"Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!" Matthew 5:3
Upcoming News and Announcements - 1/30/2026
The second collection this weekend will help defray the cost the parish pays for the Arlington Catholic Herald. If you would like to receive the Herald, please let us know.
Next weekend we will have commitment weekend for the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. 
Our Director of Sacred Music, Allen Blehl, has arrived!! He is a graduate of William and Mary, studied in Prague and studied in the seminary for five years. Stop by and say hello!!
The Knights are sponsoring a Chili Cook Off on Tuesday, February 3rd in Farrell Hall. Drop off your chili between 6:00pm and 6:45pm in Farrell Hall. Tasting begins at 7:00pm. See the bulletin for more details. If you have experienced the loss of a family member or friend and are feeling isolated, you don’t have to suffer alone. We are starting a Grief Support Group in February at St. Mary of Sorrows. To find out more about it, please see the bulletin and contact Kathy Maurer at kathryn.maurer@compassus.
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 Adoration is in the Parish Center Chapel from 7:00am until 7:00pm and on First Friday, all-night Adoration from 7:00pm is available in the church every First Friday with Saturday devotions on the First Saturdays of the month.
- Young Adults gather for coffee and breakfast the first Sunday of the month after the 9:30am Mass every month. The Young Adults are meeting in St. Joseph’s Hall this Sunday after the 9:30am Mass.
- Luminaries of Holy Mary will meet on the first Monday of the month in the Conference Room from 5:00pm to 6:30pm to discuss Fatima and pray the Rosary. Luminaries are meeting on Monday, February 2nd in the conference room at 5:00pm. This is a change from the bulletin.
- Patricians meet monthly on the first Monday of the month at 7:00pm in Farrell Hall to discuss Catholic topics. The Patricians will be meeting on Monday, Feb. 3rd at 7:00pm to discuss the relationship between church and state.
- Family Adoration is normally offered every third Saturday of the month starting at 10:00am in the new church.
- Spaghetti Dinner and Pancake Breakfast are usually the second weekend of the month. Have a great dinner after the 5:00pm Mass on Saturday. Pancake Breakfast is served after the 7:30am and 9:30am Masses. The Knights are offering a SPECIAL Valentine’s Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, February 8th after the 5:00pm Mass. Pancake Breakfast will be served on Sunday, February 9th after the 7:30am and 9:30am Masses.
- Diapers, 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. Bags will be given out this weekend for collection next weekend.
- Martha’s Table4th Sunday 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 at tinyurl.com/MTSandwiches.
Upcoming Events:
Movie Night. The Chosen, Season 5, Episode 5 will she shown on Feb 28, 6:00 PM in the Parish Center. The tension of Holy Week increases with much discussion of the possible betrayal and arrest of Jesus. A delicious meal precedes the showing and discussion follows.
St. Mary’s Women’s Group is inviting parishioners to aMardi Gras Family Fun Dinner/Dancing on Sunday, February 15th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm in Farrell Hall. Adults are $15, Children from 11-17 are $5 and Children under 10 eat free.
Fr. Andrew Fisher is coming to St. Mary of Sorrows on Thursday, February 12th at 7:00pm in St. Joseph’s Hall, for a talk on the Spanish Jesuit Martyrs of Virginia. Hear the incredible story of the Catholic missionaries by Fr. Fisher who is a member of the Historical Commission for the Cause of the Martyrs of La Florida, which includes the Jesuit Martyrs of Virginia. Look for more information in this week’s bulletin.
The Knights of Columbus are inviting all men to a Trivia Night on February 17th at 7:00pm in Farrell Hall.
In Lent, starting on February 20th, we will have Lenten Fish Frys on Friday evenings starting at 5:00pm until 6:30pm followed by Stations of the Cross.
“Triumph of the Heart, The Passion of St. Maximillian Kolbe”, is a deeply moving movie about the darker realities of brutality and evil will be shown on Saturday, March 7th at 7:00pm in St. Joseph’s Hall. This movie is only for mature audiences.
Starting on March 10th, Deacon Nick will begin his Lenten Talks in St. Joseph’s Hall from 7:00pm to8:15pm.
SMOS is joining Holy Spirit Parish for the VA March for Life on April 22, 2025. To RSVP, please email jonathanr@stmaryofsorrows.org
Fr. Seh is the Spiritual Director for a walking pilgrimage, The Way of St. James, El Camino from August 22-September 1, 2026. See the bulletin for details.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK ON A TOPIC BELOW:
Moving Foward
Lent is quickly approaching. Lent begins on Wednesday, February 18th with Ash Wednesday. Masses for the day as follows: 5:30am, 6:30am, 9:15am, 12:00pm, 4:00pm, and 7:00pm. The Masses will be offered in the main church.
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
