"Remember your mercies, O Lord".' Psalm 25"6

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Please do not respond to any email that comes from a Fr. Vander Woude gmail address. It is not from him.!

Upcoming News and Announcements - 10/2/2026

    • Prayer
      • Pray the Rosary on Sundays
      • Pray the Stations of the Cross on Fridays
    • Fasting
      • Fast from social media on Sundays for at least a few hours, especially before and after Mass
      • Fast on Fridays by eating only one full meal and no meatFrom Bishop Burbidge…
        Prayer and Fasting Guidelines 
        for the Month of October:

     

    For more information and to hear the bishop’s talk on Catholics Vote No Campaign click the link or see the flyer attached at the end.
    You can sign a petition to pledge that you are going to vote NO on the two amendments. Click the link.
     
    St. Mary of Sorrows will be holding a Voter’s Registration Drive during the weekend of October 3rd and 4th in front of the church. Your vote in this election is crucial for the protection of the right to life for our unborn and for marriage and the family. 
     
    We have prayer cards in the narthex for you to take home to pray for the defeat of the two amendments on the ballot. We will be saying the prayer after Mass, as requested by Bishop Burbidge. 
     
    Each Friday during October we will have Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm immediately followed by Adoration of Our Lord with Holy Hour and concluding with Benediction. Tonight, Adoration will follow the Stations of the Cross, in the Church.
     

    Project Gabriel Baby Shower is on Saturday, October 3rd from 10:00am to 12:00pm in Farrell Hall. See the website for more information.

    Blessing of the Animals will be offered on Sunday, October 4th at 1:00pm in the front of the Parish Center.
     
    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.
     
    Join Deacon Nick for an upcoming series of talks entitled “Coffee, Creed and Catechism” on Monday mornings after 9:15am Mass in Farrell Hall. The 16-week series started on September 14th.
     
    On Wednesday, October 7thafter the 9:15 am Mass, join as people will be praying the Rosary at the Parish Center near the Holy Family statue. There will be a reception following the Rosary in St. Joseph’s Hall.
     
    Come and learn more about the document, Lumen Gentium, on Thursday, October 8th at 7:00pm in St. Joesph’s Hall. See the flyer at the end of the Flocknote for more information.
     
    Looking for good videos and information…Check out Formed! Here are the instructions for how to sign up for Formed (free):
    To access the videos, go to formed.org/signup and then click “Continue to Sign up/Login”.  Enter your email to create an account and when you get to the “Join your parish” page, search for “Saint Mary of Sorrows” and select the first option (5222 Sideburn Rd.) and click “Submit”.
     
     
    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 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 is tonight in the church after 7:00pm Stations of the Cross, until 9:00am Saturday, with First Saturday Devotions after morning Mass.
     
    • Young Adults gather for coffee and breakfast the first Sunday of the month after the 9:30am Mass every month. Join the Young Adults for breakfast and coffee in St. Joseph’s Hall after the 9:30am Mass.
     
    • 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. The Luminaires will be meeting this Monday in the Conference at 5:00pm 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. The meeting this Monday will discuss Franciscan Spirituality.
     
    • Family Adoration is normally offered every third Saturday of the month starting at 10:00am in the new church. Family Adoration is being offered on October 17th..
     
    • 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.  Next weekend is Spaghetti Dinner and Pancake Breakfast.
     
    • 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. With World Mission Sunday on the third Sunday, Debt Reduction will be collected on Oct. 24th.
     
    • Starting on September 18th, 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.
     
    • Food Pantry donation bags are usually given out the first weekend of the month with the collection through the second Sunday at 1:00pm. Bags will be given out 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:
     
    Shredding Event on Saturday, October 17th from 10:00am to 12:00pm in the Parish Center Parking Lot.
     
    St. Mary’s Grief Support
    St. Mary’s offers grief support through support groups and individual sessions, based on your needs. If you or someone you know is experiencing grief, please reach out. You don’t have to walk through it alone. Contact Kathy Maurer📧griefcare4u@gmail.com📞703-472-0003
     
    Not Catholic…but thinking about it? For more information contact Deacon Dave at deacondave@stmaryofsorrows.org.
     
    Try food from 30 countries and experience the culture at International Night on Saturday, October 17th starting at 6:30pm in St. Joseph’s Hall. Tickets are on sale in the Parish Center Office.
     
    The Pilgrim Virgin Statue (PVS) is brought to homes by two members of the Legion of Mary on a scheduled visit. The statue stays in homes for one week (Saturday to Saturday). As a traveling sacramental, families seek the intercession of the Blessed Mother as well as pray for her intentions. Members of the Legion of Mary will be outside the church after Masses on Sunday, Oct 18th if you have any questions regarding the Pilgrim Virgin Home Visitation Program or to sign up to have the statue brought to your home. You can also contact the Legion of Mary at 09legionofmary15@gmail.com.
     
    Movie Night 6:00pm on Saturday, October 24th. 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.
     

Moving Foward

The ADCCW’s Women Doctors of the Church presentation will be offered in St. Joseph’s Hall on Friday, October 23, 2026 from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Tickets must be purchased by October 7th at a cost of $15, which includes coffee and rolls after Mass and a box lunch. Tickets are available in the front office of the Parish Center. 
 

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

SMoSCaring Community