By Gretchen R. Crowe
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 1/13/05)

The Diocese of Arlington recently released its 2005 Official Directory. An important resource for employees of the diocese, this reference book also serves as an information and evangelization tool for parishioners.

The directory sports a colorful cover illustration, which, according to Father Donald Rooney, pastor at St. Mary Church in Fredericksburg, "represents the central theme of the Eucharist, this year and the life which flows from it." October 2004 through October 2005 has been proclaimed to be the Year of the Eucharist by Pope John Paul II.

The illustration was "derived from a century-old missal engraving, reworked in pen and ink and updated digitally" by Father Rooney.

The directory is home to a variety of useful information, including facts about the bishop and the names of the diocesan judges. It identifies and provides contact information for all diocesan offices (the chancery) from the Accounting Office to the Office of Resettlement to the Office of Vocations.

Convenient tabs flag diocesan officials and organizations, parishes, schools and ministries, clergy and men religious, monasteries, convents and residences, and general information. Each Catholic church in the diocese, from Our Lady of the Valley Church in Lurey’s 205 parishioners to All Saints Church in Manassas’ 16,735 parishioners, has an individual listing brimming with Mass schedules and contact information.

Information is also provided on the hearing impaired and prison ministries, retreat houses, local military chaplains, holy days of obligation and how to properly address clergy in writing.

The 26th edition of the diocesan directory is available from the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development at 703/841-2516.