Fran Smith was inspired after returning home from the diocesan pilgrimage.
She wanted to find a way to invigorate her parish before the diocese’s upcoming 50th anniversary. Over two years, that idea evolved into Pilgrimage on the Green Deanery VI Mass, a celebration not only with her community at St. Mark Church in Vienna, but with neighboring parishes as well. “It’s to re-energize us all as we start our journey for the next 50 years,” said Smith.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the June 22 Mass along with clergy from Deanery VI on the feast day of the diocese’s patron saint, St. Thomas More. However, logistical complications and the sweltering heat kept the event indoors and off the green. “God always has the last laugh and our job is to pivot,” said Smith.
The deanery includes St. Mark and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Vienna; St. Andrew the Apostle, Clifton; St. Clare of Assisi, Clifton; St. Leo the Great, Fairfax; St. Mary of Sorrows, Fairfax; St. Paul Chung, Fairfax; St. Timothy, Chantilly; and St. Veronica, Chantilly.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge encouraged Massgoers to be like St. Thomas, an English martyr. “If (we’re) going to evangelize, then we have to acknowledge that sometimes there will be a cross. My young friends, you know this very well,” he said. “People are paying the price just for doing what is good and right and true and holy. That’s why we have to not only be inspired by the example of St. Thomas More, but we have to ask for his help so that we stay strong, we stay courageous and we stay steadfast.”
Singers and musicians from around the deanery provided the music for the Mass. WorkCampers from St. Mark and St. Paul Chung attended, and Bishop Burbidge gave them a special blessing at the close of the liturgy. Mass was followed by a cookie reception and “picnic” in the parish gym.
The event also marked a moment of transition for the deanery. Father Patrick Holyrod is retiring after serving as pastor of St. Mark for 23 years. Youth Apostle Father Peter W. Nassetta is the incoming pastor. Father James S. Barkett is the outgoing dean and outgoing pastor of St. Mary of Sorrows; he heads to Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville. Father Robert J. Wagner, pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle, will serve as incoming dean.
After Mass, longtime parishioners Mark and Barbara Morneau asked Father Holroyd for a blessing on their 50th wedding anniversary. They’ve been a part of St. Mark for more than half their marriage. “We like Father Pat, we like the people, our Bible studies, our book clubs (and) our (senior ministry) M&M groups,” said Mark.
Monica Vickers, one of the event planners, is a founding parishioner of St. Mark. Growing up, she and her family lived close enough to walk to Mass. “There was no reason for not attending church,” she said. In 1992, she and her husband, Dave, were married at St. Mark by Father Antons Justs, weeks before the priest returned to Latvia and a few years before he was named a bishop. The couple has been involved in numerous activities at the parish, from embroidering baptismal robes to serving on the finance council. It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years since the start of the diocese, said Monica. “We just feel very at home here.”
Smith was grateful for the chance to celebrate the diocese and the parish. “Being military, we thought we’d be here three years and then out the door,” she said. “We are starting our 27th year at St Mark. We love the area, we love the churches, we love the communities when we go to different parish events and we love the diocese. We just really like the sense of community that Bishop Burbidge has brought forward.”
Maraist is a freelancer from Reston.
