FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2020

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, to Celebrate Public Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Va., This Sunday  

Pentecost Sunday Mass to be Celebrated by Bishop Burbidge as Northern Virginia Enters Phase One of Reopening

ARLINGTON, Va. - This Sunday, May 31, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, will celebrate a public Mass for Pentecost Sunday at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Va., as parishes across Northern Virginia reopen. All 70 parishes in the Diocese of Arlington are now able, but not mandated, to celebrate public Mass together at up to 50 percent capacity and consistent with all federal, state and local guidelines and guidelines issued by the Diocese, found here. It is up to the pastor's discretion to determine if a parish is ready to reopen consistent with guidelines.

“We are filled with joy that the entire diocese can join together again for the public celebration of the Mass, respectful of the necessary precautions and guidelines for the health and well-being of all in the community. It is providential that this Sunday is the Solemnity of Pentecost, when we celebrate the birth of the Church through God's gift of the Holy Spirit,” said Bishop Burbidge. “It is the Holy Spirit who unites us as one body in Christ, whose strength, consolation and peace we seek at this critical time and always.”

What:                       
Pentecost Sunday Mass

When:                       
Sunday, May 31, 2020
9:30 a.m.

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

The Cathedral of St. Thomas More has a seating capacity of 1,200 and will allow 350 individuals to enter for Mass to ensure proper social distancing. All parishioners are expected to wear face coverings while on parish property.

Bishop Burbidge is continuing the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation until further notice. Those who are 65 years old or older, as well as those with underlying health conditions, are encouraged to avoid gatherings of the general public and attending public liturgies. 

A Guide for the Lay Faithful on Reintegration of the Diocese and the public celebration of the Mass can be found here.

Interested media please 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, 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.

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.