Saint Agnes Catholic Church

COVID-19 LIFELINE

During this Coronavirus crisis, our parish and the Knights of Columbus are assisting parishioners in need. Please let us know if you need help or are able to assist others.

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Please Consider Giving Online

Electronic Giving
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

We encourage everyone to use Faith Direct for their weekly offertory.

This request is critical as churches nationwide are temporarily closing due to the Coronavirus pandemic. To keep the work of our church going, we are currently depending on the incoming monies from those using electronic giving. Faith Direct is a convenient and secure electronic giving program that will enable you to continue giving to St. Agnes from your home. For more information, you can visit the Faith Direct website, email info@faithdirect.net, or call their toll-free number, 866-507-8757, to speak with someone directly. Thank you so much for considering eGiving to support our parish, and may God bless and protect you and your loved ones!

Pastor's Articles

Lenten Resources

Father Sina's Daily Homily

Restoring Our Legacy: A Shining City On A Hill

Join Us for Live Mass

Join us for Live Mass with Father Sina on Sundays at noon.

https://www.facebook.com/stagneschurcharlington/

Note from our Pastor

March 25, 2020

Dear St. Agnes,

Blessed feast of the Annunciation to everyone. Today, in the midst of Lent and our COVID-19 trials, we are reminded that Christ became like us, in every way but sin, in order to be close to us -- especially in our weaknesses and worries. The Word-made-Flesh would go on to say, "Consider the flowers of the field, they neither toil nor spin; yet not even Solomon in all his splendor was arrayed as one of these" (Luke 12:27). This is a time to do what we can to bring health and solace to the world, and yet it is also a time experience a "penance of trust" in God's Providence. We must do what we can and trust as we may. During this sacred Holy Day, in union with the Holy Father's request for prayers for an end to the COVID 19 crisis, I would ask that everyone pray a rosary in honor of the Mother of God, and meditate on the Joyful Mysteries. This will bring you peace of heart, as it will also bear fruit for others.

I want to assure everyone that my prayers go with you, and that I am remembering the people of St Agnes at the Altar when I offer Mass. On March 14, I had to drive my elderly father home to Louisiana from his visit to Virginia, and I am still with him. Given the circumstances and that the state is on lockdown, I will be unable to return to Virginia until after Easter. Please be assured of my continued prayers and thoughts.

In Christ and the Mother of God, Fr Edlefsen

Pastor's Sunday Column

Why are we here?

Fr. Edlefsen's Sunday Column

March 28, 2020

I would like to ask three basic questions – Catechism 101 questions. And each question has the same answer. First question: Why did the Father send his only Son, to become a man, born of the Virgin Mary? Second question: What is the purpose of the Catholic Church? Third question: What is the most significant...Read more

Father Sina's Daily Homilies

March 29, 2020

Fifth Sunday of Lent

First Reading: Ezekiel 37:12-14

Responsorial: Psalm PS 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Second Reading: Romans 8:8-11

Tract: John 11:25A, 26

Gospel: John 11:1-45

If you have ever seen the movie The Princess Bride you will remember the scene in which Miracle Max (played by Billy Crystal) declares that the hero Wesley (who despite appearing quite dead) is only “mostly dead.” To which he adds excitedly, “mostly dead means slightly alive!” He then gets to work reviving him with a magic pill.

Latest News

Saint Agnes Bulletin for this Sunday

Please find the bulletin for this Sunday below:

March 29th Bulletin

Please Consider Giving Online During this Time

Thank you for your support of our parish’s many ministries. Please consider joining many of your fellow parishioners at St. Agnes in making your generous gifts through Faith Direct. This request is critical as churches nationwide are temporarily closing due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To keep the work of our church going, we are currently depending on the incoming monies from those using electronic giving. Faith Direct is a convenient and secure electronic giving program that will enable you to continue giving to St. Agnes from your home.

Through Faith Direct you can make all of your contributions to St. Agnes automatically from your checking account or credit card – just as you may do now with your mortgage, household bills, and other monthly payments. This is a great way to simplify your giving – and it’s the most cost-effective, environmentally-friendly way for us to receive your gifts.

For more information, you can visit the Faith Direct website (https://saintagnes.org/offertory), email info@faithdirect.net, or call their toll-free number, 866-507-8757, to speak with someone directly.

Thank you so much for considering eGiving to support our parish, and may God bless and protect you and your loved ones!

Mass on Sunday

Bishop Burbidge to host live stream Masses and more!

For the foreseeable future, Bishop Burbidge will be visiting parish rectory chapels to celebrate private Sunday Masses for the faithful via live stream. The first is going to happen at noon at St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church. This is subject to change if there are greater restrictions placed on local travel.

Additionally, the Diocese of Arlington, in partnership with the Archdiocese of Washington, films Sunday Mass weekly. The Mass is celebrated in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass airs every Sunday at 10:30am on WDCW-50. For the channel of WDCW-50 in your area, please see the Channel Guide. https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/communionforsick/

We hope that during this time of fear and uncertainty, you may find ways to grow in faith and devotion to Our Lord.

Saint Agnes Response to COVID 19

Letter from the Pastor

Dear St. Agnes Parishioners,

My prayers go with all of you, as we find ways to do our part to contain the spread of COVID-19 and yet make the sacraments available to those who are most in need. As a Church community, we must do our part to promote the common good and the health of the broader community. The diocese has been cooperating with the CDC and local authorities to make sure we do the right thing. In accord with directives issued this afternoon by Bishop Burbidge, St. Agnes will take the following measures, effective immediately:

· All public Masses -- including Sunday, Holy Day and weekday Masses -- are suspended until further notice. Priests will celebrate Masses privately in the rectory chapel for the proper intentions of each Mass, as listed in the bulletin. In other words, all proper Mass intentions will be honored.

· Lenten Stations of the Cross are cancelled.

· The First Communion Masses scheduled for April 25 and May 2 will be rescheduled.

· For infant or child baptisms, only one child may be baptized per ceremony; and only the Priest, Parents, Godparents may attend.

· Weddings and funerals will take place only if absolutely necessary, and attendance will be limited to ten people.

· The church will be open from 9AM to 5PM for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, for up to ten people at a time. Gathering for devotions, such as the Stations of the Cross or Rosary, is not permitted. The Adoration Chapel is closed until further notice.

· Scheduled confessions will be available at 6:30PM on Wednesdays during Lent (Light is On) and at 8:00AM and 3:00PM on Saturdays. However, confessions will not take place in the confessional, and penitents will be required to stand (not kneel or sit) when making the confession at a length of six feet from the priest. (Otherwise we would be required to disinfect chairs and kneelers). Fr. Sina will arrange for a place in the church where confessions will take place -- perhaps in the sacristy or another suitable room. Signs will be made directing penitents. Penitents waiting in line to make a confession will be instructed to stand six feet apart.

· Sick visits by clergy will be limited to those who are dying and those with COVID-19 who request the Sacraments.

I thank all of you for your patience and understanding. This is an unprecedented situation for us all, and we are working through it. While we all may feel saddened by this very limited access to the Sacraments that Christ gave us -- especially the Sacrament of his Body and Blood -- let us pray that this will be a time of great grace. May this be an occasion to grow in our appreciation of what God has given us thus far in the abundance of his Mercy, especially in Holy Communion. As St. Maximilian Kolbe said, it only takes one Holy Communion to make a saint. May we be grateful for the gifts of grace that we have already received and do our part to cooperate with it. Grace does not fade with time. It is eternal. Also, let us pray -- through the intercession of St. Raphael -- for the protection, health and safety of all people during this difficult time.

Peace and blessings to all of you, in Christ and his Mother, Fr. Edlefsen

--

Fr. Frederick Edlefsen

Pastor

St. Agnes Catholic Church

1910 N. Randolph Street

Arlington, VA 22207