"If today you hear his voice, harden not our hearts." Psalm 95:8

Upcoming News and Announcements - 10/3/2025

Saint Mary of Sorrows Gabriel Project Baby Shower Brunch on Saturday, October 4th from 10:00am to noon in Farrell Hall! More information is available in this week’s bulletin.
 
“Blessing of the Animals” will be given on Saturday, October 4th at 10:15am outside the main church in commemoration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
 
The second collection this weekend is for the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
 
Join the Patricians for a discussion on the Rosary. The meeting will be held in Farrell Hall on Monday, October 6th at 7:00pm (new time). Refreshments and free literature are offered.
 
“Taste of the World” is now selling tickets for the International Night event on October 18th at 6:30pm in the Parish Center. Tickets can be purchased at the front office and at Parish Events.
 
Join the Rosary Makers and the Women’s Group for the recitation of the Holy Rosary on October 7th after the 9:15am Mass, in commemoration of the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Rosary will be said at the Holy Family Statue in front of the Parish Center. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
 
“A Walk through of the Mass” lecture series with Deacon Nick will be offered weekly from October 14th through November 18th (No lecture on November 11th) from 10:15am to 11:15am in St. Joseph’s Hall.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spaghetti Dinner and Pancake Breakfast will be offered next weekend. Join the fellowship and enjoy the great food!!
 
SAVE THE DATE: The following events are coming up. Please make note on your calendar and watch for further information in our bulletin, on our website or in future Flocknotes!!
 
Scheduled Monthly Events:
  • All-day and all-night Adoration is available every First Friday with Saturday devotions on the First Saturdays of the month.  Today, Friday/Saturday is All Day/All Night Adoration.
  • Young Adults gather for coffee and breakfast the first Sunday of the month after the 9:30am Mass every month. The Young Adult Breakfast is on October 3rd.
  • Luminaries of Holy Mary will meet on the first Monday of the month in the Parish Center Chapel from 5:00pm to 6:30pm to discuss Fatima and pray the Rosary. Join them! The next meeting is October 6th.
  • Family Adoration is normally offered every third Saturday of the month starting at 10:00am in the new church. 
  • Diaper, Wipes and Formula will be collected during the weekend of the fourth Sunday of the month and donations can be left in the foyer of the Parish Center. 
  • The second collection on the third Sunday of the month is for debt reduction
  • Food Pantry donation bags are usually given out the first weekend of the month with the collection through the second Sunday at 1:00pm. 
  • Martha’s Table Sandwich Collection will be on the fourth Sunday, only from 1-3 PM.Drop off at the back of Farrell Hall (Door 4). Full details attinyurl.com/MTSandwiches.
Upcoming Events:
 
  • Are you a woman who wants to carve time out to intentionally read the Bible, grow in your relationship with God, and form meaningful friendships in the parish? Consider joining the upcoming morning or evening Walking with Purpose Bible Study on the book of Ephesians that will begin October 9th. For more information, see the bulletin next week.
  • “The Story behind the Nicene Creed” with speaker, Stephen Hemler of the Catholic Apologetic Institute of North America on Thursday, October 23rd at 10:15am in Farrell Hall.
  • AOH Ladies Fancy Irish Tea will be held in St. Joseph’s Hall on November 5th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. $25 fee due at registration. Contact Thelma at 703-978-1163 or Michele at 703-425-1036.
  • Celebrating A Golden or Silver Wedding Anniversary This Year?
If you were married in 1975 or 2000, please join Bishop Michael Burbidge for the 2025 Mass for Jubilarians to be celebrated on Sunday, October 19th at 2:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, VA. Contact your parish office to register no later than October 3rd.  For more info, visit https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/family-life/mass-for-marriage-jubilarians/.
  • The Boy Scouts are selling ornaments of the new church. They can be purchased at the front office in the Parish Center during normal business hours and at Parish Events.
  • “Wreaths Across America” is December 13, 2025 in the Historic Church Cemetery. If you want to support this event, see the bulletin this week for details.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK ON A TOPIC BELOW:

Moving Foward

The Life of St. Thérèse
Thérèse Martin was born in Alençon, France on January 2, 1873. Entering the Carmelite Monastery at Lisieux at age 15, she took the name Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. She wrote, “In the heart of the Church, I will be Love.” She taught a simple way of confidence in God without limits. She died on September 30, 1897, loving with a heart as big as the world itself: “I’m not dying. I’m entering into Life.” Canonized in 1925, she was declared Patroness of the Missions in 1927 and a Doctor of the Church in 1997. Her parents, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, were canonized in 2015.
The relics of St. Therese are coming to the Washington DC area and click here for the more information.   https://stthereseusa2025.com/

Welcome from our Pastor

On behalf of our parish family, welcome to St. Mary of Sorrows parish website! We would love for you to join us on Sunday, and every day!  Please look over our website and if we can be of help to you, please do not hesitate to contact me or a staff member. Our mission/vision statement is listed below to provide you with a deeper sense of our commitment to our Lord Jesus.

In Christ Through Mary,
Rev. Thomas P. Vander Woude, Pastor

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