Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde made a trip to the beach this weekend — Colonial Beach — where he blessed the Guadalupe Free Medical Clinic, which opened this summer.

Following a Mass celebrated at St. Elizabeth Church by the bishop and concelebrated by Father Thomas Vander Woude, pastor, and Father Jerome Magat, parochial vicar, tours of the clinic were offered and the bishop blessed the health center.

The Knights of Columbus Assembly No. 1613 served as an honor guard at the ceremony. The Holy Trinity Knights Council No. 7812 was instrumental in helping renovate the clinic building and organize the formation of the clinic. For this service, the council recently received the International Community Activity Project of the Year Award.

Saturday was a day of joy, thanksgiving and commitment, the bishop said.

"A real need was perceived here," the bishop said. "That need was so real, and the response was equally real."

The free medical clinic was spearheaded by Father Magat. When he was transferred to the parish, he wanted to find a use for an empty house owned by the parish. A medical clinic was a service badly needed by the community.

"God’s providence is at work here in a unique fashion," the bishop said. "I hope as a bishop always to do what God wants, but the Lord doesn’t send me telegrams. In God’s providence (Father Magat) has been an instrument as well as many others here."

Bishop Loverde said that the dedication of the Guadalupe Clinic makes it clear to the community in Colonial Beach that the diocese is committed to it and cares about its needs.

After awards were presented to volunteers who have helped found and run the clinic, Father Magat presented Bishop Loverde with an engraved stethoscope commemorating the clinic’s blessing.

"I always knew I wanted to be a priest, but for a time I wanted to be a doctor," the bishop said, smiling, playing with his new doctor’s instrument. "But I am truly grateful I became a priest."