Bishop Loverde Blesses New Fredericksburg Office

By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/7/02)

FREDERICKSBURG — "Let us bless the Lord, then and pray that He will shower His blessings on all who will work in this place," said Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde as he began a blessing service for the new Fredericksburg District Office of Catholic Charities last Thursday.

More than 50 parish liaisons, representatives of community service organizations, local board members and diocesan Catholic Charities staff attended an open house celebrating the Jan. 10 move from Lafayette Blvd. to spacious offices at 305 Hanson Ave. in the Riverside Business Center off Route 1.

Mary Beth Bova, program director of the Fredericksburg office, graciously guided guests through the new facility, which is almost double in size the previous office space. The new location offers much more parking space and greater visibility. "Catholic Charities" is printed in blue and white on a green awning that is easily seen from Route 1. Several healthcare providers are also located in the Riverside complex.

The Fredericksburg office provides adoption, family and children’s services, foster care for infants, family counseling, aid to unwed parents and emergency assistance information and referrals. The office serves the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Westmoreland, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, Orange, Madison, Culpeper and Southern Fauquier County.

"This is something we have been looking forward to," said Emily Quinn, office manager. She noted the phone number, 540/371-1124, remains the same.

It seems Bova has achieved a goal she set last fall as new program director to do a "lot of networking and start building relationships with professionals in the community that I’ll be working with." Invited guests Anjela Eubank, public relations manager for Hospice Support Care, Inc. of Fredericksburg and Ruth Ann Childres, executive director of Red Cross in Fredericksburg, admired the clean, well-lit space. "Every non-profit can serve every other," Eubank said. Childres also commented on the need for "utilizing other agencies."

Father Mark Mealey, Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Services, read from Matthew’s Gospel (Mt. 6, 24-34) and Bova read Psalm 90 before Bishop Loverde recited a prayer of blessing. "Grant that all who plan and conduct business in this office may through your guidance and support come to the right decisions and carry them out fairly," Bishop Loverde said.

Father Charles McCoart, executive director of the diocesan Office of Catholic Charities, then assisted the bishop as he sprinkled everyone present with holy water before walking through the facility blessing each office. 

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