As a result of the State of Emergency regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Archbishop Gregory directed ALL Archdiocesan parishes, missions, and campus ministries to not celebrate public Masses, beginning today, Saturday, March 14, until further notice. There will be no public Masses at St. Mary's Catholic Church [daily or Sunday] until further notice. Archbishop Gregory has dispensed all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington from the obligation to attend Mass during this period.
Information about watching Mass on TV during this time and making an Act of Spiritual Communion is available here.
Baptisms, funerals, and weddings may proceed during this time, but attendance should be limited to the immediate family.
We ask you to take note of the following precautions and responses at St. Mary's: Confessions will still be heard at our usually scheduled times for Lent in the Main Church: 4-5 p.m. Saturdays, and 6:30-8 pm Wednesdays.
Our Lady's Chapel will be open for private prayer during normal Parish Office Hours (Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM). The Chapel will not be open on weekends. We ask that parishioners suspend all public devotions to respect the atmosphere of private prayer and the need for public social distancing. Eucharistic Adoration is suspended until further notice.
The Parish Office will be open during normal hours. Our office staff will be able to assist you via phone or e-mail during these hours. If you wish to visit the Parish Office, we kindly ask that you make an appointment.
Public Stations of the Cross on Fridays are suspended until further notice. The faithful are invited to pray this devotion privately in Our Lady's Chapel during normal hours. Our priests will celebrate Masses privately every day, so all prescribed Mass intentions will be honored. St. Mary's School is closed through Friday, March 27. All Religious Education programs, including CCD and retreats, are also cancelled through Friday, March 27. No activities will take place in St. Mary's School or the Parish Hall during this time. Appropriately, a number of meetings and activities scheduled through March 27 are either postponed or moved to an on-line or off-site alternative.
The clergy and staff at St. Mary's are saddened by the decision to cancel Mass and to suspend liturgies and ministries. Nonetheless, we ask for your support and fervent prayer on behalf of the sick and dying. We will continue to seek guidance from the Archdiocese of Washington and local health officials. Of course, we will continue to communicate any updates on our website and through Facebook and Twitter. As your parish priests, please know that caring for the spiritual and sacramental lives of St. Mary's parishioners is paramount. While maintaining the necessary public health precautions, we remain available for sacramental emergencies and pastoral appointments.
May we pray for an end to this pandemic, healing for those effected, and courage for all first responders and health care providers.