Bishop Michael F. Burbidge blessed a new group home for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Strasburg April 12, saying he’s “sure the Lord is well pleased” with the dedicated work of Marian Homes volunteers who purchased the residence.
The home is the 10th the charity has purchased since its founding by the Knights of Columbus at St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax 30 years ago.
Marian Homes finances most of the purchase price through zero-interest home loans from the Virginia Knights KOVAR charity, with the remainder supported by income from paper-shredding events at area parishes, an annual gala dinner and individual donations.
KOVAR works with several other nonprofits to purchase group homes, and the newest is the 59th it has financed statewide.
Bishop Burbridge noted the blessing took place on Divine Mercy Sunday, “celebrating God’s mercy, God’s love for all of his people, a love and mercy that are pure gifts because of his great love for us.”
“Marian Homes has embraced that mandate to go forth in the Lord’s name, to do corporal and spiritual works of mercy,” Bishop Burbidge said to 30 volunteers. “When we provide homes for our brothers and sisters with intellectual disabilities, we are showing the great respect and reverence that we have for the gift of life itself, all of human life.”
The newest addition to the Marian Homes portfolio is a one-story ranch home in the northwestern part of the state with a panoramic backyard view of the Allegheny Mountains. It has a modern, refurbished kitchen and bedrooms for four residents.
Purchased for $475,000, it will be managed by enCircle, a Lutheran nonprofit that partners with Marian Homes to operate other residences.
Marian Homes President Jim McHugh said the new group home “is a tribute to Knights doing what Knights do right — not waiting around for somebody else to come up with a solution. Dick LaFrance, the original president of Marian Homes, is here, and it was his idea. So, Dick, thank you for having a great idea.”
Tumulty is a freelancer in Chantilly.
