Cardinal Wilton Gregory joined members of the Church of the Resurrection in Burtonsville as he helped them celebrate the 40th anniversary of the parish during a Mass on Nov. 7.
Washington’s archbishop praised Resurrection parishioners for their commitment to the church since it was founded in 1981. “This community itself is a living symbol of faith and the generosity of thousands of people in this part of the Archdiocese of Washington. The physical plant itself is a sign of the contributions of 40 years of generous Catholics whose devotion to their faith and to this community is symbolized in these structures,” he said.
The 40th anniversary Mass was concelebrated by Father John Barry, pastor of the Church of the Resurrection; and by Father Michael Niba, a priest in resident there, and Salvatorian Father Virginus Osuagwu. Deacon Chuck Bieberich and Father Charles Cortinovis, the cardinal’s priest secretary, assisted at the Mass.
The Word of God Procession and Acclamation were made by members of the Cameroonian Community at Resurrection. Members of the Adult Choir and the French Choir, under the direction of music director Annick Kanter-Saint Hubert, sang during the 40th anniversary Mass, accompanied by principal organist William Wisnom.
Cardinal Gregory offered his congratulations to the parishioners as he began his homily.
“My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I renew my warmest congratulations to this wonderful community of Resurrection on your 40th anniversary as a parish family,” said the Cardinal.
The cardinal’s homily focused on the Gospel of Mark and the story of the widow who contributed much although she had little to give in the way of material goods. “Today’s Gospel passage gave rise to the term the widow’s mite, that little offering that surpasses all of the greater monetary offerings of the wealthy because it comes from the very soul of generosity” he said.
The cardinal singled out the parishioners who founded the Church of the Resurrection. “… to these pioneer families who are here present, and to those who could not join us today, I say from the heart, thank you, thank you, thank you.“ The names of 19 of the original parishioners were included in the program for the 40th anniversary celebration.
Kathleen Plunkett was one of the original group of parishioners who worked with Father John Macfarlane of St. John the Baptist Church in Silver Spring to create the new parish. She said the first Masses were held at Liberty Grove Methodist Church in November of 1980. “It was pretty small at first. The first couple of Masses might have had 50 people at them,” said Plunkett. Today, Resurrection has an estimated 1,300 members or households.
The parish was officially named the Church of the Resurrection on April 22, 1981, which was Easter Sunday. The lower level of the church, called the Amadeo Room, was completed in 1986. The new Church of the Resurrection was dedicated by Cardinal James Hickey on Nov. 12, 1989.
Cardinal Gregory made a visit earlier this year to celebrate Mass with 300 members of the Resurrection community at Riderwood, a senior living facility in nearby Silver Spring on May 30. It was the first time that the cardinal had been there, and he greeted the Riderwood residents warmly. “I must say it’s a special joy for me to be with you here in Riderwood and to worship with this community of so many of our seniors and so many of their relatives and friends who are here on this Holy Trinity Sunday,” he said.
Father Barry said the 40th anniversary celebration comes at an important time for the Church of the Resurrection after facing the pandemic. “Well, I think we’ve weathered the greatest test of the parish. We didn’t have to lose any of the full-time staff. I think the people have stood with the church, enough of them have, so I feel like the commitment is there. I think the morale is pretty good,” said Father Barry.
Following the 40th anniversary Mass, parishioners were greeted outside the church by the Crush Funk Brass band and received holy cards made by the parish’s First Communion class. A boxed lunch followed in the Amadeo Room.
