"My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God." Psalm 63:2

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

Labor Day Picnic

Link to Parish Picnic Volunteer signup

Link to the Chicken Dinner Volunteer Opportunity

Link to Country Store and Plants/Flowers/Veggie Donation Info

Link to all the Details about the Picnic This is a long document with many details about the picnic and chicken dinners. Check here first if you have any questions about the event. You can download and search the pdf file if you like.

Link to Purchase Labor Day Chicken Dinners

Upcoming News and Announcements - 8/28/2026

The Labor Day Picnic Committee will be out in front of the church this weekend to recruit volunteers for the Picnic. The Picnic starts with Mass at 10:00am in the church and festivities end at 2:00pm.

This year they are planning many activities and games as well as, have a mobile stage/ performance area. If you, your family, or your friends have a garage band, or other performance art or talent to showcase or want to be the emcee, the POC is David Mueller, tel: (410) 562-7238.

Labor Day Picnic will have the famous BBQ chicken dinner this year!! See the bulletin for details on ordering. There will be many other food options at the picnic, from funnel cakes to snow cones to hamburgers and hot dogs!! More information in the bulletin.

Registration for the 2026–2027 Religious Education year is now open for new families. Visit our parish website, under ministries, for registration links and program information including Faith Formation, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, sacramental preparation, and programs for child and teens needing sacraments.

Please follow this link to complete the New Family Registration Form.
Learn More:Religious Education

Religious Education still needs catechists. If you can help, please email Aida at aidaw@stmaryofsorrows.org.

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 will be offered next Friday.
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. No Family Adoration from June through September. Look for the start of Family Adoration in October.
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. The Knights will host a FREE Pancake Breakfast and FREE Spaghetti Dinner the weekend of September 12 and 13 in honor of our FeastDay.
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.
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 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. The collection is this weekend.

Upcoming Events:

The Labor Day Picnic Committee is looking for bakers, gardeners, volunteers.

St. Mary’s will be offering a Grief Support Group starting on Wednesday, September 16^th from 10:00am to 11:30am weekly for twelve weeks. For more information contact Kathy Maurer at griefcare4uu@gmail.com or call703-425-0003. Registration is required.

Not Catholic…but thinking about it? For more information contact Deacon Dave at deacondave@stmaryofsorrows.org.

Ladies, does your prayer life need some help and encouragement?

Come join, Women Growing in Prayer. Rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, we read, pray, and journal daily and then meet every Tuesday evening in-person offsite to share our faith life (7:00 pm to 8:30 pm). Starting this Fall (Sept 15), we will begin with the book, “The Fulfillment of All Desire,” by Ralph Martin. All are welcome, wherever you are in your faith journey. God Bless

Contact: Kristine Perri: perrifamily5@gmail.com; text/call 703-943-7885

Beth McIntyre 703-843-6744

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.

That Man Is You! – Apostles of the New Springtime starts Saturday, September 19 in Saint Joseph Hall. SATURDAY MORNINGS 7:15 am to 8:30 am. More information coming.

Join Deacon Nick for an upcoming series of talks entitled “Coffee, Creed and Catechism” on Monday mornings after 9:15am Mass in St. Joseph’s Hall. The 16-week series starts on September 14^th.

Parish-wide Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary

The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15, 2026

The 33-day Preparation Began August 13, 2026

Check back for more information.

The Women’s Group is holding a “Meet and Greet” meeting on Sunday, September 20^th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm in St. Joseph’s Hall.

“Life Everlasting: Heaven, Hell, Death and Judgment” our next Thursday evening Group Study (5 sessions via GoogleMeet). Presented by Drs. Edward Sri & Jeffrey Morrow; study guide for $15.99 and online access for $6.95 from Ascension Press. Starts September 17, 2026. For more info or sign up:b.mahiq@verizon.net

Calling all 5^th-12^th graders who love acting! Join the Mystery Theater Production every Tuesday from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. Email Jonathan at jonathanr@stmaryofsorrows.org. The production will be performed in early May.

A Man for All SeasonsThe story of our diocesan patron, St Thomas More, is told in this award-winning film (6 Oscars, including Best Picture). The messages of the film, including St Thomas More’s refusal to violate his religious beliefs, and that a person’s soul is his most precious possession, not worldly gains and power, are as applicable now as they were then. September 26 in St Joseph’s Hall. A delicious meal will be served at 6, with the film beginning at 6:30.

Women’s Bible Study and Fellowship: Are you a woman who wants to carve time out to intentionally read the Bible, grow in your relationship with God, and form meaningful friendships in the parish? Consider joining the upcoming Thursday morning or evening sessions of Walking with Purpose Bible Study for 2^nd (Letter of St. Paul to) Timothy beginning October 1st. We will have sessions at the Parish Center most Thursdays from October 1, 2026- March 11, 2027. For more information, contact Mary Alice at matdrag38@earthlink.net (morning session) or Katie at mastersonka@gmail.com (evening session).

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.

Moving Foward

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