Parish Celebrations Around Prince William County

by Jean Mondoro

With the start of the new liturgical season, the parish families of Our Lady of Angels and Holy Family have begun their Lenten practices while also reflecting on the Year of St. Joseph. In Dale City, the Holy Family community has had to adapt their Lenten schedule due to the ongoing pandemic. The Good Friday Passion reenactment as well as the living stations put on by the youth ministry will not be taking place for safety reasons. Despite the unfortunate and limiting circumstances, the parish has still put certain devotions into place to remain growing in faith as a family. Earlier this year, on the Feast of the Holy Family, there was the annual parish-wide consecration to the Holy Family. The parish has also recently consecrated their community to the protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe. “I have been encouraging a month-long devotion to St. Joseph as well as other personal devotions,” said Pastor Fr. Ramon Baez. Even with an adapted Lenten schedule and unique circumstances amidst the pandemic, Holy Family parish continues to find ways to grow in holiness through their confidence in the help of Jesus, Mary and Joseph through personal devotions and consecrations. Nearby, in Woodbridge, Our Lady of Angels parish is also setting into their Lenten practices and preparing to entrust them to Jesus and Mary.During Lent, Stations of the Cross will be offered on Fridays with English and Spanish options. Additional confession times will be on Wednesday evenings.The Solemnity of St. Joseph will be primarily celebrated with Mass, including a Spanish vigil Mass on March 18th. Preparation to consecrate to the Immaculate Heart of Mary began on February 13th and will continue until the feast day on June 12th. “This year our parish has been given to a religious order of priests,” said Administrative Assistant Melissa Chaves. “The DCJM, who are devoted to the hearts of Jesus and Mary.”(These initials are Spanish for “Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.”) With Lent underway, both Holy Family and Our Lady of Angels have begun various devotions, consecrations, and other spiritual practices with which to grow closer to God during this special year of St. Joseph and become stronger as parish families.