New coats to share (above): The Knights of Columbus councils at St. Michael, Glen Allen; Our Lady of Lourdes, Richmond; and St. Ann, Ashland, worked together to bring six cases of new winter coats to Father Renier Supranes, administrator of the Parish Cluster including St. Theresa of Holy Family, Tazewell; St. Elizabeth of Holy Family, Pocahontas; St. Mary of Holy Family, Richlands; and St. Joseph of Holy Family, Grundy. The Knights gathered 72 new winter coats to be distributed to children in Appalachia. (Photos submitted)
St. Elizabeth Jubilee (below): Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, greets parishioners before celebrating Mass for the 100th jubilee celebration at St. Elizabeth, Richmond, on Sunday, Nov. 19. “St. Elizabeth is not afraid of its history nor its future which you entrust to the Lord’s presence and grace,” Cardinal Gregory said in his homily. “You are a multi-cultural, multi-racial family of faith, and you are understandably proud of that reality. … I applaud and thank all of your leadership over the years.” (Photo/Ashly Krebs)
Duc in Altum (below): More than 30 young men spent a weekend in prayer, fellowship, and reflection during the Duc in Altum Men’s Discernment Retreat, Nov. 10-12, at the Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond. Two priests – Father Matt Kiehl, vicar for vocations, and retired Msgr. Walter Barrett – led the retreat, hosted by the diocesan Office of Vocations. Eight seminarians, including all three of the diocese’s transitional deacons (Deacon David Arellano, Deacon Seth Seaman, and Deacon Christopher Weyer), also helped lead the weekend. The retreat is open to single men who are at least 18 years old (out of high school). (Photo/Deacon Christopher Weyer)
Catholic Forensics League: St. Patrick Catholic School, Norfolk, hosted five other Catholic schools (Christ the King, Norfolk; Portsmouth Catholic, Portsmouth; St. Gregory the Great, Virginia Beach; St. Matthew, Virginia Beach; Star of the Sea, Virginia Beach) for the first Tidewater Catholic Forensics League on Oct. 14. More than 55 students in grades 4-8 gave oral interpretations of poetry or prose. More students are expected to compete in the next competition. St. Patrick looks forward to having more Catholic schools join the league, to help students grow in communication and reading skills.
Centennial Mass: Commonwealth Catholic Charities is celebrating 100 years of service this year. Bishop Barry C. Knestout celebrated a Centennial Mass for the organization on Nov. 8 at Our Lady of Lourdes, Richmond. Check out the full story on the centennial in the Sept. 18 issue of The Catholic Virginian.
Ecumenical prayer service for peace (below): Members of the faithful from Church of the Redeemer, Mechanicsville, and neighboring Messiah Lutheran Church gathered on Nov. 13 to pray for peace in our world. The prayer service was led by Father Jim Cowles, pastor of Church of the Redeemer, and Ryan Radtke, pastor of Messiah Lutheran. (Photo/Diane Atkins)
