The Catholic Church and racism, five years after the death of George Floyd (OSV, 6/3): In 2020, even an American ministering as a bishop in Peru retweeted a prayer for Floyd, his family and peace, originally posted by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia. That bishop in Peru became Pope Leo XIV May 8.

A look at where infants are baptized in America (Catholic World Report, 6/4): Among dioceses with 400,000-600,000 Catholics, the most infant baptism-rich are the Archdiocese of Miami (1 infant baptism per 59 Catholics, ranked 5th), the Diocese of Arlington (1 infant baptism per 351 Catholics, 43rd), and the Diocese of Orlando (1 infant baptism per 102 Catholics, 71st).

Catholic education shines: Arlington seniors earn $81M+ in college scholarships (CatholicVote, 6/5): Graduating seniors from four Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, have earned more than $81 million in college scholarships this year, highlighting both academic excellence and the strength of Catholic education in the region. 

Paul VI wins team crown at Virginia State Catholic Track and Field Championships (Loudoun Times-Mirror, 6/6): St. Paul VI Catholic High School claimed the girls team title and placed second in the boys standings as the host school for the 2025 Virginia State Catholic Track and Field Championships May 10 in Chantilly.

Many U.S. Catholic struggle with their faith (USA Today, 6/17): That's not the case everywhere. At St. Charles Catholic Church in Arlington, Virginia, the Rev. Donald J. Planty Jr. said attendance is higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, much of it driven by young adults in their 20s and 30s who form two-thirds of the 4,000-member congregation and are highly participatory.

Advocates hope to open a classical high school in Northern Virginia (Catholic News Agency, 6/19): Demand among Catholic families in northern Virginia has spurred the leadership of the St. Jerome Institute, a classical liberal arts high school in Washington, D.C., to explore options regarding a second campus in the Diocese of Arlington.

Catholic Bishops reflect on the third anniversary of the Dobbs decision (Catholic News Agency, 6/24): Three years after the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs decision, American Catholic bishops are celebrating the anniversary of the pro-life victory but also reminding the faithful that more work is needed to foster a culture of life.

More than 800 teens come to Shenandoah area to help make homes warmer, safer and drier (WHSV, 6/24): Volunteers said this summer trip was about more than just replacing roofs or windows — it’s about showing kids just how much of a difference they can make.

Northern Virginia teens battle heat to repair roofs and homes (WTOP, 6/24): “All of them taking their time, coming out here, working, especially in this heat, and just to help people, it’s just great,” Hill said. “They saved me. They’re a blessing to me, coming and doing this work for me, and it’s not costing me anything.”

More from WTOP Instagram can be found here.

Area teens brave high temps to fix homes for those in need (DCNewsNow, 6/25): Hundreds of teenagers and adults braved this week’s scorching temperatures and the occasional storm to repair homes in the Shenandoah region.

The Associated Press, the leading global news outlet with a reach in the hundreds of millions, profiled our Ordination Class of 2025. They broke the coverage down on June 27 into five distinct parts

  • A photo gallery of many of the new priests, including candid shots in the weeks leading up to the ordination

Sacrifice in the service of others (FredericksburgAdvance, 6/29): Forty youth from St. Mary learn practical skills during WorkCamp, a week dedicated to serving those in need by repairing their homes. They also learn first-hand the power of service.

Catholic WorkCamp allows teens to experience the joys of service (NVDaily, 6/30): Teens from 39 parishes tackled projects in the counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Harrisonburg. Each worksite includes a contractor — someone who teaches the teens how to do the work or construction. For every five teens, an adult leader is also present.