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

Part of the Labor Day Mass tradition from years ago is being brought back…THE BLESSING OF THE TOOLS!! Bring your “tools” (ie. Backpack, cell phone, briefcase, journal, actual tools, etc.).

The office will be closed on Labor Day but the building will be open with picnic activity!!

The Labor Day Picnic Committee will be out in front of the church this weekend to recruit volunteers for the Picnic. The Picnic starts with Mass at 10:00am in the church with Mass and festivities end at 2:00pm but there will be entertainment until 3:00pm.

The Knights are having a membership Blitz this weekend. To find out more about the good work the Knights do, see a member outside.

On Monday, all the hours of hard work and preparation by the Picnic Committee will result in a memorable parish Labor Day Picnic.   There are still opportunities to volunteer your time or to donate items for the Baked Goods store and the Plants, Vegetables and Flowers store.  See above.

Registration for the 2026–2027 Religious Education year is now open for new families.

• 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. All Day and Night Adoration will be offered tonight Friday.
• Young Adults gather for coffee and breakfast the first Sunday of the month after the 9:30am Mass every month. 
• 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.
• Patricians meet monthly on the first Monday of the month at 7:00pm in Farrell Hall to discuss Catholic topics. 
• Family Adoration is normally offered every third Saturday of the month starting at 10:00am in the new church. No Family Adoration from June through September. Look for the start of Family Adoration in October.
• 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 will host a FREE Pancake Breakfast and FREE Spaghetti Dinner the weekend of September 12 and 13 in honor of our Feast Day.
• 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. Collection is next weekend.
• Martha’s Table 4th 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. 

• St. Mary’s will be offering a Grief Support Group starting on Wednesday, September 16^th from 10:00am to 11:30am weekly for twelve weeks. For more information contact Kathy Maurer at griefcare4uu@gmail.com or call703-425-0003. Registration is required.
• Not Catholic…but thinking about it? For more information contact Deacon Dave at deacondave@stmaryofsorrows.org.
• Ladies, does your prayer life need some help and encouragement? Come join, Women Growing in Prayer.  Rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, we read, pray, and journal daily and then meet every Tuesday evening in-person offsite to share our faith life (7:00 pm to 8:30 pm).    Starting this Fall (Sept 15), we will begin with the book, “The Fulfillment of All Desire,” by Ralph Martin. All are welcome, wherever you are in your faith journey.  God Bless!
  Contact: Kristine Perri:  perrifamily5@gmail.com; text/call 703-943-7885 or Beth McIntyre 703-843-6744
• Starting on September 18^th, there will be a Sacred Heart of Jesus Holy Hour starting at 7:00pm in the church. Every third Friday Holy Hour will be devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. See the bulletin for more information.
• The Olivewood Group will be at the church the weekend of September 19-20 with carvings and olive oil from the Holy Land. Please support them.
• That Man Is You! – Apostles of the New Springtime starts Saturday, September 19 in Saint Joseph Hall. SATURDAY MORNINGS 7:15 am to 8:30 am. More information coming.
• Join Deacon Nick for an upcoming series of talks entitled “Coffee, Creed and Catechism” on Monday mornings after 9:15am Mass in St. Joseph’s Hall. The 16-week series starts on September 14^th.
• Parish-wide Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary TThe 40 Hours of Devotion will begin after the 5:00pm Mass on Sunday, September 13th and Adoration will continue all night Sunday and Monday and conclude before the 9:15am Mass on Tuesday. Sign up is in the narthex of the church this weekend or online at https://smos.weadorehim.com. The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15, 2026The 33-day Preparation Began August 13, 2026 See the bulletin for more details.
• The Women’s Group is holding a “Meet and Greet” meeting on Sunday, September 20^th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm in St. Joseph’s Hall.
• “Life Everlasting: Heaven, Hell, Death and Judgment” our next Thursday evening Group Study (5 sessions via Google Meet). Presented by Drs. Edward Sri & Jeffrey Morrow; study guide for $15.99 and online access for $6.95 from Ascension Press.  Starts September 17, 2026.  For more info or sign up: b.mahiq@verizon.net
• Calling all 5^th-12^th graders who love acting! Join the Mystery Theater Production every Tuesday from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. Email Jonathan at jonathanr@stmaryofsorrows.org. The production will be performed in early May.
• A Man for All Seasons The story of our diocesan patron, St Thomas More, is told in this award-winning film (6 Oscars, including Best Picture).  The messages of the film, including St Thomas More’s refusal to violate his religious beliefs, and that a person’s soul is his most precious possession, not worldly gains and power, are as applicable now as they were then. September 26 in St Joseph’s Hall.  A delicious meal will be served at 6, with the film beginning at 6:30.
• Women’s Bible Study and Fellowship: 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 Thursday morning or evening sessions of Walking with Purpose Bible Study for 2^nd (Letter of St. Paul to) Timothy beginning October 1st. We will have sessions at the Parish Center most Thursdays from October 1, 2026- March 11, 2027. For more information, contact Mary Alice at matdrag38@earthlink.net (morning session) or Katie at mastersonka@gmail.com (evening session).  
• All are invited to an early morning Mass at 5:30 am the first Monday of each month starting October 5.  We are trying to provide, monthly, a daily Mass opportunity for all those whose work schedule does not permit them to attend our normal daily Mass scheduled at 6:30 am and 9:15 am and for all early risers who are ready to get their day started.
• Try food from 30 countries and experience the culture at International Night on Saturday, October 17^th starting at 6:30pm in St. Joseph’s Hall.
• Movie Night 6:00pm on Saturday, October 24^th. A compilation of all of the Last Supper scenes from each of the episodes from season 5, but in chronological order. A good way to prepare for next month’s release of Season 6, which takes us from the Garden to the Cross.