Cathedral of St. Thomas More

"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and a Holy Day of Obligation. Please join us for Mass to honor our Blessed Mother.

We have your Advent Saturday ready for you! Join us after the 9:00am Mass for a morning of reflection. Later, parents have the chance to spend some quality time together (or doing errands for Santa!) at our Parents Night Out. Spaces are limited so be sure to register on our website: www.cathedralstm.org

Remember that tomorrow, Dec 7 from 6am-3pm, Forrester Construction will have a large crane operating near the Bishop's residence. Follow the direction of the Cathedral and Forrester Staff on site and use the temporary path to the accessible entrance. Thank you for your patience.

Congratulations to on the anniversary of his installation as the Fourth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington May the Lord continue to bless him in his work and indeed, all of us as we strive to be "God's servants first."

Too much pie at Thanksgiving? Wishing for a tasty bundt cake! We've got you covered. Order on line or in person at the Seven Corners Nothing Bundt Cakes on December 6th and 20% of proceeds will go to STM School.
Order here: https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/all-products/?location=0299&fulfillment=12/6/2023

Congratulations to Bishop Burbidge!

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY TO AWARD
MOST REVEREND MICHAEL F. BURBIDGE, BISHOP OF ARLINGTON, HONORARY DEGREE, DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS, HONORIS CAUSA DURING 2024 CONCURSUS CEREMONY

Bishop Burbidge will deliver the Concursus keynote address to seminary graduates

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary (SCBS) will award a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, to Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington and a former Rector of SCBS, on May 15, 2024 at its annual Concursus ceremony.

Bishop Burbidge will also deliver the keynote address to the graduates. The degree will be awarded by Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Chair of the Seminary’s Board of Trustees. This Concursus ceremony will be the last held on the Overbrook campus before the Seminary moves to its new home in Lower Gwynedd in August 2024.

Reverend Keith J. Chylinski, the Seminary’s Rector, said, “It will be a tremendous privilege to honor a native son of the region, a distinguished alumnus and former rector of Saint Charles at our annual Concursus ceremony. Bishop Burbidge’s professional accomplishments and courageous witness to the Faith will certainly serve as an inspiration to our graduates and to all who attend.”

Bishop Burbidge will join a prominent list of honorary degree recipients from the seminary, including Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Dr. Jacqueline C. Rivers, Professor Helen Alvaré, Professor Andreas Widmer, Justice Samuel Alito, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, and former Pennsylvania Chief Justice Robert N. C. Nix.

Biographical Information Regarding Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge

Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge was born June 16, 1957 in Philadelphia, the second son of Francis and Shirley Burbidge and brother of Francis Burbidge, Jr. He attended Catholic grade schools and graduated from Cardinal O'Hara High School, Springfield, Pa. in 1975. After high school he went to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by John Cardinal Krol in 1984.

Bishop Burbidge holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a master's in theology from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, a master's in education administration from Villanova University, and a doctorate in education from Immaculata College.

Fr. Michael Burbidge's first priestly assignment was as parochial vicar of St. Bernard Church in Philadelphia, where he served for two years. From 1986-1992 he was on the faculties, successively, of Cardinal O'Hara High School, Archbishop Wood High School and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, where he also served as Dean of Students.

In 1992 Fr. Burbidge was named administrative secretary to Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, and served in that capacity until 1999. In 1998 he was made Honorary Prelate to His Holiness Pope John Paul II, with the title of Monsignor.

Monsignor Burbidge was appointed Rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in 1999. In 2002 he was ordained an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia. As auxiliary bishop, he oversaw the Office of the Vicar for Clergy and the Office of Communications.

On June 8, 2006 Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Burbidge the fifth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh; Bishop Burbidge was installed in Raleigh on August 4, 2006. On October 4, 2016, he was announced by Pope Francis as the fourth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington; he was installed on December 6, 2016 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More.

Bishop Burbidge has served as USCCB chairman for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations (2013 to 2016) and was the chairman of the USCCB Committee on Communications (2018 to 2021). He was also a member of the USCCB Administrative Committee (2018 to 2021) and a member of the USCCB Religious Liberty Committee (2018 to 2021). Additionally, he serves as a member of The Catholic University of America's Board of Trustees, its Executive Committee and its Seminary Committee (2009 to present). He is a member of the Mount Saint Mary's Board of Trustees (2019 to present) and its Seminary Development Committee (2021 to present). He is also a current member of the Board of Trustees of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (2017 to present) and the current chair of its Finance Committee (2020 to present). He is a member of the Episcopal Advisory Board of Catholic Athletes for Christ (2007 to present), the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors Episcopal Advisory Board (2008 to present), the Virginia Catholic Conference Management Committee (2017 to present), the Catholic Distance University Board of Trustees (2018 to present), and member of the Board of Trustees of the Commissariat of the Holy Land (2019 to present). Recently, Bishop Burbidge was elected as chairman of the USCCB Pro-Life Committee (2022 to present).

In recent years, Bishop Burbidge has published pastoral letters titled, “In Tongues All Can Hear: Communicating the Hope of Christ in Times of Trial” and “A Catechesis on the Human Person and Gender Ideology.”

Catholic Diocese of Arlington

On Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, Forrester Construction will have a large Crane operating near the Bishop's residence. Please follow the direction of the Cathedral and Forrester Staff on site. Please use the temporary path to the accessible entrance. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Join us next Saturday, December 9, after the 9:00am Mass. The speaker will be Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P., the Advent reflection will focus on the theme of Year III of the Diocesan Jubilee – Renew. There will also be an opportunity for Confessions. Please register online at www.cathedralstm.org/

Thank you to everyone who donated rosaries, Bibles, and other religious items for students in Liberia. Two parishioners are sending these along with 9 of the old pews to a school they started. STM parishioners are truly "God's servants first." Director of Religious Education & Youth Ministry Benjamin Paczak pictured with just some of the donated items.

Help make for a merrier Christmas for a disadvantaged youth in our community. Please drop your donation in the marked boxes located in Burke Hall by December 7. Thank you!

THANK YOU! We hoped to receive 150 boxes of food for Christ House and your response was overwhelming! On we provided 205 Christmas Dinner Boxes and 16 boxes of additional food for a total of 3,009.5 pounds of food. Generous donors also gave 76 sweatshirts, 75 tee shirts, and 3 packages of socks for the residents. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington

Apart we can do good... but together, we are MORE! Be "God's servant first" today and always. Make your gift at https://membership.faithdirect.net/va326

Together we are MORE! Your support enables us to be "God's servants first." Make your gift today at: https://membership.faithdirect.net/va326
is tomorrow, November 28. Be the change for More.

Christmas – Parent’s Night Out gives parents an opportunity to drop off their children so they can enjoy dinner, go shopping, or just some quiet time before the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season kicks in! The event on December 9, 2023 runs from 6:00-9:00 pm in the school cafeteria.
The cost for the evening is $15.00 per child. Dinner is included; allergies are accommodated if we have advance notice. Children will also enjoy faith-based Christmas videos, snacks, games, and craft activities! Babysitters include multiple VIRTUS-trained adults and middle and high school youth. The donation will go to benefit the 2023 Work Camp Participants. This is limited to 20 slots. So register early!
www.cathedralstm.org

It's the day after Thanksgiving and we can officially start thinking about Christmas. Save the Date for our upcoming Cathedral Choir concert, Sunday, December 17 at 4:30pm. Please note venue change to St. James Church, 905 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA.

A message from Fr. Posey:
My dear sisters and brothers, today we gather to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives: our family, our friendships, the food on our tables, and most especially our faith which binds us together regardless of time or distance.

I know that for some, this day is not day of thanks but of trials. For some may be without: without adequate shelter, employment, or community. For many in our world this is a day of strife and conflict. But my friends, the Lord asks us to maintain hope: in each other and in Him. Our Father is the founder the feast we celebrate today and of every “good and perfect gift.”

My hope for you is that you are able to gather with those you love; and that the gratitude you feel today will be with you all the days of your life. May we give thanks to the Lord, “for he is good.” And may we do all we can as “God’s servants first,” to be his witness.

On behalf of my brother priests, deacon, sister, faculty and staff, I wish you a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

Before you sit down at your table, join us at the Eucharistic table to give thanks to the bearer of all our blessings. Thanksgiving Day Mass with Bishop Burbidge at 9:00am in Burke Hall.

The Rectory Office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday beginning at Noon tomorrow, November 22; we will reopen on Monday, November 27.
There will be one Daily Mass on Thanksgiving at 9:00am with Bishop Burbidge.
We wish you a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving and a safe journey if you are traveling.

By supporting our Cathedral parish, you become a partner in our efforts to be MORE for others. Be the change this . Make your gift at https://membership.faithdirect.net/va326

Please note that the elevator to Burke Hall is out of order. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. We hope to have this resolved as soon as possible.

Please join us on Sunday, November 26 at 5 p.m., the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 7401 St. Michael's Lane, Annandale, for the opening of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Diocese of Arlington. There will be Solemn Vespers with Exposition and Benediction. Bishop Burbidge will be the celebrant and homilist. A reception will follow in the school gym. Please RSVP to [email protected]

"The heavens proclaim the glory of God." #

Before you go to the grocery store, remember our Christmas Box collection! You can bring your filled boxes to the POD located in the School parking lot during Mass times this weekend and next. You can also drop them at the Rectory until Noon on the 22nd.
We are also collecting Christmas presents for the Christ House residents and guests on Christmas Day. All presents must be delivered by November 22nd.
See the lists and get more information on our website: https://bit.ly/40bFBvM

Join us to honor the one who is truly the founder of our feast.
"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart." Psalm 111:1

We had a great time at Bingo last Saturday! So much fun was had that we're planning another in the New Year! If you'd like to get involved, contact Tara Quaadman at the Rectory

We have our first winner at tonight’s Bingo!!

“Never was so much owed by so many to so few.” – Winston Churchill

Our annual collection for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington begins this weekend. We are passing out boxes at all Masses this weekend and next. Please return your filled boxes the weekends of Nov. 18/19 and 25/26 at Mass or at the Rectory between Nov. 13-22.
We are also collecting Christmas presents for the Christ House residents and guests on Christmas Day. All presents must be delivered by November 22nd.
See the lists and get more information on our website: https://bit.ly/40bFBvM

When you sing you pray twice! Thank you Fr. Vincent for your amazing contributions to our liturgical celebrations. God bless you in your ministry.

The Rectory Office will be closed tomorrow, Friday November 10, in observance of Veterans Day. There will be one Daily Mass at 10:00am. The office will reopen on Monday, November 13, at 9:00am.

Thank you Fr. Garcia for your kindness and Gospel witness! We are blessed to have you with us.
Gracias Padre Garcia por su amabilidad y testimonio del Evangelio! Estamos bendecidos de tenerlo con nosotros.

From the earliest years, your children are St. Thomas More Cathedral School
Learn more next Wednesday, November 15. Do you have older children and are interested in an award-winning education for them rooted in Gospel values? Contact Mary Ellen Landry at: https://calendly.com/stmschooltour/stm-school-tour?month=2023-11

Don't miss out! Register at: https://www.cathedralstm.org/2023/10/bingo-night/

We're so happy to have you with us Fr. Barnes. Thank you for your pastoral kindness!

We had a great group of pilgrims who went On the Road with Fr. Posey last Saturday. We visited the Pope St. John Paul II museum as well as the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. We go back on the road in April. Stay tuned for details!

God bless our Rector, Fr. Posey! Thank you for your witness, kindness, and compassion.