St. Eulalia - Winchester/Arlington

Welcome to St. Eulalia Parish

Catholics find meaning and hope in Jesus Christ, whom God the Father 
has sent into the world for the salvation of all peoples.

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Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Eulalia Parish,

 “One more Catholic, one Less Communist.  Do anything to suppress the Catholic Church,” I recalled one of the Chinese Communist propagandas against the Church in the 1960s during my homily on the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord, which drew quite a few people’s attention. Many came to me and shared their comments on the story of my own baptism. My heart was so touched by their words of faith.  I was baptized secretly by my aunt at the request of my mother during the persecution of the Church by the communists’ regime. My mother did not calculate the dangers out there at all, but simply tried to make sure that I was a Catholic.

Being Catholics is not simply in name, but also in actions. We are companions and followers of Jesus. The life of Jesus and the lives of the apostles are good examples for us to follow. By receiving the baptism, we receive not only the gifts of forgiveness of our sins, faith in our Savior, and eternal life in heaven, but also the blessings of becoming part of the body of Christ Himself. Mark, in his Gospel this week, makes it very clear who we are with Jesus and what to do: that they might be with HIM and He might send them to preach, to have authority to drive out demons (Mk 3:14; Fri.);” walking together through a field (Tue.) on their way; in the synagogue witnessing the cure of the man with withered hand (Wed.); at the sea of Galilee witnessing more cures of the sick and driving out of demons (Thurs.), and in the house witnessing again the crowded people who loved to listen to Jesus (Sat.).

As baptized Catholics, walking with Jesus through this week, we are so blessed to be able to see these great miracles Jesus performed. Indeed, baptism is commanded by Jesus in the Gospels and practiced by the church which now becomes a great tradition.  In reality, with baptism, our souls are imbued with more virtues and graces: the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love; then the morals or cardinal virtues: justice, temperance, prudence, and fortitude, as well as the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord.  Baptism is so meaningful that it becomes a place marker for our faith journey—a journey with Jesus.

Friends, how wonderful it is to receive this baptism. I pray that all our young parents would bring their children to church to be baptized so that they may be able to walk with Jesus, our Lord and Brother.  Unfortunate to say that my mother never had these in her mind when she decided to have me baptized. Her only reasoning was that it was a family tradition. Certainly, that family tradition has opened the door for me to find Jesus and to walk with Him. With the grace of God, that tradition has provided me an opportunity to serve you as your priest at St. Eulalia Parish.  I pray that all our loving parents would also keep your family tradition and provide opportunities for your children to walk and to grow with Jesus. Viva Cristo Rey!

                                                            God bless,

                                                                                        Fr John Chen

 The office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  .  
 
To send a message, you may email us from our contact page

Please tune into the 4:00 pm Mass this Saturday, the 9:00am, 11:00am, or 5:00 pm Mass this Sunday and 9:00 am Mass daily.

Mass times at St. Mary Parish can be found on the St. Mary Parish website.