A Word from Our Pastor
As we continue our spiritual trek to Good Friday and Easter, are you still working on the prayer, penance and almsgiving that you will work to perform in union with Our Lord’s grace? We will continue our discussion, this week, with almsgiving.
Almsgiving/works of charity are the final piece to the puzzle of Lent as we prepare for the Greatest Work of Charity/Mercy: Jesus’ Passion and Death. Through our self-denial during Lent – i.e. sweets, soda, coffee (tough one), TV, Facebook, etc. – we may be able to give to a charitable cause, the money we have saved. Or, we may have time to perform little acts of love/mercy around the house or office or neighborhood. All of this goes without saying that we should ask Our Lord what He asks of us this Lent. His grace will give us the intentions and resolve for works of charity.
Upcoming News and Announcements - 03/7/25
On Friday night you can start with the Knights’ Fish Fry beginning at 5:00pm in Farrell Hall. You can dine in or have takeout. Stay for Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm with Confession followed by Mass.
The second collection this weekend is for Debt Reduction. Your donations will help us with our $55,870.00 monthly mortgage payment.
The Fr. Corby Division of the AOH will host a St. Patrick’s Hooley (Irish Party) on Saturday, March 15th starting at 6:30pm in Farrell Hall. Deacon Nick will continue his Lenten talk series on Tuesday evenings during Lent. The topic of this talk is “The Bread of Life-John 6”. The talk begins at 7:00pm and will be live-streamed. Due to issues with our live stream camera, the talk will be video recorded and posted on our Facebook page by 9:00pm Tuesday.
Movie Night will be held on Saturday, March 22nd starting at 6:00pm with dinner. The movie is entitled “Faith of our Fathers”. Food, fellowship and a great movie!!!
Diaper, wipes and formula drive is next weekend. Donations can be left in the Parish Center foyer.Grief Support Group Thursdays, March 27 – June 12; 2:45 pm – 4:15 pm. Find your way to hope and healing after the loss of a loved one. We will be guided by the book Understanding Your Grief and the companion journal. We will be learning essential physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual signs for mourners to look for on their journey through grief. Space is limited. For more information and to register contact Kathy Maurer at kathryn.maurer@compassus.com or 571-325-7189.
Martha’s Table 4th Sunday Sandwich Collection Thank you to all those who contributed toward the 19,000 sandwiches we donated to Martha’s Table in 2024! Make sandwiches at home, drop off 1-3 PM next Sunday, March 23, at the back of Farrell Hall (Door 4). Our van is packed to the brim most months so please sign up and get full details at tinyurl.com/MTSandwiches, or contact Michelle Gilles mgilles866@gmail.com 
St. Mary of Sorrows parishioners are joining Holy Spirit Parish for the VA March for Life on April 2, 2025. To RSVP, please email jonathanr@ 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 are 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.
- Family Adoration is 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.
- Food Pantry donation bags are given out the first weekend of the month with the collection through the second Sunday at 1:00pm. Donations can be left in the foyer.
- Martha’s Table Sandwich Collection is the fourth Sunday of the month with sandwiches dropped off in the back of Farrell Hall from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
Upcoming Events:
- Bingo will be played on Saturday, April 5th in Farrell Hall. Chili, hot dogs will be served at 6:00pm with the games beginning at 6:30pm. Proceeds benefit TEACH. Bakers are requested!!!!
- Fr. Jack Riley will be coming to St. Mary of Sorrows for Mission Talks April 7-9. He will be giving talks after the 9:15am Mass and at 7:00pm.
- Deacon Nick will be giving a Lenten series talks on Tuesday evenings in St. Joseph’s Hall.
- Lenten Penance Service will be on Monday, March 31st at 4:00pm and Tuesday, April 1st at 7:00pm.
- Fish Fry on Fridays in Lent started and will continue until on April 11th.
- Stations of the Cross with confession continues every Friday in Lent.
- New this year…Evening Mass following Stations of the Cross.
- “Men’s Trivia Knight,” Tuesday, April 15, at 7:00 p.m. in Farrell Hall: Calling all men for fraternity, food, and fun! Join us for “Men’s Trivia Knight” on Tuesday, April 15, 7:00 p.m. in Farrell Hal. Be ready to unleash your knowledge of all things old and new! (Hosted by Knights of Columbus Council 8600)
- O Come Holy Spirit! Logs of Fire Prayer Group will be offering a dynamic adventure, learning how to live a Spirit-filled life overflowing with God’s gifts, goodness, grace, and gusto! To be held on Friday, April 25 — 6:30pm-9:00pm and Saturday, April 26 — 10:00am-4:00pm in St. Joseph’s Hall.
- ANNUAL POLISH NIGHT Polish Night will be held in Farrell Hall on Saturday, May 17, 2025, after the 5 pm Mass. While the event is hosted by St. Mary of Sorrows Knights of Columbus Council 8600, all St. Mary of Sorrows parishioners are invited to attend. The evening will start with appetizers, followed by a dinner of fresh and smoked kielbasa, pierogis, sauerkraut, and green beans. If that is not enough, dinner will be followed by desserts, to include cookies and perhaps the evening will include a bit of “Polish water”. This is always a fun event and all proceeds will be donated to the Bishop of North Alaska, a diocese of Polish priests supporting Native Alaskans. Cost for the event will be $25 per person. Individuals planning to attend are asked to sign up prior to May 12thto ensure adequate amounts of food can be purchased. Sign-ups can be completed at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0944AAAC2FA4FF2-
annual12 Any questions can be directed to Al Obuchowski alobuchowski@verizon.net or by phone at 703-352-1380.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK ON A TOPIC BELOW:
Moving Foward
It will soon be time to think and plan for the next fiscal year. Groups should start thinking about the needs for space in the next year fiscal year, beginning in July and going through the school year (our fiscal year). More information will be released soon but start thinking about it. We will work on staff requirements first and move to groups within the parish and then outside groups. Thank you and stay tuned for more information.
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
