December 17, 2025

What we see unfolding in our nation is a vicious pattern of hatred rooted in the rejection of God, of the dignity of the human person, and the sanctity of the family. We can eradicate these ills only through a firm reliance on God, through a deeper devotion to Christ and the Gospel, through a sincere love for persons reflected in law, and through a renewed commitment to justice and public order.

We are living through a perilous moment. Our challenge is not only one of partisan disagreement, law, and policy, but in a deeper way our challenge is to uphold the central goods of American political life: of faith, of families, and of a national commitment to live together in harmony as brothers and sisters.

Bishop Michael Burbidge
Bishop of Arlington, VA


Dear Parishioners,

In the seventh chapter of Isaiah, powerful enemies were attacking the Kingdom of Judah. The king at the time was Ahaz, who had turned away from God. Still, God sent Isaiah to tell him not to be afraid. He even offered to give Ahaz a sign to demonstrate his protection. But as our reading recounts, Ahaz refused God’s offer and rejected God’s protection. Instead, he preferred to follow his own worldly plan: becoming a vassal of the Assyrians and establishing the worship of pagan gods in Jerusalem. 

In the Gospel of Luke, Joseph was undoubtedly troubled by Mary’s mysterious pregnancy. To address the situation, he comes up with a plan to divorce her quietly. Then God’s messenger appears in a dream, telling him not to be afraid. Unlike the evil King Ahaz, Joseph was a just man; he accepted the sign he was given, and surrendered his plans. 

Every one of us has been offered a sign: the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Saint Paul tells us in the second reading, we are called to belong to Jesus Christ, who was established as Son of God through resurrection from the dead. Jesus came to show us that there is nothing to fear, not even death.

Will we accept this sign God offers us? Or are we too attached to our fears and the clever plans we have devised to overcome them? Think of some of the fears that could be alleviated by trusting in the God who created us: fear of rejection, which may hinder us from showing kindness and loving others the way we should; the fear that others will judge or ridicule us, which may prevent us from fully living out the Gospel; the fear of admitting wrongdoing, which may hold us back from restoring broken relationships.

We feel that we need to protect ourselves, but God comes to tell us that he will protect us and that there is no need to fear. But we must place our trust in him.

In the Eucharist, God generously gives himself to us in a great sign of his love. He invites us to give him ourselves in return: everything we have, all our plans and fears and hopes, so that he can save and transform us. We do not need to create a clever plan; all we need to do is surrender to him. 

On another note with Christmas right around the corner, try to make plans to come home to your family for Christmas, even if it involves some forgiveness. Come home to your Church, even if that involves some   forgiveness ~ perhaps in both directions. No home, no Church is perfect. It’s simply a place where imperfect people treat each other with a kindness that no one has to earn. At Christmas time we belong with our family, and with our Church ~ it’s the birthday feast of the Son of God who called everyone his brothers and sisters. “I’ll be home for Christmas.”

There’s a beautiful ring to those words. May it be our song this Christmas season as a parish family!

God Love Ya!
Fr. Reilly

If you took a tag from the tree and haven't gotten it returned to us, no worries, St. Rocco's will be her Friday morning at 9:00, so please make sure to return the gifts by then and thank you for your kindness and generosity!

If you are looking for last minute gifts and stocking stuffers, the Shepherds of Bethlehem will be here selling their famous olive wood carvings.

Elias, who is from Bethlehem, in the Holy Land and will be returning for Christmas with his family, reached out to me and asked to come this last weekend to help support the economy in the Holy Land and the Christian workers of Bethlehem.

If you could help in any way to make this Christmas a joy filled one for those Christians struggling in the Holy Land, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!


The evening Men's Group will meet this Thursday, December 18 in the Parish Center.

We will discuss a short video featuring Bishop Robert Barron and Fr. Mike Smitz talking about Advent the wheel of fortune, and the path to Heaven. It's a great way to prepare for Christ's birthday.

Doors open at 7:45, the program begins at 8:00 PM. Don't miss it!

Christmas Giving Tree Project a Huge Success

THANK YOU for your kindness and generosity in making this Christmas more joyful for the poor among us. Through our Christmas Giving Tree Project, we collected over $6000 in gift cards for St. Agnes Day Room, $500 for our needy parishioners as well as over $7500 in gifts for the children at Mission Santa Maria/ St. Rocco’s parish. A very special thanks to Kimi Trama who helps organize this project every year!

Christmas Eve Mass

There will be incense used at the 4:00 PM
Christmas Eve Mass.******

Christmas Masses

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 
4:00 PM in the Church *****
4:05 PM in the Hall
7:30 PM in Church

Preludes will be sung at 7:00 PM in Church 

Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 
8:30, 11:30 AM

New Year’s Masses
Feast of Mary, The Mother of God

New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, December 31
8:30, 4:30 PM 

New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1
8:30 AM, 12:10 PM

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Parish Center Office Hours

Monday 12.22, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 23, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wednesday, 12.24, Thursday, 12.25, Friday, 12.26, the office will be closed

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Monday, 12.29, 9:00 to 4:00 PM
Tuesday, 12.30, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wednesday, 12.31, Thursday, 1.1, the office will be closed
Friday, 1.2 9:00 AM to Noon