martin luther king

Alexandria Parish, Bishop Honor Dr. King

By Alfonso Aguilar
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 1/18/07)

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde celebrated Mass in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King at St. Joseph Church in Alexandria last Sunday.
“Dr. King raised his voice unceasingly for justice and equality for all, but much still needs to be achieved,” said Bishop Loverde, who was assisted during the service by Father Francis M. Hull, S.S.J. pastor of St. Joseph Church, and Father Richard Mullins, director of the Office of Multi Cultural Ministries.
The parish gospel choir provided the music. A contingent of Knights of Columbus attended the commemorative service to honor the civil rights leader assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis.
“We must advocate to end racism, abortion and embryonic cell research,” said the bishop. “God wants us to experience life in a new and abundant way here and hereafter. He changes water to wine as a sign of a new and abundant life because he loves us.”
Speaking of Coretta Scott King, who died last year, the bishop said, “She was Dr. King’s support. Her qualities of calmness, fortitude and strength steadied him and brought the light of hope.”
“No one will ever forget Dr. King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech. God, too, has a dream for His people. We will proclaim God’s great deeds and strive to better our families and communities. We are God’s channels.”
Established in 1915, St. Joseph Church was the first Catholic parish founded in Northern Virginia to serve African Americans. However, today it has an ethnicallt diverse community.
The church, located in oldtown Alexandria, has a seating capacity for nearly 260 people and has 515 parishioners. “Although it is physically a small church, it has a big heart and a big spirit,” said Bishop Loverde at the conclusion of the service.