First things first (above, right): On Sept. 29, the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Anne parish and school in Bristol held its annual prayer service to honor first responders: fire, law enforcement, and EMS. Our junior kindergarten and fifth grade classes made special treat bags, packed with snacks and love. Father Tom Lawrence, pastor, led members of the community in a prayer and a special blessing for our first responders.
God provides the thrills at Busch Gardens (below): Thrill-seekers found faith and fun during Catholic Day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, hosted by the diocesan Office for Evangelization on Oct. 5.
Around 300 people registered in advance, including nine ministries or other groups, representing parishes from all three vicariates in the diocese.
A long line of the faithful formed outside Abbey Stone Theatre in the Ireland section to go to Mass at 3:30 p.m. More than 430 people attended Mass; some did not know that Mass would be offered until they showed up at the amusement park that day. Many park-goers saw the line and stopped to ask, “What show is this?”
“This is a Catholic Mass!” those in line joyfully responded.
Father Matt Kiehl, vicar for vocations, celebrated Mass, noting the unusual space for it and thanking everyone for their reverence. Two seminarians, Brennen McCoy and Charlie Tamayo, served.
Mass was followed by a buffet dinner for the diocese in the Black Forest Picnic Village in Oktoberfest.
Visiting the Sisters of the Visitation (right): Bishop Barry C. Knestout celebrated Mass at the Monastery of the Visitation of Holy Mary, Monte Maria, in Rockville, on Oct. 3. The Sisters of the Visitation invited Bishop Knestout to visit because Sept. 27 was the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, their patron. During Mass, the bishop prayed for the intentions that were sent in from parishioners across the diocese through the work of the Annual Appeal. He also prayed for the priests, staff, and parishioners involved in all of our parish ministries.
Not a shrimpy effort: St. Edward Knights of Columbus Council 6546 in Richmond raised over $14,000 at the Fourth Annual All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp Fest this past August. Grand Knight David Neiswander’s council served over 240 patrons their choice of sauteed, country boil, and battered fried shrimp, along with sides. Proceeds from ticket sales, private donations, and 18 sponsors benefit the nonprofit Boys to Men Mentoring Network of VA, which provides young men in 7th and 8th grades a community of mentors and peers who listen, believe in them and help them make better choices.
New prioress elected (below): Benedictine Sister Andrea Westkamp was elected as the 12th prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia in Bristow on Sept. 28. Sister Andrea will begin her new term on Oct. 26, leading a community of 27 sisters, which was founded in 1868 in Richmond, but moved to Bristow in 1894. The sisters still continue to serve in many ways in our diocese.
“Best of” Virginia award (below): St. Pius X School in Norfolk won gold in the “Best of” contest by Virginia Media for the Private School Category in Norfolk. St. Pius X School, also a Virginia-designated Purple Star School for being military-friendly, enrolls students from PreK-8th grade.
Final salute to WWI veteran (below): The neighboring property to the west of St. Jude, Mineral, is a small cemetery with no signage. Members of the Knights of Columbus, Father Cunningham Assembly, tend to the cemetery, which includes between five and seven unmarked, sunken graves.
Research revealed that one of the unmarked graves belongs to Thomas Porter Anderson, a World War I veteran. The Knights applied for a grave marker for placement on his grave.
More than 40 people, including veterans, gathered for the unveiling of the stone on Sept. 21.
Col. Russel McGuire, of the Virginia National Guard and the Louisa County commonwealth attorney, spoke about the time surrounding Pvt. Anderson’s conscription into the Army.
National Guardsmen folded the flag and presented it to Father Peter Calixtus Barfi, pastor of St. Jude, for safekeeping in case any family come forward. Until then, the flag will be flown in Pvt. Anderson’s honor.
