Dear Brothers and Sisters of St. Andrew the Apostle,
Fr. Justin Puthussery will be offering his farewells to us this weekend. As I mentioned last week, he has been assigned to be a pastor in Phoenix, AZ, and this is the last weekend in Northern Virginia. Fr. Justin has contributed so much to our parish and our diocese over his time here. He will be missed. Fr. Justin will offer remarks at each of our Masses this weekend, and he will be the principal celebrant at the 12:30 pm Sunday Mass.
This will also be the last weekend that our seminarian Tony Bennett will be here. On Tuesday, he returns to Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg to begin his second year of theology. Tony arrived at the parish with Nick Young after the seminaries were closed due to the coronavirus. Nick returned home at the end of the semester, but Tony was assigned here at St. Andrew’s for the summer. Overall, we've been blessed to have him with us for over four months. He has been a great help to the parish on many levels, most especially by assisting as a lector and acolyte at the liturgies, offering talks on our parish YouTube channel, and leading the Bible Study for our Thursday morning men’s group, and leading the Thursday evening rosary before Mass. Tony has also been a welcome presence in the rectory, always eager to help out, have a good conversation, or lend an ear. Fr. Bresnahan and I will miss him, but we’ve made it clear that he’s always welcome here when he needs a place to stay!
Please join me in praying for Tony and all the men in formation for the priesthood in the Diocese of Arlington and beyond. Through His divine grace, may the Lord continue to help them discern their vocations and sanctify and embolden them as they approach ordination.
Saturday, August 15, is the Solemnity for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Because it falls on a Saturday, it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, and the 5:30 pm Mass on Saturday will be the celebration of the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time. While it is not an obligation, I invite you to join us at the 8:45 am Mass on Saturday to celebrate the singular grace of the Virgin Mary's Assumption into heaven at the moment of her death. May Our Lady intercede for us now and at the hour of our death that we may join her and her Son for all eternity in heaven.
Be assured of my prayers for you and your intentions as we continue to strive for holiness in the midst of the struggles of the world. May we remain united in faith and sanctifying grace to build up the Kingdom of Heaven in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our parish.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Wagner
