Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated an Appreciation Mass for Hispanic Ministry volunteers at Good Shepherd Church in Alexandria Aug. 22, followed by a dinner to honor their service to the diocese.
Father Mauricio Portillo, parochial vicar of Christ the Redeemer Church in Sterling, delivered the homily.
The annual event, first held in 2021, was created by Joel de Loera, director of the Hispanic Ministry, as an opportunity for Bishop Burbidge to thank Hispanic leaders and volunteers for their commitment to evangelization, catechesis, liturgical service and community outreach.
After Mass, de Loera thanked Bishop Burbidge for attending and Father Tom Ferguson, pastor of Good Shepherd, for allowing the event to take place in the church.
“As Hispanic people, we feel very happy and supported, especially in these times when many in our Hispanic community are experiencing some fear because of what is happening, so thank you very much for your pastoral care,” de Loera said to the many priests in attendance.
The dinner was catered by a family from St. Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church who owns a food truck. The menu included chicken cordon bleu, steak in a wine sauce, rice, Mexican macaroni salad and more. For drinks, guests could enjoy different “aguas frescas” (flavored waters) such as pineapple, horchata, jamaica and melon.
A mariachi band provided lively entertainment, filling the evening with music and celebration.
“In these challenging and difficult times, please know your Bishop and all the bishops, love you,” said Bishop Burbidge at the dinner. “We are going to continue to walk with you, represent you and assure all our elected officials what a gift you are not only to the church but to our nation. We are people of faith, hope and we are not afraid.”
