Virginia middle school students, nearly 1,400 strong, attend day of 'friends, faith and food'

A group of nearly 1,400 Catholic middle school students from Northern Virginia spent a recent Saturday strengthening their faith, making new friends and enjoying fellowship — with the event's organizers believing the students are building a critical foundation for lifelong involvement in the church. The 20th-annual "BASH" is the Diocese of Arlington's largest gathering for middle school-aged children. It was held on May 4, 2024, at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington. The event has grown considerably from its beginnings at a parish hall in 2003 — and this year,...