Trump’s order on IVF could alienate Catholic supporters (Fort Worth Star Telegram, 3/3): Catholics came out in droves to support Trump in November, breaking for the president by as much as 20 percentage points, according to one exit poll. His latest remarks on IVF may change how they feel.
Advocates seek ways to address immigration situation in Arlington (ArlNow, 3/4): Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington works extensively with immigrants. They run food pantries that serve numerous Spanish-speaking clients and are currently working to resettle 330 refugees who have come into the church’s care since October.
Catholic schools job fair to be held this weekend (FfxNow, 3/5): School principals from 40 Catholic schools will be scouting for new teachers for pre-school, elementary school, middle school and high school-level positions. Prospective teachers are encouraged to attend the fair,” which will be held from 9-11 a.m. at St. Bernadette School
Catholic Diocese to Serve Needy Amid Immigration Raid Threat (Patch, 3/10): Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to allow immigration officials to enter houses of worship, leaders in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington remain committed to assist those in the community that needed help.
Bishop O’Connell students raise more than $250k for Superdance (WJLA-7, 3/10): The annual event aims to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis.
Some Catholic churches across the country are seeing growth in the years following Covid (Catholic News Agency, 3/15): Father John Mosimann, pastor at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Fredericksburg, Virginia, told CNA that the parish has seen its numbers grow since the pandemic.
Annual inclusion conference brings disability advocates to Bishop Ireton (Catholic News Agency, 3/17): “The Lord, for us, is one who will always be there to strengthen us, to heal us, and to help us,” Bishop Michael Burbidge said in his opening remarks at the conference.
Churches come together to help Hispanic parishioners (Dover Times-Recorder, 3/20): Many Catholic bishops recognize the need for immigration enforcement, but also note everyone needs to be treated with dignity and respect.
On World Down Syndrome Day, how the Catholic Church works to include those with disabilities (Catholic News Agency, 3/21): Nancy Emanuel, director of the SPRED program for the Diocese of Arlington said their also includes “a lot of multisensory learning.” This includes visual aids and crafts and trying to “make learning fun and adventurous” in an engaging way.
Bishop Burbidge blesses new chapel at Bishop Ireton Catholic High School (ZebraNews, 3/21): Calling it a “glorious and joyful day for the Ireton community,” Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass, blessed, and dedicated the newly-renovated St. Francis de Sales Chapel at Bishop Ireton High School on Friday, March 21.
Diocese asks flock to unplug for a day (Aleteia, 3/22): Surveys have shown that people spend, on average, more than two hours daily on social media platforms, and “one third of teens think they spend too much time on these platforms.”
Diocese of Arlington celebrates ‘Day of Unplugging’ (Catholic News Agency, 3/24): Noting that fasting is a “practice of self-discipline with a penitential focus,” the diocese, which is led by Bishop Michael Burbidge, called “unplugging” from the addicting influence of the internet, phones, and social media a “worthwhile and challenging type of fasting.”
Amid 60th Anniversary celebrations, Bishop Ireton opens renovated chapel (Patch, 3/24): Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, who leads the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, provided a blessing of the altar and a Catholic Mass at the renovated St. Francis de Sales Chapel at Bishop Ireton High School.
Diocese of Arlington to hold Lenten Day of Unplugging (CatholicVote, 3/25): Attending daily Mass, praying a rosary, making a holy hour, journaling, and going for a walk in nature, are some of the ideas the diocese gives as ways to dedicate one’s time offline to a greater purpose.
