Memorial Masses for Victims of Violence at Virginia Tech

PLEASE NOTE: Area Masses/Vigils/Events will be updated throughout the day and coming days at www.arlingtondiocese.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2007
CONTACT:Soren Johnson
Director of Communications
Diocese of Arlington

703-841-2767

Arlington Bishop Mourns Loss of Life at Virginia Tech,

Invites Area Catholics to Prayer

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde called northern Virginia Catholics to pray for the victims and families of the Virginia Tech tragedy.  His statement follows:

“I am truly shocked and saddened by the senseless killings yesterday at Virginia Tech.  In addition, many were wounded.  I join countless others across the Commonwealth in praying for those killed, the wounded, the Virginia Tech campus community, and families and friends of the students.  I also am praying for the soul of the person responsible for this heinous act.  I commend all the victims of this unspeakable violence and their families to the Lord of Life and assure them that our diocesan family of Arlington , especially our clergy, offer their prayers and support in this time of grief and need.  Today I offered the holy Mass for those killed, wounded, and the entire community.”

Bishop Loverde invites members of the community to join him at a holy hour of prayer for the victims:

7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 22
Holy Spirit Church
8800 Braddock Rd.Annandale, VA 22003

Noted Irish tenor Mark Forestwill provide music during the time of prayer

Area Catholics Gather to Pray

Numerous area vigils, Masses, and holy hours to pray for the victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy are planned throughout the 68 parishes of the Diocese of Arlington.  An estimated 325 graduates of Paul VI Catholic High School (Fairfax ), Bishop Ireton (Alexandria), and Bishop O’Connell High School (Arlington) are currently enrolled at Virginia Tech.

Events will be updated regularly at www.arlingtondiocese.org.  Among those events planned to-date:

Prayer Service for Cathedral School Students

2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 17
St. Thomas More Catholic School
(Lee Hall)
105 N. Thomas Street
Arlington, VA 22203

Mass for the Victims of Virginia Tech
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18
Holy Spirit Church
8800 Braddock Rd.
Annandale, VA 22003

Mass of Prayer and Healing for the Victims and Families
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18
All Saints Church
9300 Stonewall Rd.
Manassas, VA 20110-2594

Evening Prayer
8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
8601 Wolftrap Rd.
Vienna, VA 22182

Memorial Mass for the Victims of Virginia Tech
7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18
St. James Church
830 West Broad Street
Falls Church, VA 22046

Mass to Pray for Victims and the Wounded
7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 19
St. Bernadette Church
7600 Keene Mill Rd.
Springfield, VA 22152

Holy Hour of Prayer
7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 19
Cathedral of St. Thomas More
3901 Cathedral Lane
Arlington, VA 22203

Over 400,000 registered Catholics belong to the 68 parishes of the Arlington Diocese, which encompasses 21 counties and seven independent cities in the northern tier of Virginia. Further information can be found at www.arlingtondiocese.org.