By Irene Lagan, Mary Frances McCarthy and Angela Pometto
Herald Staff Writers
(From the issue of 12/25/03)

Weather not withstanding, 2003 witnessed growth in the Arlington Diocese as construction for schools, churches and other parish facilities got underway. Despite setbacks with heavy snowfalls and Hurricane Isabel, many parishes saw renovation and building projects completed. The Chancery offices also witnessed growth and development, with new positions created and filled. With a heavy concentration of military families in the diocese, parishioners joined forces to support our troops in Iraq.

Beginning in January, construction projects were a testament to a growth spurt in the diocese. That month, Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde dedicated the newly expanded education facility at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church.

In April, St. Leo the Great Church in Fairfax wrapped up a year-long renovation project, bringing the "incredibly early ‘70s" church up to date.

June was a groundbreaking month with ceremonies marking the official beginning of construction on an addition at St. Timothy School in Chantilly, and new churches for St. Raymond of Penafort Parish in Fairfax Station and St. Veronica Parish in Herndon. Bishop Loverde also blessed the newly-built Our Lady Queen of Peace Ministry Center in Arlington, and announced the establishment of the St. Jude Mission in Fredericksburg.

As the school season began, Bishop Loverde dedicated a new student activity center at Paul VI High School in Fairfax and St. Mark School, which opened its doors for the first time, in Vienna. He also participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for Our Lady of Hope Church in Potomac Falls.

Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria celebrated the completion of a renovation project in December. Bishop Loverde dedicated the new altar, Stations of the Cross, lectern and Blessed Sacrament chapel during Mass on the second Sunday of Advent.

Bishop Loverde celebrated 15 years of episcopal service in April. Ordained a bishop in Hartford in 1988, he became the 11th bishop of Ogdensburg in 1994 and the third bishop of Arlington in 1999.

The Washington Redskins selected Gibran Hamdan, a graduate of Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, with their final pick in the National Football League college draft in April.

In July Father Patrick Posey returned to Northern Virginia after serving as pastor of the diocesan mission in Bánica for eight years.

Poor Sisters of St. Joseph Sister Eloína Alvarez celebrated her 50th anniversary of consecrated life in a Mass at Queen of Apostles Church in December.

As our soldiers headed off to war, parishioners throughout the diocese demonstrated support with care packages and prayers. While most of our men and women returned home safely, all mourned the loss of several young men.

Army Captain James F. Adamouski, 29, and five of his soldiers from Bravo Company of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment died in Iraq last April when their Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Karbala.

Parishioners of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Clifton mourned the loss of Jeffrey J. Kaylor, 24, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Kaylor was killed on April 7, during a reconnaissance mission about 20 miles outside of Baghdad.

Mother Carmen Lamberti, former superior of the Poor Sisters of St. Joseph and the foundress of the St. Gabriel Convent in Alexandria, died on Jan. 7 at the age of 92.

Msgr. Francis Bradican, the senior priest in the diocese, died March 31 at a nursing home in Moscow, Pa., at the age of 92. He served Catholics in Virginia for more than 66 years.

On Aug. 15 Bishop O’Connell High School’s legendary baseball coach ‘Jake’ Jacobs died at the age of 84.

Msgr. James McMurtrie, pastor of St. Agnes Parish, died on Oct. 20 at the age of 66. Msgr. McMurtrie served as temporary administrator of the diocese following the death of Bishop John Keating in 1998.

Permanent Deacon Donald K. McAskill, who served for over 11 years at St. William of York Parish in Stafford and St. Mary Parish in Fredericksburg, died on Nov. 13.

Hundreds attended the funeral of Nancy Dunning, the slain wife of Alexandria Sheriff James H. Dunning, at St. Rita Church in Alexandria in December.

In February, Peter Davis, president of Catholic Charities (CCDA) Board of Directors, stepped down from his post after more than 10 years of service to the poor and needy of the Arlington Diocese. Marine Corporal John L. O’Brien assumed the role of director of marriage preparation in the Office of Family Life before taking a leave of absence when called to active duty in Iraq.

In March, the diocese launched a new Web site, www.arlingtondiocese.org.

Last summer ushered in a season of change, with many staffers embarking on career shifts and new employees joining the chancery.

In May, Linda Shovlain, communications director of the diocese since 2000, accepted a position at the U.S. Agency for International Development in the newly-formed Faith Based Initiatives Office. Catholic Charities bid farewell to Father Chuck McCoart who served as executive director for five years and welcomed Steve Luteran, one of few lay leaders in the agency’s history. Beatriz Pachon joined the Spanish Apostolate Office as new coordinator of the Pastoral Program.

In June, Dick Duffey retired from Risk Management Office and was replaced by Randy Jouben. Fathers Joel Jaffe, Edward Horkan and Mark Mullaney were ordained priests, and Msgr. Thomas Cassidy and Father Clarence Trinkle retired. With a grant from the USCCB to implement multicultural programs in the diocese, the bishop initiated the Multicultural Ministries Project and Ann Meier was hired to coordinate this project. Father Richard Mullins named associate director of the Spanish Apostolate.

The bishop’s historical "Rooted in Faith — Forward in Hope" Capital Campaign drew to a close in July with more than $110 million pledged.

CCDA announced cutbacks in July due to unanticipated budget deficits. The cutbacks affected staff and nonessential services, but did not affect Catholic Charities outreach to the poor.

The diocese installed its first Hispanic pastor in August, Father Jose Hoyos, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Dale City.

In December, Soren Johnson was hired as the new communications director for the diocese.

In keeping with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the diocese established a revised review board in March consisting of six members of the Catholic laity and two priests who serve in an advisory capacity to the bishop to review allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clerics.

In July Bishop Loverde announced the release of a revised and updated policy on prevention of sexual misconduct and/or child abuse. The bishop also announced the appointment of Catherine Nolan as diocesan victim assistance coordinator and director of child protection and safety.

In October 90 priests from the Arlington Diocese sent a letter to Belleville Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in strong support of mandatory priestly celibacy.

In January, a heavy snow fall caused the roof to collapse at St. Joseph School in Herndon on the nearly-complete $8 million building project. No one was hurt in the incident and repairs have since been made.

The Daughters of St. Paul in Alexandria hosted a founder’s day celebration in April in honor of the canonization of Father James Alberione, founder of the order.

In August the Tilma of Tepeyac, on loan from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, traveled through the Washington area. Thousands of pilgrims flocked to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to venerate the relic. It was the first time in history that a piece of the actual tilma has been on tour throughout the country.

In September the Office of Risk Management reported damage costs totaling approximately $42,000 following Hurricane Isabel. The house of Bill McCarthy, plant manager of St. James Parish in Falls Church, received extensive damage to the roof when a tree fell on the house.

St. Michael Parish in Annandale concluded its 50th anniversary celebrations in November with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Loverde and included a visit from its founding pastor, Msgr. Thomas P. Scannell.

Father Matthew Hillyard was named new Bishop Ireton principal in March and it was announced that Father Kevin Nadolski would leave his post as principal to become director of vocations for the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Eastern Province.

In June, Sr. Patricia Helene Earl assumed an assistant professorship and the role as director of the Catholic Leadership Program Marymount University, leaving her post as assistant superintendent of schools. Also in June, Bishop Loverde assumed the post of president and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic Distance University in Hamilton from the university’s founder, first bishop of Arlington, Bishop Thomas J. Welsh.

In September, the Youth Office expanded when Kate Bergman was hired as the assistant director of youth ministry.

Prince William County approved plans for a Catholic high school in Cherry Hill in August.

Catholic Distance University celebrated its 20th anniversary in November with three bishops present: Bishop Loverde, Arlington founding Bishop Thomas J. Welsh and Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the pontifical council for social communications.

Also in November, Linton Hall School in Bristow received the national Blue Ribbon School award.

As our nation marked 30 years of legalized abortions, the U.S. Bishop’s pro-life secretariat office and Knights of Columbus co-sponsored an ad campaign to reach to those considering abortion. The "Women Deserve Better" campaign was featured in Washington area subway trains, buses and commuter trains, along with print media beginning in January. Thousands of marchers gathered in the nation’s capitol on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision to demonstrate their respect for life at the March for Life.

Arlington resident Judith Kelly was among 85 human rights activists who faced charges in February of civil disobedience at the former School of the Americas. Kelly was sentenced to three months in prison for her witness to life. She has since been released.

The Walk for Life celebrated its 20th anniversary in May, raising more than $10,000.

The Institute for Psychological Sciences honored U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and his wife Karen in November with the John Paul II Award in recognition for his leading efforts in service of life. The award was given a day after President Bush signed the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003.