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Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway reflects on All Souls' and All Saints Days.  Reminder:  As part of Bishop Burbidge's "Pray. Fast. Vote No" campaign, the bishop is asking that parishioners do the following:  Pray: Join us in the Basilica after the 5 p.m. Sunday Mass this Sunday to pray the rosary, led by a member of the Catholic Friends' apostolate. Also, pray with us during the Stations of the Cross tomorrow evening, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. Fast: On Sunday, fast from social media. On Fridays, commit to one daily meal and no meat. Click here for more information.  Also, all married couples of all ages: this November, the Basilica invites you to four workshops focused on building a stronger, more connected marriage, using the curriculum of the RelateWell Institute.  Come attend on the following four Tuesdays: November 3, 10, 17, and 24 from 6-8 p.m. in our Lyceum Auditorium, 313 Duke Street. Learn more about the upcoming RelateWell Workshops and register here

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway reflects on October being Respect Life Month.  Reminder:  As part of Bishop Burbidge's "Pray. Fast. Vote No" campaign, the bishop is asking that parishioners do the following during the month of October:  Pray: Join us in the Basilica after the 5 p.m. Sunday Masses in October to pray the rosary, led by a member of the Catholic Friends' apsotolate. Also, pray with us the Stations of the Cross each Friday in October at 7 p.m. Fast: On Sunday, fast from social media. On Fridays, commit to one daily meal and no meat. Click here for more information.  Also, for all those over 35 years old, please join our Catholic Friends' apostolate on Monday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Fish Market Restaurant at 105 King Street in Old Town to hear Fr. John Meyerhofer's "Dogma on Draft" talk on how the saints' holy friendships can inspire our own friendships. Click here to RSVP and to learn more.

Father Samuel Martinez, who was a transitional deacon at the Basilica recently and was ordained in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, in June 2026, shares a homily during the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on October 18, 2026

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway reflects on how the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can help families understand God's love and mercy for them. Click here to learn more about the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.  Reminder:  As part of Bishop Burbidge's "Pray. Fast. Vote No" campaign, the bishop is asking that parishioners do the following during the month of October:  Pray: Join us in the Basilica after the 5 p.m. Sunday Masses in October to pray the rosary, led by a member of the Catholic Friends' apsotolate. Also, pray with us the Stations of the Cross each Friday in October at 7 p.m. Fast: On Sunday, fast from social media. On Fridays, commit to one daily meal and no meat. Click here for more information.  Finally, as part of the diocesan series called "Legacy of Vatican Council II Talks," Father Noah Morey will be presenting a talk on Sacrosanctum Concilium – Latin for "This Sacred Council" – on Thursday evening, October 22nd, at 7 p.m. at Christ Child Hall at the Basilica School. Click here to RSVP.

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway reflects on the month of October being dedicated to the Holy Rosary and the blessings that come from praying the Rosary.  As part of Bishop Burbidge's "Pray. Fast. Vote No" campaign, the bishop is asking that parishioners do the following during the month of October:  Pray: Join us in the Basilica after the 5 p.m. Sunday Masses in October to pray the rosary, led by a member of the Catholic Friends' apsotolate. Also, pray with us the Stations of the Cross each Friday in October at 7 p.m. Fast: On Sunday, fast from social media. On Fridays, commit to one daily meal and no meat. Click here for more information.

This episode is a recording of a panel discussion called "Saving the Soul of Virginia: Faith, Religious Liberty and Forming Conscience," which was held on October 6, 2026, in our Lyceum Auditorium. It centered on America's founding principles, including the recognition of God as Creator; religious freedom; and the dignity and flourishing of the human person, as well as what's at stake in the November 3 election, which includes two proposed ballot amendments that threaten the human right to life and the truth of marriage.   The event featured the following panelists: Mary Margaret Bush, a religious liberty attorney and a Basilica parishioner; Fr. Thomas Ferguson, the pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Alexandria; and Amy McInerny, the director of the diocese's Respect Life Office.  To learn more about the "Catholics Vote No" campaign, click here.  To get action alerts from the Virginia Catholic Conference, click here.

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector at the Basilica, shares a homily during The Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on October 4, 2026.

The monthly series called "What Are the Sisters Reading?" continues. My guest for the month of October is from the Daughters of Saint Paul. Sister Kathryn Hermes, FSP, will share about a book called "Named for Glory: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity's Identity and Mission," which shows how St. Elizabeth invites us to answer the universal call to holiness so that our lives will also flow into the very life of God — and His life will flow into ours.  To check out more books on the Catholic faith and religious items of interest at the Pauline Books and Media Center at 1025 King Street in Alexandria, please click here.

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway reflects on the meaning and importance of Guardian Angels.  He invites parishioners to two upcoming events: our annual parish picnic, Oktoberfest, which will be held this Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Basilica School. Learn more by clicking here.  a panel discussion of distinguished experts will gather on Tuesday evening, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. in our Lyceum auditorium to discuss America's founding principles, including the recognition of God as Creator; religious freedom; and the dignity and flourishing of the human person. Entitled "Saving the Soul of Virginia: Faith, Religious Liberty and Forming Conscience," the event will help attendees understand what's at stake in the Commonwealth of Virginia during the November 3 election. Click here to learn more.

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector at the Basilica, shares a homily during The Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on September 27, 2026.

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway reflects on the meaning and importance of stewardship.  He also invites all to our variety show this weekend. Click here to learn more. And, he shares about our annual parish picnic, Oktoberfest, that will be held on Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Basilica School. Learn more by clicking here.

Father James Searby, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica, shares a homily during The Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on September 20, 2026.

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector at the Basilica, shares a homily during The Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on September 13, 2026.

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway reflects on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, which the Church celebrates on September 15th.  He also reminds parishioners that the Basilica will be holding another voter registration drive this weekend after all the Masses. And he shares that there are two amendments on the November ballot that threaten the right to life and the truth of marriage, which has prompted Bishop Burbidge to write a letter, which will read at all the Masses this week, encouraging Catholics to vote "no" to prevent the amendments from becoming part of Virginia's Constitution. Click here to learn more.

Father Jason Burchell, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica, shares a homily during The Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on September 6, 2026.