The so-called "Equality Act" discriminates against people of faith and threatens unborn life. Tell Your Senators to Oppose it!

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ link for faithful to contact their representative: https://www.humanlifeaction.org/take-action/
• Q&A Sheet: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/promotion-and-defense-of-marriage/upload/Equality-Act-Backgrounder.pdf
• Walk Humbly Podcast Episode #67: https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/walkhumblypodcast/
• Letter to Congress from USCCB Chairmen: https://www.usccb.org/resources/Letter_to_Congress_on_Equality_Act_Feb_23_2021

COVID-19 Update: Good News

February 26, 2021

We have good news to report: The number of Covid-19 cases among St. Philip households has decreased significantly in the last few weeks. We will now be able to resume meetings and gatherings scheduled in smaller meeting spaces that have been cancelled for the last two months. Starting March 1, such events may resume, but must follow the stricter rules implemented by Governor Northam in December and updated Feb. 24.

Specifically, events in meeting rooms, classrooms, and Hayden Hall are now limited to 10 persons. Those groups with membership larger than 10 persons will be encouraged to rotate the participants weekly, so that all who desire may participate while not going over the 10-person maximum.

Other significant parish activities will proceed as follows:

• Masses, Confessions, Adoration, Funerals, Weddings, and Baptisms will continue as they have these last few weeks. We remain vigilant with our strict safety procedures, which include physical distancing, requiring masks, sanitizing surfaces, and increased ventilation.
• Religious Education classes for children and adults, as well as parent meetings, will continue as they have for the last few months by following the special Covid-19 educational guidelines in effect since classes began in October, which include physical distancing and regular sanitizing.
• Limited music at Masses will continue, as will all practice session for Mass musicians. The number of musicians at Masses or practice sessions continues to be limited to 2-3 participants.

We are relieved to be able to have small group meetings again, and look forward to even further relaxation of the present strict rules set forth by Governor Northam. In this interim period, we ask everyone to continue to be diligent about wearing masks, physical distancing, and hand washing. As always, if you are ill or have been in contact with anyone who has been exposed to r diagnosed with Covid-19, do not come to any event at St. Philip.

Thank you for your support, understanding and prayers as we continue to deal with this pandemic.

Celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph March 19

Special Activities Planned

Help us honor St. Joseph on his feast day, Friday, March 19. We will recite the Litany of St. Joseph before the 7pm Mass. After Mass, we will have a delicious treat for everyone to share outside the church on the breezeway. Our treat together outside will be a nice way to celebrate St. Joseph during this year in his honor. 

Because March 19 is a solemnity – the highest of the Church’s joyous celebrations – we will not have our usual bilingual Stations of the Cross that night. We will still have Adoration and Confessions.

• If you pre-ordered the book Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father by Fr. Donald Calloway, English copies are now in and we have a few extras available. Please come to the Rectory of pick up or purchase your copy. Unfortunately, copies of the Spanish version still have not arrived. We will call you when your pre-ordered Spanish version comes in. (No extra copies of the Spanish version will be available.)

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has composed a novena to be prayed yearly on March 10-18, the nine days that precede the Solemnity of Saint Joseph on March 19. Download the Novena for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph in English and Spanish here.

Virtual Events to Support Nuns of St. Dominic’s Monastery

RSVP by March 10

Bishop Michael Burbidge and the Members of the Host Committee cordially invite you to attend A VIRTUAL EVENT supporting the Cloistered Nuns of St. Dominic’s Monastery in Linden, Virginia. Featuring an Update from the Prioress, Angel Auction and Special presentations, the event is Sunday, March 14, beginning at 5pm. Please RSVP by March 10.

• Purchase tickets online at saintdominicsmonastery.square.site

Ticket purchasers will be emailed a link to the event. Tickets and sponsorships are fully tax deductibele.Those who donate at the sponsor level ($1,750 and up) will be invited to an outdoor reception on the patio at the Basilica of St. Mary in September hosted by Father Hathaway. For more information, download the flyer here or contact friendsofstdominicsmonastery@gmail.com.

40 Days for Life: Pray and Fast to End Abortion

Volunteers Needed Daily Through March 28

Please consider spending an hour or more during Lent praying outside the Falls Church abortion facility. Sign up for a prayer slot at PrayforLife.org orYou can protect mothers and children by joining this worldwide mobilization to pray and fast for an end to abortion!

Through prayer and fasting, peaceful vigils and community outreach, 40 Days for Life has inspired one million volunteers! With God’s help, here are the proven results over 27 coordinated campaigns: 18,000 babies saved from abortion, 211 abortion workers converted, 107 abortion centers closed!

• Vigil location: Public right-of-way (sidewalk) outside Falls Church Healthcare Center, 900 S. Washington Street (also know as Lee Highway), Falls Church
• Vigil hours: 7 am to 7 pm daily
• Local contact: Ruby Nicdao, ruby40daysforlife@gmail.com, 703-795-2216
• Learn more: 40daysforlife.com/fallschurch

Take Note

2021 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal: Encourage One Another by Word and Deed

The BLA provides an opportunity to unite as a Catholic family and support programs, ministries and services that no single individual or parish could offer by itself. After reflecting upon the many blessings that God has given you, please prayerfully consider making BLA pledge. Every donation is vital to the success of the BLA. You may go online to www.arlingtondiocese.org or text “BLA” to 703-260-9800 to make a donation. Please help our parish reach our BLA goal!

"Formed": 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.