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Bishop Burbidge blesses renovation, joins volunteers in serving evening meal

Diana Sims Snider | Special to the Catholic Herald

Bishop Burbidge says a blessing at the newly renovated Christ House. LISA JULIA PHOTOGRAPHY | COURTESY

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Bishop Burbidge blesses the newly renovated Christ House in Alexandria. LISA JULIA PHOTOGRAPHY | COURTESY

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Sister Aniliza Juan gathers basil, tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden at Christ House to serve an evening meal for the homeless guests. LISA JULIA PHOTOGRAPHY | COURTESY

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Sister Aniliza Juan gathers basil, tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden at Christ House to serve an evening meal for the homeless guests. LISA JULIA PHOTOGRAPHY | COURTESY

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Bishop Burbidge, accompanied by Sister Aniliza Juan and a Catholic Charities employee, blesses Christ House. LISA JULIA PHOTOGRAPHY | COURTESY

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A host of Northern Virginia contractors spent their spring
painting walls and replacing flooring, carpeting, lighting, bathrooms fixtures,
kitchen cabinets at Catholic Charities Christ House, which operates a homeless
shelter, food pantry, thrift store and emergency assistance program in Old Town
Alexandria.

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge arrived June 28 to tour the
200-year-old building, thank the local organization that spearheaded the
project and bless the new renovations.

“This is just fantastic,” Bishop Burbidge said as he toured the
dining room, kitchen, offices and upstairs bedrooms of the 14 male residents
with Christ House program Director John Croft.

As Bishop Burbidge looked over the freshly painted kitchen, where
365 days a year parish and community volunteers serve an evening meal to the
homeless, Kristyn Burr, executive director of HomeAid of Northern Virginia,
told him the local contractors donated the $83,000 project as a labor of love. K. Hovnanian Homes supervised the project, with 28
tradesmen joining the effort.

Following a prayer service, Bishop Burbidge joined parishioners
from St. Louis Church and Blessed Sacrament Church, both in Alexandria, to
serve the evening meal to homeless men, women and three young children.

“Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of
Jesus,” Bishop Burbidge said, noting the love of Christ emanating from the
Sacred Heart is present every day in the care for those most in need at Christ
House. 

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Bishop Burbidge serves a meal to guests at Christ House. LISA JULIA PHOTOGRAPHY | COURTESY 

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