Call to Prayer: Pledge to Fast

The Obama Administration Attack on Religious Liberty and Marriage

Staff

Rev. John C. De Celles, Pastor, straychrch@aol.com
Rev. Joseph Kenna, Parochial Vicar, fr.kenna@straymonds.org
Ms. Kristin Smith, Director of the Youth Apostolate, cyo@straymonds.org
Ms. Elisabeth Turco, Music Director, turcoe@aol.com
Ms. Maria Ammirati, Director of Religious Education, ReligiousEducation@straymonds.org
Ms. Patti Eckels, Religious Education, ReligiousEducation@straymonds.org
Ms. Kirsti Tyson, Office Manager, OfficeManager@straymonds.org
Mr. Paul DeRosa, Secretary, paul.derosa@straymonds.org

Parish Office: 8750 Pohick Road, Springfield, VA 22153
Telephone: (703) 440-0535, Fax: (703) 440-0538, CCD: (703) 440-0537
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Sacrament of Matrimony

Couples wishing to marry must contact a parish priest at least six months prior to the desired wedding date. Couples who are living together will be expected to live separately at least during the three months prior to the wedding. Natural Family Planning is part of the marriage preparation program in the Arlington Diocese and at St. Raymond’s Parish.

R.C.I.A.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which adults (and children who have reached the age of reason) are instructed in the Doctrine of the Church and are prepared to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. If you or someone you know would like to inquire about becoming a Catholic, please call the Parish Office.

Sacrament of Baptism

Parents are kindly requested to make arrangements through the Parish Office one month in advance. Parents are requested to participate in a one-session pre-baptismal program and are encouraged to do that before the birth of their child. You must be registered in the Parish three months prior to Baptism.

Parish Registration

Registration forms are available at the Welcome Table before and after Mass or at the Parish Office.

News and Updates

• Abortion Clinic Scheduled to Relocate and Expand in City of Fairfax

  NOVA Women’s Healthcare has signed a lease to relocate from Eaton Place in Fairfax to 10680 Main Street in the City of Fairfax with the intention of occupying the entire third floor (19,000 sq ft) of the Mainland Office Building. This is a short walk from the Fairfax City historic district, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, retail establishments, offices, churches, schools, and quiet residential neighborhoods.
  In 2012 NOVA WHC reported 3,066 abortions. That makes them the largest single abortion provider in the Commonwealth of Virginia. With their proposed expansion, they would have a 3.5 times larger facility.

  This move is scheduled for 1 July 2013.

  What can YOU do?
  PRAY!
  http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/pentecost/seven.htm
  Please join in praying the above novena with many from all faiths who oppose this clinic opening.

  What else?
  Do you live in the City of Fairfax?
  Do you own property in the City of Fairfax?
  Do you work in the City of Fairfax?
  Do you send your children to school in the City of Fairfax? This clinic will be located 1.1 miles Paul VI high school!
  Do you frequent restaurants or other businesses in the City of Fairfax?
  Then you have a voice!
  (If you do not feel that you have a voice in this matter, PRAY and then think of who you know who can answer yes to the above questions and forward this to them!)

  Speak directly to the Mayor and City Council at the city council meeting at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 14, at City Hall Annex, 10455 Armstrong Street. Or simply attend this meeting to offer support!
  While neither the Mayor nor the City Council can outlaw abortion in the City of Fairfax (because it is a legal activity in our nation), they do have the capacity to place restrictions on a business trying to open in the community if they feel it will be a detriment to the community. They can exercise their zoning authority as they would for any facility inappropriate for a quiet neighborhood bordering a historic area.

  You can address the City Council in person at the meeting or by letter or email with the following points:
  * An abortion clinic at 10680 Main Street will be a significant detriment to the City of Fairfax!
  * Its massive 19,000 sq ft size could make Fairfax City the abortion capital of Virginia, negatively affecting tourism, retail, restaurant, and other trade, and lowered property values.
  * The notoriety of such a large abortion facility so close to the historic district could hurt the city’s reputation and set back decades of making Fairfax City the pleasant and thriving community it is today.
  * It may cause economic loss to neighboring businesses due to protests, boycotts, and public avoidance of facilities associated with controversy, along with increased difficulty in leasing office space in the area.
  * If an armed guard is staged outside the facility on Saturdays, it will cast a pall over weekend sightseeing.
  * Neighbors and visitors may encounter post-abortive women experiencing the physical and emotional side effects of abortion in the parking lot, on the sidewalk, in nearby restrooms, and other local areas.
  * Sirens and flashing lights: such a large abortion facility may result in increased frequency of ambulances and emergency response vehicles arriving at the building, increased presence of law enforcement personnel and vehicles, and other effects decreasing the quality of life in the neighborhood.

  All correspondence to these individuals should obviously be courteous and professional as well as succinct. Please copy your letters to:

  City of Fairfax Chamber of Commerce
  11166 Fairfax Blvd #407 Fairfax, VA 22030

  Mayor
  Honorable Scott Silverthorne email: scott.silverthorne@fairfaxva.gov Phone: 703-385-7850

  City Council Members
  Honorable Michael J. DeMarco michael.demarco@fairfaxva.gov Phone: 703-385-7850
  Honorable Daniel F. Drummond dan.drummond@fairfaxva.gov
  Honorable Jeffrey C. Greenfield jeff.greenfield@fairfaxva.gov
  Honorable David L. Meyer david.meyer@fairfaxva.gov
  Honorable Eleanor D. Schmidt eleanor.schmidt@fairfaxva.gov
  Honorable Steven C. Stombres steven.stombres@fairfaxva.gov

  Please address your letter to:

  (mayor or city council member’s name),
  Fairfax City Hall,
  10455 Armstrong St.
  Fairfax, VA 22030

  Note: If you plan to speak at the May 14 city council meeting, please send a short email to stopthemegamill@gmail.com so we can get an estimate of the number of people who will be speaking.

• Reminder: Pro-Life Speaker on May 2

  Tomorrow evening, May 2nd, at 7:30 p.m. we are honored to have with us Larry Morris, Esq., the General Counsel of The Catholic University of America (CUA). Larry is in a position to give us unique insights of the religious liberty attacks taking place on our Catholic college campuses and how CUA and other Catholic institutions are defending themselves against them. You may recognize Larry as he is also a parishioner of St. Raymond’s.

• 28 Mar 2013

  The Holy Week Respect Life Newsletter has been added to the Respect Life page.

  Below are links to talks from Father Scalia of the Institute of Catholic Culture.

  • March 14, 2013 (95 MB)
  • March 21, 2013 (94 MB)

   

“MAY THE GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE SET YOUR HEART AT REST”
- Saint Raymond of Peñafort