Snow Wreaks Havoc with School, Church Schedules

By Michael Flach
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/20/03)

The Great Storm of 2003 continued to wreak havoc with school and church schedules Feb. 18 as Washington area residents attempted to dig themselves out from under two feet of snow.

The roof of a new parish hall being constructed at St. Joseph Church in Herndon collapsed Monday night, apparently from the weight of the snow. No one was injured, but damage to the $8 million structure is reportedly extensive.

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick both gave area Catholics dispensation from their Sunday Mass obligation.

Prior to that announcement, Saturday evening vigil Masses around the area were packed as Catholics anticipated the arrival of a major snowstorm Sunday morning. St. Michael Church in Annandale, for example, was nearly filled to capacity as the first dusting of snow hit the area. Drivers leaving the parking lot after Mass found traction difficult.

Most major roads were clear by Tuesday morning, but side streets and apartment complexes remained socked in, even as temperatures rose to a balmy 40 degrees. A 13-mile backup shut down Interstate 81 north near the intersection of Route 66 on Sunday, stranding motorists for up to eight hours.

Monday, Feb. 17, was a scheduled holiday for most diocesan schools as they celebrated President’s Day. But students and teachers received an extra day off on Feb. 18 when most area school districts and the Federal government remained closed. Fairfax County schools were closed Feb. 19 as well. Marymount University in Arlington also canceled classes Feb. 18.

School officials will be juggling schedules the remainder of the year since most schools have now exceeded their allotment of three snow days. Unless they receive a reprieve from state officials, students will be delaying their summer vacations by at least three days.

Inclement weather forced the cancellation of all Northern Virginia Junior CYO basketball games last weekend. The games will not be rescheduled. The marriage prep weekend at St. Ann Church in Arlington and the semi-annual pro-life leadership conference at Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria, both scheduled for Feb. 15, also were canceled.

The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) boys and girls basketball tournaments, originally set to begin Feb. 18, were rescheduled for Feb. 20. St. Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church canceled its confirmation scheduled for Feb. 18.

Although diocesan offices were closed Feb. 18, a skeleton staff arrived at the HERALD office in an attempt to finalize the Feb. 20 double issue. The 52-page edition was scheduled to be mailed to 135,000 households, provided postal carriers can make their appointed rounds. 

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