Bishop Michael F. Burbidge blessed a new office Sept. 20 in Woodbridge, where diocesan Catholic Charities’ staff and volunteers can welcome and assist refugees and other newcomers to northern Virginia. Bishop Burbidge led a prayer service and then blessed the new Migration and Refugee Services office at 13000 Harbor Center Dr. Suite 100 during an open house as part of the diocese’s annual observance of National Migration Week.
Catholic Charities opened the office in May as part of its efforts to welcome Afghan refugees and humanitarian parolees. The agency has resettled more than 1,200 men, women and children since October 2021. Catholic Charities also has MRS offices in Arlington, Manassas and Fredericksburg.
Catholic Charities President and CEO Stephen Carattini presented the Bishop a small piece of art, “Angels Unawares,” a replica of the 20-foot bronze sculpture which features migrants, angels and the Holy Family that rests in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. The sculpture is modeled after Hebrews 13:2: “Be welcoming to strangers, many have entertained angels unawares.”
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To learn more about Catholic Charities’ work supporting refugees, go to youtu.be/O5taQkXMgS8, or visit ccda.net.
