A meeting of pastors and principals highlights priorities for local Catholic schools. Pastors and principals met at St. Mark Church in Vienna Nov. 5 to talk about including students with special needs, retaining students and the importance of school safety. The meeting was hosted by the Office of Catholic Schools.

In a first for the diocese, a single Mass was used to honor both Respect Life Month and Disabilities Awareness Month at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Vienna Oct 7.

The National Catholic Educational Association awarded Porto Charities the Seton Award as part of its annual gala at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington Oct. 1.

People with intellectual disabilities already are welcomed at five diocesan schools, but a nonprofit organization hopes all diocesan schools will provide comprehensive special education services.