"Give the Lord glory and honor" - Psalm 96:7

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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 - 10/16/2026

Continuing with the message from Bishop Burbidge…
Prayer and Fasting Guidelines 
for the Month of October:
  • 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 meat
    •  
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.
 
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Tonight the Holy Hour will be dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm immediately followed by Adoration of Our Lord with Holy Hour and concluding with Benediction. 
 
Family Adoration is being offered on October 17th from 10:00am to 11:00am in the church. People of all ages are welcome!!
 
The second collection this weekend will benefit World Mission Sunday.
 
Deacon Nick will continue his Monday series of talks entitled “Coffee, Creed and Catechism” after 9:15am Mass in Farrell Hall.
 
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 available at the door.
 
Shredding Event on Saturday, October 17th from 10:00am to 12:00pm in the Parish Center Parking Lot.
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.
 
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. 
  • 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 Conference Room from 5:00pm to 6:30pm 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. 
  • 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.  
  • 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. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Holy Hour is tonight.
  • Food Pantry donation bags are usually given out the first weekend of the month with the collection through the second Sunday at 1:00pm. 
  • Martha’s Table 4th 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:
 
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.
 
On the weekend of Oct 24-25 Family Life Ministries will be distributing Boxes of Joy after all the Masses. 
 
On October 24th the Family Life Ministries will host an Information Session, from 10:00am-11:30 am on Pope Leo’s Magnifica Humanitas and why it’s relevant to family life. The talk will be in St. Joseph’s Hall in the Parish Center.
 
Italian Heritage Society On Friday, October 30th, from11:00 am until 8:00 pm, the delicious and generous California Fish Grill (11048 Main Street in Fairfax at Kamp Washington) is donating back 35% of dine-in or takeout orders to support our Italian Heritage Society at St. Mary of Sorrows Church! On behalf of the Italian Heritage Society, you’re invited to join us to eat out. Lunchtime Meetup is at 11:30 am – 12:30 pm and Dinner Meetup is at 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm or come on your own to enjoy a great fish meal. Please make sure you mention the IHS fundraiser at the register or in the app when ordering. 
 
Join the AOH Ladies 1920’s Tea Party on Wednesday, November 4th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm in St. Joseph’s Hall. Ticket price is $25. and checks should be received by October 31st. Please contact Thelma Garry 703-978-1163, thelgarry@yahoo.com or Michele Hanson 703-435-1036 michelehanson@gmail.com. Dresscode is Vintage Elegance.
 
Prayer Shawls will be distributed after the 7:30am and 9:30m Masses on Sunday, November 8th in front of the church.
 
Looking for Volunteers Join us on Saturday, December 19th for Wreaths Across America Day as we honor our fallen heroes by placing remembrance wreaths. We are currently looking for active-duty members from all branches of the military-Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force-to serve as our official wreath placers for this meaningful ceremony. If you are active-duty and would like to represent your branch, or if you know someone who is, please contact Thomas G. Komara at 703-323-0817 or tgkomara0913@gmail.com to sign up and help us honor those who served.

The St. Mary’s community is invited to continue supporting theFairfax County Hypothermia Prevention Program to care for our unhoused neighbors during colder months. Our partner sites and dates are St John Neumann in Reston (Jan 17-24)and St Stephen’s in Burke (Feb 7-14). More information is in the Nov 22 and Nov 29 bulletin or contact mgilles866@gmail.com.
General Information:
 
Not Catholic…but thinking about it? For more information contact Deacon Dave at deacondave@stmaryofsorrows.org.
 
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
 
Looking for good videos and information for children of all ages and adults…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”.

Moving Foward

Consoling Hearts Please join us for Mass on All Souls Day, Monday, November 2nd at 9:15 am for all of our beloved parishioners who have passed away over this last year.  If you would like to include the names of your deceased loved ones, please pick up an ” All Souls Day Remembrance” envelope from the back of the church or the parish office, which can be dropped off at the front office.
 
Plenary Indulgence for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Did you know that November is a special time dedicated to remembering and praying for our loved ones in purgatory? During the octave from November 1 to 8, you can earn a plenary indulgence for the departed if you pray in the cemetery during that time. You can receive a plenary indulgence every day for the deceased in Purgatory. To see the complete conditions, please use this link: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1178.

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