Seminarian’s new ministry (above): Graham Fassero was instituted into the Ministry of Acolyte on March 2. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, celebrated Mass at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where Fassero is in the seminary. As an acolyte, he will now assist the clergy during Mass and other liturgies.
Mardi Gras Gala (below): Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia (CCEVA) hosted its annual Mardi Gras Gala Feb. 28 at the Westin Virginia Beach, featuring dancing, casino games, dinner, and auctions to raise money for its programming. The Knights of Columbus Kempsville Council #10515, at St. Mark, Virginia Beach, raised over $8,500 to support the critical work of CCEVA. In all, over $100,000 was raised.
Fat Tuesday feast (right): On Shrove Tuesday, Knights of Columbus Council #418 hosted a free pancake dinner at Church of the Resurrection, Portsmouth. Donations were accepted for the council’s general fund. Father Herminio Felipe, parochial vicar of Church of the Holy Angels, Portsmouth; Church of the Resurrection, Portsmouth; St. Mary, Chesapeake; and St. Paul, Portsmouth, helped flip flapjacks for over 100 people, which were served with sausage, red beans over rice, and jambalaya.
Bringing Christ to Carnegie (below): Seven choir members from Church of the Redeemer, Mechanicsville, got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing in concert at Carnegie Hall, with nationally known liturgical composers Jesse Manibusan, Curtis Stephan, and Janet Sullivan Whitaker. The concert, “The Compassion of Christ: A Journey of Justice, Hope, and Peace,” was prayer and song for social justice Feb. 16. Choir members were invited through the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
