Marriage Enrichment Ministry invites all engaged and married couples to our February Date Night with guest speaker Fr. Bresnahan title “Awaken Your Love: Unite in Silence for Deeper Love“ on Saturday, February 21 at 6:30 pm in the Nativity Fr. Martin Center (gym).  Dinner provided. Childcare is available, but limited.  Please RSVP.

Join us for our February Date Night as Fr. Bresnahan shares insight from Cardinal Robert Sarah’s new book The Power of Silence.  Cardinal Sarah’s concept of “awakened love” is a profound, God-centered affection purified through silence and contemplation and aligns seamlessly with the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage as a vocation to holiness, mutual sanctification, and total self-gift. In works like The Power of Silence, Sarah describes love “awakened” when stripped of worldly noise, allowing the soul to encounter God’s tender gaze and respond with pure, sacrificial charity. This mirrors the Church’s vision of marital love as an echo of Christ’s spousal union with the Church (Eph 5:25-32), elevated to a sacrament that draws couples into Trinitarian communion. All are also invited to attend the 5:00 pm Mass beforehand with us

When: Saturday, February 21 | 6:30–8:30 pm (Doors open at 6:00 pm)
Where: Fr. Martin Center (Nativity School Gym)
Suggested donation: $20 per couple

Childcare: More information about childcare can be read here.

Father Edward J. Bresnahan is the pastor of St. Leo the Great Church in Fairfax since June 26, 2025.  A native of Holy Family Parish in Dale City, VA, he attended Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, VA and graduated from the University of Dallas with a bachelor’s in history with a concentration in classics.  He spent time with NET Ministries—a national retreat ministry—before answering the Lord’s call to the priesthood and entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where he earned two master’s degrees in divinity and arts.  Ordained a priest in 2010, he has served in St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Fredericksburg, at St. Andrew Church in Clifton, and most recently at Nativity Catholic Church.  He was also the chaplain at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria for a number of years.  Fr. Bresnahan is known for his humor, warmth, and deep passion for sharing the Gospel.  He has a heart for evangelization and a gift for walking with others in their faith journey.

Childcare is limited and first come, first serve. Childcare will be offered in the school’s preschool classroom.  Childcare will start at 6:00 pm and go until the event’s end.  Please register by Sunday, February 15 to give us adequate time to hire enough childcare providers to be in ratio with adults to children.

• • First, for families who have not done so, please register your child(ren) with the Childcare Ministry here. 
  • Then, please register your child for childcare during this date night in the RSVP below.
  • Childcare is a flat $5 per child, maximum $15 for 3 or more children and is available from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
  • Payment can be made online on the RSVP form, or by cash/check at the event.
  • Parent(s) must be a attending the event in order to utilize this childcare

The Marriage Enrichment Ministry subsidizes childcare; we want families present and to provide a safe and caring environment for your children.

What to bring:  Parents can bring a labeled water bottle for their child. Please have your children eat dinner before coming to child care. Goldfish crackers will be provided as snack. If your child needs restroom or diaper-changing assistance, a volunteer will come and get you. Parents will need to sign their child in and out. Age and developmentally-appropriate activities will be taking place for the children.