Faith on ice: Parishes weather winter storm
Date Published: February 05, 2026
A far-reaching winter storm swept through the United States last week, spreading snow and ice from the high desert of New Mexico to the Washington, D.C., metro area.
In anticipation of its arrival, some bishops, including Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, issued dispensations to absolve the Sunday Mass obligation. However, on Saturday night, Jan. 24, parishioners packed St. Francis Parish in Triangle, Virginia, for a Vigil Mass that was standing room only.
“It felt like Christmas. There was so much joy,” said Pastor Br. Jim Scullion, OFM, describing the great spirit inside the church. He told the parish that “children delight in the snow and snow days, while the adults are anxious about all that has to be done.” His insights were much appreciated, noted Br. George Corrigan, OFM.
The Saturday Vigil Mass was at capacity the night before the storm hit Virginia, with an energy in the air that reminded some of Christmas. (Photo courtesy of Br. George Corrigan, OFM)
That was the last Mass celebrated until Jan. 28. The storm brought three inches of snow and five inches of ice to Triangle, and temperatures remained below 24 degrees in the days that followed. The parish and friary were snowed in for three days, and the parish office and school remained closed for the week of Jan. 26.
“Snow removal is one thing, but ice removal is a whole different problem,” said Br. George. “It was noted that our parking lot could have served as host for one of the NHL’s Winter Classic series of matches.”
An intrepid Northerner, Br. Jim Scullion, OFM, “tromped, slid and re-tromped his way to the parish office each day to check on the facility,” according to Br. George. A native Floridian, Br. George stayed home and watched the winter wonderland from his window. When asked if he was starting to get cabin fever, Br. George, who spent eight years on submarines, replied that he was doing “just fine.”
Br. Chris Dunn, OFM, who also serves at St. Francis, sent his brother friars greetings from sunny, 80-degree Lima, Peru, where he is visiting a parish where he served for many years.
The friars were deeply grateful to the company that worked “almost around the clock” with machines to clear ice from the parking lots so funerals, weddings and baptisms could continue as planned. The parish returned to its full schedule of Masses on Jan. 31.
Frigid temperatures kept the snow and ice from melting in Triangle. Days after the storm ended, the campus was still a winter wonderland. (Photo courtesy of St. Francis Parish's Facebook page)
An hour north, Br. Juan de la Cruz, Turcios, OFM, and a team of dedicated St. Camillus parishioners got to work shoveling the eight inches of snow coating the ground in Silver Spring, Maryland.
“We are very grateful. They did a wonderful job,” said Br. Juan, expressing gratitude for the assistance with clean up following the storm. This is the worst snowstorm he has seen since he began serving at St. Camillus two and a half years ago (although he is no stranger to the snow, thanks to his time ministering in Chicago and Indiana).
The parish canceled Evening Mass on Jan. 25, and the parish office remained closed from Jan. 26 to 30, with the normal Mass schedule resuming on the weekend. Friars encouraged parishioners to “stay safe and warm” as icy conditions persisted throughout the week.
Br. Juan de la Cruz Turcios, OFM, (in the front) snaps a selfie with parishioners who volunteered to clean up the church grounds of St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland. (Photo courtesy of Br. Juan)
A statue of St. Francis located outside St. Camillus Church Friary stands as a sign of hope amid the storms we face in life (including snowstorms). (Photo courtesy of Br. Juan)
St. Camillus Catholic Church in Silver Spring received approximately eight inches of snow. Mass and all parish activities ceased for several days after the storm. (Photo courtesy of Br. Juan)
The snow was quicker to melt in Roswell, New Mexico, where temperatures rose into the 50s in the days following the storm.
“We got about 8 inches of snow, which is very unusual,” said Br. Patrick Schafer, OFM, who has served at St. Peter’s Church for just over a year. “I haven’t seen anything like it here.”
The parish office was closed for a day and a half. Br. Patrick continued to offer Mass for those who could make it and attendance was lower than usual. “I tell people, ‘If I can walk from the house to the church, we will have Mass,’” he remarked.
“The roads were terrible,” he added. “Snowfall is so rare, the city doesn’t have equipment to plow. The snow is beautiful unless you have to drive through it.”
Ten inches of snow and harsh winds didn’t keep parishioners away from Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in St. Louis, but it afforded the friars there a chance to shuffle cards and break out the board games for some much-appreciated fraternal fun. (Photo courtesy of Br. Jim Lause, OFM)
St. Louis was covered with over 10 inches of snow, yet the spirit at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church remained resolute. Parishioners braved the wintry conditions to come together in prayer, proving their unwavering commitment even as the city grappled with snow and icy cold.
“The friars are all fine,” assured Br. Jim Lause, OFM, pastor of St. Anthony Parish. “The only setback was that one friar couldn’t reach his ministry assignment on Sunday or Monday, but otherwise, there were no issues.”
St. Louis experienced two days of snow and wind chills as low as -10. Br. Jim reported that temperatures are rising, snow is melting and many streets near the church are clear.
St. Anthony of Padua remained open, with people attending Mass on Saturday evening and later Sunday, but no one attended early morning Mass.
During the storm, the friars saw travel restrictions as an opportunity to relax. "With everyone snowed in, we played cards and board games and had a great time," Br. Jim said.