From the Chancery:  Below are the links (English and Spanish) to the videos being posted today on the diocesan website to help the faithful know what to expect when returning to Mass and receiving Communion during this phase of re-opening.  Please share with your parishioners in the best manner you see fit.

English: https://youtu.be/igaLQTf1ONQ

The celebration of Masses resumes: Northern Virginia jurisdictions that remained in Phase 0 will enter Phase 1 on Friday, May 29, which means that all parishes and campus ministries in the diocese are permitted, not mandated, to offer the public celebration of the Mass. Masses resume on Friday, 8:30 am. Please spread out and receive Communion as we've discussed. Be sure to bring your hand wipes. I'll provide further instructions at the Masses. The Mass schedule has been reinstated: Weekend: Saturday: 5:30 p.m., Sunday: 8 am, 10 am, 12 Noon. Weekdays: Mon Tues Thurs Fri Sat: 8:30 am; Wed: 12:15 pm.

By the way, I think it's best for older folks to stay home for the time being.  If you come to Mass, keep your distance.  Parents with little children should be especially vigilant.  Please make sure the kids aren't running about and causing a racket. Of course, that's pretty good advice even outside of these peculiar times.  But occasional baby squawks are part of the Sacred Liturgy.  Don't worry about those.  Hey, wait a minute!  I just turned 66!  I'm an "older folk."  

Scholars Claim Jesus Actually Told Lepers 'Stay Home, Save Lives’ https://babylonbee.com/news/scholars-claim-jesus-actually-told-lepers-stay-home-save-lives

President Trump on May 22:  TRUMP: "Some governors have deemed liquor stores & abortion clinics essential, but have left out churches ... it's not right. So I am correcting this injustice & am calling houses of worship essential. I call upon governors to allow churches & places of worship to open right now"

On Friday Governor Northam opened Virginia Beach for the weekend with the following order, “If people swarm these beaches and ignore social distancing rules or the regulations the city has put into place, I will not hesitate to reinstate Phase 1 restrictions or even close the beach outright if necessary.” On Saturday Governor Ralph Northam was seen out at Virginia Beach. The governor was walking around without a mask in a crowd. He was not concerned about social distancing.

Mortality facts --  The Guttmacher Institute estimates that approximately 17,210 abortions took place in Virginia during 2017. So far, there are just short of 1200 deaths from COVID-19 in Virginia.

Folks, as many of you know, the Bishop has permitted the celebration of Communion services (outside of Mass) for gatherings that do not exceed ten. On Sunday, I celebrated five such services.  While I do not have objections to the practice on a very short-term basis, here are my thoughts on its dangers:

FRC Releases New Publication Showing Extent of Radical Sex Education in Schools School Districts Devoting as much as 70 hours of Classroom Time to Sexualizing Children

WASHINGTON, D.C. --Family Research Council released a new publication today titled "Sex Education in Public Schools: Sexualization of Children and LGBT Indoctrination." It outlines the radical changes that have occurred in the way sex education is taught in America's public schools, and why parents should be concerned: 

• Teaching kids how to consent to sex/"how to" sex workshops.
• "Fake Abstinence"--abstinence until your next steady boy/girlfriend.
• Secret abortions: your parents never have to know.
• Students pressured to declare themselves LGBT "allies."
• Same-sex role playing.
• Teaching children they could be born in the wrong body.

Cathy Ruse, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Human Dignity at Family Research Council, who authored the publication, wrote:

"Well-funded international pressure groups have been extraordinarily successful in pushing agenda-driven curricula that sexualizes children and promotes a 'sexual rights' ideology among youth. School systems are devoting significant classroom time to these programs--70 classroom hours per child in some cases--even while American public schools are failing to fulfill their core mission.

"Today's sex ed lessons can be highly manipulative--carefully designed to get children to approve of the concept of sexual rights and fluid sexual 'identities,' and to reject their religious beliefs, the authority of their parents, and even physical reality itself.

"Even if parents identify problematic lessons in sex ed and manage to opt their kids out, that won't protect them from sex propaganda appearing elsewhere in school, such as in the halls, in history class, on the calendar, and in the library.

"As parents, we should insist on the best for our children. Demanding risk avoidance-based sex ed, filing universal opt-out letters annually, and attending school board meetings are proactive ways that parents can let their schools know that they are informed, they are watching, and they are prepared to act," concluded Ruse.

To read the full publication, visit: https://www.frc.org/sexeducation.

See Family Research Council's universal opt-out letter .

There was a time when trust in God’s Providence was part of the cultural fabric of America. Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson wrote (with a hint of Calvinistic theology), “[M]y religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.” It’s usually more reasonable to hide behind a stone wall when bullets fly, rather than stand like a stone wall. But not if one hopes to win the battle. Our battle is for eternal life which forever will take the way of the Cross. Trust in Divine Providence.  But keep using those hand wipes, etc.  And older folks with health conditions should certainly stay put (don't come to Mass) until this thing blows over.