War heroes honored (above and below): Richmond Assembly 1165 of the Knights of Columbus hosted its 3rd Annual Remembrance of the Fallen at Holy Cross Cemetery, Richmond, on Saturday, June 8. The event included a wreath-laying ceremony by the Color Corps and Walking Rosary, recognizing five young men who died while serving their country in World War II: Corporal John Michael Steinbrecher, Jr.; Technical Sgt. Richard Junius Royall, Jr.; Pvt. Frederick Peter Hargadon; PFC Robert Edward Seelmann; and 2Lt. Milton Ruppert Beirne. The average age of these men was 21 years, 7 months. Deacon Charles Giovannetti, who serves at St. Bridget, Richmond, led the Walking Rosary. Donovan Utz, a 17-year-old parishioner at St. Benedict, Richmond, played Taps. (Photo submitted)
Care for creation (below): On Saturday, June 15, the Care for Creation Ministry at Sacred Heart, Norfolk, enjoyed a morning in the sun to bond with volunteers and pick up trash on Princess Anne Road, their adopted street, from Hampton Boulevard to Monticello Avenue. The team of 18, including three children, met in the church parking lot for a prayer of thanksgiving in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Two members of the Sacred Heart Fraternity of St. Francis, Virginia Beach, were also present. Volunteers collected 60 lbs. of trash and 20 lbs. of recycling. (Photo submitted)
Day of Hope Gala: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Richmond Council hosted its 3rd Annual Day of Hope Gala on Friday, June 7, at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond. More than 115 people were in attendance, including Bishop Barry C. Knestout and Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA CEO Dave Barringer. Duncan and Dorothy Abernathy, Rich and Laura Brackley, and Kevin Kitrick received awards for their volunteer efforts. The gala raised $71,000 to support the society’s mission across the diocese.
Summer residency: Saint Leo University hosted its first summer residency for its new Doctor of Theology in Applied Theology program. Two of the students are from our diocese: Deacon Kirk Collins, of St. Mary’s, Richmond, and Jean Hawley, lay ecclesial minister and director of religious education at Immaculate Conception, Hampton. The residency was held July 10-13 in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.