We gather together as a parish community to pray on Monday, December 15th, at 10 am and 7 pm in the Chapel with a reception in the Narthex. All are welcome.

For more information, please get in touch with Dr. Kathleen DeJardin at kdejardin@olgcva.org

On December 21, we will gather with the Filipino community to celebrate Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) at the 5 pm Mass with Bishop Michael Burbidge presiding. Simbang Gabi is part of a nine-day devotional novena honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as a way to prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth. The
Novena begins on December 15 and leads the faithful to Christmas. This tradition is a significant religious event celebrating family, faith, hope, and community. Prayers and readings will be proclaimed in
English, Tagalog, and other Filipino dialects. All are invited to join the Filipino community for this multilingual, vibrant celebration.

The Simbang Gabi Masses are held at different parishes in the Diocese of Arlington from December 15 through December 24.

See the full schedule at arlingtondiocese.org/simbanggabi.

To learn more, email filminolgc@gmail.com or contact Chiqui Sanchez or Verna Samson. All are welcome!

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches” – after volunteers meticulously fluff and adorn them with colorful ornaments, that is!

Many hands are needed on Monday, December 22 (from 9 am – 12 pm OR 1 pm – 4 pm) to transform the Narthex, Chapel, DeSales Hall, and the Church to a Winter Wonderland.

Tasks include lifting, climbing ladders, moving flowers, hanging wreaths, etc. Young and young-at-heart are welcome. This is a great opportunity for families to work together!

Please sign up as a team ➡️ https://sugeni.us/e6IA

Stop by after all Masses this weekend for your last chance to purchase a Christmas wreath from OLGC's Troop 976. The beautiful greenery we select is fresh from a Maryland farm, and the proceeds help keep dues accessible for many members of our Troop

Tuesday, November 16, at 7 pm in the OLGC Chapel will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with the Sacrament of Reconciliation available. This is open to the parents and siblings of the OLGC families. Feel free to stop by to spend some time with Jesus and go to confession!

There will be praise and worship music as well as opportunities for silent prayer.

There will be handouts for the Examination of Conscience and how to go to confession if it has been a while since you have gone to reconciliation. Parents are encouraged to go as well!

Come out for a casual evening of local entertainment on Friday, December 12, from 7 to 10 pm in De Sales Hall. Take the stage if you have a talent to share, or enjoy other performers.

With the holidays approaching, this is an ideal time to review our altar server practices so that all servers are serving with reverence, confidence, and consistency. These short refresher sessions are designed for all current, active altar servers and will help reinforce key skills while addressing any areas of inconsistency.

We have one final refresher session remaining on Wednesday, December 11.  This session will focus on:

• Procedures and roles at Mass (e.g. dressing and undressing the altar, processing, etc.)
• Reminders of reverence and posture
• Updates and helpful tips for the seasons of Advent and Christmas

Attendance is highly encouraged. Our regular trainings cover a great deal of material, and these refreshers are meant to deepen confidence and ensure a shared understanding of our altar server responsibilities.

Using this link for the SigupGenius, please select the session that works best for your schedule.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044EA8A72EA7FC1-60507862-olgc

The December Monthly Outreach Drive, the Joy of Christmas Giving, is next weekend!

There are two ways to help families who are in need this Christmas. Please open your hearts and help others experience the joy of the season!

Add a family in need to your gift giving this year. Families are referred to the program by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Vienna public schools, and OLGC families. If you would like to sponsor a family on your own or team up with friends, co-workers, or parish groups, contact Fran Davenport at 703-867-3278, Maria Madocks at 703-319-0010, Tina Wickham at 703-785-6995, or email olgcchristmasgiving@gmail.com to be matched with a family.

The  “Giving Tree” is on display in the Narthex. The tree is decorated with tags; the back of each tag has instructions regarding gift wrapping. Gifts can be dropped off before and after all Masses on December 13 and December 14. Questions? Chris Desmarais, chrisdesmarais526@ gmail.com or Theresa Caputy, ctlc26@aol.com. 

Please consider signing up to volunteer to help a Family in Need AND the Giving Tree.  
👉 https://sugeni.us/efUe 

 

The official 2025 White House Christmas Ornament is available for purchase in the parish office for $27.

A limited number of 2023 & 2022 ornaments are also available for $15. Payment options: cash and check payable to OLGC (memo W.H.O.).

Stop by the parish office  Monday - Friday between 9 am and 4 pm to pick yours up while supplies last!
Proceeds from the sale of the ornaments support the liturgical life of the OLGC community. 

Please consider joining OLGC’s usher ministry, where you will play an important role in welcoming parishioners and visitors to feel at home.  We are in special need of help during the 4 pm Saturday Mass and the 5 pm Sunday Mass.  
There are  two upcoming Usher trainings which will be held in the church:
Saturday, December 6th - 9:30 am – 10:00 am 
Tuesday, December 9th – 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm 

SIGN UP! 

 

You can start using FORMED today. 

Parish Code is VGXJ7X

To register & start using formed.org, Click Here

An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a lightweight, battery-powered piece of medical equipment that can be potentially lifesaving. An AED is used to treat ventricular fibrillation, the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest. Anyone is a potential victim of sudden cardiac arrest, man or woman, young or old. Survival of a sudden cardiac arrest is related to how quickly a victim is defibrillated. AED units are seen in most public places such as libraries, swimming pools, airports, shopping malls... and OLGC.

OLGC has six AED units located in the following areas:

* Narthex of the Church (close to De Sales Hall)

* Preschool, Room E (De Sales Hall lower level)

* St. Joseph Center (in the stairwell going up to the second floor)

* School outside the Health Clinic (close to the main entrance)

* School outside the gym

* School, 2^nd floor, by the elevator close to the resource and math rooms

These AED units are only lifesaving if people are trained in CPR and AED use. Trained responders are the key to potentially saving another person's life. Consider enrolling in a CPR/AED class soon!