LET THERE BE LIGHT

And there was Epiphany



Nestled in the back streets of Georgetown in Washington, DC on Dumbarton St (and 27th) is a little gem of a church called Epiphany Catholic Church.
http://www.georgetowndc.com/go/epiphany-catholic-church


It has a famous stained glass window of the Nativity over the Altar which you should not miss seeing at some point this holiday season. It has a georgeous dark wooden ceiling with inset fleur de lis stained glass windows.

The early service on Sunday hosts the Korean Community, who today was in the basement whipping up some Korean delicacies for sale to the later congregations that came in.

Next, there was an English Mass, not nearly as well attended as the Korean one but it featured a charming accapello choir that looks ready to march the streets of Georgetown singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" in home knit hats and scarves.

The third Mass of the day was incredible. It was the French community Mass. It's Priest is, as they say, "On Fire" for the Lord. You got the sense of the mission he was on and the urgency to it.

It was beautifully multi-cultural with an equal mix of white, brown and black faces and a sprinkling of kiddies; one got the sense that every country "Outre Mer" in the French protectorate, Magreb and mainland were represented. The Carribean islands of Dominique, Haiti and others were represented as well as the expected Parisian crowd.

Typically after church services in most churches there is some kind of fellowship happy hour in the basement with donuts and coffee. The Fellowship hour at the French church featured a home-made Salmon pate spread and chardonnay. Not kidding. As Paula Dean, that food channel southern bell might say--those French ladies can cook y'all.



This is a special church- especially if you speak Korean or French. It is a fantastic melting pot for the diversity of the city, and small enough to be hugely welcoming. The French congregation, the church of Saint Louis (technically) is actually under the Archdiocese of Paris. This is as real French as it comes in DC next to Bisto Lepic. I highly recommend going to this Mass just to hear the beautiful music sung in French. A French native Dominican Brother beautifully concelebrated the Mass.

I rarely do this, but am putting in a huge plug for their immediate needs.

Epiphany's boiler just blew -this close to Christmas.

That sucks.


So Father Lee had to replace it and they finished installing it yesterday. He took up a collection (and today they threw a bake sale and Christmas Bazaar). They are 11,000 (11 grand, 11k) short of their boiler bill being totally paid off.
Let's get it paid- any checks that you can send in are greatly appreciated. (So Fr. Lee doesn't turn the heat off!)

JOIE ET PAIX