A Fond Farewell to Fr. Barnes

Part of priestly life in the Catholic Church is accepting new assignments that assist the Bishop in the smooth functioning of the Diocese. While bittersweet, these changes also prepare parochial vicars for future pastorates by providing them different models of parish organization, administration and community life. With this in mind, Father Barnes has received a new assignment from the Bishop that begins June 28th.

While we are sad to see Fr. Barnes leave us to St. Theresa Catholic Parish and School in Ashburn, we are grateful for his apostolic work here at the Basilica and know he will bring his many priestly gifts to that parish community. We are excited to have Fr. David Dufresne join us from St. Leo the Great Catholic Parish and School in Fairfax also on June 28th!

We are also privileged to have one of the new deacons, Rev. Mr. James F. Waalkes, assigned to our parish for the year as well. He has been assigned here as a seminarian this past year and will be ordained to the transitional diaconate this Saturday, June 2nd at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More at 11am, and, God willing, to the priesthood in 2019. He will begin his assignment here June 11th.

All are invited to a farewell reception to thank Fr. Barnes for his service to our parish and to wish him well in his new assignment, on Sunday June 24th from 2-4pm in the Lyceum Auditorium.

Please keep these men and all our priests beginning new assignments in your prayers! You can read all the Clergy Appointments for this year on the Arlington Catholic Herald’s website.

 

Yours in Christ,
Very Rev. Edward Hathaway
Rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary