The Face of Love in the Diocese:
Catholic Charities Celebrates 60th Anniversary
By MICHAEL F. FLACH
HERALD Editor
CATHOLIC CHARITY — Pat Mudd, a former employee of Catholic Charities, is part of the procession at the start of Mass. Banners depicting the agency’s numerous programs were on display.
The needy in Northern Virginia have found Catholic Charities to be “the
face of love” since its founding in 1947 under the direction of
Msgr. Thomas P. Scannell. Countless lives have been positively impacted
thanks to the generosity of the agency’s staff, volunteers and
benefactors.
Several hundred of the agency’s staff and supporters gathered with
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde at St. Mark Church in Vienna Sunday
afternoon to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Catholic Charities.
Among the diocesan clergy who concelebrated with the bishop were three
former directors: Msgr. Thomas J. Cassidy (1960-69), Father Gerry Creedon
(1981-88) and Father Jack T. O’Hara (1988-98). Nancy Novelly and
the St. Mark Festival Choir provided music for the liturgy.
“Does love have a face?” Bishop Loverde asked the congregation
during his homily. The bishop said a careful reading of the Gospel reveals
that Jesus reached out to those in need throughout His public ministry and
that His dying on the cross and resurrection were the ultimate displays of
love for us.
This love passed to the Apostles and the Church after Christ’s
death, Bishop Loverde said. “Since her beginning, the Church has
been a living tangible source of charitable outreach to those in need,” he
said. “The exercise of charity is an essential aspect of the Church.”
Last year Catholic Charities reached out to more than 25,000 individuals
in need of assistance through one of its many programs, which include
Christ House, St. Martin de Porres Senior Center, Children’s Services,
Hogar Hispano and Family Counseling. The agency has offices in Arlington,
Falls Church, Burke, Fredericksburg and its newest location in Leesburg.
Parish-based locations can be found in Sterling and Manassas.
“Catholic Charities is the most tangible and visible way by which we,
the members of the Diocese of Arlington, practice authentic Church-centered
love,” the bishop said. “Catholic Charities here in the diocese
reveals the face of love.
“As we give thanks for these 60 years of charitable outreach, we renew
our commitment to be the visible and tangible instrument of charity in this
diocesan church, to be the face of love,” he said. “We are steadfast
in our commitment to be Catholic Charities.
“Because we are Catholic, we will together give generously, even sacrificially,
of our time, talent and treasures, and thus be as well authentically charitable,” Bishop
Loverde said.
“Does love have a face? The answer is ‘yes:’ love’s
face is God made visible through His Divine Son Jesus Christ; love’s
face is the Church which Christ founded; love’s face is this Diocesan
Church of Arlington, and within our diocese, love’s face is Catholic
Charities. “
Peter and Judy Davis served as co-chairs of the anniversary committee.
Peter is a former president of Catholic Charities’ board of directors.
Linda McMahon is the current board president. Other committee members
included Ginna Chambers, Dee Estes, Steve Luteran, Sallie McHugh, Christine
McLaughlin, Pat Mudd, Lauren Smith and Laura Tramonte.
As part of its ongoing anniversary celebration, Catholic Charities will
reopen the newly renovated Christ House emergency shelter in Alexandria
Oct. 12.