St. Philip Celebrates the Jubilee Year
of St. Francis of Assisi
Consecration of the Nation to the Sacred Heart
Beginning on June 3rd and finishing on June 12th, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Philip will be participating in novena of the Sacred Heart in honor of the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the United States of America. The US bishops have invited all to participate in this great moment of our country through this special devotion. Join us at the conclusion of all Masses during these days for this unique novena for our country.
Additional resources in the vestibule and online.
Fr. Donahue Announcement
This past Tuesday, May 12, Bishop Burbidge released the list of new assignments for the priests of the Diocese of Arlington. As always, his list brought important news for our Diocese; this year, the list marks a significant transition for Father Donahue and the our parish.
Father Donahue's name is on that list – he will be retiring as pastor of St. Philip and taking up residence in the St. Rose of Lima Priests’ Retirement Villa in Annandale, VA starting June 25. The new pastor for St. Philip will be Fr. Jeb S. Donelan, a brother priest and friend whom he has known since his ordination in 2011.
Father Donahue has written a letter to parishioners sharing details about his retirement and about a “Parish Night of Gratitude” on Saturday, June 20, at 6:30 pm.
Naturalization Workshop - June 13
Hogar Legal - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington will be hosting a naturalization workshop this June, helping eligible lawful permanent residents apply for U.S. citizenship with the support of trained legal staff and volunteers. There services are offered at a very low cost to ensure accessibility for all.
Workshop Details
Saturday, June 13, 2026
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
1190 Lawyers Road, Reston, VA 20191 3304
Time for workshops: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact: citizenship.hogar@ccda.net
Tel: (703) 534-9805 ext. 1514 or 1507
There is a cost of $135 to attend. Please see detail in the flyers or visit Https://ccda.net/citizenship-application-assistance/
Pope Leo XIV releases his first encyclical: ‘Magnifica humanitas’
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical was released on May 25 and sets out the Church’s social teaching for the age of artificial intelligence. In writing this, Pope Leo XIV addresses this great challenge of our current time. He appeals for the safeguarding of humanity, promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace.
Bishop Burbidge encourages us to join him over the coming days to read 'Magnifica Humanitas' in its entirety and prayerfully considering all that the Holy Father shares. The document is in five chapters and can be found below at the Vatican's website.
Celebrating Faith + Freedom at Diocesan Festival: June 13
The Diocesan Festival returns!
Save the date for the 2026 Diocesan Festival on Saturday, June 13 in Berryville, Virginia! Join thousands of Catholics from across the Diocese at the Clarke County Fairgrounds for a joyful celebration of faith, freedom and community.
As in years past, the festival will open by giving thanks to God with a Vigil Mass celebrated by Bishop Burbidge, followed by live music, food and drink, amusement rides for children, local vendors, and so much more fun for the whole family.
Please RSVP in advance to help with proper food planning
From the Desk of Fr. Donahue
Trinity Sunday
Dear Friends in Christ,
Peace to you from the Rectory! It is definitely a time of change at St. Philip, with me leaving and Fr. Jeb taking over as pastor. Another big change is Mrs. Pam Copley stepping down as Director of Religious Education (DRE) at the end of next month. Since Pam let me know last June of her intention to retire, she has been keenly aware of completing the “last” of many important events—her last Easter Vigil, her last Confirmation, her last group for First Communions, her last parent meeting, her last classes, and so on.
As Pam nears her retirement date, I asked her what she liked most about being DRE. She smiled and immediately described her enjoyment in getting to know the families through parent interviews at registration time. Because Pam was so attentive in that initial encounter, parents felt comfortable approaching her as their children advanced through the program. This personal attention has been a big part of the demanding work Pam has carried out for over 20 years at St. Philip as DRE. She is due a well-deserved rest, with much time to visit her grandchildren in the years to come. As Pam leaves her beloved work, we offer her our gratitude and congratulations on a job well done—thank you, Pam!
Stepping up to fill the position of DRE is Betty Morales, who has extensive experience in youth ministry at several parishes and has served professionally as an English–Spanish translator at various medical establishments in Northern Virginia. I am so grateful for Betty’s interest in this ministry and for her Spanish-speaking abilities. Betty is also a dog lover—at one of our first meetings, she shared live-cam videos of her two dogs, and I showed her my desktop screensaver featuring Fr. Steven’s dog, Brutus! Welcome, Betty, to St. Philip and to your new position as DRE!
This send-off for Pam and welcome for Betty is a natural segue into another of the Ten Steps of Conversion of St. Francis of Assisi, which the parish has been highlighting this year in honor of St. Francis. With a growing sensitivity to those in need and an increasing devotion to the Lord’s Passion, the “image of the Crucified” became ever-present to Francis—in every meeting, in every conversation, and in every part of nature.
This step in the conversion of St. Francis reminds us that the goal of Catholic formation is not simply knowledge about Christ, but a living awareness of His presence in our daily lives. In a certain sense, this awareness is the goal of our RE program: that our parents and children be so filled with Christ that He is experienced as ever-present, primarily in the Sacraments, which in turn inspires them to serve the Crucified Lord in the people around them. Reflecting on this step of Francis’ ongoing conversion is an inspiration to see and serve Christ in all that we do. It also highlights the work of the DRE—a work at which Pam has labored so faithfully for many years and which Betty now joyfully begins. St. Francis of Assisi—pray for us! St. Philip the Apostle—pray for us!
Yours in Christ, 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)
Give online to the work of the Church
Upcoming Events
Religious Education Registration - starts Jun 8
Enrollment for the 2026-2027 academic year will start on June 8th. We hope to have the information, calendar and forms available on the website, outside the RE office, and in the parish office.
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.
Who We Are: St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church
Our Mission:
To Know, Love and Serve Our Lord Jesus Christ. And, like St. Philip the Apostle, to share Christ with the people in our lives, our families, and our communities.
Our Vision:
We envision St. Philip Parish as a family of God's children, set aflame by the joy of the Gospel, a community of disciples inviting the world to "come and see."
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