Join Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Catholics throughout the Arlington Diocese in the #JustOneYes (JOY) Campaign this Advent and Christmas

Campaign Seeks to Engage Almost Half a Million Catholics in Prayer and Service 
to Help Transform the World Around Us

ARLINGTON, Va. - Yesterday, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, called on the almost half million Catholics throughout the Diocese of Arlington to join in the #JustOneYes (JOY) Campaign for the Advent and Christmas seasons. The campaign is a new initiative by the Diocese to encourage the faithful to further prayer, service to others, and self-sacrifice.

“Through the power of the Holy Spirit, your one 'yes' can help transform the world by turning darkness to light, division to unity, and chaos to peace. It can change you, 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.”

Catholics are being encouraged to commit to an extra Rosary, daily Mass, favorite prayer or an act of service at http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/JustOneYes. The site allows interested Catholics and people of good will to register their #JustOneYes or sign up for a daily meditation. Rooted in the Blessed Virgin Mary's (Mother of God) “yes” to our Lord, the initiative is part of the Diocese's overall efforts to deepen the commitment of Catholics to their faith through prayer, service and sacrifice during this season of hope and joy.

In addition to the #JustOneYes (JOY) Campaign, the Diocese of Arlington and most of its 71 parishes 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 who live in the Diocese, Catholic Charities' St. Lucy Food Project's oranges and apples collection, Catholic Charities' Giving Tree Collection, and countless parish sponsored food drives and collections. For more information visit www.ccda.net or any of our parish websites and bulletins.

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 71 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.