With active cases of coronavirus present in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia, the Diocese is taking additional precautions to protect the health and safety of those who serve in or are served by the diocese, as well as the broader public, all in an abundance of caution, to serve this end: 

On March 16, Bishop Burbidge announced that until further notice, all public celebrations of the Mass are canceled throughout the Diocese. 

Bishop Burbidge has asked pastors to keep churches open to the public, so that those who choose to pray, are welcome to do so in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord, while keeping a safe distance from one another and not exceeding the 10-person limit. So, if you are coming to pray in the Church/Chapel and, upon entering, you see that there are more than 10 people in the Church ... you are asked to return another time. 

With public celebrations of the Sunday Mass canceled, the faithful are encouraged to devote time to prayer, observe Mass on television or the internet, and pray the Rosary along with other devotions. The parish priests will be offering private Masses on a daily basis for the people of the parish and for the scheduled Mass intentions that we have received and which are published in the bulletins. 

The Diocese co-sponsors a televised Sunday Mass with the Archdiocese of Washington. It takes place at the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington and is available at 10:30am on Sundays on two local TV stations as well as online. Go to ArlingtonDiocese.org/TVMass for more information or to view the Mass. 

All scheduled parish meetings, programs and activities are canceled until further notice, with the following exceptions: confessions will be heard on Wednesdays from 630-8pm and Saturdays from 4-5pm ... but will be held in the Parish Center classrooms ... the lines will be outside the building and those waiting are asked to maintain "safe distance" from others ... access into the building will be monitored by volunteers. Scheduled Weddings, Funerals, and Baptisms, will be dealt with on case by case basis, but if held will also be subject to similar attendance restrictions. 

During these challenging and difficult times let us strive to remain close to the Lord in prayer .... seeking strength and support from Him; and let us remember in a particular way all those affected by the spreading virus ... may the Lord protect and heal them; and also offer a special prayer of strength for those in the medical field who are helping care for the sick, and for wisdom for those working to help contain the spread of this illness. 

Let us All Remain Strong in Faith and Hope! 

Fr. Kevin & Fr. Colin