Colonial Beach Clinic Wins International Award

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of 8/4/05)

I am in Chicago this week, participating in the 123rd Annual Meeting of the Knights of Columbus and our own diocese is very much in the news.

Recognized yesterday as the recipient of this year’s Knights of Columbus "International Service Program Award" was our own Guadalupe Free Clinic in Colonial Beach. Father Jerome Magat, parochial vicar at St. Elizabeth Parish in Colonial Beach, received the award on behalf of the clinic, which has already served so many in our community since its opening this past May. Father Magat — like so many generous members of our diocese — saw a need and together with the local community of faith, responded to it. As Father Magat told the HERALD earlier this year, "If you live here, you notice there are significant needs …There are a lot of poor people." Local Knights of Columbus generously gave of their talents and labors to renovate the building for its future use as a free clinic. Thanks to private donations and gifts from other free clinics, the Guadalupe Free Clinic is open and assisting uninsured residents of Colonial Beach and Westmoreland County who are living below or at the federal poverty line. The clinic — staffed by volunteers, including Knights of Columbus — includes two examining rooms, a reception area, office space, a laboratory, and space for consultations.

I look forward to dedicating the clinic on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Throughout our diocese, so many of our priests, religious and laity are reaching out in similar ways, and I am so encouraged by the collective witness we have in our communities. Together, we are serving those less fortunate in our midst and making a tremendous impact on their lives.

Once again this year, I am also reminded of the witness our Knights of Columbus have in the life of our Church. Committed as they are to the sacredness of life from its very beginning at conception, to marriage and the family, to our young people, to vocations for the priesthood and consecrated life, to charitable works of outreach and support for the needy and for those with special needs, to solidarity with our priests and bishops, the Knights are truly men of God and of the Church.

May the Lord increase the number of Knights within our diocese, for as they increase, our diocesan Church will be strengthened. Their presence and the participation of their families cannot but deepen the life of faith we are all seeking to live with increased fervor and commitment.

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