As we approach Thanksgiving, it is natural to reflect on the ways God has blessed our lives and offer him praise and thanks as the source of all good gifts.
In the Diocese of Arlington, we may rightly give thanks for our dedicated priests, deacons, consecrated religious, lay faithful, vibrant parishes, our Catholic schools, and the many ministries that make present Christ’s love for all our brothers and sisters across Northern Virginia — especially the work of Catholic Charities, serving ever more people in need of the basic necessities of life, including food and housing in this uniquely challenging time. We also give thanks for God’s blessings upon our nation, including the religious freedom we enjoy that allows us to freely participate in elections, a freedom we must continue to protect and safeguard.
On Nov. 4 and in the weeks leading up to it, Virginians cast their ballots with the result that we now have new political leadership in Richmond that will shape law and policy on issues of crucial importance for the good of every Virginian. As Catholics, we know well our responsibility to faithful citizenship as we approach each and every election and cast our ballot. After Election Day, however, we have an equally important responsibility to pray for our elected officials and all civil authorities that they may open their hearts to God and allow him to guide their exercise of political power for the common good, striving to promote what is right and just. We must continue to engage newly elected officials, especially in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with so much at stake, including the possibility of a state constitutional amendment that would enshrine extreme, worse-than-Roe abortion law, and the continuing threat of physician-assisted suicide.
The challenges confronting us may often seem great, but with God we know that unity and healing in our nation is possible. It is for this reason that I will preside at a Prayer Service for Unity and Healing in the United States Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington. This prayer service is an opportunity for all to join in prayer to God for the reconciliation and unity that we so earnestly desire.
As we look just beyond Thanksgiving, we see that the sacred season of Advent begins Sunday, Nov. 30. Advent is that momentous season of waiting and preparation when the Church invites each of us to renew our hearts and minds for the coming of Our Lord at Christmas. This year, the diocese offers two new ways to grow in the spiritual life as we approach this sacred time.
I have assembled a pocket-sized spiritual companion with accessible, daily reflections for the entire Advent and Christmas seasons. “Reflections for Advent and Christmas, Year C” is available at no cost on the diocesan website and is also available on Amazon for those who wish to obtain a paperback booklet. To get a copy, go to arlingtondiocese.org/advent.
Recently, the diocese also launched a new platform called Porta Fidei as part of our ongoing strategic plan initiatives. Porta Fidei, meaning “door of faith,” takes its inspiration from Sacred Scripture, which recounts that Our Lord has “opened the door of faith” to all. (Acts 14:27) Porta Fidei offers short, engaging video courses intended to assist and encourage all in the life of discipleship.
Porta Fidei’s first course, “Finding Jesus in the Gospels,” led by Father John Riley, spiritual director of San Damiano Spiritual Life Center in White Post, offers perspective on how to approach reading the Gospels. A second course, “The Heart of Prayer,” led by Mary Stanford, a professor at Christendom College in Front Royal, will launch Dec. 12 and offer a practical guide for growing in prayer. All courses are offered at no cost, and new courses will be available every few weeks. Learn more at portafidei.com.
It is my hope that these resources serve as good and helpful companions in the days to come, as together we strive to grow in our intimate relationship with Our Lord and his Church. I wish you a happy Thanksgiving and a blessed Advent filled with abundant spiritual gifts.
