In his weekly update to parishioners on Friday June 5, 2020, our Pastor shared the following:

Dear Brothers and Sisters:
 
The past week has created yet more uncertainty for our nation. The wide spread demonstrations have left many people in a state of anger and even greater anxiety. As people of faith, we are also continually frustrated by the fact that our county continues to seek to control our ability to gather in prayer without clear evidence to show that their continued measures will truly have any effect on the public health of our community. 
 
All of this makes hope a real need. Yet, humanly speaking we are running kind of low. Because of this, we are more and more in need of the kind of hope that only God can provide. Without it, despair almost seems like a realistic option, but it’s not.
 
As disciples we are given an ability to meet these challenges with God’s grace. His aid in our lives is our testimony of patient endurance. We see something that the world never sees. We see that God is with us.
 
This now brings me to a difficult moment as your pastor that I must share with you.
About a month ago, I received a call from Bishop Michael Fisher, the director of clergy for the Archdiocese of Washington. He asked me to take a new assignment. To say the least, his request hit me like a ton of bricks. It was something I did not expect or even want.
 
I told him that this was something I needed to think and pray about. In the end, I told him several days later that I was willing to make the move. I’ll fill in the details a bit more tomorrow in my homily for Trinity Sunday. For now, the one thing I want to say to all of you is something I have said to many of you personally through the years and I said it this past week to Archbishop Gregory. St. Paul’s is the best assignment I have ever had. I will truly miss you.
 
So, where am I going? I have been named pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Prince Frederick, Maryland. When I looked at their parish profile, I saw why our personnel board wanted me to go there. On so many levels, the two parishes are strikingly similar. 
 
Now, the more important issue for all you is who will be the new pastor at St. Paul. His name is Msgr. Edward J. Filardi. He is currently the pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes in Bethesda and has been there for about 10 years as memory serves me. 
 
Besides Msgr. Filardi and myself there are close to twenty other priests being reassigned in our archdiocese. All of the changes will likely be made public in the Catholic Standard next week. Please pray for all of us. Moving is never easy and in the middle of this pandemic, it will not be simple. 
 
Finally, it is my sincere hope that I will be able to celebrate Mass with you in person before I leave. I know I speak for all of the priests in our region because we meet on- line every week. We want to return to a celebration of the sacraments as I know you do as well.
 
Until we can all gather again at the altar of the Lord, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
 
Sincerely yours in Christ,
 
Fr. Joseph B. Pierce
Pastor