Saint Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church

Renovations at Old St. Mary’s Hall - Renovations have started and will continue at Old St. Mary’s Hall at the Historic Church. At the present time there is only access to the “Bridal Room” and restrooms. We expect to have limited evening and weekend use of the rest of the building shortly. We will contact groups if there is a problem. Please direct all questions and comments to Kathy Coleman at 703-978-4141, x20. Please DO NOT talk to the construction workers!

May Crowning, Living Rosary and Procession - A crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Living Rosary and Procession will be held on Sunday, May 27th, at 7 pm, at the Historic Church Grotto. A reception sponsored by the Women’s Group will follow in Old St. Mary’s Hall.

Diocesan News

As you may know, Fr. Terry Specht, a parochial vicar here from 1996 to 2000, was placed on administrative leave this past Wednesday pending the investigation of an allegation against him of misconduct. The allegation dates from the late 1990s. Fr. Specht has denied the accusation, and the Diocese of Arlington has received no other allegations of misconduct against him. The investigation is still in its initial phases, and no final determination has been made.

The Diocese is committed to full cooperation with law enforcement regarding this allegation. Bishop Loverde’s entire statement is available at www.arlingtondiocese.org and online in the current issue of the Catholic Herald.

It is certainly true, as Bishop Loverde said in his announcement, that any allegation of abuse deepens the pain felt by all Catholics, and particularly survivors of abuse. And I recognize that you all may be dealing with difficult and mixed emotions concerning this situation.

Finally, the Diocese encourages anyone who knows of any misconduct or abuse on the part of any cleric, employee or volunteer of the diocese to notify both civil authorities and the diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinators Patricia Mudd or Adlin deCardi on their confidential line, 703.841.2530.

I hope that you will continue to keep the healing of all victims of abuse, the current investigation, and Fr. Specht in your prayers.

"The Squire Roses’ Mother's Day Charity Bake Sale will be after all masses on Sunday May 13th. Come by Farrell Hall to buy cakes, cookies, pies, breads and special food items, just in time for your Mother's Day Celebration. Money raised will be to support Layne's Grace, a non-profit sewing ministry that helps families who experience the devastating loss of a child at birth. Monetary donations are welcome - write checks to St. Mary of Sorrows and note on bottom left "Layne's Grace."

Memorial Day Mass - The Annual Memorial Day Mass sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) will be celebrated on Monday, May 28th, at 9:15 am, at the St. Mary's Historic Church. Weather permitting, the Mass will be held outdoors; suggest bringing lawn chairs. Prior to the Mass, U.S. and Irish flags are placed on each gravesite; meet at the Old Hall at 7:00 am; suggest wearing old shoes as the grass is usually very wet. The Mass is in remembrance of all deceased veterans and loved ones, especially those buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Immediately following Mass, an AOH Honor Guard and Irish Piper will lead our priests and congregation on a procession throughout the Cemetery for the blessing of the graves. Following, the AOH will host a reception including the presentation of the John F. Devaney Scholarship Award at the Old St. Mary's Hall.

Civil War Battle at Ox Hill Ceremony - The Fr. William Corby Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians is conducting a ceremony at the Civil War Battle at Ox Hill on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28th, at 2:00 pm. The program includes the Presentation of Colors, period music and song, featured guest speaker, wreath laying and refreshments. The Ox Hill Battlefield Park is located in Fairfax at the intersection of West Ox Road and Monument Drive with parking in the Shopping Center across the street. Parishioners and the public are invited. For further information, please contact 703-978-8265.

Tuition Angels Scholarship Fund - Please consider giving the gift of "Catholic Education" by becoming a Tuition Angel to help families who do not have the financial ability to pay tuition for our Preschool Program. Thanks to the generosity of parishioners, tuition assistance can be offered to any family wanting to start the education process for their children at St. Mary's Preschool. If you are interested in contributing to the scholarship fund, please contact Miss Elena in the Preschool Office, 703-978-4141, x35. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Update on our Bhutanese Refugee Family!
On November 4, 2009 St. Mary of Sorrow's parish, in conjunction with Catholic Charities, Office of Migration and Refugee Services, welcomed to the United States a Bhutanese family who had been living in a refugee camp in Nepal for 17 years. Our parish furnished their new home in Falls Church, Virginia, assisted them until they achieved financial independence and, provided volunteers to help with a variety of needs while the family members acclimated to their new country. These refugees went from living in a bamboo hut with no running water to living well in a modern home. They mastered using the Metrorail/Metrobus system to get anywhere they wanted to go. Their English improved and the young adults can communicate by e-mail. Some family members found employment; they now pay taxes! Indeed, this basic overview does not begin to do justice to all this lovely family has accomplished since their arrival. These newcomers’ determination to begin successful new lives here coupled with the parish’s efforts to help them along their way have paid off! Financially self-sufficient for over a year the family decided to move to Ohio to join other family members; they organized the long distance move themselves! St. Mary of Sorrows parish rejoices as our refugee family continues to make their own way in life. Our heartfelt prayers follow them!

The White Elephant Sale will be held Friday, Jun 8th, from 5-8PM with a five dollar admission and free admission on Saturday, June 9th, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Sunday, June 10th, 8:15 a.m. to noon. Collection of donations will begin after 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday June 2nd, and after all masses on June 3rd up until 5 p.m. Collection will continue Monday Tuesday and Wednesday between 8 :00 a.m. to 8 p.m. No items will be accepted after Thursday June 7th.

No exercise machines, TVs no clothes or computers. Only gently used sofas will be accepted. We accept luggage, sports and garden equipment, recreational stuff, games toys, household items, bric-a-brac, furniture, jewelry, picture frames, greeting cards, office supplies and equipment , CD's, DVDs, books, stationary, Christmas and other holiday items, linens, drapes, curtains, window treatments, yarn , material, toys and games, stuffed animals, dolls, action figures, baby items, lamps, collector items, kitchen items, appliances, small electronics, stereo equipment, furniture, antiques, bikes, rugs, and anything else other than those items excepted above.

Volunteers are always needed. Volunteers can either sign up at the office window or come anytime during collection hours above. Teens may get service hours.

Men are needed to help move donations to their proper display place or during sale hours to help load items into cars.

All proceeds are directed to the general funds of the parish. If you have questions, please contact Lucy at lucys5959@yahoo.com or 703-323-0345.