Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Asks the Faithful to Join in Celebrating the Advent and Christmas Seasons with an Act of Service, Devotion or Prayer Through the #JustOneYes (JOY) Campaign; Effort Begins with More Than 30,000 “Yeses” 

Campaign Seeks to Secure 100,000 Yeses by January 10, 2021, the Baptism of the Lord and End of the Advent and Christmas Seasons

ARLINGTON, Va. - Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, called on Catholics throughout the Diocese to join in offering #JustOneYes (JOY) during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Through the campaign, individuals commit to one or more “yeses,” such as an act of service (e.g., donating food), praying the Rosary or another prayer, participating in daily Mass, and/or write in a personal commitment at https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/joy/. The effort reached more than 76,000 “yeses” during its inaugural year in 2019 and hopes to generate 100,000 new “yeses” by January 10, 2021, the Baptism of the Lord and end of the Advent and Christmas seasons. This year's #JustOneYes campaign has already reached more than 30,000 “yeses.”

“I invite people of faith to join in a simple, yet powerful act by offering Just One Yes. We know this has been a particularly trying year for so many individuals and families throughout the Diocese of Arlington and beyond. Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit, one 'yes' can change you personally, your family, your community, and, like Mary's powerful 'yes' to God, it can change the world,” said Bishop Burbidge. “Whenever you spend time with the Lord before the Blessed Sacrament, you have said 'yes.' The same can be said each time you donate food to the poor, bring clothing to the homeless, or offer up a personal suffering. Together, we can help bring about extraordinary transformation.”

Rooted in the Blessed Virgin Mary's (Mother of God) “yes” to our Lord, the initiative is part of the Diocese of Arlington's overall efforts to deepen the commitment of Catholics to their faith through prayer and service and to transform hearts, families and communities through service and Christ's love.

In addition to the #JustOneYes (JOY) campaign, the Diocese of Arlington, most of its 70 parishes, and Catholic Charities run special service projects and collections to offer additional support to those in need this time of the year. These include, but are not limited to, Catholic Charities' Parish Christmas Collection, supporting its work serving the poor and vulnerable, Catholic Charities' St. Lucy Food Project collections, Catholic Charities' Giving Tree collection, and countless parish-sponsored food drives and collections.

Catholic Charities' St. Lucy food project is in need of food donations through this season in a year in which the need for food assistance has exceeded previous years. Donate food at https://www.ccda.net/give-help/donate-and-distribute-food/. For more information, visit www.ccda.net or any diocesan parish website and bulletin.

For more information on #JustOneYes, contact Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations, Catholic Diocese of Arlington at 571-215-8731 or Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org.

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The Catholic Diocese of Arlington was established on August 13, 1974, and is home to 70 parishes and more than 460,000 Catholics. There are currently 276 priests serving in the Diocese and 45 seminarians discerning a priestly vocation. The Diocese has 37 parish (K-8) schools, four diocesan high schools, four independent Catholic schools and five free-standing (not connected with a parish school) pre-schools, serving more than 17,000 students. 

The Diocese includes the seven cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Winchester and the 21 counties of Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, King George, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Northumberland, Orange, Page, Prince William, Rappahannock, Richmond, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren and Westmoreland.