Advent: A Season of Watching and Waiting

Dear Parishioners,
Peace to you from the rectory. As we begin the holy season of Advent, a season of watching and waiting. During this time, we remember ancient Israel awaiting the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Messiah. We watch and wait to celebrate the anniversary of Christ’s birth on Christmas in a few short weeks. Ultimately, and most importantly, Advent trains us to watch and wait for the day when Jesus comes again in glory to judge the living and the dead.

During these days of Advent, as you watch and wait, I encourage you to exercise that which is most noble and glorious in human nature – your power to love. There are many reasons to pursue this perfection, not least of which is that love will be the standard by which Jesus will judge us when He comes again. The Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes St. John of the Cross on this point, who famously wrote, “At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love” (CCC, 1022).

Our commitment to do a better job of loving generates important questions, ones that are fittingly considered at Advent:  Do I love God with my whole heart, mind and strength? Do I love my neighbor as myself?  The extent to which you can answer “yes” to these two questions is the extent to which you will succeed in the holy purposes of this most holy season of Advent. St. Philip the Apostle – pray for us!

Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Denis Donahue

Rorate Caeli Masses Saturday Mornings During Advent

In honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saint Philip Church will have Rorate Caeli Masses Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, at 6:45 a.m. These Masses, offered only during Advent, are celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Traditionally they are celebrated at sunrise and are lit only by candlelight.

Saying #JustOneYes to God can CHANGE the WORLD

Turn Your Focus to the Lord This Advent and Christmas Season

The Diocese of Arlington has launched the #JustOneYes campaign, a movement encouraging an increased commitment to prayer, acts of service, and self-sacrifice. Throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons, learn how #JustOneYes can transform you, your family, your community, and the world!

Join Bishop Burbidge and Catholics throughout the Diocese starting November 29th through January 6th to turn #JustOneYes into countless yeses for the transformation of the world.

Last year the diocese had over 70,000 commitments to saying “JustOne yes” to prayer and acts of kindness. 2020 has been an incredibly difficult and stress-filled year. But as we reflect on Mary’s yes this Advent season, may we too remember it only takes ‘One Yes’ to change the world!

For more information or to sign up for daily reflections, see arlingtondiocese.org/joy

First Friday Adoration December 4-5

Prepare For Christmas By Spending Time With the Lord

Come and spend some time with Our Lord in Adoration! Covid restrictions require social distancing and that everyone wear a mask. As many as 80 people may be present at one time for adoration. Signing up for the time slots ensures that someone is always present with Our Lord.

• Sign up here or just show up any time.

Adoration begins after the 7pm Mass and continues until 6:30am Saturday morning, right before the 6:46 Rorate Caeli Mass.

Outdoor Communion Services Update

Sundays at 11:15am and 11:30am

Since Governor Northam issued more stringent Covid-19 regulations, more individuals here at St. Philip are now opting to participate in outdoor Communion Services. Accordingly, we will continue with our practice of having two outdoor Communion Services every Sunday until further notice. The first is at 11:15 am, the second at 11:30 am.

Be assured that we continue to follow all safety prootocols to ensure the safety of parishioners.

• Review Covid Safety Precautions

If you still do not feel comfortable returning to Mass, Bishop Burbidge does continue the dispensation from attending Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation throughout the Diocese.

You can watch St. Philip Sunday Sunday Masses on Facebook at facebook.com/StPhilipCatholicChurch/live. The English Mass is live at 10am and Spanish Mass at 2pm. You do not need to watch the Masses live. They are archived online shortly after the live broadcasts.

Silent Night, Silent Auction

Festival Auction Returns as Online Event Dec. 6-13

Adding a holiday twist to a popular festival event, St Philip is moving the Silent Auction online this year to promote social distancing. Do your Christmas shopping while supporting our parish. The auction will run December 6-13.

• Preview online: Tuesday, December 1, through Saturday, December 5.
• Online bidding: Sunday, December 6, through Sunday, December 13.
• Socially distanced hybrid bidding: A small number of people will be able to bid in person on Sunday, December 6, AND Sunday, December 13, ONLY.

To bid on an item, post a comment on the item picture. Note that each item will have a minimum opening bid and an incremental increase for each following bid. Most items will be available for pickup at St. Philip Parish but a handful of furniture items must be picked up from other locations (they will be clearly labeled). 

Bidding closes at noon on December 13 and winners will be contacted shortly thereafter via Facebook messenger. You may also choose to provide a telephone number or email as an alternative form. Any bid that is placed after 12 noon on the December 13 (as indicated on the timestamp of the column) will not be considered.

• Bid Online on Facebook Starting December 6

Questions? Contact Suzanne Webb at Suzannedwebb@hotmail.com or 703-966-7589 for more details.

St. Philip Giving Tree for Migrant and Refugee Families

Now Also Available Through Amazon.com

St. Philip Giving Tree has arrived and is in the vestibule. Please plan to take an ornament to spread the love of Jesus to others who are less fortunate. The tree is filled with ornaments to help Refugee and Migration Services of the Diocese of Arlington.

Get your ornament and gift back to the rectory or place it under the tree in the vestibule by December 15th. All of these items can also be found on their Amazon wishlist at ccda.net/mrswishlist. If it is helpful, you can order the items from there to be sent directly to the Office of Refugee and Migration Services. Of course you can also bring the item to the vestibule or the rectory. 

Take Note

Food Pantry Donations

There are three ways you can donate to the St. Philip Food Pantry: Drop off non-perishable goods in the box in the church hallway, mail a check to St. Philip and note "Food Pantry" in the memo line or in a note, and order online via our Amazon Wish List.

Please note: We appreciate all donations of food, however, we can't accept re-packaged foods, like rice and beans, unless they are vacuum-sealed. Also, we need donations of supermarket grocery bags, however, please don't send bags with holes. Lastly, we will happily accept donations of reusable bags and tote bags. Thank you!

Free Catholic Content for the Whole Family

Have you signed up for your free Formed.org account? Formed has movies and videos, online books, podcasts, Bible studies, material for children, all with a Catholic view, in English and Spanish. You can watch it on your computer, phone, or smart TV. Go to Formed.org to sign up for your free account.