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In Christ We Are One
Promoting Oneness in Christ
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Dear Friends in Christ,
Every Sunday we profess our faith that the Church is one. It’s an essential mark of Christ’s true Church. We are one because we all profess the same faith, receive the same sacraments, and are under the same governance. On a universal level, this oneness is expressed and embodied in the Pope. The one shepherd in this world reflects the oneness of all Catholics.
On a local level, Catholic unity is expressed in the bishop. Thus, Bishop Burbidge represents for us the oneness of all Catholics in our Diocese. He is the priest and shepherd for the diocese. The rest of us simply participate in and extend his ministry.
Which brings us to this year’s Bishop’s Lenten Appeal (BLA). The theme is In Christ We are One. By participation in the BLA, we further the work of the Bishop throughout the Diocese and thus promote and deepen the essential oneness of the Church in our area.
The BLA is for the Diocese what the Sunday collection is for the parish. It funds the regular running of things at the Chancery and beyond. Perhaps its greatest importance is that it addresses needs that are beyond the ability of any one parish to address. For example…
1. Property. We need to build churches. That’s not a problem in a lot of places, but we are blessed with growth. The Diocese recently purchased a facility in the Shenandoah Valley to address the overcrowding in parishes out there.
2. College Chaplaincy. Our Diocese has several colleges and universities in its boundaries, including George Mason, one of the state’s largest. Thankfully, we have vibrant chaplaincies at each one, including a new ministry at Shenandoah University.
3. Seminarians. We are blessed with 40 men in formation for ordination to the priesthood. The twelve men Bishop Burbidge ordained last year (including our own Father Tim) have been replenished by 13 accepted into the program this fall (including our own Drew Niklason). We are blessed. And every blessing also includes a task, which in this case is to provide the best formation possible for these future ministers of the Gospel.
This Sunday we will have in-pew commitments. I will speak at every Mass (which means there’s no escape). Between now and then, please give thought and prayer to your Lenten sacrifice to the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal, to help spread the One Faith throughout our Diocese.
Meanwhile, please review Bishop Burbidge’s message, the various works and ministry supported by the BLA, and how to make a pledge today.
Thank you in advance for your generosity. May God reward you!
Updates…
First Friday Adoration First Friday Vigil begins at 730pm this Friday with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the praying of Vespers. Adoration continues throughout the night, concluding before 830am Mass on Saturday. We are still in need of adorers. Come spend time with our Lord in adoration.
Saint Vincent de Paul Discernment – Together with Saint Anthony and Saint Philip Parishes, we are in the process of discerning the establishment of a Saint Vincent de Paul Society for the Falls Church area. If you are interested in how we can better serve those in need in our area, please come to our rescheduled informational meeting on Monday, February 16th at 7pm.
WorkCamp...we need your help. More than two dozen high school students hope to attend Diocesan WorkCamp this summer (June 20-26). Currently we do not have enough adult volunteers to accompany them all. Please give some thought and prayer to volunteering for this, to help make this week of faith and service possible. One adult volunteer said, “My first WorkCamp was transformative for my faith which is one of the reasons I keep coming back every year.” To learn more, visit our WorkCamp page and/or email Andy Newton at [email protected]. Crew leaders do not need skills in repair work but if you are handy with home repairs, please consider volunteering as a contractor. Click here to watch a recap of a recent week at WorkCamp.
It’s not too soon to begin planning for Lent. Please make note of two opportunities to grow in faith and prayer. First, the Lenten 10:10 challenge from Evangelical Catholic’s Reach More. Second, a parish discernment retreat on Saturday, February 28th, sponsored by the Ignatian Discernment Institute.
Speaking of Lent...the next installment in our Speaker Series is perfect for the season: Why I Hate to Forgive (but probably should anyway) by Dr. Timothy G. Lock. He’s the founder and director of the Goretti Center for Healing and Forgiveness and co-author of Choosing Forgiveness: Unleash the Power of God’s Grace. Join us on February 23rd at 7pm!
Contigo Youth Club Benefit – Join us for a fun evening of live music with Ben-David Warner on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in Heller Hall. Doors open at 6:30 PM, with the concert from 7:00–9:00 PM. Enjoy an uplifting night of music while supporting the mission of Contigo Youth Club, a local non-profit accompanying and empowering youth in an underserved area. All proceeds benefit. Tickets are available online at contigoyouth.org/benefitconcert.
Current Humor
Yesterday I opened the water bill and the electric bill at the same time. I was shocked.
Through the intercession of our Lady and Saint James, may the Lord bless and keep you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Scalia