I have remarked on several occasions that as bishop of the Diocese of Richmond, I’ve been doing a “victory lap” for my predecessor, Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo, because of the Living Our Mission capital campaign he initiated.
The results of that campaign, coupled with fundraising parishes undertook on their own, have allowed many to do renovations of their worship spaces and sanctuaries, including installations of new altars. Others have upgraded their halls, meeting spaces and offices.
Earlier this month, I dedicated the renovated space at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Newport News. Over the last several months I have dedicated the new altars at St. Francis of Assisi, Staunton, and St. Jerome, Newport News.
Over the last seven years I have blessed the renovation and restoration at St. Joseph, Petersburg, the new churches at St. Olaf, Norge, and St. Thomas Aquinas, Charlottesville, and blessed the renovated spaces at Our Lady of Nazareth, Roanoke; Church of the Visitation, Topping; and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk.
That is not an exhaustive list, but it is representative of the time, talent and resources the faithful throughout the diocese have invested in their parishes.
In addition, I’ve had the privilege of celebrating the 150th anniversary at Holy Name of Mary, Bedford, and the 100th anniversaries of Sacred Heart, Covington; St. Matthew, Virginia Beach; Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) at William & Mary, and more recently the CCM at Virginia Tech.
In being a part of these events, I enjoy sharing with parishioners their moment of renewal – celebrating the completion of a construction project or a significant anniversary in the history of their parish. It is an opportunity for me to be present with parishioners, to hear their stories, especially as they express pride in being a part of their parishes.
These are occasions to engage in and celebrate the life of the parish and to express my gratitude to the many dedicated volunteers and staff who make the commitment to sustain and promote the faith community. They are the backbone, they do the blocking and tackling, so to speak, expressing the daily life and activity of the parish.
The blessings and dedications are a time to highlight and express the importance of appropriate liturgical space. They are also a time to draw attention to the beauty of architecture, art, and liturgical music, and to note how, together, they inspire parishioners to live their faith and carry out the Church’s mission.
Each of these celebrations – blessings, dedications, anniversaries – is an occasion to highlight the patron saints of these parishes, to reflect upon their lives. We consider how we can emulate their example of living the faith with the same ardor they did, and we continue to seek their intercession.
In visiting parishes on these occasions, I get a unique and grace-filled perspective of our diocese. Growing up, there weren’t a lot of occasions for me to visit other parishes. I knew of parishes in my own city but few beyond that. I didn’t get to know the parishes of the Archdiocese of Washington until I assisted Cardinal James A. Hickey, who visited every parish in the archdiocese during the years I was with him.
I’ve done the same thing in the nearly seven years I’ve been in the Diocese of Richmond. It is a tangible but privileged opportunity for a bishop or for anyone to visit all the parishes in the diocese and to focus on the saints under whose patronage those parishes exist.
These celebrations call to mind the richness of our faith communities as we consider the experiences and manifestations of holiness that the saints bring to the ministry and life of the Church. Pope St. John Paul II said it well:
“Your Saints are not silent. … Your Saints are alive. May they be the guarantors of your past and your future. Today we find ourselves united with these roots, refreshed by these sources of life …” (Homily in Prague, April 21, 1990)
As we commemorate the Solemnity of All Saints on Friday, Nov. 1, let us take time to reflect upon the lives of our patron saints and the pastoral work of our parishes, to connect with their stories, and to be emboldened in proclaiming our faith – in words and actions – as they do.