St. Philip Catholic Church News & Updates

Family Adoration Time Tuesday, November 28

A child-friendly Family Time of Adoration will be held in St. Philip Church on Tuesday, November 28 starting at 5:00 pm and ending at 5:45 pm.

All parishioners, in particular families of infants and small children, are invited to spend time with Our Eucharistic Lord. One of our priests will be present for the whole time to provide an age appropriate guided meditation to help the children adore the Lord. While this Adoration time is geared toward little/young children and their parents, anyone is welcome to adore the Eucharist during that time, including teenagers and their families.

Eat, Drink & Be Catholic This Sunday

Join Us for Fellowship and Information on Senior Living Options

We will start at 6 pm with Vespers in church followed by potluck dinner in Hayden Hall. This month's topic will be "Senior Living, Lifestyle and Care Options" with special guest Faiqa Clark from Brightview Senior Living, a Taste of St Philip sponsor.

Questions? Contact Suzanne Webb or the parish office for more information.

Silent Night, Silent Auction Starts Thanksgiving Day!

Do your holiday shopping while supporting our parish. Thanksgiving - St. Nicholas Day

We are now accepting donations for the Silent Auction, to be held online from Nov. 23 through Dec 6.

Donations may be dropped off at the rectory during regular business hours.

Items and experiences may also be donated online. (This is our preferred method to receive donations.)

Items can be new or gently used.

• Suggested donations include gift certificates, jewelry, household goods, kitchen items, trips and adventures (weekends at vacation homes, wine tasting at local vineyards, etc.)

• Value of AT LEAST $50 so we can start the bidding at $25.

Please contact Katie Ryan or Suzanne Webb or 703-966-7589 with any questions.

St. Philip's 3rd Annual Race for Seminarians, Saturday, Nov. 25

Following Mass at 8 am, join parishioners and friends (and seminarians!) to walk or run a 5K in the neighborhood in support of our diocesan seminarians, followed by refreshments in Hayden Hall. Youth participating without a parent need a permission form (which parents can complete the morning of the race). Donations are optional. Donation online here and please select "St. Philip Team" 

Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

You are invited to join Bishop Burbidge in a Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe, offered for the intentions of couples struggling with infertility, miscarriage or early infant death. The Novena starts on Monday, December 4, and concludes on Tuesday, December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

A private Mass will be offered by Bishop Michael Burbidge for this intention during the Novena.

Sign up to receive the Novena and submit your intentions at OurFruitfulLove.com/Novena and/or text “novena23” to 84576.

On Saturday, Dec. 9; Bishop Burbidge will offer the 8am Mass here at St. Philip before going to pray at the abortion facility in Falls Church. All are invited to join him in praying for those hurt by abortion.

Contact Sister Marie Benedict Elliott, F.S.E. for more information on St. Philip Youth Ministry.

Young Sacristans Saturday, November 18

Following Mass at 8am, moms and girls assist with preparing the church for Sunday worship, followed by reflection and refreshments and concluding at 10:30am.

“Women of the Word”: Fridays, 4:15-5:45 pm

Girls in high school meet weekly in the church for Adoration and reflection on Scripture, followed by discussion in the Youth Room (Room 4).

Opening of the Golden Jubilee Celebration Nov. 26

Please join us on Sunday, November 26 at 5pm, 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 of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, will be the celebrant and homilist. A reception will follow in the school gym. Please RSVP to events@arlingtondiocese.org.

Read the Bulletin Online Every Friday

Get a jump on the week's news and read the St. Philip Parish Bulletin online every Friday here.

Are You Registered at St. Philip?

It is important that you are registered with the Parish of Saint Philip so we may adequately respond to your spiritual needs. Please note that you must be registered to receive a Sponsor letter or enroll your child in any of acramental programs. If you are over the age of 21, you are asked to register independently of your parents. Registration forms are available in the Parish Office or online here.

Dear Friends,

As we continue on our journey through November in which we are invited to meditate on the Four Last Things, we come to the moment in which we contemplate the reality of Heaven. This, of course, is the ultimate goal to which we all are striving for, and we hope to attain as the reward for our faithfulness to Christ in this life. But while in our lives here on Earth, we find it difficult to keep our focus on Heaven. What will it be like to be there? Will it be boring for us to be there for eternity? Is it just the place where each person gets a halo above their head, a golden harp, and sings for eternity on a cloud?

I remember a friend of mine telling me a story about when he was child that could be helpful for us. When my friend would ask his father what Heaven would be like, his father would say, “Think of the best object in the world.” My friend and his siblings would give answers such as, “a room full of ice cream,” or, “a perfect day at the beach,” or, “being with my friends all day long.” To these answers, the dad would reply, “Yes, Heaven is all those things, but it is better.” For my friend, his mind could not imagine what would be better than these created realities. Nevertheless, these good things we see in the physical world point to the goodness that will be found in the Kingdom of God.

In the Gospels, Jesus gives to us many images and parables of what the kingdom of Heaven will be like. One such example comes to us from the Last Supper on the night before his Passion. Jesus says to his apostles, “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:1-2). While it is easy for us to grasp the idea of Heaven being similar to a giant mansion built by the Father, there is so much more to this mystery than what our finite minds can imagine.

To put it simply, in Heaven we will encounter God as He truly is, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and our vision of God will satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. One of the most deepest longings that we have in our souls is the desire for peace, tranquility of heart. While in our world that is full of the effects of sin, our hearts are constantly uneasy, and we find it difficult to find the rest that we need. But in Heaven, our souls will find rest, not because there will be nothing to do in Heaven, but because we will be united to the One who says, “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). Where our hearts will truly find rest is within the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who manifests truly the depths of the Father’s love for you.

May Christ’s peace be with you!

Fr. Briggs

Nov. 25: Heaven in Your Home (Spanish) 6:30pm

Nov. 25/26: Knights of Columbus Advent Wreath and Christmas Card Sales after Masses

Dec. 1/2: First Friday and First Saturday

Dec. 3: First Day of Advent

Dec. 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Holy Day of Obligation)

Dec. 9: Bishop Burbidge offers our 8am Mass

Jan. 19: National March for Life in Washington, DC

Feb. 21: Virginia Prolife Day in Richmond