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Letter by Bishop Burbidge on XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops

Letter by Bishop Burbidge on XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops

Office of Bishop Header

October 14, 2021

( en español )

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you may know, the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops gathers in Rome in October 2023 entitled “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.”  In preparation for the synod, the Holy See asks that every diocese undertake its own synodal process of local consultations.  I have asked Reverend Donald Planty, Pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, to coordinate this process and he will be assisted by a “synodal team.”  This effort will focus on consultations with parishes and other local institutions during the late fall and winter and the results will be gathered into a report that I will present to Rome.

This phase of the Synod begins world-wide with Masses in diocesan cathedrals this Sunday, October 17.  I will celebrate the Mass of the Diocesan Opening of the 2023 Synod of Bishops at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More on that day.

Also, I encourage all the faithful of our Diocese to pray for the success of our diocesan consultations, using the attached prayer.  With the grace of God, I look forward to seeing the fruits of our common efforts as a diocesan church, in union with the Church throughout the world

Please be assured of my prayers for you.  Through the intercession of Mary our Mother and Saint Joseph, may Our Lord Jesus bless you and fill you with his peace.

ADSUMUS, SANCTE SPIRITUS PRAYER

Sincerely in Christ,

Bishop Burbidge Hi-Res Signature

Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge
Bishop of Arlington

From Our Pastor

From Our Pastor

Dear Folks,

It is with sadness that we have to announce postponing our event with Dr. Ricardo Castañón Gómez about Eucharistic Miracles. Because of health issues for him, we are going to need to reschedule this event for the spring. I am so grateful that the need to reschedule didn’t arise at the last second, but also that this will give us some more time to promote this event beyond our parish!

It is always a wonderful thing to be able to contemplate the wonders and miracles of Our Lord. That He has given us such wonders is a lovely gift, and can confirm, strengthen, and encourage us in living our Catholic Faith! Our faith is not because of miracles, but they serve as a constant reminder that the Lord loves us and is even willing to break through the clouds of our doubt, and confusion with supernatural interventions into our daily lives.

Yes, Our Lord said, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing,” as He was letting St. Thomas the Apostle put his finger into His wounds and His hand into His side! If your faith is strong, then rejoice at Our Lord’s willingness to peel back the curtain of the Eucharistic Mystery for His children whose faith is in need. And thank Dr. Gomez for responding to this invitation from Our Lord to make His Eucharistic Miracles known.

As soon as we have dates, we will let you know when we reschedule this event for the spring. Please pray for Dr. Ricardo’s full recovery of health!

Also, next weekend is our Parish Life Weekend! This is always a great opportunity to get to know ministries and the wonderful volunteers who help to make things happen here in the parish! The pandemic has been hard on our volunteer corps. We have all formed so many new habits, and also have widely varied perception and tolerance of risk as pertains to the waning pandemic.

This coming week we are asking you to look at the ministry booklet that was recently mailed to parish families, and ask yourself, “where does the Lord want me to contribute to the wellbeing of parish and city? Where can I help with the time, talent, and treasure that the Lord has given me and for which I will render an account to Him on the great day to come?”

Pax,

Father John Mosimann

October 10, 2021
XXVIII Sunday in Ordinary Time