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The Virtue of Tolerance

by Fr. John O'Connor OFM | Sep 27, 2022

We have all had our moments when we are tempted “to call down heavens fire” if someone acts in a way that we don’t approve of, or doesn’t meet our standards of behavior. We can be very critical. Should someone dare to undermine our agenda or become an obstacle to our plans, we can become impatient or judgmental. We should be asking why the other person feels as they do, or try to see things from their perspective, but too often we do not. In this passage of the gospel, Jesus teaches the...

Parish Online Giving – Coming Soon

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Sep 26, 2022

We are pleased to announce that Online Giving will soon be available for you to make contributions to the parish - the weekly offertory, debt reduction, special collections, and more. This option makes use of current technology and security standards, and allows you to easily setup recurring contributions - no more search for envelopes, checks, or cash! It also enables our parish to benefit from consistent giving, ease of accounting and plan for our shared future. Please prayerfully consider...

National Migration Week 2022

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Sep 17, 2022

Throughout Scripture, our Lord tells us to welcome the stranger in our midst. Pope Francis reminds us that the inclusion of newcomers as we build the Kingdom of God is not an option, but a necessity: "The inclusion of those most vulnerable is the necessary condition for full citizenship in God’s Kingdom.” The Catholic Church celebrates "National Migration Week" from September 19th thru the 25th. The Diocese of Arlington has +1,200 reasons to celebrate. Since October 2021, Catholic Charities...

Catechetical Sunday

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Sep 12, 2022

Each year, the Catholic Church in the United States designates the third Sunday in September as “Catechetical Sunday”—a day on which to celebrate and pray for the Church’s mission to teach the Gospel to all people. This year’s the theme is “This is my body given for you.” On this day, we especially thank and pray for our Parish Catechists for ministry to the community and our children. As you prepare to celebrate, pray for, and commission those engaged in formal parish catechetical ministry...

Peter: Rock and Satan

by Fr. Jim Scullion OFM | Aug 4, 2022

In today’s Gospel Matthew continues to tell the story of the disciples’ journey of faith. The story once again centers on Peter. In Tuesday’s Gospel Peter showed himself to be a person of faith, at least for a moment. Peter walked to Jesus on the water but then he began to doubt, and Jesus rebukes him: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Peter again appears in today’s Gospel. Jesus calls him both Rock and Satan. Peter confesses that Jesus is the “Messiah,...

Tears of Grief – Tears of Faith

by Fr. Chris Dunn OFM | Jul 22, 2022

Mary Magdalena went to Jesus’ tomb with the intention of finishing the cleaning and embalming of Jesus’ cadaver. I am sure she walked to the tomb crying and carrying all that she needed to attend to death. In the dark of the early morning, she finds the stone to the tomb moved. Her response is to run back to the disciples to announce this information. She returns to the tomb with John and Peter. Now we see three very different and interesting responses to the empty tomb. Peter arrives later...

Mary’s Baby Shower

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | May 1, 2022

In honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for the entire month of May, we are collecting new baby clothing (sizes newborn to 12 months), blankets, and disposable diapers (sizes newborn to size 3). All of this is to support St. Francis House clients and clients of Birthright in Dale City. When: May 1 through 29th Where: the Pack-n-Play located in the vestibule of the church or at either of these homes Collette White - 17223 Miss Packard Court, Dumfries VA 22026 Delores Coimbra - 17419 Four Seasons...

Examination of Conscience in Light of Catholic Social Teaching

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Mar 11, 2022

Life and Dignity of the Human Person Do I respect the life and dignity of every human person from conception through natural death? Do I recognize the face of Christ in all others around me whatever their race, class, age, or abilities? Do I work to protect the dignity of others when it is being threatened? Call to Family, Community, and Participation Do I try to make positive contributions in my family and in my community? Do my beliefs, attitudes, and choices strengthen or undermine the...

Put Things into Perspective

by Fr. Lalo Jara OFM | Feb 17, 2022

It is said that on a certain occasion a homeless man entered a church with his bottle of wine, his old clothes, and his badly groomed beard. Upon entering, the person who saw him looked at him displeased, and invited him to sit on the last bench and in the corner against the wall. During the meeting, the pastor of the church reported that, as everyone already knew, the new pastor who would replace him was going to be presented. When called, that man who had been hidden and set aside in a...

Knowing Jesus

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Jan 22, 2022

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” So said Pope Francis on June 15th of last year as part of a papal audience. But it is not original to Pope Francis; he is quoting St. Jerome, the great biblical scholar and translator from the late 4th and early 5th century. What about you? What is your comfort level with Sacred Scripture? Where would you place yourself on the scale? Our Catholic fluency in Scripture could use some upgrades. And it is not that we aren’t fluent. Heck, we...