MEDIA ADVISORY: Catholic Diocese of Arlington to Host “Arise! A Diocesan Family Celebration” This Saturday in Chantilly, Welcome Diocese's More Than 460,000 Catholics Fully Back to Mass and Parish Life 

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Encourages the Faithful to Look Ahead with Joy and Hope, as Celebration Caps Off Unprecedented Year 

ARLINGTON, Va. - This Saturday, June 26, the Catholic Diocese of Arlington is hosting “ARISE! A Diocesan Family Celebration” at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va. The event is designed to celebrate nearing the end of the pandemic and to welcome the Diocese's more than 460,000 Catholics, some of whom have been awaiting a time to return to Mass, back to Mass and larger parish life. The timing coincides with the end of the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass, which Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, and bishops from the larger region announced on June 2, effective this Saturday, June 26, and Sunday, June 27. ARISE! begins with a Holy Hour and Confessions at 3:30 p.m., and Mass takes place at 4:30 p.m. The outdoor festival, which includes food, music and activities, begins at 6 p.m. RSVP was required, and the event is at capacity.

“Today, we-Christ's Church-are invited to arise from the loneliness and sadness of the past year with joy and enthusiasm,” said Bishop Burbidge. “Jesus raised people from the dead so that they could have new life, to go out and make disciples, and to live in greater virtue. So, too, for us: This is an opportunity to begin anew-to arise!-and leave the old self behind. Together, may we celebrate the lifting of the pandemic restrictions and live in community once again.”

ARISE! A Diocesan Family Celebration

When:           
Saturday, June 26
3:30 p.m. Holy Hour with Confessions
4:30 p.m. Sunday Vigil Mass
6-8 p.m. Outdoor festival with food, food trucks, music, vendors, rides for children, etc.

Where:          
St. Paul VI Catholic High School
42341 Braddock Rd.
Chantilly, VA 20152

RSVP:           
At Capacity - No Longer Accepting RSVPs.

While the 70 parishes in the Diocese have been celebrating Mass safely during the pandemic since late May 2020, they have done so under COVID-mitigation restrictions which included social distancing and capacity limitations. As of May 28, these restrictions have been lifted. Additionally, the following liturgical elements that were suspended or modified were reintroduced: holy water in fonts, worship aids in pews, singing by full choirs and the faithful, presentation of the gifts by the lay faithful, and the sign of peace (without physical contact between non-family members). Consistent with state guidelines, all individuals who are fully vaccinated are no longer expected to wear face coverings. Those who are unvaccinated are encouraged to wear masks.

The June 2, 2021, “Statement of the Bishops of the Province of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington Lifting the General Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Mass” specifies that, as always, “this obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus or another serious or contagious illness; those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or those with serious underlying health conditions. One should consult their local pastor if questions arise about the obligation to attend Mass (Canon 1245 and the Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 2181).”

For more info on the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, visit here.

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.