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Back to Basics
Beginning Again with Mary
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Dear Friends in Christ,
There is something edifying about New Year’s resolutions. Even if many (most?) of us abandon them by the end of the month, the desire to begin again and to use time for improvement is a good thing. Time is indeed given to us so that we can strive for something greater – and begin again as often as we need to.
The Church celebrates January 1st as the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (yes, it is a holy day of obligation). That’s her most fundamental title, from which all others flow. So perhaps we can use this feast to inspire some basic, fundamental resolutions for our spiritual life. For example, daily reading of scripture or some spiritual book, a daily Rosary, monthly Confession, praying as a couple, daily Mass, spending an hour in Eucharistic adoration, etc.
As we enter the new year with Mary, we can involve her in our resolutions as well. Rather than making a resolution as just a matter of self-improvement, make it an offering to Mary, something you will undertake out of devotion to her. At the same time, ask her to assist you with your resolution, so that you can stick with it…and get back to it if you fail on occasion.
Happy New Year!
Updates…
Speaking of New Year’s resolutions… How about committing to one hour of adoration on First Fridays? First Friday Vigil begins at 730pm 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.
Epiphany Water Blessing… is Monday, January 5th at 7pm. Bring a bottle of water to be blessed.
The annual March for Life will soon be upon us. Make plans now to join our pro-life group on Friday January 23rd. For more information click here.
This Sunday, the feast of the Epiphany, we will have blessed chalk available for parishioners to take home for blessing their homes.
The Tragedy of Eileen Mihich-As the push for legalized euthanasia gains momentum in our country and in our state, I encourage you to watch The Tragedy of Eileen Mihich produced by Aging with Dignity.
Saint Vincent de Paul Discernment…Our parish office receives many calls asking for assistance in paying rent, utilities, cars repairs, medical prescriptions, and other needs. Unfortunately, we don’t have a systematic, organized way to evaluate and respond to such requests effectively. Additionally, we would love to give you the opportunity to serve the poor in our community as an avenue for your continued spiritual growth. The St. Vincent de Paul Society, operating across the country and in 13 parishes in our Diocese, seems to offer a solution.
Last October, I met with the pastors of St. Philip and St. Anthony and the St. Vincent de Paul Society Council president for our area. We concluded that it would be a good idea to establish a single, joint St. Vincent de Paul Society conference to serve the poor collaboratively in the greater Falls Church area.
Now, we are still in the discernment stage. The first step is to gather interested parishioners from all three parishes in a meeting in which the St. Vincent de Paul Council president will provide a presentation followed by a Q&A session. This is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27th, at St. James. Please see the bulletin for details as we approach that date.
Additional Humor
All puns make me feel numb. But math puns make me feel number.
Through the intercession of our Lady and Saint James, may the Lord bless and keep you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Scalia