News and Issues

Bishop Loverde Announces Superintendent’s DepartAugust 12, 2008
              After 13 years of dedicated service to the work of Catholic School education in the Diocese of Arlington, Superintendent Dr. ... read more
Arlington Bishop to Bless Pope John Paul the GreatAugust 5, 2008
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will bless the newest Diocesan high school, Pope John Paul the Great, which opens its doors to students on August 25:   Blessing and Grand Opening Sunday, Augus ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonAugust 1, 2008
August 8- Saint John the Evangelist Dedication Bishop Paul S. Loverde will dedicate the expanded church at Saint John the Evangelist, Warrenton, on Friday, August 8 at 4 p.m.  While the parish w ... read more
Nearly 70 High Schoolers to Attend Vocations CampJuly 21, 2008
Cookouts, water balloon fights and Ultimate Frisbee are just what you would expect out of a summer camp. But what about adding prayer, Mass with Bishop Paul S. Loverde and rosary walks?    ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonJuly 3, 2008
July 10 - 27: 22nd Annual World Youth Day Over 200 youth and young adults from the Diocese of Arlington will take a pilgrimage to Sydney, Australia for World Youth Day, the largest youth event in th ... read more
2008 Clergy AppointmentsJune 13, 2008
The Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington, has announced the following clergy appointments effective on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, unless otherwise noted. Pastors  Reverend Robert ... read more
2008 Diaconate AppointmentsJune 8, 2008
The Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington, has announced the following clergy appointments effective on Monday, June 16, 2008. Deacon Assignments   Reverend Mr. Matthew J. DeFor ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonMay 31, 2008
June 7 - Rite of Diaconate Ordination Bishop Paul S. Loverde will ordain Matthew DeForest from Saint Philip, Falls Church, and Stephen Schultz from Saint Rita, Alexandria, at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral ... read more
Principal, Oblates to Leave Bishop Ireton HSMay 28, 2008
Bishop Ireton principal Fr. Matthew Hillyard, O.S.F.S, has been assigned as the Rector of the Cathedral parish in Camden, N.J., thus ending the presence of the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales at B ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonMay 1, 2008
May  3- World Youth Day Mini Pilgrimage The Office of Youth Ministry will sponsor a World Youth Day Mini Pilgrimage at Saint Ann, Arlington, for those who will attend World Youth Day in Sydney, ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonMarch 31, 2008
April 6 – Vocations Women’s Group: Spring “Nun Run” The Office of Vocations will lead a group of women on visits to three religious orders to learn more about the consecrated ... read more
Arlington Diocese to Unveil Redesigned Web SiteMarch 19, 2008
The Arlington Diocese will unveil their newly redesigned Web site, www.arlingtondiocese.org, on March 24, 2008. "I am pleased to announce the redesign of our diocesan Web site. It is my hope that the ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic DioceseMarch 2, 2008
March 1 - Diocesan Spelling BeeSeventh and eighth grade students will participate in the annual Diocesan Spelling Bee at Saint Thomas More Cathedral School, Arlington, at 9:30 a.m. Thirty-one diocesan ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonFebruary 4, 2008
February 6: Ash WednesdayBishop Paul S. Loverde will celebrate Mass on Ash Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten s ... read more
Arlington Bishop Mourns Passing of George HoustonJanuary 27, 2008
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde released the following statement upon the January 19th death of George Richard Houston: "My prayers and those of our entire diocesan family are with the Houston family ... read more
Bishop to Dedicate Gainesville ChurchJanuary 16, 2008
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will dedicate Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, Virginia: 11 a.m., SaturdayFebruary 2, 2008Holy Trinity Church 8214 Linton Hall RoadGainesville, VA 20155&ld ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonDecember 31, 2007
January 12 and 26: Conferences for the Engaged The conference is a one-day workshop held on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna. About 1,200 engaged couples annuall ... read more
Funeral Arrangement for Fr. RuehlDecember 20, 2007
Funeral arrangements for Father Bill Ruehl are as follows: A viewing will be held on Friday, December 21, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with prayers at 8:00 p.m., at Saint John the Baptist Catholi ... read more
Bishop Loverde's Christmas LetterDecember 18, 2007
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Today is the birthday of hope! Yes, Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, Who took flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was born among us on this day ... read more
Bishop Loverde's Christmas Letter en espanolDecember 18, 2007
Queridos Hermanas y Hermanos en Cristo, ¡Hoy es el cumpleaños de la esperanza! Sí, Jesucristo, el hijo eterno de Dios, que se hizo hombre por medio de la Virgen María bende ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonDecember 5, 2007
December 8: Feast of the Immaculate ConceptionBishop Loverde will celebrate Mass on this holy day of obligation at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More, 9 a.m. December 9: Mass for Feast of Our Lady of Gu ... read more
Diocese Expands Outreach to VictimsNovember 26, 2007
Evelyn Cochis has been named the Bilingual Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Arlington. The new position will assist the diocese's victim assistance office in serving Spanish-speaking v ... read more
Annual Catechetical Conference to Host Over 400November 14, 2007
Over 400 directors of religious education, catechists and other interested individuals from the Diocese of Arlington are expected to attend the 2007 Diocesan Catechetical Conference:Saturday, November ... read more
Arlington Catholic Herald Set to Launch New DesignNovember 6, 2007
The Arlington Catholic Herald, the official newspaper for the Diocese of Arlington, will launch a new design in its issue of November 8, culminating a 10-month process to create a more local, exciting ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonOctober 31, 2007
November 3: Respect Life Mass at St. Rita Church, AlexandriaBishop Paul S. Loverde will celebrate the monthly Respect Life Mass on Saturday, November 3rd to pray for the neglected, the weakest and the ... read more
Pre-Election Letter from Virginia BishopsOctober 24, 2007
Voting as Followers of Christ: A Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Virginia to the Faithful of Their Dioceses October 2007  Dear Friends in Christ: With the November general elections around ... read more
Pre-Election Letter from Va. Bishops (en espanol)October 24, 2007
Forma de votar como seguidores de Cristo:Carta de los Obispos católicos de Virginia a los fieles de sus diócesisOctubre de 2007Queridos amigos en Cristo:Con las elecciones generales de n ... read more
Newest High School Named Pope John Paul the GreatOctober 9, 2007
Newest Catholic High School for Arlington Diocese: Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High SchoolArlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde announced today that the Arlington Diocese’s newest Catholic high ... read more
Newest High School Named (En Espanol)October 9, 2007
El nuevo Bachillerato de la diócesis de Arlington:Bachillerato Católica El Papa Grande- Juan PabloEl Obispo Paul S. Loverde de Arlington anunció hoy la próxima inauguraci&o ... read more
School Named Blue Ribbon School of ExcellenceOctober 3, 2007
St. Joseph Catholic School in Herndon has been named a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. The Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award “hono ... read more
Bishop to Break Ground for New Church in AshburnSeptember 26, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will break ground and bless the site of a new church at St. Theresa in Ashburn: Sunday, September 30, 2007 5:00 p.m. 21370 St. Theresa Lane Ashburn, VA 20147 "This i ... read more
Bishop Loverde on the 1962 Latin MassSeptember 13, 2007
Dear Brother Priests, As you well know, on July 7, 2007, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, promulgated an Apostolic Letter given Motu Proprio entitled Summorum Pontificum (The Care of the Supreme P ... read more
Board Reviews Allegation Dating to 1960sSeptember 12, 2007
Board Reviews Allegation Dating to 1960s The Arlington Diocesan Review Board has completed its review of an allegation that the late Rev. Msgr. William T. Reinecke sexually abused a female minor in th ... read more
Diocesan Commission to Host Immigration ConferenceSeptember 6, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde invites Catholics of the diocese to the Peace and Justice Commission’s fourth annual conference:“The Many Faces of Our Human Family: A Catholic Perspective ... read more
Bishop Offers Labor Day ReflectionAugust 30, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde offered the following statement in commemoration of Labor Day: Work and our Common Dignity: A Labor Day Reflection“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not ... read more
Bishop to Visit New High School with PrincipalAugust 19, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will accompany principal Sr. Mary Jordan Hoover, O.P., on a visit to the site of the diocese’s newest Catholic high school, located in Prince William County and ... read more
Bishop to Celebrate First Young Adult MassAugust 14, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will celebrate the first diocesan-wide Young Adult Mass for those ages 21-39:  Sunday, August 19 at 7 p.m. (Reception to Follow) St. Agnes Catholic Church 1914 N ... read more
Catholics Respond to BLA with Record GenerosityAugust 7, 2007
$10.5 M Pledged to-date in Annual Appeal to Fund Vital Ministries and ProgramsOver 42,800 families and individuals—including 9,600 first-time donors—have pledged an unprecedented $10.5 mil ... read more
Down the Road @ the Diocese of Arlington: AugustAugust 5, 2007
August 11-19 – Spanish Apostolate Boys and Girls Camps The diocese’s Spanish Apostolate will host summer camps for over 100 boys and girls in Winchester, Va. The camps will include sports, ... read more
Young Men to Attend Camp with Vocations EmphasisJuly 24, 2007
Nearly 50 young men—most of whom are in high school—from the Diocese of Arlington will travel this weekend to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD for Quo Vadis Days 2007, a c ... read more
Appointment of Archbishop O'Brien to BaltimoreJuly 11, 2007
Arlington Bishop Offers Warm Congratulations to Archbishop O’Brien, Heartfelt Gratitude to Cardinal KeelerArlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde released the following statement on the retirement of C ... read more
Bishop Mourns Death of Jairo Hoyos SalcedoJune 28, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde released the following statement on the killing earlier this week of Jairo Hoyos Salcedo, brother of Fr. Jose Eugenio Hoyos, Director of the Arlington Diocese’s ... read more
Hundreds of Teens Begin WorkCampJune 24, 2007
Hundreds of Teens Begin WorkCamp Service Projects Include Home Rehab and Repair Over 700 youth and adults began a week of service to the residents of Orange, Madison, Culpeper and Greene Counties on S ... read more
2007 Clergy AppointmentsJune 10, 2007
The Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington, has announced the following clergy appointments effective on Wednesday, June 27, 2007, except where noted differently. Pastors Father Alexander ... read more
Bishop to Break Ground on Addition at Holy SpiritJune 10, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will break ground and bless the site of the Holy Spirit School and Parish Center addition on June 12, 2007: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow Holy ... read more
Over 700 Youth and Adults Prepare for WorkCampJune 10, 2007
In collaboration with local social service agencies, 85 crews of teens, chaperones and adult contractors will take up their hammers, shovels, and paint brushes to make homes in Orange, VA and surround ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonMay 31, 2007
June 2 - Respect Life Mass with Bishop Loverde Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will celebrate the monthly Respect Life Mass (with Rosary following) at 8:00 am, St. Mary Church, Alexandria. More infor ... read more
Arlington Catholic Herald Receives National AwardsMay 30, 2007
Arlington Catholic Herald Receives Eight National AwardsThe Arlington Catholic Herald received eight awards at the annual Catholic Press Association convention in New York last week. “The Arling ... read more
First Principal Named for New Catholic High SchoolMay 16, 2007
Dominican Sister Mary Jordan Hoover, O.P., has been named the first principal of the new Catholic high school for the Diocese of Arlington to open in the fall of 2008 in Prince William County.“I ... read more
Hundreds Expected for Junior High School BASHMay 14, 2007
Hundreds of junior high students from over 20 parishes will gather for the annual Junior High BASH, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry to get students excited about their faith. Saturd ... read more
Arlington Bishop to Welcome Pilgrim StatueMay 7, 2007
Arlington Bishop to Welcome International Pilgrim Virgin Statue Designates May 13th a Day of Prayer for Diocesan Pilgrimage Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde invites all diocesan parishes, schools and ... read more
Arlington Bishop to Welcome (En Espanol)May 7, 2007
El Obispo de Arlington dará la bienvenida a la Imágen Peregrina de la Virgen 13 de Mayo Día Dedicado a la Oración por el Perigrinaje Diocesano El obispo de Arlington Monse ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonMay 6, 2007
May 12 – Catholic Charities’ Walk for Life The Annual Walk for Life, sponsored by Catholics Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, will be held at Fort Hunt Park and Paul VI High School to ... read more
Priest Placed on LeaveMay 3, 2007
Priest Placed on Leave after Allegation of Misconduct No Final Determination Made To-Date Rev. Christopher Buckner, 54, a faculty member with an area distance learning institution since 2000, has been ... read more
Northern Virginia Catholics Mark Day of MourningApril 19, 2007
Catholics of the Diocese of Arlington will gather today to mark the statewide day of mourning for the victims of the tragedy at Virginia Tech at numerous Masses, Vigils, and Holy Hours. A complete lis ... read more
Two New Assistant Superintendents Join OCSApril 19, 2007
Elizabeth Roach and Daniel Ferris have been named as assistant superintendents for the Diocese of Arlington’s Office of Catholic Schools, effective July 1, 2007.“The purpose of the Office ... read more
Bishop Commends Supreme Court DecisionApril 17, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde commended the Supreme Court Decision to uphold the ban on partial birth abortion. His statement follows: Today’s Supreme Court decision to uphold the partial b ... read more
Bishop Mourns Loss, Area Catholics GatherApril 16, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde called northern Virginia Catholics to pray for the victims and families of the Virginia Tech tragedy. His statement follows: “I am truly shocked and saddened by ... read more
Bishop to Bless Divine Mercy IconApril 10, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will bless a Divine Mercy icon – specially commissioned by the diocesan Office of Family Life to facilitate prayer and healing for families at parishes throughou ... read more
Five Named 'Distinguished Teacher of the Year'April 4, 2007
The Diocesan School Board recognized the following teachers as the Catholic Business Network/BB&T Bank Teachers of Year: High School: Tom Hedderson, Paul VI High School, Fairfax Middle School: Sr. ... read more
Diocesan Pilgrimage Theme ChosenApril 3, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde announces the theme of the 2007 pilgrimage for the Diocese of Arlington: Our Lady of Fatima, Open Our Hearts to Christ! Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Our Lady's ... read more
Diocesan Pilgrimage Theme Chosen (En Espanol)April 3, 2007
Tema escogido para el peregrinage diocesano 4 de abril 2007 - El obispo de la Diócesis de Arlington anunció el tema para el peregrinage del 2007 de la Diócesis de Arlington: Nu ... read more
Bishops Call for Reexamination of Death PenaltyApril 2, 2007
Virginia Catholic Bishops Issue Statement Calling for “Deeper Reexamination” of Death Penalty As the Virginia General Assembly prepares to consider the Governor’s vetoes of five bil ... read more
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonMarch 29, 2007
April 2 - Mass to Pray for Healing for Victims/Survivors of Sexual Abuse As part of the diocese’s ongoing outreach to victims/survivors of sexual abuse, Bishop Loverde will celebrate a Mass to p ... read more
Arlington Bishop Establishes Diocese's 68th ParishMarch 27, 2007
St. Jude Church in Spotsylvania County 8th New Parish in Past Decade Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde today established the diocese’s 68th parish – St. Jude Parish, formerly a mission &nda ... read more
Diocesan Spelling Bee Winners AnnouncedMarch 6, 2007
Over thirty 7th and 8th grade students – all of whom won spelling bees at their home school – participated in the Arlington Diocesan Spelling Bee Saturday, March 3, 2007, at St. Thomas Mor ... read more
Statement on the Death of Sr. Bernadette MellingMarch 6, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde made the following statement upon learning of the death, on March 4, 2007, of Sister Mary Bernadette Therese Melling, S.S.N.D., Principal, Sacred Heart Academy, Winche ... read more
Down the Road @ the Diocese of Arlington: MarchMarch 1, 2007
March 3 – Diocesan Spelling BeeThe Arlington Diocesan Spelling Bee will take place on Saturday, March 3rd at 9:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Cathedral School. Over thirty 7th and 8th students &ndas ... read more
Lent: 'The Road Less Traveled By'February 22, 2007
The following homily was given by Bishop Paul S. Loverde on February 21, 2007, on Ash Wednesday, at Saint Thomas More Cathedral in Arlington. LENT: “THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED BY” It is Ash ... read more
Lenten Letter from Bishop LoverdeFebruary 12, 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This year, I begin my annual Lenten message by sharing with you a short passage whose significance has never lessened even though I first read it many years ago. ... read more
Lenten Letter from Bishop Loverde (en espanol)February 12, 2007
Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, Este año, inicio mi mensaje cuaresmal anual compartiendo con ustedes una historia breve cuyo significado nunca ha disminuido aun cuando la leí ha ... read more
Bishop Loverde Addresses EcumenistsFebruary 7, 2007
The following homily was given by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde at the Mass during the National Workshop on Christian Unity at Dahlgren Chapel, Georgetown University, Jan. 30. “Let us &helli ... read more
Down the Road @ the Diocese of ArlingtonFebruary 1, 2007
February 2 to 4 – Mount 2000 & BeyondTeens from the diocese will join hundreds of other high school-aged youth from around the mid-Atlantic region for a weekend retreat of prayer and fellows ... read more
Arlington Bishop Mourns Passing of George BurgerFebruary 1, 2007
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde released the following statement upon learning of the death on January 31, 2007, of George Burger, 50, an emeritus member of the Virginia Catholic Conference Board: " ... read more
Planning Underway for Summer WorkCamp 2007January 24, 2007
The Diocese of Arlington’s Youth Ministry Office is seeking ideas – on necessary renovation and repair projects – from residents of Orange, Madison and Culpeper Counties for the upco ... read more
Down the Road at the Diocese of ArlingtonJanuary 10, 2007
Down the Road @ the Catholic Diocese of ArlingtonJanuary 7 to 12 – National Vocations Awareness WeekThe Diocese of Arlington has 23 men in the seminary and about 18 men and 33 women in formation ... read more