Bountiful balloons, numerous relics and conversations with Catholic commentators — these were a few of the highlights from the annual EWTN Family Celebration, held at Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner Aug. 30.
Catholics from around the Arlington diocese — and beyond — met their favorite EWTN hosts at the celebration, which is held in a different city each year. Presentations and roundtable discussions featured hosts Catherine Hadro, Ray Guarendi, CEO Michael Warsaw and Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word Father Joseph Mary Wolfe.
Kids also joined in the fun. The EWTN Kids Faith Adventures booth provided hands-on activities. EWTN staff, including several Franciscan brothers, helped the kids learn to make balloon animals. Some kids created modern-art-inspired balloon sculptures then tossed them into the air.
“We’ve been making balloons and just hanging out and having fun,” said Gemma Rao, 10, who attends St. Raymond of Peñafort Church in Springfield with her family.
Confessions and adoration were available throughout the day. A large collection of relics — ranging from the Apostles and St. Philomena to newly minted St. Carlo Acutis — stood on display for veneration.
Attendees crowded into the theater to learn about the experiences of five EWTN commentators who covered the death of Pope Francis, the conclave and the election of Pope Leo XIV on-site in Rome.
EWTN host Colm Flynn interviewed commentators Montse Alvarado, Msgr. Roger Landry, Matthew Bunson, and Colm’s wife, Paola Flynn, who all reported from Rome during the conclave and papal election.
“The streets were filled with people,” said Msgr. Landry, describing Pope Francis’ funeral procession. “I come from Boston, and the only thing I’d ever seen like it was the finish line at the Boston Marathon. And there was the Holy Father, finishing the race.”
The commentators discussed how the papal conclave proved the Catholic Church’s relevance, even in the secular world.
“That chimney exposed a lie. And the lie it exposed was that Christianity, that the Catholic Church, is irrelevant, that the world has moved on,” Bunson said to roaring applause. He joked that the same secular reporters who believed that the church was irrelevant “were scrambling the minute they saw the white smoke.”
Alvarado, who was an emcee at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis last year, said that during the conclave the commentators compiled their notes to try and guess who the top “contenders” might be. Alvarado said she considered Pope Leo, then known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, but had struck his name, writing “American,” next to it. “What a fool,” she said of herself, laughing at the memory. “But also, after living the National Eucharistic Revival, it was like an answered prayer.”
Following the roundtable, attendees prayed a rosary before Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.
Bishop Burbidge welcomed all who traveled from outside the area and thanked Warsaw for bringing the celebration to the Arlington diocese. He also offered a prayer intention to remember the victims of the Aug. 27 shooting in a Catholic school in Minneapolis. “We are one in prayer, especially tonight, as we remember the members of the Annunciation Catholic School and parish community after the horrific event this week. As we pray this Mass for those who died and were injured and traumatized, we entrust them and all in the community to God’s healing and saving love,” he said. “Never dismiss, never underestimate the power of prayer.”
Bishop Burbidge reminded worshippers of the need to reflect upon and grow in humility, “which so many of the saints will call the ‘Mother of all virtues.’ ”
“Humble persons do not try to be God,” he added. “When we work and act as if everything depends on us, we run through life, constantly busy, constantly ‘doing’ rather than ‘being’ and, thus, cause ourselves and others great anxiety. Humble persons slow down and walk humbly with God.”
Stephanie Rao, Gemma’s mother, said the celebration brought together Catholics both near and far. “We’ve actually bumped into numerous families that we know from the (parish) community,” she said. “It feels like a family reunion.”
