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The STCS, whose inaugural meeting on June 12, 2010, was attended by five people, has seen steady growth since then.  The Society's first Anglican Use Mass on March 19, 2011, drew a capacity crowd of 80.  The Society exists to promote establishment of an Anglican Use Catholic parish under the hoped-for future Personal Ordinariate for the United States, according to the terms of the apostolic constitution, Anglicanorum coetibus ("Groups of Anglicans"), promulgated by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on November 4, 2009.


ALEXANDRIA, VA  (Catholic Online) - At 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2011-the Feast of Corpus Christi-the St. Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Use Society of Washington, DC and Northern Virginia (STCS) will hold its first service in Northern Virginia of Evensong & Benediction according to the Anglican Use of the Roman Rite, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Annandale, VA. 

The service will feature prayers for the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his ordination.  The STCS invites all Christians to join them in prayer at the June 26 service to experience the beauty of Catholic liturgy according to the Anglican Use.  There will be a reception following the service in the Parish Center next door where visitors can learn more about the Society and their hopes for the future.  Music for this service will be led by the St. Thomas of Canterbury schola and will include classic Anglican hymns, motets, and propers from the Anglican Use Gradual.

The STCS, whose inaugural meeting on June 12, 2010, was attended by five people, has seen steady growth since then.  The Society's first Anglican Use Mass on March 19, 2011, drew a capacity crowd of 80.  The Society exists to promote establishment of an Anglican Use Catholic parish under the hoped-for future Personal Ordinariate for the United States, according to the terms of the apostolic constitution, Anglicanorum coetibus ("Groups of Anglicans"), promulgated by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on November 4, 2009. 

Under Anglicanorum coetibus Personal Ordinariates may be established in countries where interested groups of Anglicans exist.  The first Ordinariate for England and Wales was established on January 15, 2011. 

An important report on this matter was presented at the Seattle meeting of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and anticipation is running high, especially in light of the recent news about St. Luke's (Episcopal) Church in Bladensburg, MD, whose congregation officially declare their intention on Monday, June 6 to join the anticipated US Ordinariate.  Members of  the STCS are immensely pleased and happy for our brothers and sisters at St. Luke's-the first Episcopal parish in the Washington Archdiocese to take this step. 

James Farr, President of the STCS, said, "We are grateful to the Holy Father for his generosity in providing a way for Anglicans-like myself-to be reconciled to the Catholic Church while retaining aspects of Anglican liturgical and devotional practices that have shaped our faith in Christ.  We invite anyone interested in learning more about the Society to visit our website and to attend one of our regular worship services in Washington or Northern Virginia."

For directions or to learn more about the STCS and to see a schedule of upcoming events, visit their website: http://www.stthomascanterbury.org/index.html


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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.