Entries by Staff

Pastor’s Piece – June 20, 2021

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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).

Pastor’s Piece – June 13, 2021

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We changed our Mass time for SKD just in time to avoid some serious heat. 9:00 AM might be a little early for some, but I think that we’ll be grateful as summer gets into full swing.

The big reveal last Sunday at SKD was that we have the green light from the Diocese to begin the church building project. With the approval of Bishop Burbidge, the Diocese and building committee developed a plan that has the potential to have a groundbreaking as early as Dec 1, 2021, depending on final county approval. Since our meeting, the Diocese has assigned a project manager focused on driving to completion the necessary architecture, design and engineering packages. Site preparation for our property on Waterfall Road will be extensive, but we are looking forward to getting the process underway.

Women’s Bible Study Summer Sessions Now Available

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SESSION 2 Available

Session 2: June 23 – July 28, 2021
Wednesday Evenings, 6:15 – 7:45

Session 2: Fearless and Free
This six-lesson study is based on the book of Ephesians. The study will awaken us to who we are in Christ, help us to recognize the enemy who seeks to steal our true identity and strengthen us as warriors in Christ.

Pastor’s Piece – June 6, 2021

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Attention! SKD members who are reading this before June 6. Please, make plans to join us for Mass this Sunday, the day of the D-day anniversary. It may not be as historic as storming the beaches of Nazi held Normandy, but we do have some good news regarding building the church that you’ll want to hear.

Last week was filled with good news regarding lifting COVID restrictions. There was so much that I’d like to take more time to go over some of the items. E.g., during the Masses at SSM, I explained how I wish to continue to distribute Holy Communion at the altar rail as long as it is practicable.

Pastor’s Piece – May 30, 2021

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St. Stephen’s Parish and many supporters from St. Katharine Drexel finished up my
anniversary octave with great enthusiasm. It was a great pleasure to be with so many of
you. I am so grateful for all your very generous and beautiful expressions of
appreciation. It is an honor and pleasure to be your pastor.
Now for the notice that you’ve all been waiting for. From the desk of Fr. Workman,
Bishop Burbidge’s wishes:

Pastor’s Piece – May 23, 2021

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I can’t believe that Easter just ended. It’s not even June and we’ve concluded the Easter Season. But then again, where did the past 25 years that I’ve spent as a priest go?

Last Sunday we successfully launched at SKD what seems like a season’s worth of anniversary celebrations. I anticipate a pleasant gathering of appreciation at SSM this Saturday and Sunday after each Mass. So many of you have expressed your gratitude prior and during this week. Thank you! Additionally, I know that the staff and volunteers have put in some extra effort to make this time special for me. Mission accomplished.

Pastor’s Piece – May 16

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Congratulations to the newly confirmed at St. Stephen the Martyr and St. Katharine Drexel! Thank you to all our catechists. This year, as you know, had its special challenges. Nevertheless, I thought that it was important to have in-person learning for the Confirmandi and these volunteers rose to the challenge. I am very grateful to Nicole & Nathan Lynch, Monica Artieda, Colleen Batsakis and Kendall Parker facilitating my desire and being there for these children.

Register for the SKD Golf Tournament

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St. Katharine Drexel Mission will be hosting its 2021 SKD Golf Tournament on August 9, 2021.

Evergreen Country Club
Haymarket, VA

9:00 AM – Registration
10:00 AM – Start of Play
11:30 AM – Lunch (while golfing)
3:30 PM – Dinner (tickets for dinner will be available)

Pastor’s Piece – May 9

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Due to the schedule disruptions of the pandemic, Bishop Burbidge has appointed me to confirm the children of the parish once more. It is a shame that the children to be confirmed (confirmandi) won’t have the experience of meeting a bishop. It is so very much an important part of our Catholic identity. Nevertheless, frankly, last September went so well, I’m happy not to have to host a bishop. It is a lot less anxiety for me, staff and a host of volunteers.

Not only do I look forward to confirming the children next Saturday (May 15), but currently I find my interviews with them most enlightening.

Pastor’s Piece – May 2

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Congratulations to the First Holy Communicants at St. Stephen the Martyr and St. Katharine Drexel! They have been given a whole new answer to their prayers, “Give us this day our daily bread.” When God heard the Israelites offer that prayer as they traveled through the desert on the way to the Promised Land, He responded with the bread from heaven, the bread of angels, the manana. Jesus informed the disciples who followed Him after He had fed them in the deserted place that, “it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.