FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2022

CONTACT:
Amber Roseboom
Director of Media Relations
Catholic Diocese of Arlington
571-215-8731
Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org

MEDIA ADVISORY: Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Diocese of Arlington, to Celebrate Mass in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day This Sunday, January 16, at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, VA.

All are Invited as Arlington Bishop Honors the Legacy of the Late Civil Rights Leader

ARLINGTON, Va. - On Sunday, January 16, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, will celebrate a Mass in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. The annual Mass honors the life and legacy of the late civil rights leader who was slain almost 54 years ago.

“Dr. King courageously championed the inherent God-given dignity of all persons, particularly those subjected to racism and bigotry. In persevering in this fight, Dr. King often publicly called upon God to help us chart a better path forward. He endeavored to end prejudice through a message of hope and love, a lesson that holds true for us today,” said Bishop Burbidge. “As the headlines of the day and ordinary tasks draw our attention to other things, we must be steadfast in our efforts to address the sin of racism, wherever it exists, through prayer, education and action. We must remember that what we ultimately seek is a genuine conversion of hearts that will compel positive change in light of the Gospel and the teachings of our Faith.”

WHAT:        
Mass in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Celebrated by Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington

WHO:           
General Public

WHEN:        
Sunday, January 16, 2022
11 a.m.
(There will be a reception with light refreshments in Burke Hall, located in the lower level of the church, following the Mass.)   

WHERE:     
Cathedral of St. Thomas More
3901 Cathedral Lane
Arlington, VA 22203            

MEDIA RSVP:          
Interested media, contact Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, at 571-215-8731 or Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org.

All non-vaccinated participants are expected to wear face coverings.

For additional information, 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 49 seminarians discerning a priestly vocation. The Diocese has 37 parish (K-8) schools, one virtual school, four diocesan high schools, five independent Catholic schools and three free-standing (not connected with a parish school) pre-schools, serving more than 16,800 students. 

Geographically, 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.