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Change of adminstration at Christ the Redeemer Church in Sterling

Special To The Catholic Herald

COURTESY CHRIST THE REDEEMER

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After review of the pastoral and administrative needs of Christ
the Redeemer Church in Sterling, and in discussion with the leadership of the
Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, the Diocese of Arlington said it would
assume responsibility for the parish. 

Father Joel D. Jaffe, director of the Office of Vocations, was
named pastor, while Father Mark E. Moretti was named parochial vicar.

The changes were announced June 1 and are effective Sept. 1. 

Christ the Redeemer has been staffed by the Atonement Friars
since its founding in 1972.

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge thanked the Atonement Friars for 46
years of “generous and fruitful ministry to the parishioners of Christ the
Redeemer Parish.” 

“I am most grateful for the Atonement Friars sharing their
charism for promoting unity within our church during the years in which we all
witnessed tremendous growth in the Catholic population in Sterling,” he said.
“In particular, I am grateful to the friars for welcoming and encouraging the
spiritual growth of so many Spanish-speaking Catholics who make up our diocesan
family.”

Atonement Father Brian Terry, minister general, said the friars “have
been serving in Sterling since 1971, when we met in Sterling Elementary School
cafeteria for Sunday liturgies. I remember arriving early to Mass as a young
boy to help fold up the cafeteria tables and set out the very cold metal
folding chairs.

“Christ the Redeemer parish has had very simple and humble
beginnings and blossomed into a vibrant faith community,” Father Terry said. “The
friars have accompanied the community through years of growth with great joy
and have found it a privilege to serve the people of God in Northern Virginia.
It is our greatest prayer that the new pastor and parochial vicar will be
welcomed with open hearts as we were welcomed so many years ago.”

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