Parish Profiles

Editor's Desk: Swan Song for Parish Profiles

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 4/17/03)

This week marks the final installment in our weekly parish profile series. Along the way we’ve provided a glimpse into the life of all 66 diocesan parishes, starting in January 2002 with St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Falls Church and concluding with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Lake Ridge.

We want to thank all the pastors, parochial vicars, principals, directors of religious education, parish secretaries and everyone else who cooperated in this effort. It’s not always easy coordinating staff schedules, especially this winter with all the snow and multiple cancellations.

Every parish has its unique qualities and dynamic history — whether it is the 200-year history of St. Mary’s in Old Town Alexandria, or the growing pains experienced by Holy Trinity in Gainesville. The staff writers who conducted the interviews and wrote the profiles will tell you that certain recurring themes kept surfacing. As expected, nearly every parish reported "tremendous growth" in recent years and "generous, enthusiastic" parishioners.

We feel like we’ve made many new friends and important contacts. The seeds of future story ideas also germinated from these interviews and will bear fruit in the months ahead.

For those who may have missed some of the profiles, the complete list is archived on the HERALD’s Web site. They can be found at www.catholicherald.com/parish profiles/profiles.htm.

<head18>Thank You, Fr. Gee

<body>I wanted to take a moment and recognize the outstanding contributions of Father Daniel Gee, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Woodbridge, who graciously accepted our invitation to join the rotation of four diocesan priests who write the HERALD’s weekly Gospel reflections. Father Gee’s "temporary" sojourn lasted three years. His columns provided concise, practical and often humorous insights into the weekly Scripture readings. Best of all, from an editor’s point of view, he always met his deadline.

As announced by Bishop Paul S. Loverde two weeks ago, Father Gee will begin his new assignment to the Diocesan Mission in the Dominican Republic on May 1. He will replace Father Patrick Posey, who is scheduled to return to the diocese after serving at the mission for seven years. I’m sure the people in Banica will miss Father Posey, but they will quickly recognize Father Gee’s energy and enthusiasm for the faith. We wish him well and thank him again for a job well done.

<head18>More on Blessed Items

<body>Father William Saunders’ recent column on how to dispose of blessed items (ACH 4/3/03, page 6) generated a flurry of responses. David Dittmeier, co-proprietor of The Salvation Christian Shoppe in Purcellville, said that he repairs and restores old statues and rosaries as a service to his customers. A portion of the proceeds from donated items is then contributed to local charities. Dittmeier’s five-year-old shop, which has a wide assortment of religious books, Bibles, music, gifts, cards, jewelry and church supplies, can be found at 161 N. Hatcher Ave., Purcellville. He can be contacted at 540/338-5380 or www.salvationshoppe.com.

Margaret Carter Blair belongs to a woman’s guild that repairs broken rosaries and sends them to the missions. Old rosaries can be sent to: Rosaryworkshop.com, W5209 16.5 Lane, Stephenson, MI 49887.— M.F.F.

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