The church’s service to the poor, in imitation of Christ, has always been central to the mission of the Diocese of Arlington and a focus of our priests and lay faithful alike.
As we celebrate our Diocesan Golden Jubilee, we also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Catholic Charities Christ House, which opened its doors in 1973 as a homeless shelter in Alexandria and has been serving a free evening meal 365 days a year ever since.
Reflecting upon this great work of mercy, we recall the words of Christ: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25:40) This is what inspired the mission of Christ House: to provide food for those in need in the community and housing for men. Between July 2021 and June 2023, Christ House experienced a 42.3% increase in the number of evening meals provided, now totaling over 17,000 meals per year. This generosity is made possible by the numerous volunteers from more than 40 parish and community groups who help to prepare and serve the nightly hot dinner.
As imitators of Christ who have hearts to serve those in need, Catholic Charities staff and our priests have observed a marked increase in the number of individuals who are experiencing greater mental health issues, often resulting in significant challenges, including homelessness.
The Christ House transitional housing program provides shelter, workforce development, and life skills training for homeless men in our diocese. Accommodations are available for 14 men who are also invited to personal spiritual renewal through individual and group discussions, reflections and daily prayer.
I am grateful to the staff, dedicated workers, and lay faithful who have served these corporal works of mercy through the great apostolate of Catholic Charities. Their tireless efforts have brought a renewed vibrancy and faith to our local church and community. As just one of the many ministries of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Arlington, we are reminded by the example of these committed servants that we are all afforded opportunities to serve the needs of the poor wherever we may reside.
Sacred Scripture emphasizes that devoting ourselves to the poor is a requirement, a sacred duty. “You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Mi 6:8) In his March 21 letter to participants of Brazil’s “Social Week,” Pope Francis exhorts us to “not be indifferent” and to be a “church in action, committed to breaking down the walls of discord and indifference, accompanying the poorest and those deprived of fundamental rights in their struggle for land, housing, and work.”
As we celebrate our Diocesan Golden Jubilee, we are challenged to prayerfully reflect on how each of us will respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters over the next 50 years. Thankfully, through our parishes, Catholic Charities, various ministries, and organizations such as the Knights of Columbus and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, there are plentiful opportunities for us to do so. May the Lord Jesus, who has been abundantly merciful to us, move us to be generous in serving the needs of others through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
