Bishop celebrates Mass for World Day of Consecrated Life (above)
Bishop Barry C. Knestout celebrated Mass in observance of the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life on Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond. “Those in consecrated life are a blessing to the Church and offer a witness to the joy of God’s kingdom,” said Bishop Knestout.
The bishop had lunch with the religious men and women after Mass. Consecrated men and women profess vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and are called to give their lives to God. Men and women from one dozen religious orders across the diocese attended the Mass and luncheon.
Nazia Shafi, coordinator of women religious in the diocese, said there are more than 100 women religious in the Diocese of Richmond, representing nearly 20 communities of consecrated life.
What’s the buzz on the Spelling Bee? (below)
The Diocesan Spelling Bee was held Monday, Feb. 12, at St. Bridget Middle School, Richmond. Thirteen students across the diocese competed for the title of top speller. Elizabeth Whittle, sixth grader at Charlottesville Catholic School and top speller from the Southwest Region, won the bee by correctly spelling “bereavement.” The top speller from the Central Region is Colin Lerch, a fifth grader at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School, Powhatan. Tidewater Region’s top speller is Fabrizio Cuevas, a fifth grader at St. Gregory the Great School, Virginia Beach. The spellers took part in 15 rounds of competition, followed by the championship round, spelling a total of 115 words. The top spellers will advance to their respective regional spelling bees.
Lunar New Year celebrations (below):
On Feb. 10, cultures that follow the Lunar calendar, including the Vietnamese, celebrated the Lunar New Year – also called Tết – ushering in the Year of the Dragon. At Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs, Richmond, the parish celebrated on Feb. 4 with the Tết Festival in the parish hall. The festival included traditional foods, face painting, and dragon dances. Masses were celebrated each day from Feb. 9-12 to mark the new year.
Confirmation season underway (below):
Bishop Barry C. Knestout has begun confirming the youth of our diocese for this year. The teens in Deanery 12 in the Western Vicariate were confirmed at Our Lady of Nazareth, Roanoke, on Wednesday, Jan. 31, followed by the teens in Deanery 14 at St. Anne, Bristol, on Saturday, Feb. 3.
Bishop stops by schools (below):
Students at four schools across the diocese have had a special visitor in their classrooms recently. Bishop Barry C. Knestout spent time at Catholic High School, Virginia Beach, and St. Patrick, Norfolk, on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The following week was Catholic Schools Week and Bishop Knestout visited Sacred Heart School, Danville, on Thursday, Feb. 1. The following day, Friday, Feb. 2, the bishop went to St. Anne School, Bristol. Students at St. Anne collected 850 boxes of cereal to donate. Before the donation, they set up the boxes like dominoes and Bishop Knestout had the honor of tipping the first box to start the domino chain.
Rice Bowl Grant (below):
Father Peter Calixtus Barfi, pastor of Immaculate Conception, Bumpass, and St. Jude, Mineral, recently presented a $1,000 Rice Bowl Grant to the Louisa County Resource Council to support the Children’s Feeding Expansion Program. Pictured with Father Barfi are: Louisa County Resource Council Executive Director Lloyd Runnett (center) and Social Ministry representative Kathie Anastas.