"I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." Psalm 23:6

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Upcoming News and Announcements - 10/2/2026

- 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.
  https://arlingtondiocese.flocknote.com/note/38720110/video/608641014
  
  You can sign a petition to pledge that you are going to vote NO on the two amendments. Click the link.
  http://www.votervoice.net/Shares/BqudxAyZBEqmBAzcdUi7FAA
  
  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.
  ~~~~~~~~~
  Italian Heritage Society is celebrating Italian-American Heritage month, so join us at 6pm on Friday October 9 in Farrell Hall for a video from Great Courses: Guide to Essential Italy: Arezzo, Perugia & Assisi. Also asking you to “show and tell” any special ITALIAN items, artifacts, clothing, travel or family stories with the group. For our signature potluck buffet, let’s aim for Italian food and as a guideline, if last names beginning with A to M bring a main course; N-Z bring beverages, dessert, appetizer or side dishes.
  
  Election Yard Signs are available in the narthex this weekend for families to display at home.
  
  The second collection this weekend will benefit Porto Charities whose programs help children with intellectual and developmental difficulties in the Arlington Diocese.
  
  The Parish Center offices will not be open Monday in observance of Columbus Day. Adoration will be available.
  
  Deacon Nick will not meet this Monday for the series of talks entitled “Coffee, Creed and Catechism”.
  
  Try food from 30 countries and experience the culture at International Night on Saturday, October 17^th starting at 6:30pm in St. Joseph’s Hall. Tickets are on sale in the Parish Center Office.
  
  Shredding Event on Saturday, October 17^th 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 17^th.
  - 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. This 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. 24^th.
  - Starting on September 18^th, 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 collected this weekend.
  - 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 24^th. 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.
  
  Prayer Shawls will be distributed after the 7:30am and 9:30m Masses on Sunday, November 8^th in front of the church.
  
  The St. Mary’s community is invited to continue supporting the Fairfax 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.
  
  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 Maurergriefcare4u@gmail.com703-472-0003
  
  Not Catholic…but thinking about it? For more information contact Deacon Dave at deacondave@stmaryofsorrows.org.
  
  On the weekend of Oct 24-25 Family Life Ministries will be distributing Boxes of Joy after all the Masses.
  
  On October 24^th 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.

Moving Foward

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”.

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