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My brothers and sisters,
Many thanks for your many welcoming words and gestures since I’ve arrived in Winchester. I know I can extend those thanks from Fr. Valan as well.
One of the things that needs to be addressed right away is the schedule for Holydays of Obligation. These are beautiful moments in the life of Jesus, His Blessed Mother, and of the Church. The obligation to attend Mass on these days pertains to all Catholics—the same as Sunday.
My feeling is that if we are going to impose the obligation with strength, we should provide opportunities to fulfill it generously.
Both parishes have recently done some soul searching about this issue as we’ve moved out of pandemic time. I’ve also collected the schedules for parishes surrounding Winchester and Arlington. Based on that reflection, Fr. Valan and I feel that the schedule with which we should proceed is as follows:HOLY DAY VIGIL: 6:00 pm - St. Eulalia HOLY DAY ITSELF: 6:30 am - St. Mary (Upper Church)
9:00 am - St. Eulalia
5:30 pm - St. Mary (Upper Church)
This schedule will be in place for the Solemnity of the Assumption (8/14-8/15), All Saints (10/31—11/1), and the Immaculate Conception (12/7 & 12/8).
We hope this is helpful to as many parishioners as possible.
In His service and yours,
Fr. Paul Clifford, Pastor