St. Philip Celebrates the Jubilee Year
of St. Francis of Assisi
Movie Night: Francis of Assisi: May 23
St. Philip will show the movie Francis of Assisi in Hayden Hall on Saturday, May 23 at 7:15 pm, after the Freshly made popcorn and light snacks will be provided. The evening is open to parishioners and the public. Bring the family.
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. Briggs
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Dear Friends in Christ,
We are already at the halfway point of the Easter Season as we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Easter this weekend. In just a few short weeks, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, followed by the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As we move through this holy season, I pray that you are brought closer to Jesus in the hope of his Resurrection that he offers to each of us.
This Sunday is commonly called, “Good Shepherd Sunday” because each year, our Gospel passage is taken from John Chapter 10, also known as the, “Good Shepherd Discourse.” Here at St. Philip’s, we have a concrete reminder of the presence of the Good Shepherd in our stained glass window that shows Jesus leaving the ninetynine sheep to save the one lost sheep from the dangers of sin and death. What a blessing to see what God is willing to do for us foolish sheep!
Good Shepherd Sunday is also the day in which we celebrate “World Day of Vocations.” In our lives, we are indebted to all those who said “yes” to follow the Lord in their vocation, especially all priests and consecrated religious, but also to those who follow the Lord in the Sacrament of Marriage. Like young sheep, we follow the example of those who lead us in living the life of holiness in their vocation. All of us are united in prayer that the Good Shepherd will continue to call men and women to the priesthood and the consecrated life in the Church. To all our young people, if you are experiencing a call from God, do not be afraid to place your plans in His hands. He is not outdone in generosity.
As we continue through this holy season of Easter, I wish to continue to share with you my account of the recent pilgrimage to Italy and Poland that I took this past March. Today, I wish to share with you a little bit about my encounter with St. Carlo Acutis, a Saint who has become very popular over the past number of years, and who was canonized in September 2025. As you may recall, I wrote a previous letter regarding his life in July 2024, so today I will talk a little more about my encounters with him during my pilgrimage to Assisi.
For St. Carlo, Assisi was the town in which he grew up, and is now the location for his final resting place. In the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, one is able to visit the tomb in which his body is kept, and I had the opportunity to concelebrate a Mass there while on my visit. Many hundreds of people visit his tomb every day.
May Christ's Peace be with you, Fr. Briggs
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
Eat, Drink & Be Catholic - Apr 26
Our next Eat, Drink & Be Catholic is scheduled for Sunday April 26. Parishioner Scarlet Sandoval will talk about her mission trips.
Please bring a dish to share (serves 4 to 6 people) and invite a friend. The evening starts with evening prayer in the Church, then moves to Hayden Hall for the pot luck dinner.
Faith on Fire - Apr 30
Young Adults are invited to the fire pit outside - left of the main church entrance (we will move to Room 4 in case of rain) for a speaker series event - our speaker this month will be Dawn Beutner, editor of a recent collection of Mother Cabrini’s personal letters (published by Ignatius Press).
In addition to the talk, we will also have discussion and fellowship afterwards. Snacks and refreshments will be provided for enjoyment, but please feel free to bring your own snacks or drinks to share!
Eat, Drink & Be Catholic - May 17
Due to the Memorial Day holiday, May's Eat, Drink & Be Catholic will be held mid-month on Sunday, May 17, as celebrate those who received Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion) this spring and those beginning new phases in life.
Please bring a dish to share (serves 4 to 6 people) and invite a friend. The evening starts with evening prayer in the Church, then moves to Hayden Hall for the pot luck dinner.
Easter Planting Day - May 02
Easter Planting Day
Saturday, May 2 at 10 am - 12 pm
Celebrate the gifts we have received during the Easter season with planting! All ages are welcome to this collaboration between St. Philip and the St. Jerome Institute, concluding with prayers at the St. Francis Garden. If possible, please bring your own gloves and shovels.
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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