Friends of John Paul II Foundation to Honor Bishop Loverde

Special to the HERALD
(From the issue of 10/3/02)

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde, who has led the diocese since March 25, 1999, will be honored by the Friends of John Paul II Foundation at its Oct. 20 celebration at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Great Falls.

The 24th annual "Wadowice on the Potomac" celebration recognizes the historic papacy of John Paul II who was born in Wadowice, Poland. Bishop Anthony Justs, formerly a priest of the Arlington Diocese now serving in Jelgava, Latvia, will also take part in the event.

Bishop Justs fled Latvia with his family after his homeland was annexed by Russia. He remained in Belgium to complete his seminary studies after his parents migrated to the United States. He was ordained in 1962 and served both the Richmond and Arlington Dioceses until 1992 when he returned to Latvia.

Bishop Justs was founding pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish. He also served at St. Mark Parish in Vienna and Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria.

The Oct. 20 program will begin at 5 p.m. with solemn vespers. Bishop Loverde will officiate. A social hour and musical program will follow at 5:30 p.m. The celebratory dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Bishop Anthony Justs Hall.

Previous honorees have included Cardinals James Hickey and Theodore McCarrick of Washington. Expected to attend this year’s event are Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States, Bishop Szczepan Wesoly, chairman of the John Paul II Foundation in Rome and Polish Ambassador Przemyslaw Grudzinski

Co-chairs for the event are Dr. Robert and Jill Shafer, members of St. Catherine of Siena Parish. The church is located at 1020 Springvale Road. For information or reservations call 703/827-0822 or 703/759-4366.

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