In some of the biggest news of the year in the Arlington diocese, pro-lifers celebrated a major victory when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and the diocese welcomed more than 1,200 Afghan refugees and other newcomers. Eight men were ordained to the priesthood, and another nine to the transitional diaconate, on track to become priests next year. In advance of the 2023 Synod of Bishops in Rome in October 2023, more than 3,000 people in the diocese participated in 145 listening sessions, to share their views on many issues with the bishops and Pope Francis. Local Catholics prayed for peace in Ukraine and began three years of preparations for the Diocesan Golden Jubilee in 2024. And finally, the Catholic Herald was named the best diocesan newspaper in its class.
A PRO-LIFE MOMENT
Pro-lifers celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling June 24 overturning Roe v. Wade after 49 years. The court’s new ruling, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, gives individual states the power to set abortion policy. But the work of pro-lifers is not done. In his new role as chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said he aims to make abortion “unthinkable.” He was elected to the post in November.
WELCOMING NEWCOMERS
Many parishes reached out this year to welcome an influx of Afghan refugees, as families moved out of temporary resettlement quarters at Marine Corps Base Quantico, near Triangle, and into the community. In May, diocesan Catholic Charities opened a new office in Woodbridge specifically to serve Afghans and connect them with programs and events such as the Virginia Refugee Student Achievement Project celebration of the end of the school year at the Fredericksburg Nationals Baseball Stadium June 17. By the end of the year, the number of newcomers served was more than 1,200.
BLESSED WITH VOCATIONS
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge ordained eight men to the priesthood June 4 at a standing-room-only Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington: Fathers Peter J. Clem, YA; C. Mauricio Portillo; Daniel S. Reuwer; Peter J. St. George; Daniel A. Rice; Robert C. Renner; John F. O’Farrell and Philip D. Briggs. Another eight were ordained to the transitional diaconate April 23, along with a ninth ordained Sept. 29 in Rome. All nine are expected to be ordained to the priesthood in the Arlington diocese next year. “Our diocese is blessed to have families who strive to be faithful, who pray together, who value the sacraments and who pass that on to their children,” said Father Michael C. Isenberg, diocesan vocations director. “It’s only natural that we are in turn blessed with many vocations to the priesthood and religious life.”
LISTENING TOGETHER
To prepare for the 2023 Synod of Bishops in Rome in October 2023 (dubbed the “Synod on Synodality”), more than 3,000 Catholics in the diocese, both active and inactive, participated in 145 listening sessions sponsored by all 70 parishes and many diocesan ministries. They shared their views on how the church is journeying together to fulfill its mission in the world. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge sent a 10-page summary report to the Vatican in late June.
JUBILEE PREPARATIONS
The diocese continued three years of preparation for the 2024 Diocesan Golden Jubilee, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diocese. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge marked the beginning of Year Two of preparations at a vespers service Nov. 20, noting that the theme for the second year is “Rejoice,” referring to Mary’s words, “My soul rejoices in the Lord.” “Now more than ever, our world needs to see from us a Catholic Christian witness of people who are not despairing, not gloomy, but people who rejoice,” Bishop Burbidge said. The theme for Year One was “Remember,” with events focusing on the Eucharist. The theme of Year Three will be “Renew,” with the focus on evangelization and works of mercy.
PEACE IN UKRAINE
Pope Francis invited Catholic bishops to join him in an Act of Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the feast of the Annunciation March 25, praying for the end of the war. After the war began in February, many prayer services and peace vigils were held around the diocese, including April 6 at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, where students including senior Alyssa Bianchi lit candles as the rosary was recited.
CATHOLIC NEWS
The Catholic Herald was named best-in-its-class diocesan newspaper in the United States and Canada — one of 36 awards received at the annual Catholic Media Association conference in Portland in July. Managing Editor Ann M. Augherton was awarded the St. Francis de Sales Award, the association’s highest honor, for “outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism,” including shepherding the newspaper’s digital transformation during the pandemic.
