Cathedral gallery organ blessed (above, below): On Sunday, Sept. 15, Bishop Barry C. Knestout blessed the new gallery organ during 11 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond.
“So that our song may rise more worthily to your majesty, we present this organ for your blessing; grant that its music may lead us to express our prayer and praise in melodies that are pleasing to you,” said the bishop during the prayer of blessing.
Now blessed, the new organ will be used at Mass from now on.
On Tuesday, Oct. 29, Bishop Knestout will lead Vespers (Evening Prayer) and dedicate the instrument. Olivier Latry, titular organist at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, will perform the first concerts with the new organ the following evening, Oct. 30.
New Cristo Rey president: Charleita M. Richardson has been appointed as president and CEO of Cristo Rey Richmond High School, effective Nov. 4.
“Charleita Richardson has a strong background in strategic leadership, operational management, fundraising, and people development, but equally impressive is her passion as a champion for youth,” said Pete Quinn, president of the school’s board of directors.
Richardson is a Richmond native, and served 13 years as president and CEO of Partnership for the Future, a college preparatory and workforce development program in Richmond. Before her appointment at Cristo Rey, she served as CEO of Durham Children’s Initiative in Durham, North Carolina.
“I am excited to share Cristo Rey Richmond’s vision with the community, and guide and support students to reach their dreams,” said Richardson.
Youth ministry opens in style (below): On Sept. 15, the St. Edward the Confessor, Richmond, youth ministry program opened for the year with a “color kickoff.” Approximately 150 high schoolers and middle schoolers had a cookout, then played games with colored powder, including dodgeball, tag, a relay race, and, at the end of the night, a “colored powder war.” The revelry was followed by a blessing from pastor Father Joseph Wamala.
“Every year, we kick off our … year with [the color kickoff], and it is always a parish favorite of our community,” said Rachael Mattio, middle school youth minister.
Home-away-from-home celebration (right): Father Saúl Anléu, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Newport News, celebrated the 30th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Father Saúl is currently serving in our diocese from the Diocese of San Marcos, in Guatemala. The bishop of San Marcos, Msgr. Bernabé de Jeśus Sagastume Lemus, traveled from Guatemala to celebrate an anniversary Mass with his priest on Sept. 7.
“Since I came to Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, I have felt very welcomed, and treated with great love and affection,” said Father Saúl. “I have a deep gratitude for the entire community, particularly for their testimony of faith and love for Our Lord.”
Father Saúl added that Bishop Sagastume’s visit “made me feel that I was celebrating together with my entire Diocese of San Marcos.”
St. Bridget’s beginnings (below): St. Bridget, Richmond, opened its 75th anniversary celebration on Sept. 7 with a Casino Night fundraiser, followed by a Mass and parish picnic Sept. 15. The celebrations were the first leg of a months-long celebration that will culminate Feb. 1, 2025, the Feast of St. Bridget, with a 5:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Barry C. Knestout, followed by a gala dinner.
On Sept. 7, over 100 parishioners gathered at the Casino Night fundraiser for table games, raffles and silent auctions. Gift baskets and prizes from local donors – including tickets to college sporting events, a stay at the Jefferson Hotel, and a visit to the Science Museum of Virginia – were valued altogether at approximately $10,000.
On Sept. 15, Father Ken Shuping, pastor of St. Bridget, celebrated Mass 75 years to the day since the first Mass as a parish was celebrated in the historic Westhampton Theater. Afterwards, parishioners played pickleball and basketball in the school gym, gathered on the school playground, and enjoyed a barbecue picnic, complete with a 75th birthday cake.
