December 1, 2025

Dear Ladies and Friends of TASTE,

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

  • IN PREP — The video, reflection questions, and other related material from the last talk (11/20/2025) can be found HERE.

 

 

TASTE EVENTS

  • LAST SESSION — We welcomed Jennifer Brinker as she gave a talk entitled "Human Flourishing and the Journey of Becoming." As a mental health professional, Jennifer seeks to integrate therapeutic practices with Catholic Truths. In this talk, she beautifully incorporated all our prior talks from this semester with themes on the intersection of spiritual growth and  mental health. Everything possesses deeper meaning, pointing to Love, Goodness and Beauty.

OTHER EVENTS AND NEWS

  • 12/2, 12/9, 12/16  ADVENT LITURGY MINI SERIES  —  St. Mary of the Mills is hosting a Liturgy Mini Series on Tuesdays during Advent after Adoration (7:00 pm) in the Church Basement. These 3 talks will be led by Dr. Daniel Mints, a graduate of the Liturgical Institute at Mundelein Seminary. We will examine the meaning and purpose of the liturgy, liturgical times and seasons, and our role in the liturgy as active participants.  Each session will begin with a short lecture, followed by discussion.
  • 12/13  ADVENT DAY RETREAT — St. John Paul II National Shrine is hosting an Advent Day of Retreat on Saturday, Dec 13th from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.  It includes Holy Mass, Adoration, prayer, an opportunity for Confession, two talks, and spiritual conversations with religious Sisters. To sign up for this event or see other upcoming events at the Shrine, see LINK.
  • 12/14  ADVENT REFLECTION  —  St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beltsville is hosting a Night of Reflection and Worship: Pondering the Eucharist with Mary.  Fr. Pierre Toussaint will be the speaker and it will include 2 talks, adoration, worship, light dinner/drinks.  It will be from 5:00-7:00 PM at 11007 Montgomery Road, Beltsville, MD 20705. LINK
  • 1/16/26-1/18/26  CATHOLIC WOMEN'S RETREAT —  Fr. Larry Swink and Fr. Dan Leary are hosting a mid-winter retreat at Loyola Retreat Center in Faulkner, Maryland. Registration opens November 17. While the retreat is very popular and is filled, they are creating a wait list in case of cancellations.  See LINK.

PRAYER REQUESTS

  • Please continue to pray for our TASTE program and our speakers. This week, please pray for:
  • OUR SPEAKERS AND FRIENDS OF TASTE:
    • For all of our speakers — especially in thanksgiving for our last speaker and for the Holy Spirit to guide our upcoming speaker.
    • For all priests — Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them (Litany of Prayers for Priests)
  • OUR TASTE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES:
    • For Hope Collins, granddaughter of Evelyn Collins, successful recovery from her open heart surgery today (Dec 1)
    • For Fr. John M. Barry (Pastor of Resurrection Church in Burtonsville), who is having prostate cancer surgery on Dec 5th.
    • For Justine Wimsatt, for continued healing after her brain tumor removal.
    • For Courtnay Kopec, TASTE member, for strength and healing as she navigates an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis.
    • For Mary Wolfe, for continued healing related to her heart issue.
    • For Pat Krug, healing for her sciatica causing many painful episodes.
    • For the repose of the soul of Nancy Beckfeld, mother-in-law of Joy Parker, and for peace & comfort for her family.
    • For the repose of the soul of Wendy "Cristl" Spicer, daughter of TASTE member, Cathy Homens.
    • For the repose of the soul of Margaret Brown, sister of TASTE member,  Helen Martin.
  • BEYOND OUR TASTE COMMUNITY
    • For peace around the world, especially in the Middle East and Ukraine. May God protect the innocent, comfort the grieving, free all hostages, and guide leaders toward justice and lasting peaceful resolution.
    • For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering persecution for their faith around the world, especially in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Sudan.
    • For over 300 students, teachers, and staff that were kidnapped from a Catholic School in Nigeria on November 21st.  While about 50 have escaped captivity, more than 250 children are still missing.
    • We also pray for peace and comfort to the families of each of the people mentioned above.   New prayer requests can be sent to Joy Parker at joyparker73@gmail.com.
Blessings,
Joy, Michele, Karen, Helen, and Lisa
Jesus, I trust in You!

ATTACHMENTS:

CARRY-OVERS - The below information is carried over from the last email.

  • FACEBOOK — Keep up-to-date with useful information about our TASTE Program as well as other interesting Catholic information and events.   Follow us on FACEBOOK.  
  • SPEAKER LINE-UP — We have a great line-up of talks for our 2025/2026 year!  In addition to bringing back some of our past speakers, we have a number of new speakers that we believe you will enjoy.  You can preview the current line up HERE or see our entire LIST of 2025/2026 speakers.
  • PARKING — Please note that the parking lot in front of St. Mary's School has restricted access hours.  We can only park there between 8:30 am and Noon.  If you plan to stay after the talk for Rosary, Chaplet, Confession, to chat with friends, or any other activity, please park in another location such as the street parking, the Keesler parking lot, or the Boys Club parking lot.

ATTACHMENTS:

CARRY-OVERS - The below information is carried over from the last email.

  • FACEBOOK — Keep up-to-date with useful information about our TASTE Program as well as other interesting Catholic information and events.   Follow us on FACEBOOK.  
  • SPEAKER LINE-UP — We have a great line-up of talks for our 2025/2026 year!  In addition to bringing back some of our past speakers, we have a number of new speakers that we believe you will enjoy.  You can preview the current line up HERE.

ATTACHMENTS:

Archive Versions of This Week Emails
TASTE Home Page

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