"Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face." Psalm 24:6

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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.!

The Solemnity of All Saints

Upcoming News and Announcements - 10/30/2026


This Friday, join Virginians in praying  for our Commonwealth, appealing to Our Lady for assistance before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

A Rosary for Virginia will unite us four days before the pivotal election that will put two dangerous ballot initiatives before us, the voters. Stand with us in defense of the unborn and the sanctity of marriage!
 
When: October 30th at 7pm
Where: All Saints Catholic Church, Manassas
 

Livestream the Rosary tonight using this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/bl7xjANR8cE

Watch Fr. Noah’s You Tube video

Stations of the Cross are at 7:00pm immediately followed by Adoration of Our Lord with Holy Hour and concluding with Benediction. 

Daylight Savings Time ends on November 1st…Don’t forget to turn your clock back an hour!

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.

On Nov. 5 the Thursday study group begins Augustine Institute’s Lectio: Mark. For info email: b.mahiq@verizon.net.
 
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. 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. 
 
Box of Joy Distribution will be after every Mass this weekend.  These boxes will benefit children of developing countries all over the world.  Collection will be on Nov. 12-15 at the Parish Center.
 
Deacon Nick will continue his Monday series of talks entitled “Coffee, Creed and Catechism” after 9:15am Mass in Farrell Hall. The talk scheduled for Monday, November 16th has been canceled and the series will end on December 21st.
 
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 Night Adoration will be offered on Friday, November 6th.
  • Young Adults gather for coffee and breakfast the first Sunday of the month after the 9:30am Mass every month. The next coffee and breakfast will be on November 1st.
  • 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 next meeting will be on Monday, November 2nd.
  • Patricians meet monthly on the first Monday of the month at 7:00pm in Farrell Hall to discuss Catholic topics. The next meeting will be on Monday, November 2nd and will discuss the church’s view of suicide and euthanasia.
  • Family Adoration is normally offered every third Saturday of the month starting at 10:00am in the new church. 
  • 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.  Spaghetti Dinner and Pancake Breakfast will be next weekend, Nov. 7th/8th.
  • 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.
  • 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. Distribution of bags will be 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:
 
Prayer Shawls will be distributed after the 7:30am and 9:30m Masses on Sunday, November 8th in front of the church.
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 $35. 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. Dress suggestion is Vintage Elegance. 
 
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 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
 
General Information:
 
Please do not drop off clothing, used toys and miscellaneous items in the vestibule as we are not collecting, and we do not have storage for donations at this time.
 
Not Catholic…but thinking about it? For more information contact Deacon Dave at deacondave@stmaryofsorrows.org.
 
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”.
 
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
 

Moving Foward

As a reminder…
 
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.
 
Join the Women’s Group to pray at the Historic Church Cemetery on Friday, November 6th at 10:00am to pray for the deceased.

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