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

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Upcoming News and Announcements - 10/10/2025

The Parish Center offices will be closed on Monday, October 13th in observance of the federal holiday.
 
Spaghetti Dinner will be offered this weekend after the 5:00pm Saturday Mass. Join the fellowship and enjoy the great food!!
The Knights will be cooking up Pancake Breakfast for after the 7:30am and 9:30am Masses this weekend.
 
“A Walk through of the Mass” lecture series with Deacon Nick will be start this Tuesday, October 14th and continue through November 18th (No lecture on November 11th) from 10:15am to 11:15am in St. Joseph’s Hall. The topic for this week is “An Introduction to the Mass.”
 
Financial Seminar and Social in St. Joseph’s Hall on Wednesday at 7:00pm. Learn the benefits offered to Catholics through the Knights of Columbus. The bulletin has details.
 
“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 Parish Center front office and at Parish Events.
 
Homeschooling Group and Youth Ministry will be giving out “Boxes of Joy” for an outreach project for children all over the world next weekend. Details can be found in the bulletin.
 
The second collection next weekend will be for the reduction of our debt on the church mortgage. World Mission Sunday collection will be taken the weekend of October 26th.
 
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.
  • 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 Parish Center Chapel from 5:00pm to 6:30pm to discuss Fatima and pray the Rosary. Join them.
  • Family Adoration is normally offered every third Saturday of the month starting at 10:00am in the new church. Family Adoration will be held on Saturday, October 18th at 10:00am. Bring the whole family!!!
  • 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. Next weekend, the second collection will benefit the repayment of our loan for the church.
  • Food Pantry donation bags are usually given out the first weekend of the month with the collection through the second Sunday at 1:00pm. Food Pantry donations can be left in the Parish Center foyer this 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:
 
  • “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.
  • “The Chosen”, Season 5, Episode 2 will be shown on Saturday, October 25th at 6:00pm in the Parish Center. Dinner will be offered along with discussion afterwards.
  • 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.
  • The relics of St. Therese are coming to the Washington DC area and click here for the more information.  https://stthereseusa2025.com/.
  • 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

“In anticipation of election day on November 4, the Virginia Catholic Conference has prepared voter education resources to help Catholics confidently vote with an informed conscience.
Bishop Knestout and Bishop Burbidge, of the Diocese of Arlington, have written a joint pre-election letter about the importance of faithful citizenship and have highlighted proposed legislation that is especially important to us as Catholics, as we strive to promote the common good.”  From the Catholic Conference Recourses for November 2025 Election.
In the letter, they state,
“To promote the common good, we must form our consciences and vote, recognizing that:
• Many issues are important.
• Not all issues have equal moral weight.
• Protecting life is paramount.


Above all else, addressing the tragedy of abortion is the “pre-eminent priority because it directly attacks our most vulnerable and voiceless brothers and sisters and destroys more than a million lives per year in our country alone” (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, Introductory Note, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2023).”

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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