Sacred Heart, Danville celebrates Catholic Schools Week (above, right, below): At Sacred Heart School, Danville, Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 26-Feb. 1) brought a flurry of activity. Students and teachers competed in a variety of games; students competed in a spelling bee; Smokey the Bear paid a visit to the school; students collected supplies for local charities; and the Parent Teacher Organization provided a lunch for faculty and staff. (All photos submitted by Mary Foley)
Rice Bowl Grant (below): The Social Ministry Committee at St. Jude, Mineral, and Immaculate Conception, Buckner, is helping the Louisa County Resource Council (LCRC) help children. They applied for and received a $4,000 Rice Bowl Grant to help support the LCRC Children’s Feeding Program. Father Peter Calixtus Barfi, pastor of St. Jude and Immaculate Conception, presented the check to two members of the Louisa County Resource Council Jan. 23.
Shrimp for school (below): Knights of Columbus Council 367 hosted a drive-thru/eat-in shrimp dinner on Friday, Jan. 31, to raise money for St. Pius X School, Norfolk. The Knights raised $2,129 for the school, serving 185 meals. Dinner consisted of jumbo shrimp, baked potatoes, coleslaw, and homemade desserts.
Coffee and conversation (below): Immaculate Conception, Hampton, entered into the Jubilee Year of Hope with a conversation over coffee. Deborah Stollery, co-founder of the Pentecost Vigil Project, led 100 adults in two sessions Jan. 11 and 12 on the theme, “The Anatomy of Hope,” the first of a series of meetings at the parish dubbed “One Thousand Cups of Coffee.”
In her presentation, Stollery noted that the Catholic definition of hope is not an emotion. “Hope is an intentional, practical process that can help us deal with hardship, struggle, suffering, doubt and fear,” she said.
Mark Hoggard, pastoral associate at Immaculate Conception, recounted that Stollery outlined practical ways set by Pope Francis in ‘Spes non confundit,’ his proclamation of Jubilee 2025, for the whole Church to restore, repent and rejoice.
Each person was then given a coaster with two questions to discuss at their table: “What fills your heart about the Church? What breaks your heart about the Church?”
“The sessions ended with time to practice synodal listening,” said Hoggard.
Our Lady of Lourdes parishioner honored: In a Jan. 23 ceremony celebrating the 37-year career of Judge L.A. Harris, Jr., longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes, Richmond, Harris received an extraordinary honor: the Henrico circuit court building will be named for him.
Henrico Board of Supervisors Chair Dan Schmitt thanked Harris for his service during the ceremony before unveiling a rendering of the L.A. Harris, Jr., Courts Building sign.
“To have the courthouse named after me is totally overwhelming,” Harris said, to a standing ovation.
Our Lady of Lourdes pastor Father Jonathan Goertz delivered the invocation and benediction at the ceremony.