St. Philip Catholic Church News & Updates

Dear Good People of St. Philip,

What for some (including myself) might be considered the most beautiful time of year has arrived. Cooler temperatures, changing colors and plenty of good football games!! The fall season and the month of October are always busy times for many of us and this year seems to be no exception so I would like to draw your attention to two important things happening during the month of October.

First, in connection with the, Catholics Vote No campaign Bishop Burbidge has invited us all to Pray and Fast for this upcoming election. In particular he has requested that all Catholics in Virginia this October pray the Stations of the Cross on Fridays and a Rosary on Sundays leading up to elections along with fasting on Friday’s (that is eating one full meal) and to fast from Social Media on Sundays (at least for a portion of the day). Please do your best observe these practices trusting that even what may seem small and insignificant are important. We see for instance in the book of Ester that fasting was vital to Ester’s courage to go before King Ahasuerus and intercede for the Jewish people (whom she ultimately saved from persecution). As well in Christian times of Prayer and Fasting have often implored in a time of great need, during wars and sickness. Even American Presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln and Franklyn Roosevelt, implored days of prayer and fasting as a way of humbling ourselves before God and entrusting ourselves to his care in times of need. I hope you can participate in this important effort.

The second important thing I would like to bring to your attention for the month of October is that we dedicate this month to the Rosary. For some of you this may be a beloved prayer that you pray everyday, but for others this may be a forgotten or even unknown practice in your family and life. My friends, I encourage all of you who have never prayed the Rosary or pray it infrequently to give it another chance. The Rosary is a beautiful prayer whereby the intercession of Mary we are guided to meditate on the life of Jesus and know him in a more profound way. The exact origins of the Rosary are not all together known but it seems that as early as the Desert Father (the first century or two of Christianity) there were repetitive prayers said on beads in order to count and help focus on a certain prayer. Some these monks would do this because they could not read but it has also been well attested by many people who can read that these kinds of slow repetitive prayers can often lead a person to a meditative prayer in order to contemplate the deeper things of God.

The Rosary in it’s current form was made popular by St. Dominic in the Middle Ages and was thought of as a kind of “layman’s Psalter” since you prayed a 150 Hail Mary’s just as the Priests and Religious would pray 150 psalms (the whole Psalter) throughout the week. By now some of you are probably saying but wait there are now 20 mysteries (which would be 200 Hail Marys) and you are correct, the most current form of the Rosary was modified by St. Pope John Paul II in October of 2002 by adding the Luminous Mysteries (when you are a Saint and a Pope you can do these kind of things!). All of this is helpful to know so that we can see that the Rosary is not some left over prayer from the past but still a very living prayer that can help many of us today. I hope you will join me during the rest of this month of October in praying the Rosary and Fasting for life and marriage.

Blessings,

Father Jeb

Respect Life Month

Each October, the Catholic Church in the United States observes Respect Life Month, a time to pray for and reflect on the God-given dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death.

Learn more and find resources from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at respectlife.org.

This year's theme is "Mary, Mother of Life," as the Blessed Mother teaches us to respect each human life in every stage and circumstance. This is reflected in how she lived according to God's will accepting of her pregnancy, in how she provided assistance to her pregnant relative Elizabeth, and in how she was received and cared for in St. John's home as she advanced in age.

Read about this theme in English or Spanish.

Catholics Vote No

In the Commonwealth of Virginia this fall there will be two amendments on the ballot which threaten constitutional justice, the equal protection of the laws, and religious liberty: the “Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment” and the “Virginia Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment.”

As Catholics, we vote “no” on these proposed amendments because we recognize that these are matters of basic and fundamental justice and concern matters of intrinsic right and wrong.

To better understand these amendments and why the Church opposes them, please visit the websites below before the November 3rd election:

Important Election Dates:

• Register to Vote/Update Registration: 10/23/2026 
• Early in-person voting: 9/18/2026 through 10/31/2026 
• Apply for ballot to be mailed to you: through 10/23/2026 
• Election Day: 11/03/2026

Are you divorced or separated?

Journey of Hope

Journey of Hope is a welcoming inter-parish community to share hope, healing and fellowship. Monthly meetings are the 2nd Thursday at 7 pm at the Nativity School, Rm 203. Email Daryl Martyris at martyrisd@gmail.com for additional information.

Webpage: https://nativityburke.org/separated-divorced/

Mornings of Mercy Retreats

Join other members of the Diocese who have gone through divorce in a series of morning retreats. The morning will include Holy Mass, talk, and Benediction. Mornings of Mercy retreats are led by Rev. Thomas P. Ferguson, Pastor, Good Shepherd Catholic Church. The retreats are free, but please RSVP below.

The next Morning of Mercy is on November 14, 2026 from 8:30 am - 11:30 am at St. Veronica in Chantilly.

Additional Happenings

Spiritual Combat–The Battle of Prayer – Men’s Silent Retreat

San Damiano Retreat Center November 13-15

Deep and powerful prayer is much more than a matter of kneeling, folding your hands, and asking for things.

Finding Peace and Joy with Jesus and Mary in Advent - Women's Silent Retreat

San Damiano Retreat Center December 4-6

"Treasure and ponder" the mysteries of Advent while we read, think, pray... and rest, preparing to welcome the Christ Child with joy into our families and our homes on Christmas morning.

Finding Jesus in Christmas - Retreat for Special Needs Teenagers and their Parents

San Damiano Retreat Center December 11-13

In this endeavor we seek to serve our "little brothers and sisters" to retreat with Jesus at San Damiano. With a little help from Our Blessed Mother and St. Francis of Assisi we will help them to understand the true meaning of "Christ-Mass."

Email youth@stphilipfc.org for more information on St. Philip Youth Ministry.

Want to receive updates about events at St. Philip? Text "STPHILIPFC" to 84576 (English) to join our Flocknote communications system.

Ongoing Regular Activities

Women of the Word, Wednesdays, 7:30-8:45 pm

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Col. 3:16). Ladies in grades 9-12 gather to pray with God's Word and share our journey of faith. Please bring a notebook or journal. 

Faithful Fridays, Grades 9-12 (3-5:30 pm), Grades 4-8 (4-5:30 pm)

Join us for prayer, activities, and refreshments as we grow in our faith. The third Friday of the Month, we volunteer in our food pantry (1 hour of service). Grades 9-12 are welcome to arrive at 3 pm, followed by grades 4-8 at 4 pm. All conclude at 5:30 pm. Feel free to bring a friend!

Special Activities

High School Rally

Mark Your Calendar for Rally 2026: Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 11 am to 8:30 pm at Bishop O’Connell High School.