St. Patrick Catholic Church

To keep up with the latest COVID-19 resources and information from the Archdiocese of Washington, click here.

Update on Reopening

The Mayor of Washington, D.C. has lifted some of the restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic beginning Friday, May 29, 2020. However, the restrictions on public worship in churches remains the same: no more than 10 people at a time. Therefore, we are continuing to suspend the celebration of public Mass at Saint Patrick Church. The church building is open every day for private prayer and priests are available for the sacrament of confession. Please see the link to COVID-19 information from the Archdiocese of Washington, above, for a message about what to expect when we eventually return to public Masses in the Archdiocese. Because the Archdiocese of Washington consists of the City of Washington and five counties in Maryland, some of our churches in Maryland are open now, depending on the restrictions of the local communities and the State of Maryland. We will keep you informed as to when public Masses can resume in Washington, D.C. Please continue to pray for all of those affected by the virus and please be safe.


OUR HISTORIC CHURCH IS OPEN EVERY DAY FOR PERSONAL PRAYER

Monday to Friday:  7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Please observe physical distancing protocols.


ST. PATRICK FELLOWSHIP GROUP

The St. Patrick Fellowship Group now meets online and by phone for scripture discussion, group prayer and social events. We would love to have you join us! For more information, please email stpatsfellowshipdc@gmail.com. All are welcome.


PASTOR'S NOTE TO PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS
June 7, 2020
 
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
 
“God so loved the world . . .” As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we are reminded of the love of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit for all of his creation. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send  his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-18) As we look around our world today we see so much in need of God’s love and mercy. Racial injustice, violence, hatred, anger, despair, and let’s not forget a pandemic that is claiming the lives of people throughout the world. We might be tempted to ask, ‘what is there to love?’ Why does God love us so much when we continually fail to live up to our potential as witnesses to the message of Jesus Christ? And this is not new. When Moses encounters the Lord on Mount Sinai, “The Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. Then he said, “If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins and receive us as your own.” (Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9) From the beginning, we have been a ‘stiff-necked people,’ failing to listen to the commands of God, yet in every generation God has loved us and forgiven us. And, in the fullness of time, he sent his only Son to suffer and die for us to show the depth of his love. That is the reason for our hope and that is the example we must follow in confronting the injustice and hatred we see in our society today.  When will we abandon our being ‘stiff-necked’ and live in the love and justice and peace of the Holy Trinity? Please know of my prayers for you and your loved ones as we continue to face the challenges and sufferings of our time.
 
God bless,
Father Charles


Deacon John McGinness
Please remember in your prayers Deacon John McGinness, who died of complications from covid-19 on May 22, 2020. John was born in Washington, D.C. and graduated from St. John’s College High School and the University of Maryland. He is a former Vice President of Woodward and Lothrup Department Stores and Peoples Drug Stores. He served on the Board of Directors of several local non-profit organizations. He was ordained a Deacon in 1977. In the same year, he joined the Archdiocese of Washington as Director of Personnel and Operations. His parish assignments included St. Francis of Assisi Parish and St. Raphael Parish, both in Rockville, Maryland. For 23 years he served as a Deacon here at St. Patrick Church. After retirement, he assisted at the Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda, Maryland, where Monsignor Peter J. Vaghi is pastor. A memorial service at the Church of the Little Flower will be held at a later date. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.