exploitation of the poor as he says: "Beware of the scribes, who ... devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation " (Mark 12:38-40). But rather, Jesus wants to awaken in us the desire to do justice and restore harmony in our lives, community and society.
     If we realize that Jesus condemns exploitation of every kind, whether from the rich or poor, we might come to understand truly the meaning of today Gospel's message. The message of the widow's offertory is about the boundless generosity and self-sacrifice. The widow offered everything she has because she wants to, she needs to. Has anyone of us ever has the desire to give, whether it is our times, energy, efforts, presence, or finance, more than what is asked for? People give for many different reasons. The act of giving and offering can bring the feeling of satisfaction and happiness. It can be the desire to amend the wrongs, or to give back what is not ours. It can also be that what we give were out of abundant. However, I believe that often time people give because they are generous and good.
      A few months back, we heard of Mr. Warren Buffett donating $40 billion of his wealth to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In some ways, we might be able to see the generosity of Mr. Buffett, Mr. and Mrs. Gates and other philanthropists to that of the widow in today's Gospel. These people give because they are good and generous. There is one important different aspect between the widow and these philanthropists is that the widow gives everything she has, because she totally trusts and relies on God. The widow gives in response to the commandment of love to God and to others. It is surely good and right to give out of our abundant; however, it is holy to give because we love.

                                                                                          Rev.  Nick Hien Nguyen,  SVD

華埠&洛城共同消息

1. 請為亡者祈求：十一月為煉靈月，請大家為亡者祈禱﹑行善工和獻彌撒。

2. 團體的經濟委員會，需要幾位新委員。歡迎推薦有管理財務經驗的教友或鼓勵他、她直接與阮神父聯絡。按教會規定：經濟委員會的委員，當由本堂神父在多位人選中，遴選出來，予以委派。

3. 團體現需要幾位新議會議員﹐填補現有空缺和即將任滿的議員。堂區議會的職務是在本堂神父的帶領下，專責於堂區的牧靈工作，加以研究、探討並提出實際可行的意見供本堂神父參考。在未來的幾週中，希望大家能多方交流，推薦出最理想的代表，為眾人發言。議員選舉日：華埠 - 12月3日﹔ 洛城 - 12月17日

4. 將臨期的國語避靜訂於十二月十日（星期日）9 :30-5:00舉行﹐由陳天智神父和高超鵬神父帶領。地點是 Centro Maria (650 Jackson St. NE, Washington, DC 20017)。報名請聯絡王雲鳳Tiff 301-455-4998或 顧芠301-838-2884。

5. 十二月二十二日（星期五）欣逢杜崇實神父晉鐸五十週年金慶。當天晚上將有晚宴為神父慶祝。晚宴費用每位成人$25﹔學生$20﹔老人$15。報名請聯絡鄧杜淑妍 Eileen 202-390-0868 或 江國富Vincent 301-762-8455或黃靄儀Susan 703-319-7742。

1. 為歡迎汪主教到訪﹐今日彌撒後將有特別午膳。希望大家留步參加。在此也謝謝所有參與準備午餐和提供甜點的兄弟姐妹。

2. 團體將於十一月十九日（下主日）是團體的Stewardship主日。希望大家能抽空將盟約表格填好﹐於下星期帶回。

3. 十一月二十二日(星期三) 晚上7:00PM，在DC聖瑪利堂禮堂，有感恩節每家一菜聚餐﹔8:30pm舉行感恩節彌撒。歡迎邀請您的親友一同來參加。

4. 聖誕節快到了﹗為能幫助大家妥當準備自己﹐迎接耶穌的誕生﹐團體將於十二月四日(主日) 11:15AM舉行修和禮儀。當日的彌撒將與修和禮儀之後舉行。希望大家當日能提早到堂參與。

5. 團體每月需超過＄4000才可維持正常的開支。上週(11/05)的主日奉獻﹕$1025.