June 4, 1974 — Pope Paul VI announces the formation of the Arlington Diocese.

Aug. 13, 1974 — Bishop Thomas J. Welsh installed as first bishop of Arlington.

May 10, 1975 — Fr. Robert E. Avella ordained first priest for new diocese.

1975 — Office of Migration and Refugee Services established, with Deacon Dan Resendes as its first director.

1975 — St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Middleburg established as diocese’s first independent parish.

Jan. 8, 1976 — First edition of Arlington Catholic Herald published. Charles W. Carruth is founding editor.

1977 — Family Life Office established, with Fr. Franklyn M. McAfee as its first director.

June 1982 — Mother Teresa of Calcutta visits the Cathedral of St. Thomas More.

Sept. 18, 1982 — Msgr. Paul V. Heller, pastor of St. James Parish in Falls Church, dies. November 1982 — Four diocesan priests elevated to rank of monsignor: Thomas J. Cassidy, James W. McMurtrie, Frank E. Mahler and John A. O’Connell.

Feb. 8, 1983 — Bishop Welsh appointed second bishop of Allentown.

Feb. 15, 1983 — Msgr. John P. Hannan elected diocesan administrator.

Aug. 4, 1983 — Bishop John R. Keating installed as Arlington’s second bishop.

Aug. 30, 1983 — Newly established Paul VI Catholic High School opens its doors for the first time with Fr. Donald Heet, O.S.F.S., as founding principal.

June 15, 1990 — Msgr. Justin D. McClunn, judicial vicar of the diocese, dies. He was instrumental in the formation of Arlington Diocese.

1991 — Bishop Keating establishes diocesan outreach to Dominican Republic. Fr. Gerard Creedon is first diocesan priest assigned to mission duty.

Jan. 6, 1996 — Former Arlington priest Fr. Anton Justs is ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II for the Diocese of Jelgava, Latvia.

May 18, 1996 — Bishop Keating ordains 13 men to the priesthood, the largest ordination class in diocesan history.

March 22, 1998 — Bishop Keating dies in Rome during his “ad limina” visit with the Holy Father.

March 26, 1998 — Msgr. James W. McMurtrie elected diocesan administrator.

Jan. 25, 1999 — Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Ogdensburg appointed Arlington’s third bishop by Pope John Paul II.

March 25, 1999 — Bishop Loverde installed as Arlington’s third bishop.

Aug. 13, 1999 — 25th anniversary of Arlington Diocese.

1999 — St. Matthew and St. Veronica Parishes established.

2000 — Our Lady of Hope Parish in Potomac Falls established.

2001 — Holy Trinity Parish in Gainesville established.

2001 — Bishop Loverde establishes Rooted in Faith ~ Forward in Hope capital campaign.

Aug. 3, 2001 — Msgr. John P. Hannan dies.

2002 — St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in Orange established.

Aug. 14, 2002 — Msgr. Edward P. Browne dies.

March 31, 2003 — Msgr. Francis L. Bradican dies.

Oct. 20, 2003 — Msgr. James W. McMurtrie dies.

April 2004 — Bishop Loverde makes “ad limina” visit with Pope John Paul II in Rome.

2005 — St. Peter Parish in Washington established.

April 4, 2005 — Msgr. Thomas P. Scannell dies.

2006 — St. Jude Parish in Fredericksburg established.

April 2008 — Pope Benedict XVI visits Washington, D.C.

Aug. 17, 2008 — Bishop Loverde dedicates John Paul the Great High School in Dumfries.

Feb. 13, 2009 — Fr. John J. Hughes dies.

Feb. 19, 2009 — Bishop Welsh, Arlington’s first bishop, dies.

March 2009 — St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Residences open in Woodbridge.