Consecration to Jesus through Mary

Consecration to Jesus Through Mary

Our Pastor, Rev. Christopher Murphy invites each member of the parish to join in on our parish-wide consecration “to
Jesus through Mary”. To prepare for this, on the weekend of Oct 30-31 each family will be given the gift of one copy of “33 Days to Morning Glory,” a booklet containing daily readings designed to awaken our love for Our Most Holy Mother, who then powerfully draws us closer to her Son and to His great Love and Mercy.

Individuals and families should begin the daily readings at home on Friday, Nov. 5th to culminate on December 8,
Feast of the Immaculate Conception. During each Mass on this holy day of obligation, our Pastor will lead us in reciting an Act of Consecration. It is recommended that not only individuals, but also entire families do these readings, so that
the “parish” consecration will have even greater meaning.

Whenever we consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary our Holy Mother, we are transformed and strengthened in our Faith. If you have done the Marian Consecration in the past, it is recommended to do the preparation and consecration annually, since Mary always leads us closer to Jesus, her son.

Please join us in this parish-wide effort!

SKD to Kick Off Cornerstone Campaign

St. Katharine Drexel Mission announced plans to kick off its Cornerstone Campaign as the last step to raising the funds needed to complete the building of our new parish church. Informational letters and Cornerstone Campaign Pledge Forms will be mailed to all parishioners in mid-October.

The SKD Cornerstone Campaign will run from November 1, 2021 – October 31, 2024. You can contribute to the campaign monthly, quarterly, annually, or make a one-time payment, whatever works best for your situation. We just ask that you please complete the pledge form. The diocese will consider funds pledged through the SKD Cornerstone Campaign Pledge Form, as well as funds received, toward the attainment of our $600,000 goal.

You may also access the campaign brochure and pledge form below:

Cornerstone Campaign Brochure

Cornerstone Campaign Pledge Form

Diocesan Marian Pilgrimage 2021

Bishop Michael Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, invites you to join him to mark this “Year of St. Joseph” at the diocesan Marian pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, October 30  from 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event! Individual pilgrims and families are welcomed to participate on their own and there is no registration required to attend.

If you need transportation or if you can provide a ride for fellow pilgrims, please contact SSM/SKD Parish Captain, Pat Lorzing, via email plorzing@gmail.com by September 30.

For details, please see the website: https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/2021/marian-pilgrimage

Sunday Mass Celebration Moving to BHS – September 5

So many of us love attending Mass at Four Hills Farm! It is with mixed emotions that we are moving back into the PWC School system. For multiple reasons, we are making a switch. We are moving to Battlefield High School! It is closer to our future home, we can provide in-person RE classes again and it provides easy access to all who wish to celebrate Mass.

Beginning September 5, 2021
St. Katharine Drexel will begin celebrating Mass on Sundays at the Battlefield High School auditorium at 10:30 AM. BHS is located at 15000 Graduation Drive in Haymarket, VA. Please enter through Door #4 Auditorium (across from the football field).

Mass Time: 10:30 AM

Parking: Between the Football Stadium and Auditorium Entrance

Religious Education: Begins September 12th
SKD Religious Education classes will be held at Battlefield High School each Sunday from 9:00 AM-10:15AM. Please enter the building through Door #4 Auditorium.

Pastor’s Piece – July 25, 2021

A concerned parishioner inquired about Pope Francis’ latest Moto Proprio, Traditio custodes. This is his mandate that the liberal use of the old-style Latin Mass be curtailed. The pre-Vatican II style of offering Mass was expanded by Pope Benedict XVI’s Moto Proprio Sumorum Ponificum, which gave greater legitimacy and access to the use the Mass prior to the Second Vatican Council. He called that Mass the “Extraordinary Form” and that which is most used, the “Ordinary Form”. Pope Benedict’s pastoral concern was that those who wished to practice the Extraordinary Form not be alienated or estranged from the Church. Pope Francis’ pastoral concern is the popularity of the Extraordinary Form. He fears that its increase in popularity may diminish the Ordinary Form and contribute to divisions. Thus he wishes for there to be greater unity, or at least uniformity.

The point of the inquiry from a parishioner was a concern of our use of Latin at Mass. Gratefully, Pope Francis’ pronouncement has no effect on our worship. Perhaps what we need to understand when we hear the word Latin Mass, is that it is being used colloquially and not accurately. It often refers to what P. Benedict XVI called the Extraordinary Form, but in reality, the Latin Mass is what we celebrate every day at the parish. We are the Latin Rite Church. Our headquarters is in Rome. The language of the Church called Latin is not surprisingly Latin. The issue addressed by Pope Francis has little to do with the use of the language in our rituals, because the template of all our rituals in the Roman Catholic Church is Latin. It is with special permission prompted from the Second Vatican Council that the use of vernacular in our rituals is allowed. But underneath the special permission of a modern language translation is the Latin Rite in Latin. And so, our practice at SSM and SKD of sprinkling some Latin verses here and there throughout the year at various liturgical seasons is a mere homage. It is just pealing back the contemporary extraordinary permission to see the actual foundation of the liturgy.

Speaking of reforming the celebration of Mass, there are some things to be mindful of. A couple of years ago Bishop Burbidge explained that it is not part of the Roman Rite to hold hands during the Our Father. That is, as a community that has a common ritual that bring us together, this gesture is not in common. Perhaps it is a shared and dear custom of your family? If so, I ask that you keep it to your family or those in proximity who shares this sentiment.

Speaking of sharing with your families, we haven’t gone back to the Sign of Peace. One reason is that we must follow the instructions of Bishop Burbidge. That is, it is only to be shared with those from your household. So, for the simplicity of not having to explain that at every Mass, I’m not inviting the congregation to offer the Sign of Peace.

You may have noticed the invitation for new recruits to serve at SSM a few weeks back. Five new boys answered the call. Now, I’m free to give SKD some needed attention. If there are boys in your homes ages 11 to 17, I need help. I’ll train them for an hour or less after Mass on August 15.

Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Murphy

Pastor’s Piece – July 18, 2021

There are some topics that I bring up in a Sunday homily every so often that always seem to be of interest and news to many of you. Last Sunday’s Gospel passage concluded with, “The Twelve … anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” (Mk 6:13) And so, it was appropriate to speak on a misunderstood sacrament the Anointing of the Sick. The following are catechetical highlights we all need to know about this sacrament.

The above passage from Mark is where Christ institutes the sacrament. The Letter of St. James teaches how the Apostolic Tradition put it to use. “Are there people sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up. If they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them.” (Jas 5:13-15)

We keep in mind, though, the reading from St. Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Corinthians, where he spoke of suffering with this mysterious “thorn in the flesh”. He learned from the Lord that “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2Cor 12:9) Such it is, that suffering, at times, is to be endured.

Regardless of the physical benefits we may or may not receive from the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, a person’s soul is cleansed from his sins and restored completely to the sanctifying grace that allows him to enter heaven. In such a state of grace, the sick person isn’t the only beneficiary. He is now a more effective instrument of grace for others. “The sick person … through the grace of this sacrament, contributes to the sanctification of the Church and to the good of all men for whom the Church suffers and offers herself through Christ to God the Father.” (CCC1522)

The Catechism clarifies that one doesn’t need to be on his death bed. “The Anointing of the Sick ‘is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.’” (CCC 1514) This sacrament isn’t meant to be a one-shot deal like Baptism or Confirmation. “If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced.” (CCC 1515)

I provide this information for your personal edification, but also to deputize you. I need you to call me when you know of a  Catholic who needs these benefits. I still make house-calls.

Christ’s Peace
Fr. Murphy

 

Pastor’s Piece – July 11, 2021

I hope that everybody enjoyed the Independence Day. We had a very successful gathering of happy parishioners from both SSM & SKD for the Middleburg firework display. We are all indebted to our Fr. Jon O’Brien Knights of Columbus Council. Thank you, brother Knights for manning the grill et al! Additionally, we thank Dennis and Celeste Corrigan and their Mosquito Joe enterprise. I didn’t suffer one irritating bite.

It’s interesting to think of how our celebration of independence depends on so much. Not only did the nation’s forefathers sacrifice so much to provide us a nation free of tyranny, but how much effort did our fireworks depend on freedom from storm, pestilence, or civil unrest? We are rather very much dependent independents. With good reason we safeguard our independence, as we ought to care for our personal health, but we ought never forget upon which so many blessings depend.

Indeed, like a good parent, our providential God wants us to thrive and be happy. As our parents wish to see us fly the nest, God the Father is the origin of independent living. He gave us a free will to accomplish freedom. Yet at the same time how miserable is the person who wants nothing to do with his parents. Perhaps there is the person with good reason never to speak to his parents, yet we all know that there is a bad reason behind that. God never gives us such a reason to cut ourselves off from Him. The present social discord of our society is symptomatic of this separation from the Source of our concord and peace. We do well to pray and put effort into drawing others back to the origin of He Who provides for our independence.

Those who caught my Mass on Independence Day heard this quote from Professor Daniel O’Connor that I think is worth sharing again. “A kite flies high and free, a marvel to all who see it, precisely because it is anchored. Sever this tether, and it quickly becomes just another piece of litter caught in a tree branch.” (https://dsdoconnor.com/2021/06/14/
the-present-new-era-ufos-aliens-the-prophetic-consensus-clarifications-on-my-last-post-and-more/
)

Various Incidentals:
There is an abundance of Tupperware and other food containers that have become independent from many of you. Perhaps they can return. If not, they’ll find a home in the cabinets of the Parish Hall.

This Tuesday, July 13, there will not be 8:30 AM Mass.

Christ’s Peace,

Fr. Murphy

Pastor’s Piece – July 4, 2021

If you don’t have plans for fireworks this Independence Day, consider the front porch of the church. Middleburg is returning to their annual fireworks display. I invite you all to join me at our church’s front steps for one of the best views of the display without the hassle of traffic, parking, or fees. The Knights of Columbus have agreed to grill hamburgers and hot dogs for us. Feel free to bring a side and beverage. Fireworks are scheduled at 9:15 PM. We’ll start gathering at 7:00 PM.

Speaking of important anniversaries, Bishop Burbidge is preparing for our diocese to mark its 50th Anniversary in 2024. That year and the years leading up to it will have a variety of events and themes that have yet to be determined. Nevertheless, it has come to my attention a significant event that will interest of many of you and for which we should plan. So, I wish to get this date out on your calendars ASAP. On June 25, 2022, Bishop Burbidge is organizing a pilgrimage to Philadelphia to visit the remains of St. John Neuman and St. Katharine Drexel. Speaking of pilgrimages, the diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is this October 30. More information to follow.

I’ve been blessed as the recipient of many kind and delicious meals prepared by so many of you over the years. Perhaps, you have wondered where you favorite Tupperware container has gotten to. So many of them started to pile up at the rectory before the pandemic that I had intended to try to return them, but then all of a sudden, I no longer saw so many of you. Blessedly, the flock is returning with regularity. If per chance, you think that you have a missing food storage container, please, visit the parish hall where I’ve placed them on the countertop.

Christ’s Peace
Fr. Murphy

Pastor’s Piece – June 27, 2021

Religious Freedom Week started on the Feast of St. Thomas More, June 22, and extends to the Solemnity of SS. Peter and Paul, June 29. It is a good time for us to take to prayer, with devotions, attending Masses and making sacrifices to aid the cause of religious liberty in our land. The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops brings to our attention some important issues.

You may have heard of a very promising decision from the Supreme Court recently regarding religious liberty. The Court ruled unanimously by a decision in favor of Catholic Charities in Philadelphia. The city had prohibited the Archdiocese from placing children in adopted homes because the church can’t morally place a child in a home without a mother and father. Nevertheless, we must be aware that the only reason that the customarily left leaning judges of the court agreed to this was because the scope of the decision was defined so narrowly to the particulars of the case so as not to be applied more broadly nation-wide. Therefore, what is needed is The Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act. (Contact your U.S. Senators and Representative today and ask them to co-sponsor and support the federal Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act.)

Another looming threat to religious liberty is the Equality Act. It is a bill that has passed the House of Representatives and will be presented to the Senate this summer. “The Equality Act purports to protect people experiencing same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria from discrimination in these and other areas. But at the core of the Equality Act is the codification of the new ideology of “gender” in federal law, dismissing sexual difference and falsely presenting “gender” as only a social construct.” (https://www.usccb.org/committees/religious-liberty/religious-freedom-week) “(It) is the most comprehensive assault on religious liberty, the right to life, and privacy rights ever packaged into one bill. Catholic hospitals would no longer be allowed to govern as Catholic facilities, threatening healthcare for everyone, especially the poor.” Bill Donohue, The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equality_Act_(United_States)

Opposition to the Equality Act needs the positive enforcement of the Conscience Protection Act. In recent years, “activists have sought to undermine the Church’s mission by forcing Catholic hospitals to perform procedures that destroy human life and undermine human flourishing, such as sterilization, gender reassignment surgery, and even abortion.” (USCCB, ibid.) The Conscience Protection Act would address deficiencies that block effective enforcement of existing laws, most notably by establishing a private right of action allowing victims of discrimination to defend their own rights in court. (Contact your elected officials in Congress and urge them to support the Conscience Protection Act!)

Our cherished freedom of speech is becoming strained. “Just this year, a book on problems with gender ideology by a prominent commentator was removed from Amazon. A Catholic news outlet had its Twitter account suspended for noting that a government official who claims to be a transgender woman is a biological male.” We need to speak up while we can. (USCCB, ibid.) Church Vandalism – “Recent years have seen a number of high-profile attacks on houses of worship. Beginning in May of 2020, there was a wave of attacks on Catholic churches and statues. Vandals entered churches and desecrated sanctuaries. A man in Florida even attempted to set a church on fire with people inside. There have been at least 61 attacks so far, and that number continues to grow.” (USCCB, ibid.)

Let’s be perfectly clear, this fits an historical pattern of persecution: from ancient Rome, the Iconoclasts of 8th & 9th centuries, Reformation England, the French Revolution, Soviet Russia, the Cristeros War in Mexico, and the Spanish Civil War. Such persecution always starts with the symbols of our faith, then progresses to the places of our faith, the churches, and then finally, the faithful. As far as the faithful are concerned, the clergy take the heat first. E.g., Thomas More heard of Bishop John Fisher’s execution from his jail cell.

Until we take to catacombs, let’s celebrate our freedom. Middleburg is returning to their annual fireworks display. I invite all of you to join me at our church’s front steps for one of the best views of the display without the hassle of traffic, parking or fees. The Knights of Columbus have agreed to grill hamburgers and hot dogs for us. Feel free to bring a side and beverage. Fireworks are scheduled at 9:15 PM. We’ll start gathering at 7:00 PM.

Christ’s Peace,

Fr. Murphy

Pastor’s Piece – June 20, 2021

This is Sunday is the moment of truth. Do we trust and obey the Church, or do we listen to fear, or perhaps it is only the message of enjoying the comfort of home on a Sunday morning? To be clear, Bishop Burbidge and his fellow bishops of Washington, Richmond, Baltimore, Wheeling-Charleston and Wilmington have declared today the day to get back to normal church going practices. The following exceptions are noted: “We welcome and encourage the Faithful to return to full in-person participation of the Sunday Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 1246-1247 and Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2180). This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus, another serious or contagious illness; those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or those with serious underlying health conditions. One should consult his or her local pastor if questions arise about the obligation to attend Mass (Canon 1245 and the Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 2181).”

Is it really a sin not to come to Mass if you don’t fall into the stated categories? Yes. Who says? God. He revealed to Moses the need to keep His day holy, Commandment #3. And so, the Jews observe the Sabbath, the last day of the week, Saturday, as their day to do this. “Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work … for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore, the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.” (Ex 20)

Tradition and scholars of Mosaic Law gave more details of how to keep the sabbath rest. Our Lord Himself observed these as He was known to gather and teach at synagogues on the Sabbath. Yet as we know, He taught that He is the Lord of the Sabbath. He famously took issue with scrupulous adherence to the man-made letter of the Law and not the spirit. “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” (Lk 14:5)

The Apostles, the close confidants of the Lord of the Sabbath, establish a Church that doesn’t keep the Sabbath on Saturday. Why not?

The Didache, a document that most scholars believe was written in the first century, perhaps before St. John’s Gospel, speaks of the obligation, “On the Lord’s own day, when you gather together after you break bread and give thanks (Or: celebrate the Eucharist), after you have confessed your unlawful deeds so that your sacrifice may be made pure.” (Loeb Classical Library, The Apostolic Fathers, Vol 1, p. 439) Of course, the author doesn’t define what day of the week is the “Lord’s Day”, but yet less than one hundred years later (AD 165), St. Justin Martyr is explaining to those in Rome, “On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members…. The recollections of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as there is time. When the reader has finished, the president of the assembly speaks to us; he urges everyone to imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings. Then we all stand up together and pray. On the conclusion of our prayer, bread and wine and water are brought forward. The president offers prayers and gives thanks to the best of his ability, and the people give assent by saying, “Amen.” The eucharist is distributed, everyone present communicates, and the deacons take it to those who are absent.” (Liturgy of the Hours, III Sunday of Easter, Office of Readings)

I hope to see everybody soon, or at least, hear if I need to make a home visit.

Calling all rising fourth grade boys and older at SSM parish. Let’s meet after 10:00am Mass this Sunday, June 27, and talk about serving Mass. I’d love to train you for an hour, but if you can’t stay, leave your name and number and we’ll find time later on. If you’ve made First Holy Communion and have an older brother who serves, we can find a place for you too.

Christ’s Peace
Fr. Murphy