Our Parish Festival is Almost Here!

Have you signed up to volunteer on Saturday, September 29?

Less than two week until this year's St. Philip Parish Festival. Keep checking this website for regular updates as we count down to our largest annual event.

Many new activities have been added this year:
 

• Two Escape Rooms – one for adults and a junior room for young children. A Dunk Tank – On the hour and half hour, there will be a new dunkee throughout the day.
• Free Concert—The Hot Lanes, a 16-piece big band orchestra, will be playing during the international dinner from 4:30 to 6:00.
• International Dinner Fast Pass – if you don’t want to wait in line for the great food at the International Dinner, for $10 donation (plus $9 for the cost of a platter), you can gain access to make a “fast pass” though between 3:45 and 4:00 pm.
• Festival sign-ups, t-shirts, raffle tickets, and other festival items will be available after weekend Masses. Thanks to all of those who have placed the yard signs for everyone to see. 
   

  • Sign up now at stphilipsparish.com/festivalsignup

Donations, Leaders Still Needed

The parish is now accepting donations in support of two Parish Festival fundraising activities – the Silent Auction and St. Philip’s Attic. Your donation of new or gently used items will be auctioned or sold at the Parish Festival. The proceeds will be used to support parish ministries. Most items may be dropped off inside the shed behind the convent, while fragile or expensive items should be brought to the Rectory office during business hours. Contact Suzanne Webb questions about donations or if you would like learn more about leadership roles.

Parish Festival Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available

Are you a business owner? Looking for ways to help support the festival? Consider sponsoring the Parish Festival. More than 3,000 people attended the festival last year. Sponsorship is a cost-effective way to get your company in front of a lot of prospective customers and inform fellow parishioners about your business. Sponsorships starts at just $250, and many options are available. Contact Suzanne Webb or Brad Keelor.

Festival T-shirts Almost Sold Out

The festival t-shirts are available for sale on weekends before and after Mass. Inventory is running low so don't wait to get yours or you might miss out.

Please continue to pray to the Holy Spirit for inspiration on how you can help the parish and our festival.

Take Note

Positive Parenting Presentation Wednesday

Join us for a parent talk on Positive Parenting Wednesday September 18 at 6:15 in Hayden Hall. The presenter is Francine Ronis a child/family therapist. She will focus on the ins and outs of enjoying family life with children ages 2 - 12. Topics will include engaging cooperation and setting limits—among others.

VISIONS Presentation Thursday

Our next VISIONS presentation is Thursday, September 19 at 9:45 am in Room 2. The monthly series, continues with a program on Human Drama in Plaster, Clay, Bronze and Stone. Artists capture the drama of human experience and, through the form of their work, afford us the opportunity to recreate that experience. From ancient Greece through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and into the modern era, artists have portrayed the drama of our existence through their beautiful art. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome.

High School Youth Trip to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

Join Father Will and Deacon James for a trip to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, MD, Saturday, October 5th. We will be leaving St. Philip’s for the Grotto at 8 am. The Grotto is a replica of the cave in France where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858.

While at the Grotto, we’ll tour the beautiful, peaceful grounds, have Mass, confession, and adoration. Afterward, the boys will tour the Mount St. Mary’s Seminary while the girls tour the nearby Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine, dedicated to America’s first native-born saint. The tours will be followed by lunch, returning to St. Philip at 3 PM. Please pick up a permission slip as you leave Mass and return it to the rectory by Monday, September 30.

Ready to Come Home to the Catholic Church?

Are you someone, or do you know someone, who is interested in learning more about what it means to be Catholic? Has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic? Was baptized Catholic as a child, but has not celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist? We offer an opportunity to come together in a small group to learn more about our faith in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. Sessions focus on the teachings and experience of the Church and prepare individuals to celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist during the Easter season. For information, please contact email RE@stphilipsparish.com or call the rectory at 703-573-3808.

High School Youth Pancakes and Prayers

Regularly scheduled high school youth ministry is back!! This year we're meeting every other week beginning September 8 from 6-8pm in Room 4. Bring your friends! We also pray Morning Prayer together every Friday morning in the main church beginning at 6:30am. Start your day strong with a dose of prayer and breakfast at St. Philip!

Introducing PhAnThom Ministries for Middle Schoolers

St. Philip, St. Anthony and St. Thomas More parishes are teaming up for a rip-roaring, thrilling, wild series of Friday night events for middle schoolers this fall! Beginning September 13 at 7:00 pm, we'll meet at the gym at St. Anthony's for games, snacks and fun. We'll be providing rides from St. Philip, just email Mary Walker at stphilipsyouthministry@gmail.com for details and a permission slip.

Email and Texting Scam

Please be aware: No one from St. Philip will EVER email you asking for gift cards or your credit card information. If this happens to you, please let us know immediately and also report the fraudulent email or call to your email provider and law enforcement, if appropriate. Find out more about these scams on the Federal Trade Commission website.