Saint Jerome Institute (SJI), an independent Catholic School, is establishing a second location in Northern Virginia here at St. Philip beginning in Fall 2026: Learn more at their Open House on November 2
October is the Month of the Holy Rosary
A message from Bishop Burbidge
Father Donahue wanted the entire parish to see request, sent by the Bishop, that was received by all priest in the Diocese, including himself.
Dear Brother Priests,
As you are aware, October is traditionally observed by the Church as the month of the Holy Rosary. Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV made a special appeal to all the faithful, inviting us to pray the Rosary daily throughout the month of October for the cause of peace in our world.
I ask you to join me in supporting the Holy Father’s request by encouraging your parishioners to take up the Rosary each day, whether individually, as families, or in parish communities. The Rosary is one of the most powerful devotions entrusted to us by Our Lady, and in these turbulent times, it remains a sure path to peace, conversion, and deeper love of Christ.
Our diocesan Office of Communications will be sharing the Holy Father’s invitation across diocesan platforms and social media to amplify this message. Please also consider highlighting this important invitation in your parish bulletins, websites, and announcements so that the faithful may be strengthened in their prayer.
Be assured of my continued prayers for your priestly ministry.
Fraternally in Christ,
Bishop Burbidge

St. Philip Celebrates the Month of the Holy Rosary
Planning for Eternity
An Estate Planning Event
Join us to hear a Catholic and holistic approach to help ready yourself for the complexities of end-of-life care by listening to an expert perspective on the basic principles of bioethics, and learn important tips on funeral planning and preparing to pass on your legacy after death.

40 Days for Life
Pray For Life September 24 - November 2
Join us in prayer at the abortion clinic at 900 S. Washington in Falls Church on Tuesday mornings after the 8 am Mass. Fr. Briggs will lead us most Tuesdays.
In addition, there is a pro-life rosary after the 7 pm Mass in the church on Mondays.
Whether you pray onsite, at church or at home, please join us in praying for an end to the injustice of abortion.
VCC Election Hub
Election 2025: An Evening with the VCC
October 29 - 7:45 p.m. Hayden Hall
Jeff Caruso, Executive Director of the Virginia Catholic Conference will discuss what is at stake in this upcoming election regarding extreme abortion amendment to the Virginia constitution.
This year in Virginia, elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and all 100 Virginia House of Delegates seats are coming.
While every year in Virginia is an election year, this November’s elections are poised to have an outsized impact on our Commonwealth as our state legislators continue to consider three proposed constitutional amendments, including an extreme constitutional amendment establishing a “right” to abortion.
As you prepare yourself to vote, please review this document on the Four Principle of Catholic Social Teaching that provide a framework for decisions in public life.
Constitutional Amendment Proposals Flyer ( English | Spanish )
Candidate Comparison Charts for:
- the Governor’s Race ( English | Spanish )
- the Lt. Governor’s Race ( English | Spanish )
- the Attorney General’s Race ( English | Spanish )

Join Bishop Burbidge every Friday in October in prayer and fasting for grace to move hearts, transform lives, and elect leaders who uphold the dignity of every human life.
There is an extreme abortion amendment that could advance or be halted by the legislators elected this November.
From the Desk of Fr. Donahue
25th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Dear Friends in Christ,

This month of October is a key month for us. For many, this month is a month in which we enjoy the Season of Autumn with all its delightful aromas and colors. However, the month of October is also Respect Life Month in which we remind ourselves of the great gift of life. In my letters during this important month, we will be discussing four topics that pertain to protecting the rights of all human life in the public sphere, namely, human dignity, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity. This week, we will explore the first of these, human dignity.
In order to get a full understanding of the importance of human dignity, we must first begin with a proper understanding of what human dignity is and how it shapes our understanding of who man is. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we find the topic of hu-man dignity at the beginning of the section that covers man’s actions, especially in light of the 10 Commandments. The Catechism states that man’s dignity is rooted in being created in the image and likeness of God, which is then fulfilled in his vocation to sanctity in heaven that man must direct himself toward, and is perfected here on earth through growth in virtue, both spiritual and natural (see CCC #1700).
We learn this key role of human dignity throughout Sacred Scripture, especially in the book of Genesis in the two accounts of man’s creation (see Gen. 1:26-31, 2:7), but also we see God upholding man’s dignity even after the Fall (see Gen. Gen. 3:21). Throughout the rest of Scripture, we see that when man falls into sin such as murder, lust, greed, or unjust anger, not only do these sins violate our relationship with God as their primary consequence, but also these sins harm the dignity that is due to each person because they are created in God’s image. Fundamentally, the dignity of a human being is rooted in his identity.
The question we can then ask ourselves is, “Why is it so important to bring up human dignity, and how does it affect our daily lives?” The answer to these questions lies in the fact that if we get a poor understanding of who man is, then the laws and principles that help guide society will soon crumble. To state it in the light of theology, if we have a mis-guided anthropology, then our morality will soon fall away, and sin will rule supreme in our lives. However, by seeing that each human life possesses dignity simply by existing, we are able to guide our laws and legislation in a way that protects human beings from being unjustly denied their rights.
We see the violation of the dignity of the human person especially through the torment of abortion in our culture. Here in our Commonwealth of Virginia, we are currently seeing a push in our legislature to enshrine abortion in the constitution of the Commonwealth, thereby violating the dignity of thousands of innocent children in the womb. Currently, there are a number of modest protections against abortion, such as parental consent for minors and a prohibition on partial-birth abortion, but these safeguards would be
jeopardized with the passing of this amendment to the constitution of the Commonwealth.
As we approach Election Day on November 4th, we Catholics have the responsibility to elect representatives in our Commonwealth who will uphold human dignity, especially the dignity of the most vulnerable in the womb.
May Christ’s Peace be with you,
Fr. Donahue
Mass, Confession, Adoration and Prayer Times
Saturday Vigil Mass:
5:30 pm
Sunday Mass:
8:00 am & 10:30 am in English
1:00 pm in Spanish
4:00 pm Bilingual
Daily Mass:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am and 7:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am
Morning Prayer:
Monday - Saturday: 7:30 am
Confession:
Heard in English and Spanish
Sunday 12:45 pm; Monday 7:00 am; Tuesday 4:00 pm; Wednesday 7:00 am; Friday 8:30 am, 3:30 & 7:30 pm; Saturday 8:30 am & 4:00 pm
Also available by appointment.
Eucharistic Adoration:
Every Friday: 3-6:30 pm; 7:30-8:30 pm
First Saturday Rosary and Reflection:
7:00 am
First Friday Adoration:
3-6:30 pm; 7:30 pm through 7:30 am Saturday
Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet in English:
Every Monday after the 7:00 pm Mass
Rosary in Spanish:
Every Sunday 12:40 pm (before the 1:00 pm Mass)
Divine Mercy Chaplet in Spanish:
Every Sunday 3:40 pm (before the 4:00 pm Mass)
Upcoming Events
Youth & Family Service Day - Oct 18
Youth & Family Service Day: Sat., Oct. 18,
10 am-2 pm (round-trip)
Celebrate the Feast of St. Luke, who wrote the "Gospel of the Poor," with service! We will meet at the St. Philip par-ish office at 10am and depart for Catholic Charities' St. Lucy Food Distribution (Manassas) to help sort food for those in need.
Space is limited, so please contact Sister Marie Benedict or return your registration form (in the vestibule) asap
Faith on Fire: A Young Adult Meeting - Oct 23
Faith on Fire: A Young Adult Meeting
Thursday, October 23 starting at 7:30pm, talk begins at 8pm (ends around 9pm) at the fire pit on the field
Faith on Fire will host Grace and Patrick Phan, who will be sharing a beautiful testimony to how God has worked in their life.
S’mores, snacks, and refreshments will be provided for enjoyment, but please feel free to bring your own snacks or drinks to share! Note: In the event of adverse weather, the event will be moved indoors to Room 4 in St Philip’s (same time). Please reach out to George with any questions (gvwieber@gmail.com)
Make Detergent for Food Pantry - Oct 25
Saturday, October 25 from 9:00 to 11:00 am in Hayden Hall
Join us for a Workshop on How to Make Laundry Detergent as part of the Diocesan Week of Service: Love in Action through Service in Community. The soap produced will be given to families receiving food at our Food Pantry during the diocesan week of service. By giving our food pantry clients ways to save money in other areas, it will free up resources to put towards other needs.
No experience needed—just willing hands and a caring heart!
Heaven In Your Home - Oct 25
You’re invited - your kids too - to meet up with other Catholic families to build community and support one another in making home a little taste of heaven for the renewal of faith and culture. Come hear a brief presentation and share in small group conversations while kids play. Child care will be available. The evening includes a pot-luck style dinner, dessert and fellowship!
This is a Heaven in Your Home free event for the whole family (single parents welcome) on Saturday October 25 from 5-7 pm in Room 2.
St. Joseph Day - Oct 25
Boys in grades 6-12, with fathers welcome, save the date to join us for faith, fellowship, and food, featuring our new Saints, Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati.
Election 2025 - Oct 29
Election 2025
October 29 - 7:45 p.m. Hayden Hall
Jeff Caruso, Executive Director of the Virginia Catholic Conference will discuss what is at stake in this upcoming election regarding extreme abortion amendment to the Virginia constitution. Every seat in the House Delegates is on the ballot as is the governor and lieutenant governor.
Saints and Salsa - Nov 01
All ages are welcome (including parents) to celebrate All Saints Day with games, prayer, learning...and salsa! Meet in front of the church.
News & Notes
Inclement Weather Policy
When there is bad weather, the St. Philip Office follows Federal Government Closings. If the Federal government is closed, the office is closed and all activities are canceled.
In addition, if Fairfax County Public County Schools are closed, all activities are canceled, even if the office is open.
Mass and Confession are never cancelled. In all cases safety is first and foremost, if you cannot safely walk or drive -- stay home.
No Longer Need Offertory Envelopes? Let Us Know!
If you donate through Parish Giving and are still receiving offertory envelopes but don't want or need them, please contact the Rectory Office or (703) 573-3808 and we can remove you from the list. Please contact us by May 15 to be removed from the next envelope mailing.
Food Pantry: Distribution Times and Support
Email the Food PantryPlease remember to pick up items for our Food Pantry when doing your grocery shopping. We need oil, rice,, heartly soups, peanut butter and jelly, and drinks. We also need reusable bags (not paper.) And please do not donate expired items- we cannot give out expired food. we cannot accept any kind of petfood.
You can also donate via our Amazon Wish List.
As a reminder, the Food Pantry is open for food distribution on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month starting at 8:30 am. For more information, please email secretary@stphilipfc.org
PORTA FIDEI: Digital portal to spiritually fortifying courses
The Arlington Diocese has launched the first course in its new online platform to provide, not just the faithful, but anyone, with digital access to intellectually engaging, and spiritually fortifying courses.
Visit: https://www.portafidei.com/
Porta Fidei is brought to you by the Catholic Diocese of Arlington and produced by its Office of Communications. Course are available at no cost. Be among the first to signup for these courses.
FORMED: Catholic Content Online
Formed is the premier Catholic streaming service, bringing beautiful and faithful Catholic content to parishes, families, and individuals around the world.
Parishioners can join this service at no cost through St. Philip's parish account.
Signing up for Formed is quick and easy. Just follow the simple instructions below.
1. Go to formed.org/signup
2. Search for your parish by Zip Code/ Postal Code. Click on your parish.
3. Register with your first and last name, and email address
4. Your account will be created, and you will automatically be signed in.