From the Pastor's Desk

From the Pastor's Desk- October 24

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 18:31:10 GMT

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend, we will focus on announcing our 2026 Increased Offertory Campaign. Last fall, our main focus was on changing our online giving platform to PushPay, and I decided against making an increased offertory effort. However, this year, we must do so if we want to continue growing. Words cannot express my gratitude for your vibrant and generous stewardship, which is evident in countless ways. I could list many examples, but I would like to highlight two critical improvements to our campus that were completed in the past few months: a new roof for the Aquinas Gym/Parish Hall and the newly designed roof for the church, which was just completed a few days ago. My friends, these are your gifts to us and to the next generation of parishioners. God willing, they will last another 40 or 50 years.

These gifts were made possible by many sacrifices, intentional donations, and savings over the last three years. The new roofs cost over $400,000 in total. This is a real miracle when you consider that, upon my arrival, our net income showed repeated annual deficits.

We have some challenging news regarding the Parish Offertory and Maintenance Income: in the past three months (July, August, and September), we have seen a significant combined decrease of about $49,000. While this is not good news, I am confident that you will help us reverse the negative trend. The Finance Council continues to assist me in analyzing this data. For this reason, I am asking for your help. If every family were to increase their weekly offertory by $10—or the equivalent of $40 per month—we could make a difference. I am also relaunching the Our Lady of Angels Benevolent Club for those who can make a one-time donation of $500.

Please allow me to reiterate how much the online donations help us. They enable my staff and volunteers to work more efficiently by eliminating the need to count and deposit funds or enter contributions into the database. Would you consider using our PushPay platform?

The weekend of October 31 and November 1 is commitment weekend. After the homily and before the Prayers of the Faithful, you will have the opportunity to approach the altar with your family or other parishioners and drop off your commitment card.

In short, I humbly and respectfully ask all parishioners to support this year's increased offertory campaign by taking prayerful action in three ways:

1. Pledge your annual sacrificial giving as a family. I am confident that God will make those sacrifices fruitful.

2.Increase your giving, focusing on the Offertory and Parish Maintenance.

3. If possible, sign up to use our PushPay online giving. It reduces our workload at the office. It also secures more regular donations. You can securely and easily make one-time donations whenever you feel prompted by the Lord.

It would be a tremendous blessing if anyone could make an intentional, sacrificial donation of $500 to the OLA Benevolent Club. I hope to find 50 families willing to join the challenge and help stabilize the net income.

Please help us make our annual Increased Offertory Campaign a success! The annual parish report will be ready for all to review in a few weeks.

Most importantly, let us continue to pray for Pope Leo's recovery.

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- October 18

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 15:23:23 GMT

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

News of Pope Leo's lung cancer diagnosis was an unpleasant and unexpected blow. Yet, his reaction and demeanor have been a blessing to witness. As a high-ranking Vatican cardinal said, we are all impressed with his serenity. In this way, he continues to bring us together in prayer for his health and for the Church. Without any particular speech, the Holy Father invites us to rediscover that a Christian is someone who continues to draw life from the mysteries of Christ's life, given to us through the sacraments and prayer. I wonder if the Pope asked to be anointed before or after the surgery. Pope Leo is teaching us how to find meaning in human suffering. I wouldn't be surprised if he spends time reading Salvifici Doloris again, a letter written by Saint John Paul II.

Why this illness? Why now?" we could ask ourselves. Perhaps the answer lies in simple faith: because, in God's providence, the pope is being united more closely with Christ to strengthen the church and confirm our unwavering hope that we are in the hands of our good Father. I have no doubt that an abundant stream of grace is flowing into the Church, the beloved bride of Christ, right now.

A year ago, we intentionally changed our online giving platform. We are now using PushPay. I am aware that changes, even good ones, are never easy. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and generosity. I am happy to report that we have slightly increased the number of electronic donations, although we definitely need to make another push.

Last fall, our main focus was on this change of platforms, and I decided against making an increased offertory effort. This year, we need to do so if we want to continue growing. We are going to conduct this drive in the upcoming weeks. Here is the schedule:

The weekend of October 24 and 25 will be the announcement weekend of our Increased Offertory Campaign. There will be a banner to remind us about this parish-wide, intentional effort. Announcements will be made at all Masses, and cards will be handed out for each family to take home. We hope all households and parishioners prayerfully consider supporting the parish and its needs financially.
The weekend of October 31 and November 1 will be commitment weekend. After the homily and before the prayers of the faithful, you will have a chance to approach the altar and drop off your commitment card with your family or other parishioners.
The weekend of November 7 and 8 will be the follow-up weekend. We will express our gratitude to those who have already helped and give others who could not do so for various reasons a chance to help.

Please help us make our annual Increased Offertory Campaign a success!

Most importantly, let us continue to pray for Pope Leo's recovery.

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- October 11

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 16:02:13 GMT

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

Last weekend, Bishop Burbidge presided over two confirmation masses at our parish, and although it was rainy, it was a day full of joy. The bishop encouraged our young people to follow Christ more closely, acknowledging that this would be challenging at times. Above all, he reminded us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. He told us that our focus should be to remain in him and obey his commandments as a sign of true friendship. Has it not always been difficult to be a faithful Catholic? Especially today.

Please pray for our newly confirmed young people and their families and friends. I would particularly like to thank Fr Leopoldo for coordinating all the liturgies and reception with such precision. Thanks also to my staff, catechists and volunteers, some of whom are pictured here with Bishop Burbidge.

Also, please remember that the schedule for Saturday confessions and evening Masses will be different. Starting October 31, confessions will begin at 3:00 p.m., followed by Mass in English at 4:30 p.m. and Mass in Spanish at 6:30 p.m. This decision was made after consulting with the Pastoral Council, as well as staff and parishioners of different ages and walks of life. I am confident that the new schedule will help many drive more safely in winter and allow more time for evening activities. Please share this information with your family and friends, in case they have not yet heard about the change. Personal communication is best!

Finally, I humbly encourage you to vote "no" on ballot questions 1 and 2 of the proposed constitutional amendment in our Commonwealth. Much is at stake. Do your part to come to an agreement on such basic matters for the common good of our society and our families. I have already voted, fully aware of the critical importance of these issues. Thanks to the early voting polls, it only took me five minutes.

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- October 4

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:39:47 GMT

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

Fall is settling in quietly, as evidenced by the change in weather. It is certainly a time of special beauty, with the leaves changing color. There is a sense of preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Advent seasons. In the meantime, we continue to be blessed with special gifts and celebrations. I would now like to focus on two connected to the two sacraments of service in our Catholic Church. Marriage and Sacred Orders.

On September 25, two events marked our community's life. The first was the wedding of Thomas Roder and Nicole Lane. They are both Aquinas teachers and graduates from the same year and classroom. How about that for God's providence? They both studied at St. John Paul the Great High School. Fun fact: Thomas signed Nicole's eighth grade yearbook with a short message. "Don't worry, I won't marry you." He was wrong, and he was most likely already in love with her. Every wedding is a breath of hope. But this one brings special joy to our parish and school. Isn't it wonderful that those who were elementary school students are now going to share their lives together and have founded a new home in Christ?

The second event, on 25 September, was Fr. Riley Blanchard's Mass of Thanksgiving for his ordination as a priest. The day before, we also celebrated the beatification of Bishop Fulton Sheen, who was ordained as a priest on the same date, 20 September, in 1919 (sharing his ordination date with Fr Riley!)

Let us remember some of the basic fundamentals of our faith, as set out in the Catechism. This will help us to appreciate the wonderful graces received by our brothers Thomas, Nicole and Fr Riley.

Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are sacraments of Christian initiation. They ground the common vocation of all Christ's disciples, a vocation to holiness and to the mission of evangelizing the world. They confer the graces needed for the life according to the Spirit during this life as pilgrims on the march towards the homeland. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1533

Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1534

Through these sacraments those already consecrated by Baptism and Confirmation for the common priesthood of all the faithful can receive particular consecrations. Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders are consecrated in Christ's name "to feed the Church by the word and grace of God. On their part, "Christian spouses are fortified and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and dignity of their state by a special sacrament.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1535

Finally, please remember to vote 'no' on ballot questions 1 and 2 of the proposed constitutional amendments in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Also, please note that our new Saturday evening schedule will begin on Saturday 31 October. Confessions will begin at 3 pm, Mass in English will start at 4:30 pm, and Mass in Spanish will begin at 6:30 pm.

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- September 27

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:33:17 GMT

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

Today, we rejoice in the ordination of Fr. Riley Blanchard, DCJM! A few days before the ordination, his parents shared their testimony with other young parents. His father said that we did not need to make such a big fuss over his son's ordination. While his comment certainly showed humility, it made me realize that a priestly ordination is such a tremendous gift that it absolutely calls for a huge celebration. Once a priest, always a priest! We are marked with an indelible seal that lasts forever, one that not even death can erase. We are anointed by the Holy Spirit to teach, govern, and sanctify the People

of God! We become one with Christ, the high priest, and bring his life, body, blood, forgiveness, and presence to this earth. Wow!

Attending the Mass of Ordination was an incredible grace that was also special because of some parishioners of Our Lady of Angels in attendance, four of them helping as altar servers (see the picture with their heads surrounded by a circle, right before the Mass started). The ordaining bishop was the emeritus Archbishop of Denver, the Most Reverend Samuel Aquila. The disciples are forever grateful to him for also ordaining Fr. Juan Espino as a priest in June 2013.

Fr. Riley is blessed to begin his priestly career serving at our parish, a special gift from the Lord. Consider these words from Pope Leo XIV to the new priests he ordained last April:

In the communities where you will be sent, the risen One is already present, and many have already followed him commendably. You will recognize his wounds and distinguish his voice. You will encounter people who will direct you towards him. These communities will also help you to become saints! For your part, help them to walk together, following Jesus, the Good Shepherd, so that they may become places — gardens — of life that rise anew and share themselves with others. People are often lacking a place where they can understand that it is better and beautiful to be together, and that it is possible to get along. Facilitating encounters, helping to bring together those who would otherwise never meet, and conciliating division is one and the same as celebrating the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Coming together always means planting the Church anew.

These days we also rejoice with the beatification of Bishop Fulton Sheen, a gifted preacher who was born in this beautiful land of opportunity. This son of America was added to the list of the blessed in Heaven. This happened on Thursday, September 24. What a gift on the 250th anniversary of America's founding! As we sing in our national anthem, America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are reminded today that we are called to be saints, people who are free and brave in a very special way as we follow Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Yes, we are called to be 100% American and Catholic. Blessed Fulton Sheen reminds us of this beautiful calling and

responsibility.

God bless you!!!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- September 20

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:11:07 GMT

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

September 11 was a day of prayer and remembrance for the thousands of lives lost in the terrible terrorist attacks 25 years ago. It was also a day to come together and express gratitude for first responders and all those who serve the greater good. Through our Aquinas School, we had an opportunity to show our appreciation by setting up a Grab & Go canopy for our local police officers and firefighters. We plan to do this every year, as it strengthens our bonds with the local community. Everyone had a fantastic time, especially thanks to the joy shown by our youngest students. I would like to express my gratitude to all those who ensure our safety and made this event possible under the leadership of Sister Mary Sabina DeMuth, OP, our principal, and her team.

On a different note, everyone is welcome to join us on Friday, September 25, at 7:00 p.m. for a bilingual Mass of Thanksgiving with Fr. Riley Blanchard, DCJM. Afterwards, you will have an opportunity to greet him and receive a blessing in the Parish Hall/Aquinas Gym. We will share snacks and refreshments as we thank God for the gift of a new priest. We will share pictures very soon. This has been a significant event for the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary because Fr. Riley is the first American-born priest in our order. We pray that the Lord blesses his ministry with many fruits and more vocations to the holy priesthood! A priestly vocation is an unmerited but greatly needed gift. It is a gift to the individual, his family, the Church, and the whole world.

Finally, remember that we are starting a new Saturday schedule in the afternoon and evening. Starting October 31, there will be confessions from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., an English Mass at 4:30 p.m., and a Spanish Mass at 6:30 p.m. This has already been announced at Masses, and we will continue to spread the word. Please help us by sharing this information with your family and friends.

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- September 13

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 16:51:37 GMT

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear parishioners,

Father Álvaro asked me to write to you about my upcoming priestly ordination next weekend. I am happy to do so!

On my road to verifying my calling to the priesthood, many elements have helped me hear the Lord’s voice. Sometimes we imagine that the Lord’s calling is abstract and vague. However, it is not. It is concrete. This is why verifying one’s vocation can be difficult; we tend to make the concrete calling appear vague in our minds. We may ask ourselves, “Why would he pick me?” Or, “What good could the Lord see in me?” These questions only distract us. When the Lord calls, we must leave everything behind and follow him. He is the treasure in the field and the perfect pearl. The call of the Lord is concrete because it is an invitation to a deeper relationship with Him.

Where did I see the Good Shepherd’s call for me to become a priest? For me, there are three ways I experienced the Lord calling me. The first was witnessing the work of the priest while serving at daily Mass with my older brother, Corey. Daily Mass, with the Liturgy of the Word, homily, and Eucharist, nourished my daily life in all its aspects. It was there that I experienced the Good Shepherd’s daily care.

Second, I received the care of the Good Shepherd within the context of my family. First, I learned to pray and receive the sacraments with my family at the parish, where the disciples played a significant role. Later, as a Disciple, I continued to witness the role of the Good Shepherd in a more specific way: as a person called to deepen my vocation as a priest with the High Priest. My vocation to the priesthood stems from my religious profession. It was through living with Christ that I knew I was called to have a deeper relationship with Him by serving the Church.

One final place where I discovered my calling was in prayer. The intercession of Our Lady and many saints, including St. Joseph, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Anthony of Padua, and my Guardian Angel, was crucial. Prayer and the spiritual life are often described as combat, and rightly so. To hear the Good Shepherd’s voice and establish a true friendship with Christ, one must die to their old self. This is impossible to do alone, especially in an individualistic society. One needs help from the saints and a spiritual director. When I asked a disciple to guide me spiritually, my vocation story began to flourish. It became much easier to listen to the Holy Spirit when I talked to someone experienced who led a deep spiritual life.

For me, understanding my calling came from recognizing the ways the Lord was present in my life. Being called to be a priest is not just about being a servant, though that is an important aspect. It is also about participating in the priesthood of the high priest. It means serving Him and the Church based on a solid foundation of faith, hope, and love. It is about being a friend of the Good Shepherd.

Can you recognize me and Fr Alvaro in the picture?

God bless you!

Deacon Riley Blanchard, DCJM

From the Pastor's Desk- September 6

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:51:43 GMT

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear parishioners,

I hope everyone has settled in after the first couple weeks of school. Our new roof is almost complete, and we are off to a great start. I would like to share some of the early highlights of this academic year.

First, I would like to share with you the highly successful retreat organized by our incredible Walking With Purpose parish leaders. Over 100 women participated. Luly Fernandez, a native of Mexico, gave reflections in both English and Spanish.

Look out for registration details in the coming weeks for our Walking with Purpose Women’s Bible Study, which begins in September.

This year, we will offer two Bible studies, including one in Spanish. There will be options on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m.

The studies will meet weekly for 22 weeks, offering women in our parish a wonderful opportunity to grow deeper in their faith, encounter Christ through Scripture, and be spiritually nourished through fellowship and sisterhood.

Another great event was the Aquinas Golf Tournament. It was the first one in over 15 years. It took place at the Old Hickory Golf Course, with over 80 golfers participating. It was a fantastic way to build relationships and continue promoting our regional school. I hope that we continue to grow in participation this year. The tournament was certainly a success, and I'm glad I was able to attend, even though I'm not a golfer. I had a lot of fun on the putting green with many players who were driving by. I would like to thank all of our sponsors and the staff who helped prepare for the event under the leadership of Mrs. Katie Benjamin, the Aquinas Director of Development.

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- August 30

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:35:53 GMT

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear parishioners,

As you know, Father Michael Duesterhaus, the former Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of

Angels, passed away on 23 August following a number of years of medical issues. Less

than two weeks ago, doctors estimated that he had between five and six weeks left, but

he deteriorated much faster than expected.

Despite his diagnosis, Father Michael remained in good spirits. He encouraged us, his

fellow priests, to embrace our vocation wholeheartedly, to administer the Sacrament of

Penance generously, and to cherish our time at the altar of God.

I ask that you pray for his eternal rest. You may find the following prayers helpful for

reflecting on Christian life and priestly ministry. They are taken from the funeral liturgy

and offer great insight.

"In the waters of baptism, Father Duesterhaus died with Christ and rose with him to new

life. May he now share with him eternal glory"

"In baptism, Father Duesterhaus received the sign of the cross. May he now share in

Christ´s victory over sin and death".

"We pray for our brother Michael, who served the Church as a priest, that he may be

given a place in the liturgy of heaven".

"Grant we pray, O Lord, that the soul of Michael, your servant and priest, whom you

honored with sacred office while he lived in this world, may exult forever in the glorious

home of heaven".

"We implore your kindness, O God, for Michael, your servant and Priest, that as you

made him a steward of your mysteries on earth, so you may bring him to be nourished

by their truth and reality as unveiled in heaven".

May his soul, and the souls of the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in

peace, Amen.

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- August 23

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:25:25 GMT

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

I am pleased to announce that work is underway on a new roof. This is the result of many months of study and preparation. It is becoming a reality thanks to recent significant donations, as well as the ongoing monthly donations to the parish maintenance fund. I consider this to be the best birthday present, and today, Sunday 23 August, is my birthday. At least three other parishioners are celebrating their birthdays today too. Most of them are younger than me! I think this gift is the best because it benefits the whole parish family, which is my goal as pastor and father to all. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to ask for your renewed commitment to donating to the Parish Maintenance Fund. This special collection takes place on the first Sunday of the month (the next one will be on 5 and 6 September).

We are planning more exciting renovations, including new restrooms in the narthex.

You can sign up for online parish maintenance donations here using PushPay, our new digital platform.

God bless you, and thank you for your stewardship and kindness!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- August 16

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:54:56 GMT

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear parishioners,

The month of August marks the start of a new school year. It is an important time for everyone, not just for students and their families. There are students of all ages, but all of us Christians are students in the school of Jesus. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” Let us, then, turn once more to Christ at the start of the school year. Let us remember that the school year begins on a specific day and at a specific time. My reflection focuses precisely on this point: there is a specific moment for a new beginning and growth. Success or failure is linked to the first day of class, because the great battle in the student’s heart is to be punctual and to have a genuine desire to learn.

The same is true in the Christian life and in the growth of our friendship with Christ. Every day is a new beginning. Every sacrament marks a new beginning and points us toward a new step. It’s now or never. The decision cannot wait. It must be today, not tomorrow. It must be here, not somewhere else. A good start includes at least three characteristics:

1) Firm resolve: This means acting with determination, embracing with strength everything that the future holds—the good and the bad, the simple and the difficult. “Lord, I want and choose everything You wish to give me or allow in this new school year. I trust that You always want what is best for me, without comparing me to others.”

2) Start today: Tomorrow does not yet exist and may never exist. Priests know this well because we are called to accompany people whose family members or friends never woke up—death caught them in their sleep. Thus, the key phrase is “I’ll start today.” Lope de Vega, a 16th-century Spanish poet, expresses the urgency of the present moment in this prayer in the form of a poem:

What is it about me that makes you seek my friendship?

What interest do you have, my Jesus,

that at my door, covered in dew,

you spend the dark winter nights?

Oh, how hard my heart was,

for I did not open the door to you! What a strange folly,

if the cold ice of my ingratitude

dried the wounds on your pure feet!

How many times did the angel say to me:

“Soul, look out the window now,

and you will see with how much love He persists in knocking!”

And how many times, O supreme beauty,

did I reply, “We’ll open it tomorrow,”

only to give the same answer tomorrow!

3) Start out in good company—never alone. As you begin the new school year, it’s not enough to have strong determination to set out on the journey; you also need to have someone by your side so you’ll know how to ask for help in the future. It’s about choosing a friend you trust to help you stay on track and who understands your goals and hopes for the new school year. In the Christian tradition, this figure corresponds to the spiritual father, whose mission is to help in following Jesus, without taking over the person’s responsibility or deciding which steps to take. It is about accompanying the journey—not simply to face the problems that may arise, but to discover the light that God places along the way. It is not about walking fast, but about going far on the journey, bearing fruits of greatness and holiness.

Therefore, just as students do not walk alone but with the help of their teachers, each of us has a new opportunity for growth in this 2026–2027 academic year. How are you walking in the footsteps of Christ the Teacher? Do you truly want to follow him more closely? Do you want to start today? Who will accompany you so that you can bear fruit of greatness? What are you going to do this school year, with God’s help?

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- August 9

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:49:04 GMT

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

To mark the 250th anniversary of our nation’s foundation, Pope Leo XIV wrote that “among the principles that have guided the development of this country is the God-given dignity of every human life, each person being endowed with an inherent worth that calls for reverence, protection and care. In this spirit, a full understanding of this dignity leads to recognizing the importance of safeguarding human life from its beginning at conception until natural death, and of building a society in which the vulnerable, the suffering and the forgotten are always met with compassion, solidarity and love.”

This fall in the Commonwealth of Virginia two proposed amendments on the ballot threaten the human right to life and the truth of marriage. These proposed amendments are called the “Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment” and the “Virginia Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment.” They also threaten constitutional justice, the equal protection of the laws, and religious liberty.

Although Catholics may in good conscience disagree over most political policies which call for strictly prudential judgments, certain fundamental matters such as marriage and the protection of human life demand a consistent and universal response from Catholics to protect and preserve objective goods by which God blesses humanity.

If written into Virginia’s Constitution, these unjust amendments would be extraordinarily difficult to reverse. Virginia would effectively become a sanctuary for abortion and commercial abortion businesses. Basic health and safety standards that protect women from harm would be eliminated, parents would be pushed out of life-altering decisions involving their family and children, and unregulated abortions would be possible, performed even on healthy babies up to the moment of birth for any reason with no limits.

At the same time, Virginia’s Constitution would mislead future generations concerning the truth about marriage by adopting a false legal definition of marriage that would further erode a public sense of marriage as a natural institution uniting one man and one woman. Additionally, the amendment would lead to the expansion of an already existing commercial surrogacy industry which violates the natural rights of children and exploits vulnerable mothers.

For this reason, I encourage you to pledge to vote ‘No’ using this link: arlingtondiocese.org/vote .

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- August 2

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:46:51 GMT

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear parishioners,

As we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, I would like to share with you a recent catechesis about Our Blessed Mother, preached by Pope Leo XIV on May 13.

“By allowing Herself to be shaped by the work of Grace, which came to fulfilment in Her, and by welcoming the gift of the Most High with Her faith and Her virginal love, Mary is the perfect model of what the whole Church is called to be: a creature of the Word of the Lord and mother of the children of God, begotten in docility to the action of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, as She is the believer par excellence, in whom we are offered the perfect form of unconditional openness to the divine mystery within the communion of God’s holy people, Mary is an excellent member of the ecclesial community. Finally, inasmuch as She brings forth children in the Son, loved in the eternal Beloved who came among us, Mary is the mother of the whole Church, which can turn to her with filial confidence, in the certainty of being heard, protected and loved.

One might express the sum of these characteristics of the Virgin Mary by referring to Her as a woman who is the icon of the Mystery. The word woman highlights the historical reality of this young daughter of Israel, to whom it was granted to live the extraordinary experience of becoming the mother of the Messiah. The expression icon emphasizes that, in Her, the twofold movement of descent and ascent is fulfilled: in Her, both God’s gratuitous election and Her free consent of faith in Him shine forth. Mary is therefore the woman who is the icon of the Mystery, that is, of the divine plan of salvation, once hidden and now revealed in its fullness in Jesus Christ.

The Council has left us a clear teaching on the unique place reserved to the Virgin Mary in the work of Redemption (cf. Lumen gentium, 60-62). It recalls that the sole Mediator of salvation is Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Tim 2:5-6), and that his Mother Most Holy “in no way impedes, but rather fosters the immediate union of the faithful with Christ” (cf. LG, 60). At the same time, “predestined from eternity by that decree of divine providence which determined the incarnation of the Word to be the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin … in this singular way … cooperated by Her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the work of the Savior in giving back supernatural life to souls. Wherefore She is our mother in the order of grace” (ibid., 61).

The mystery of the Church is also reflected in the Virgin Mary: in Her, the people of God find the representation of their origin, their model and their homeland. In the Mother of the Lord, the Church contemplates her own mystery, not only because she finds in Her the model of virginal faith, maternal charity and the spousal covenant to which she is called, but also and above all because in Her she recognizes her own archetype, the ideal figure of what she is called to be.

As we can see, the reflections on the Virgin Mother collected in Lumen gentium teach us to love the Church and to serve within her the fulfilment of the Kingdom of God, which is coming and which will be fully realized in glory.

Let us be challenged, therefore, by the sublime model who is Mary, Virgin and Mother, and let us ask Her to help us, through Her intercession, to respond to what is asked of us through Her example: do I live my participation of the Church with humble and active faith? Do I recognize in her the community of the covenant that God has given me to respond to His infinite love? Do I feel that I am a living part of the Church, in obedience to the pastors given by God? Do I look to Mary as a model, an outstanding member and Mother of the Church, and ask Her to help me be a faithful disciple of her Son?

Sisters and brothers, may the Holy Spirit, who descended upon Mary and is invoked by us humbly and trustfully, grant us the grace to live these wonderful realities to the full. And, having reflected deeply on the Constitution Lumen gentium, let us ask the Virgin to obtain this gift for us: that love for the Holy Mother Church may grow in all of us. So be it!”

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- July 25

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:40:51 GMT

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

We are celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Angels once again this weekend. Many of you have already contributed to the preparations and supported the event by sponsoring it or making donations. As you may know, we are asking each household to donate $50 to the parish in return for a pin featuring our newest parish logo (see attached picture). We will also give our benefactors a small Christmas ornament from the celebration of the 50th anniversary of our parish back in 2009, as long as we have them in stock. I apologize in advance if they have all been given away by the time you read this, as they have been in high demand.

The parish festival provides an opportunity to strengthen our Marian devotion by praying the Holy Rosary together and fostering a sense of community. It is also an opportunity to make a lasting difference to our campus by funding a small but meaningful improvement. This year, I have identified one special item: an artistic triptych to enhance our Adoration Chapel by placing it behind the monstrance. The blue color reminds us of the presence of Mary and the angels surrounding our Eucharistic Lord. We can better imagine the many invisible angels who are also present in the Adoration Chapel, adoring Jesus Christ with us.

I also wanted to provide an update on the new roof for the church. The diocese has granted approval, the design is complete, and installation is moving forward. We have a construction meeting scheduled for August 3 to finalize all the details and review the timeline. Along with this good news, we are also going to install gutters and new landscaping in the Adoration Chapel as soon as we finish engraving the remaining stones and pavers.

Please help our parish by becoming a family sponsor of the Festival!

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- July 19

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:38:48 GMT

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday, I would like to share with you the following statement from Bishop Burbidge regarding the recent and unfortunate events in Écône, Switzerland, which have led to another fracture in the Catholic Church’s ecclesial communion.

As a consequence of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (SSPX) sadly proceeding with episcopal ordinations of four bishops on July 1, 2026 without a papal mandate, the Holy See has subsequently decreed that, in accord with Church law, the bishops involved have incurred automatic excommunication and carried out a schismatic act.

The decree of the Holy See, issued through the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, together with an explanatory note, makes clear that as a result of the SSPX’s schismatic act, any celebrations of the sacraments of confession and matrimony by the SSPX are invalid, and the administration of other sacraments is illicit. As bishop, and motivated by care for souls, I therefore instruct the faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington to avoid participating in the activities of the SSPX. I encourage any persons locally who have been attached to the SSPX and who desire the spiritual nourishment of the Church and the Extraordinary Form of the Mass to become active in any one of the eight locations in our diocese where this is currently possible.

The Holy See, in the spirit of conciliation, has outlined the procedure necessary for SSPX priests and lay faithful to return to Catholic communion. Although lay faithful who formally adhere to the SSPX are considered schismatic and excommunicated, this does not apply to lay faithful “who do not reject the Magisterium of the authority of the Roman Pontiff” and have engaged with the SSPX for solely liturgical or spiritual reasons. Such persons must simply resolve not to continue to participate in future SSPX sacramental worship or pastoral ministries.

To my brother priests in the SSPX, please know of my prayers for you and my heartfelt desire for your return to full communion with the Church. I invite all the faithful to join me in prayer for the end of all division and schism and for the unity of the Church, so that she may better fulfill the divine commission to make disciples of all nations.

On 24 May 1976, Pope Saint Paul VI addressed this painful situation:

“There are those who, under the pretext of greater fidelity to the Church and the Magisterium, systematically reject the teachings of the Council itself, their implementation, and the reforms that flow from them—as well as their gradual implementation by the Apostolic See and the Episcopal Conferences, under our authority, as willed by Christ. The authority of the Church is discredited in the name of a Tradition for which respect is shown only in a superficial and verbal sense; the faithful are led away from their bonds of obedience to the See of Peter and to their legitimate bishops; the authority of today is rejected in the name of that of yesterday… It is so painful to note this: but how can one fail to see in such an attitude—whatever the intentions of these people may be—a placing of oneself outside of obedience and communion with the Successor of Peter and, therefore, with the Church?”

Please pray for Pope Leo XIV and the Church´s unity.

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastors Desk- July 12

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:32:10 GMT

Walking the Camino, One Step at a Time

Dear Parishioners,

I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July celebration! Let us continue to pray for our country as we look forward to the next 250 years.

I just returned from Spain, where I visited my mother and walked the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James). The pilgrimage began in Villafranca del Bierzo, León, and ended in Santiago de Compostela after roughly 200 kilometers of sunshine and heavy storms. We all arrived safely, tired, but spiritually renewed. Every morning, we started early (as early as 4 a.m. some days) to avoid the heat and spend the first two hours in silent prayer. We contemplated God’s nature, meditated on the daily gospel, and lifted up prayers of intercession for many friends. I prayed not only for our parish as a whole, but also for many of you. I recalled your names and remembered your faces.

I would like to share with you some of the thoughts and fruits of these days:

1. Trusting God’s Providence is essential for a Christian. This year I practiced more the virtue of trust, delegating in others more aspects of the daily logistics and it helped tremendously. I had to make some important calls on the spot, because of the weather and I was reminded that God speaks to us through others and many small circumstances, if only we pay attention to him. I remember a particular morning when I chose to go a different route than planned (and also different than my preferred choice) and it was totally providential: not long after we started walking, we had an incredibly heavy rain, right at the time we found shelter under a safe facility at the entrance of a village. We then took the time to pray morning prayer and right at the end of this prayer time, the skies cleared.

2. Communion with other pilgrims is the only way to reach a destination: although we were a group of 24, we all had different rhythms and strength. The key was to leave no one behind and to put those who were struggling at the front. We met many other pilgrims who were not part of a group but had also befriended others on the way. That is precisely the lesson: we may start the Camino alone, but we will never finish it without company. Many of our pilgrims chose to walk barefoot into the city of Santiago, as we were all singing a simple canon in Latin (the lyrics are an invitation to rejoice in the Lord).

3. Perseverance is the fruit of focusing on the next step. This is true for life also. We cannot let the ups and downs of life discourage us, as it also happens in the Camino when you are tired and look ahead to the uphill stretch in front of you. Smaller strides are the key to move forward. Good hydration too. And most importantly, keeping our Lord in focus, as he also underwent the Passion for us. We can do all things in Him who comforts us.

I also wanted to share with you that we will be having a guest priest in the next few weeks, Fr. Juan Daniel Alcorlo, from the Archdiocese of Madrid. Fr. Juan Daniel is a diocesan priest who will be helping me while my other brother priests of the Disciples attend our annual Spiritual Exercises. This year I will stay at the parish “holding down the fort” and will take time to go on retreat in the Fall. Please pray for a fruitful retreat!

God bless you all!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- July 5

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:26:31 GMT

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear parishioners,

Happy Fourth of July weekend! This year marks the 250th anniversary of America.

This week, I would like to express my gratitude and prayers for the ministry of Fr. Juan Espino, DCJM. As you may already know, we are a religious order of priests with missions in different states and countries. Fr. Juan has been assigned to our parish for a total of six years, although he also served in the Diocese of Arlington for another six years through his priestly service. Virginia has been a meaningful place for him, as he has flourished here as a priest. However, the Good Lord is now calling him to a new assignment in Littleton, Colorado. He will certainly be missed, and while changes are always difficult, they can be fruitful if we embrace them in communion with the Lord, trusting in his plans and being grateful for Fr. Juan's time with us, which will come to an end this summer. Returning to Colorado will reconnect him with the many graces he received there, particularly his final vows in October 2012 and his ordination as a priest in June 2013. The parish will host a farewell reception this Thursday, July 9, starting with Mass at 7 pm, followed by an opportunity to show our gratitude and wish Fr. Juan well.

Our annual registration for catechetical programs is now underway, and our Religious Education Office is hard at work processing enrollments through July 20. We kindly ask for your patience as the staff makes its way through a busy season of registrations. A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet many of our wonderful and patient catechists. You can see them in the photo below, taken at the end of our meeting, where I listened to their thoughts and assured them of the importance of this ministry, as well as my support and expectations. We will begin next year's apostolic work with a retreat on August 29, and we are blessed to have Bishop Burbidge celebrate our Confirmation Masses on October 3 this year.

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- June 28

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:16:51 GMT

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear parishioners,

Happy early summer, everyone!

In a few days, on Saturday, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of our country. This should make us feel thankful for what it represents. I am grateful to God, whose providence led to the creation of the United States of America. We are thankful to the many generations who have lived and died here, and for the freedom we enjoy today. We should be thankful for the native nations that were here before many immigrants arrived. We should also be thankful for those who left their homes and never returned, bringing or starting their families here. We are thankful for all military and their families, who sacrifice so much, and only God knows what they give up. We are thankful to the missionaries who brought faith to this land and helped shape our hearts, cities, and culture. I also think about the many missionaries from America who have worked and lived in other parts of the world, and I am very thankful for that.

I hope this land continues to grow and flourish, especially in the growth of the Catholic Church in our community and beyond our borders. Robert Francis Prevost is perhaps the most famous American-born missionary today. He changed his name on May 8, 2025, shortly after we all watched the white smoke coming out of the Sistine Chapel. A few years ago, it was impossible to imagine that an American-born bishop would become the 267th Pope just before the 250th anniversary of the USA’s founding. How about that for a guess?

Pope Leo XIV is a good example for us to reflect on our history. He comes from a family with a rich cultural heritage, with roots in Europe (Spain among them) and the Caribbean. He was the Superior General of the Order of Saint Augustine for 12 years, which meant he traveled all over the world. He spent his early years as a priest and later as a bishop in Peru, a place with a rich cultural history. Pope Leo is a great example of how mission work and priestly ministry benefit both the missionary and the people they serve.

The United States is proud to help people who want to become part of our society and build it up. Perhaps the most difficult challenge is to continue to be “one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” I invite you to pray a rosary for this intention of unity. We can only wonder how the 500th anniversary of our country will look.

I’m sorry to miss the parish’s celebrations on July 4 because it’s my mother’s 80th birthday. I’ll be with her, but I’ll pray that it’s a memorable experience for everyone. Yes, the United States would not exist, and I would not exist, if it were not for the Fourth of July.

Have a fabulous Fourth of July!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- June 21

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:13:38 GMT

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear parishioners,

As we begin the summer of 2026, I encourage you to commit to growing in your prayer life. You may have heard about the Eucharistic Adoration prayer initiative. The Bishops of the United States promoted it in honor of the 250th anniversary of America. The initiative comes in the form of a challenge for our parish: Can we complete 250 additional hours of adoration to pray for our country? I am convinced that we can do this together. To that end, we have created an online sign-up form and a sign-up sheet in the office. Please support our country by giving your time and prayers! Sign up today!

I also want to share with you this excerpt from a recent letter written by Archbishop Lori of Baltimore:

“Among the first words of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate was a call for unity–unity in the Church, and unity among the peoples of the earth. Unity is not a strategy; it is grounded in Christ, who prayed that His disciples might be one (…)

From the beginning, Catholics in this country have wrestled with how to live faithfully in a culture that does not always share or support the Gospel. That struggle continues today, especially in a time when many feel politically homeless and unsure where their faith fits within the current landscape.

Part of our pastoral challenge is that many of our people instinctively identify as Americans, or as Democrats or Republicans, before they identify as Catholics. When that happens, the Gospel is easily overshadowed by partisanship–or even a rigid ideology that demands more loyalty than the Word of God–and thus our witness becomes fractured. Naming this honestly is not a condemnation but an invitation: an invitation to let our faith shape our civic identity rather than the other way around.”

This statement has a direct application for us now. This fall in the Commonwealth of Virginia two proposed amendments on the ballot threaten the human right to life and the truth of marriage. These proposed amendments are called the “Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment” and the “Virginia Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment.” They also threaten constitutional justice, the equal protection of the laws, and religious liberty.

As Catholics, we vote “no” on these proposed amendments. We recognize that, if passed, these amendments would enshrine objective wrongs in Virginia’s Constitution and overturn basic matters of justice and gravely damage the intrinsic dignity of persons and the nature of marriage and the family. These are matters of fundamental truth concerning the human person. Although Catholics may in good conscience disagree over most political policies which call for strictly prudential judgments, certain fundamental matters such as marriage and the protection of human life demand a consistent and universal response from Catholics to protect and preserve objective goods by which God blesses humanity.

I encourage you to pray the Holy Hour for this intention, as well as to pledge to vote “no” on the proposed amendments.

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- June 14

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:22:08 GMT

Safeguarding the Soul of Our Legacy

Dear Parishioners,

Following the consecration of the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I would like to share some words with you for your meditation. They are taken from one of Pope Leo’s addresses during his recent apostolic journey to Spain. They are applicable to all nations, and are particularly relevant in our own country at this meaningful moment in our history.

After carefully considering these wonders created by previous generations, a question inevitably arises that challenges us all: what legacy are we leaving for the future and, by extension, what kind of community are we building?

I have listened intently to each of the panelists’ contributions, and I agree with you. Our society does indeed possess an extraordinary capacity to produce, innovate and communicate; however, it seems we still need to learn how to safeguard the soul of what it generates. Otherwise, we run the risk of becoming experts in the media and effective producers, yet uncertain as to why, for what purpose, with whom and for whom we produce. In this context, the Church, mindful of both its successes and its errors throughout history, longs to remain in dialogue with the contemporary world.

The desire for goodness, beauty and truth is rooted in the very DNA of humanity. It is on the basis of this profoundly human aspiration and our centuries-old experience that the Church proposes paths toward a life of dignity and the common good. In this regard, Saint Paul VI affirmed before the United Nations that, whatever one’s opinion of the Roman Pontiff may be, his mission is well known. As an “expert in humanity,” the Church does not turn a blind eye to anything truly human (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 1). For this reason, “openness to dialogue is an integral part of the Church’s vocation” (Magnifica Humanitas, 2). Today we confirm that the decisive question remains the same: what does it mean to be truly human?

With humility and conviction, the Church shares what she has discovered through the experience of faith: that Jesus Christ provides the answer to the great questions concerning human life and its fulfilment, both in this world and ultimately in eternity. “For this reason, the human person always remains the ‘way for the Church’ and the heart of every authentic path of integral human development” (ibid., 50). Therefore, the Church cannot turn a blind eye to culture, because through it, man as man “is” more fully human (cf. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 554).

Precisely since “culture” calls to mind “cultivate,” just as the etymological roots that both words share suggest, we are rightly called to ask ourselves what it is that we are sowing today, what exactly is flourishing and what is silently withering in our society; what values are we preserving and which are we allowing to die. These are profound and necessary questions that cannot be ignored.

In order to address these questions, it is necessary to have a social dialogue that can be likened to the art of building networks, which involves coming together, listening, dialogue and respect.

In the various spheres of human activity, we must be mindful of the language we use — whether written, spoken or imagery in the digital realm — because communication is never neutral. Every form of expression speaks and conveys meaning; it can wound or heal, shatter expectations or open new horizons, sow division or awaken hope in the possibility of building something genuinely human together.

If there is one thing we can learn from the Heart of Christ, it is the capacity to build relationships: with God, with each other, and with all of creation. These relationships are renewed by the invincible power of Christ’s resurrection — God’s deepest sign of his love for humanity.

God bless you, God bless the United States of America,

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- June 7

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:54:52 GMT

Corpus Christi Sunday

Dear Parishioners,

A blessed Corpus Christi Sunday to you all!

This week I have some parish news to share with you as there will be some priestly changes here at Our Lady of Angels. I am confident these changes will continue to enhance the parish and bring forth new ways to continue our mission.

We will be welcoming two priests, both are in our Order, The Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. First, Fr. José Noriega will be in residence here at Our Lady of Angels and will be assisting with weekend Masses here at the parish. He has been a priest since 1990 and has experience with both teaching theology and working at a parish. He has written multiple books and articles about family life and moral theology. He has also given lectures all over the world. I look forward to having him here.

Second is Deacon Riley Blanchard soon to be ordained in September and will become a Parochial Vicar. He will be a young priest taking his first assignment here at Our Lady of Angels. Deacon Blanchard is one of eight children and he was one of our altar servers at St. Mary Parish in Littleton, Colorado. I am excited to welcome them here to Woodbridge so they can witness and be part of the best parish in the world and all we do! I trust, and ask you to trust, that the plan God has for our parish will benefit from these additions. Both Fr. Noriega and Deacon Blanchard are bilingual.

Finally, Fr. Juan Espino is being transferred to Littleton, Colorado. We are so grateful for all he has done within our Parish. He has help build many of the programs here on campus and I am confident he will thrive in Colorado. The changes will occur in the summer, and will be completed by the end of August. We are planning a reception for Fr. Juan. Please stay tuned for more information about the reception. God continues to bless us priests with the people he entrusts to us. We need them as much as we all need Christ.

Fr. Alvaro Montero

From the Pastor's Desk- May 31

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:30:41 GMT

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Dear parishioners,

Happy Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity!

The most basic mystery of our faith is the Holy Trinity. God is not a lonely deity. God is one God in a

communion of persons. Father, Son and Holy Spirit share the one and only divine nature. St. John

teaches us that God is love. This is not the same as saying the opposite: love is god. It would be a big

mistake to say that love is an absolute without explaining what love is. Today, culture makes love an

emotional and sentimental issue. It makes the idea of love seem absolute and idol-like.

Our faith teaches that love is very specific and different. God is love. If God is love, we can see God

when we truly love others and give to others, because we are then sharing God's nature.

Saint Augustine wrote: “In this is love—in this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that

God sent his only-begotten Son into this world, that we may live through Him.—In this is love, not that

we loved God, but that He loved us:” we did not love Him first: for to this end loved He us, that we may

love Him: “And sent His Son to be the Atoner for our sins (“litatorem,” i.e. one that sacrifices). He

sacrificed for our sins. Where did He find the sacrifice? Where did He find the victim which he would

offer pure? Other He found none; His own self He offered. “Beloved, if God so loved us we ought also

to love one another. Peter,” said He, “Do you love me?” And he said, “I love.” “Feed my sheep.” Homily

VII on the 1 st Letter of St. John.

So love has to do with God making us part of his nature and giving us the ability to love in the same

way, rather than using our own limited strength. Love means wanting the best for the person you love.

Today, we celebrate the Holy Trinity. We pray that we can love like God does, surrender our lives to

Him, and accomplish the mission each one of us has. This is exactly the prayer over the bread and

wine that is said during today's church liturgy:

“Sanctify by the invocation of your name, we pray, O Lord our God, this oblation of our service, and by it

make of us an eternal offering to you. Through Christ our Lord”

In other words, we honor God by letting us be transformed in an eternal offering to Him each time we

receive the Holy Eucharist.

We are grateful to God for the many blessings we have received, especially the many sacraments

given to our parishioners. I picked this picture to show what our life is all about: It is a gift from God that

we can offer back to him. This will make the Lord lift us up and guide us towards the joy of the saints in

heaven.

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- May 24

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:02:11 GMT

Pentecost Sunday

Dear parishioners,

Happy Pentecost and Happy Memorial Day weekend!

A few weeks ago, I went to the Aquinas Regional School Gala. It was a fun and inspiring event and a successful fundraiser. One of the items in the live auction was a beautiful, unique wooden American flag that was made by a veteran suffering from PTSD. It is made from solid wood, and it has a beautifully carved, rippling design that makes it look like the flag is gently waving in the wind. Our church bought it to support the school and to honor the many veterans who have served our country and sometimes risked their lives. We will put the flag in one of the conference rooms at the parish. It will remind everyone of the importance of gratitude and patriotism, two of the most important virtues of the American spirit. This is a special addition to our church community and a meaningful honor to those who serve.

May is not only the month of Mary, but many of our children and youth receive the Eucharist for the first time. I wanted to share a picture of one of the groups who received during Sunday Mass on May 17 (see bulletin). There have been many other Masses with the same kind of celebration and happiness. As I wrote earlier, we want to encourage parents to take an active role in their children’s education by attending Sunday Mass with them. We need to improve how families, school, and parish work together, but I’m happy to see a positive response. I know there’s room to improve, especially when it comes to making each this moment special. I’m grateful to everyone who helped out with their time, ideas, and feedback.

I want to tell you that Louise Kimball is retiring soon. She is our Religious Education Coordinator. She will be moving out of town with her family. Please join me in thanking her for her many years of service at Our Lady of Angels and, previously, at Holy Family Parish. Her strong work ethic and dedication to serving the Church and each individual are truly admirable. She will be missed, and it will not be easy to find someone to replace her. Pray for her and for her intentions during this time of change.

Finally, thank you to everyone who is supporting our Disciples Annual Appeal. We are very thankful for your prayers, your own personal support, and your donations. We can’t do our mission without your help!

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- May 17

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:53:37 GMT

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Dear parishioners,

Happy Easter! Happy Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord!

We are not orphans. As we think about the Ascension, let’s remember that Christ’s departure is not the end, but a new beginning. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to help us, so we never are alone. This gives us hope and helps us continue His mission. The first Christians said that they felt Jesus’ presence more strongly after his resurrection than before. But it was their faith and community life that helped their friendship with God grow deeper and happier. We could say that Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit to be with us always since he went back to the Father with all his humanity.

May 18th marks the 106th birthday of St. John Paul II. His episcopal motto, Totus Tuus, meaning “Totally Yours,” beautifully expresses his deep devotion to Our Lady. As we reflect on this motto, we are reminded to entrust ourselves fully to Mary, seeking her guidance and intercession in our daily lives, just as St. John Paul II did. This motto comes from a quote written by St. Louis Grignon de Momfort. “Totus tuus ego sum, et omnia mea tua sunt. O Maria. Accipio te in omnia mea. Praebe mihi cor tuum”. I am all yours, and all that I have is yours. I accept you into all that is mine. Give me your heart, O Mary.

The following words are from St. John Paul II´s testament. I find them very moving:

“As the end of my earthly life draws close, I think back to its beginning, to my Parents, my Brother and my Sister (whom I never knew, for she died before I was born), to the Parish of Wadowice where I was baptized, to that city of my youth, to my peers, my companions of both sexes at elementary school, at high school, at university, until the time of the Occupation when I worked as a labourer, and later, to the Parish in Niegowic, to St Florian’s Parish in Krakow, to the pastoral work of academics, to the context… to all the contexts… to Krakow and to Rome… to the persons who were especially entrusted to me by the Lord. I want to say just one thing to them all: “May God reward you!”

If you are interested in participating in our parish pilgrimage to Poland in 2027, please reach out to the parish office. During the trip, we will follow in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II, exploring his birthplace in Wadowice and the city of Krakow, where he served as bishop before becoming the Holy Father.

Please pray for Pope Leo XIV, who will be visiting Spain in June. May he continue to be a symbol of faith and hope in a world full of division. This picture of him as a deacon with St. John Paul II shows the same peace he radiates today.

May the Lord bless your family with a deep sense of Easter joy!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- May 10

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:49:23 GMT

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Happy Easter! Happy sixth Sunday of Easter!

Happy Easter! Happy sixth Sunday of Easter! Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers. We are very thankful to them, who were actually our first heart, before our own was formed in their womb. We honor all of them with our prayers, but we remember our deceased moms especially. I encourage each person to pray a rosary for your mother and make sure you explicitly show your appreciation with a special gesture, card, or word.

We also pray for Pope Leo, as he just celebrated the first anniversary of his election on May 8. Most people agree that his words and actions show his love for Christ and the Church and his determination to strengthen our faith.

You may have heard that the car raffle was a success for our parish. One family won a Ford Bronco (see the picture), and another person won a $5,000 prize. I am very happy and grateful to the Lord because in His Divine Providence He provided our parish community with this simple joy. I was happier for the winners than for myself because it was exactly what I had prayed for. I asked the Lord to let one of my parishioners win the car. It was an answered prayer!

We are all invited to a free diocesan event. Bishop Burbidge invites you to celebrate 250 years of Faith + Freedom in our nation. Registration is required to ensure sufficient communion and food for all attendees. Free food and drinks (including ice cream) while supplies last. Top-tier fireworks display!

When: June 13, 2026, from 3:45 PM to 9:30 PM
Where: Clarke County Fairgrounds, 890 West Main Street, Berryville, VA 22611

If you would like to attend, please contact the office as we are in the process of securing transportation by hiring a bus or more, if needed and affordable.

May the Lord bless your family with a deep sense of Easter joy!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- May 3

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:55:24 GMT

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Dear parishioners,

Happy Easter! Happy fifth Sunday of Easter! I have great news to share with you today.

St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School has received the Cardinal Newman Society recognition. This means that the school is now listed in the Newman Guide as a recommended school.

The Cardinal Newman Society recommends K-12 schools committed to upholding standards of faithful Catholic education. The Society’s policy and curriculum standards are derived from guidance via Church councils, popes, Vatican congregations, bishops conferences, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and other Church documents. This recognition affirms that the school is academically strong and sound.

Holding our school out as an exemplar of faithful Catholic education, our recognition status publicly affirms our commitment to the five Principles of Catholic Identity in Education, the Catholic Curriculum Standards, and the Cardinal Newman Policy Standards.

As a Newman Guide Recommended school, we affirm that our administration and faculty are aware of and committed to the recognition requirements detailed below:

Catholic Education is inspired by and rooted in the divine, salvific mission of the Catholic Church.
Catholic Education models the Christian communion and Catholic identity.
Catholic Education teaches students to encounter Christ in prayer, Scripture and Sacrament.
Catholic Education integrally forms students as physical, intellectual and spiritual beings called to perfect humanity in the fullness of Christ.
Catholic Education imparts a “Christian vision of the world, of life, of culture and of history”, by ordering the whole of human culture to the news of salvation”.

If you have elementary school age children, please consider enrolling them in Aquinas. It is an intentional investment in their future and your family life.

May the Lord bless your family with a deep sense of Easter joy!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- April 26

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:50:07 GMT

Sunday of the Good Shepherd

Dear parishioners,

Happy Easter! Happy Sunday of the Good Shepherd!

This week, I will share with you how our parish is supporting families with the growth and education of their children. Over the next few weeks, you will see our Religious Education children receiving Our Eucharistic Lord for the first time at Sunday Mass. This reminds their families that their children and young people are receiving the Eucharist on the Lord’s Day, as they are expected to continue to do for the rest of their lives, week after week — from one Sunday to the next one.

This is an intentional effort to support parents in their role as primary educators, and to encourage them to consider what they say and do. We are not the first parish in our country to launch this initiative; rather, we are joining many others who are thriving with a refreshed approach to the sacramental life.

Pope Saint John Paul II wrote an excellent document on the Christian family. The following quotes are intended for your meditation. These words inspired our recent decision. Here are the words of ‘the Pope of the Family’, as he wanted to be remembered:

The mission to educate demands that Christian parents should present to their children all the topics that are necessary for the gradual maturing of their personality from a Christian and ecclesial point of view. They will therefore… take care to show their children the depths of significance to which the faith and love of Jesus Christ can lead. Furthermore, their awareness that the Lord is entrusting to them the growth of a child of God, a brother or sister of Christ, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a member of the Church, will support Christian parents in their task of strengthening the gift of divine grace in their children’s souls.

The educational mission of the Christian family is a true ministry through which the Gospel is transmitted and radiated, so that family life itself becomes an itinerary of faith and in some way a Christian initiation and a school of following Christ . Within a family that is aware of this gift, as Paul VI wrote, “ all the members evangelize and are evangelized .”

By virtue of their ministry of educating, parents are, through the witness of their lives, the first heralds of the Gospel for their children. Furthermore, by praying with their children, by reading the word of God with them and by introducing them deeply through Christian initiation into the Body of Christ — both the Eucharistic and the ecclesial Body — they become fully parents, in that they are begetters not only of bodily life but also of the life that through the Spirit’s renewal flows from the Cross and Resurrection of Christ.

— Familiaris Consortio, 39

Please pray for everyone who will receive Holy Communion at Our Lady of Angels in the coming weeks.

May the Lord bless your family with a deep sense of Easter joy!

From the Pastor's Desk- April 19

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:43:10 GMT

Third Sunday of Easter

Dear Parishioners, the Lord is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! He is truly risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Last week, I shared with you the blessings of our Easter Vigil and the gift of our 37 new Catholic brothers and sisters. Today I have more great news to share with you. This weekend, on April 18, the Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid ordained Fr. Javier Carmena, DCJM, one of our brothers in Europe, as a priest. This is yet another extraordinary fruit of Easter. It is the result of many years of formation and, undoubtedly, of the constant support of our families, friends, and benefactors.

Fr. Javier is one of three siblings, and his older brother, Fr. Felipe Carmena, is also a Disciple of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary priest. Before entering our order, Fr. Javier studied pharmacy and is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Rome while serving as the newly appointed Secretary General of the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. I pray that he will visit Our Lady of Angels Parish in the future so that you can meet him in person. I am convinced that he will be a great priest, and I will continue to pray for the fruits of his ministry and vocation.

Here is a quote from Pope Leo’s recent letter to the priests of Madrid that is good for all priests:

It is thus becoming clear what kind of priests Madrid—and the entire Church—needs at this time. Certainly not men defined by an ever-increasing workload or by the pressure to produce results, but men conformed to Christ, capable of sustaining their ministry through a living relationship with Him , nourished by the Eucharist and expressed in a pastoral charity marked by the sincere gift of self. It is not a matter of inventing new models or redefining the identity we have received, but of re-proposing, with renewed intensity, the priesthood in its most authentic core—to be alter Christus—letting Him be the one who shapes our lives, unifies our hearts, and gives form to a ministry lived from intimacy with God, faithful dedication to the Church, and concrete service to the people entrusted to us.

Dear sons, allow me today to speak to you about the priesthood using an image you know well: your Cathedral. Not to describe a building, but to learn from it. For cathedrals—like any sacred place—exist, like the priesthood, to lead to an encounter with God and reconciliation with our brothers and sisters, and their elements hold a lesson for our life and ministry.

Just by looking at its façade, we already learn something essential. It is the first thing one sees, and yet it does not reveal everything: it hints, suggests, and invites. In the same way, the priest does not live to put himself on display, nor does he live to hide himself. His life is called to be visible, consistent, and recognizable, even when it is not always understood. The façade does not exist for its own sake: it leads to the interior. In the same way, the priest is never an end in himself. His whole life is called to point to God and to accompany the journey toward the Mystery, without usurping its place.

— Pope Leo XIV, Letter to the Presbyterate of Madrid, January 28, 2026

Please continue to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, particularly to the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Finally, a very happy birthday to Fr. Juan on 19 April! Please pray for him and the fruits of his ministry!

God bless you!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- April 12

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:36:28 GMT

Divine Mercy Sunday: Jesus, I Trust in You

Dear parishioners, Happy Divine Mercy Sunday!

I hope you have experienced the joy of this Octave of Easter. Today, our Easter joy is connected to the assurance of God’s forgiveness. When someone is forgiven a large debt, doesn’t a sense of joy arise in proportion to the burden lifted?

Contemplating the open heart and wounds of Christ helps us understand the depth of our offenses and the regenerating power of His love. Regarding the sinful woman who anointed His feet with her hair, Jesus said, “Much is forgiven to those who love much.” “I tell you,” He continued, “her many sins have been forgiven; therefore, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven loves little.”

Saint Thomas the Apostle also had a deep sense of his sinfulness and lack of trust. The Lord invited him to touch His wounds so that he might believe. After touching them, Thomas became the first to confess Jesus’s divinity, exclaiming, “My Lord and my God!” On this Divine Mercy Sunday, I invite you to grow in Paschal joy by confessing Jesus’s divinity and showing gratitude for the forgiveness of your sins.

I would like to share the final words of Saint John Paul II, a pope who promoted devotion to Divine Mercy and canonized Saint Faustina Kowalska during his pontificate:

As a gift to humanity, which sometimes seems bewildered and overwhelmed by the power of evil, selfishness and fear, the Risen Lord offers His love that pardons, reconciles and reopens hearts to love. It is a love that converts hearts and gives peace. How much the world needs to understand and accept Divine Mercy! Lord, who reveal the Father’s love by your death and Resurrection, we believe in you and confidently repeat to you today: Jesus, I trust in you, have mercy upon us and upon the whole world.

— Saint John Paul II, Sunday, April 3, 2005

Jesus, I trust in you, have mercy upon us and upon the whole world.

We extend a special welcome and congratulations to our newest brothers and sisters in Christ. It was a blessing to witness their baptism, confirmation, and Holy Communion. Special recognition goes to the Ogonowski family for the baptism of the mother and her four sons, who attend St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School, as well as to Natavia James, who will soon graduate after receiving the gift of the Catholic faith at our school with the complete support of her parents.

I wish I had more space to write something to each of our neophytes, as we call the newly baptized, but I renew my commitment to pray for their faithfulness, and I ask you to pray for them, too.

May the Lord continue to bless your family with a deep sense of Easter joy!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor's Desk- April 05

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:25:18 GMT

Easter Sunday

Dear parishioners,

Happy Easter to you, your families and friends! Now is the time to reap the rewards of Lent and Holy Week. Let us ask for the grace to experience the true joy of Christ' s resurrection. Regardless of whether we have been intentional about our Lenten resolutions and penances, now is not the time to look to ourselves, but rather an invitation to fix our eyes on the risen Lord. He wants to breathe new life into our hearts, giving us a renewed sense of faith, hope and charity, and bringing us deeper serenity amid our trials.

What makes Easter joy special? How is it different? First: Easter joy is a grace that we can only ask God to give us. It is beyond our control because it does not belong to this world alone. It arises in the context of a true friendship with God. Our joy is primarily rooted in Christ' s triumph over sin and death. In other words, we rejoice because he rose from the dead after his brutal crucifixion. My friend is alive! 'I know that my Redeemer lives!' But our hope goes further: we rejoice because His victory is our victory. If we die with him, we will rise with him. Nothing can separate us from Him again. Reading the account of the resurrection of Lazarus in chapter 11 of Saint John ' s Gospel may help us to understand this. Jesus said that he was going to Jerusalem to raise his friend Lazarus from the dead.

St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote some great points for all meditations concerning the resurrection of Our Lord:

When beginning a prayer, ask “for the grace to be glad and to rejoice intensely because of the great glory and joy of Christ our Lord” .
“Consider how the divinity, which seemed hidden during the Passion, now appears and manifests itself so miraculously in this holy Resurrection, through its true and most holy effects” .
“Consider the office of consoler which Christ our Lord carries out and compare it with the way friends console one another."

This icon was painted by Fr. Pevkis, a Greek Orthodox priest whom I met last year during our pilgrimage to Greece in the footsteps of Saint Paul. It depicts Christ pulling Adam, Eve, and the entire human race from the bosom of Abraham. Let us allow Christ to pull us out of the darkness of sadness, sin, and error! May the Lord bless your family with a deep sense of Christian Easter joy!

Fr. Álvaro.

From the Pastor's Desk -March 29

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:55:34 GMT

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Dear parishioners,

First, I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone visiting our parish today with family or friends. I am well aware of the difficulties we all face in keeping our faith alive. If you are visiting for the first time in a while, know that you are in my prayers, and that you are invited to become an active member of our parish. We are here to support you and your family on your faith journey and help you reconnect with or deepen your practice of our faith.

Today we enter Holy Week through Palm Sunday. Christ entered Jerusalem hailed as a King and proclaimed as the long-expected Messiah. The pilgrims who came to Jerusalem with Jesus spread their garments on the street along with Jesus passes. This has a precise meaning: it is a gesture of enthronement in the tradition of the Davidic kingship (as explained by Pope Benedict XVI). We know what happened a few days later: Jesus was crucified as the King of the Jews. The crucifixion summarizes his mission: to rescue us from the power of Satan and death by surrendering himself in all humility. Christ has chosen to be always at our feet as the humble servant of God.

The gesture of spreading garments finds a more radical expression in the gesture of Christ during the Last Supper: the washing of the feet. Among the different explanations given buy theologians, two stand out. The washing of the feet was a symbolic action pointing to Jesus´ death and it is also paradigmatic of the service he came to fulfil, to give us an example of true service. But, Pope Benedict XVI explains a deeper meaning to just an exterior example: Jesus´action becomes ours, because he is acting in us. “He who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater than these because I go to the Father” John 14:12.

I am also glad to report that we have finished installing a new roof on our parish hall/school gym. Thanks to all who donated and to EZ Prado Construction for their generous donation of time and labor. We are improving our facilities one step at a time, and the damage from the recent ice and snow storm became a total priority. Seeing such a strong response and growing sense of ownership from many of our school and parish families is inspiring. The proceeds from our Aquinas second collection, which totaled over $8,000, were used entirely to fund part of the new roof.

Finally, I would like to encourage you to attend the Solemn Triduum liturgies: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. These are the most important feasts of our faith, and we want to celebrate them together. On Saturday, we will welcome our newest brothers and sisters, who will be fully initiated through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. Please pray for them, and do your best to attend the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 4, at 8:00 p.m., followed by a simple reception.

May the Lord bless your family with a renewed sense of belonging and faith this Holy Week!

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor’s Desk – March 22

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:55:34 GMT

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Dear parishioners,

It is always encouraging to see new initiatives blossoming within our parish, particularly when they originate from families connected with our parish and school. This week, I would like to share some news with you from one of our Aquinas families who are currently attending Saint John Paul the Great High School. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of blessing a new centre located very close to our parish: Gracewood Senior Living. I truly believe this is an inspired initiative with a meaningful origin story.

Gracewood Senior Living was born from a deeply personal place. The house that now serves as Gracewood was where the Yu family started their lives together, raised their children, and welcomed their grandparents when they came to visit from the Philippines. After losing their maternal grandparents within two years of each other (the grandmother in September 2023 and the grandfather in April 2025), the family felt the deep ache of time passing too quickly and ending too soon.

They are missed every day in the smallest of moments, and the family often wishes for just a little more time together. It was through this loss that the family felt called to create a place where families might have more opportunities to be present with one another when it matters most. What was once our family home has now become a place where life and love continue to flourish in a new and meaningful way. It was very moving to bless each room in the house, which has now been completely transformed, and to learn from the family members how those spaces were used before they moved out to create Gracewood Senior Living. Today, we need facilities that look like homes to help those who first prepared a home for us!

We all understand that many adult children today must balance caring for their aging parents with raising their own families. This is a time that requires deep devotion and love. Gracewood exists to support these families. In our 24-hour, personalized, home-like setting, with a caregiver-to-resident ratio of one to four, we ensure that seniors are safe and supported with dignity. Our hope is that loved ones can focus on being loving family members, giving meaningful time and attention to their elderly relatives. Gracewood provides medication management, assistance with daily activities, home-cooked meals, and meaningful companionship, to name a few. Our goal is simple: to help families feel confident and at peace knowing their loved ones are cared for. Residents, on the other hand, need to feel valued and truly at home. Gracewood is never a facility, but a true home built on respect, patience, and love. I am grateful that we have such a breath of fresh air in our neighborhood. The house may be small, but it certainly feels like home.

It is inspiring to see how this initiative serves our elders within the walls that have always meant so much to the Yu family. May God bless Jonathan Yu, Shamin Chua-Yu and their daughters, Corinne and Harley.

May we all continue to expand our works of mercy,

Fr. Álvaro

From the Pastor’s Desk – March 15

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:55:34 GMT

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioners,

On this fourth Sunday of Lent, I offer you this reflection. It is a wonderful sermon by Saint Peter Chrysologus, bishop.

“There are three things, my brethren, by which faith stands firm, devotion remains constant, and virtue endures. They are prayer, fasting and mercy. Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains, mercy receives. Prayer, mercy and fasting: these three are one, and they give life to each other.

Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. Let no one try to separate them; they cannot be separated. If you have only one of them or not all together, you have nothing. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others you open God’s ear to yourself.

When you fast, see the fasting of others. If you want God to know that you are hungry, know that another is hungry. If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give. If you ask for yourself what you deny to others, your asking is a mockery. Let this be the pattern for all men when they practice mercy: show mercy to others in the same way, with the same generosity, with the same promptness, as you want others to show mercy to you.

Therefore, let prayer, mercy and fasting be one single plea to God on our behalf, one speech in our defense, a threefold united prayer in our favor.

Let us use fasting to make up for what we have lost by despising others. Let us offer our souls in sacrifice by means of fasting. There is nothing more pleasing that we can offer to God, as the psalmist said in prophecy: A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God does not despise a bruised and humbled heart. Offer your soul to God, make him an oblation of your fasting, so that your soul may be a pure offering, a holy sacrifice, a living victim, remaining your own and at the same time made over to God. Whoever fails to give this to God will not be excused, for if you are to give him yourself you are never without the means of giving.

To make these acceptable, mercy must be added. Fasting bears no fruit unless it is watered by mercy. Fasting dries up when mercy dries up. Mercy is to fasting as rain is to the earth. However much you may cultivate your heart, clear the soil of your nature, root out vices, sow virtues, if you do not release the springs of mercy, your fasting will bear no fruit.

When you fast, if your mercy is thin your harvest will be thin; when you fast, what you pour out in mercy overflows into your barn. Therefore, do not lose by saving, but gather in by scattering. Give to the poor, and you give to yourself. You will not be allowed to keep what you have refused to give to others.”

God bless you with renewed strength this Lent,

Fr. Álvaro