Human Concerns MinistriesThe goal of the committee is to identify and respond to the needs of the poor, deprived, neglected and oppressed, both within the parish and the larger community. This committee shall help parishioners to become aware of the social justice dimensions of the Gospel and shall help them to give witness by effective programs of service.
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MissionActs 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Matthew 25:31-46, reminds us whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers…that you do unto me. The mission of this ministry is to help those in need - need meaning spiritually, physically, financially. We are called to be a community of faith, to spread the good news, locally, and globally. Through these actions, we will act more responsibly, in our actions of Christian charity, peace and justice. |
Governor Northam signs abortion expansion legislation and bills that fail to protect religious liberty
Last month and earlier this month, many of you acted on alerts we sent asking Governor Northam to veto abortion expansion legislation and to amend bills that failed to protect religious liberty. We are very grateful to everyone who took action on these alerts. Unfortunately, the Governor signed each of these bills.
On Good Friday, Governor Northam announced his signature of SB 733 and HB 980, identical bills that dismantle decades of pro-life protections and will increase abortions. For more on this deeply disappointing outcome, please read the statement issued by Bishop Burbidge and Bishop Knestout, which we have also shared with you previously.
At various points last week – leading up to the April 11th 11:59 p.m. deadline for the Governor to sign, veto or amend legislation that had reached his desk – the Governor also signed the following:
HB 1429, which requires health plans to cover gender transition treatments and procedures. Governor Northam did not include the religious exemption for which we and you had advocated.
SB 868, which adds “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” (SOGI) as protected classifications in Virginia’s employment and housing laws, and creates a new section of state law on public accommodations that also includes SOGI within its list of protected classes. We and you had advocated for religious liberty protections in this bill, to protect the practice of fundamental beliefs such as the belief that marriage is the union of a man and a woman. Unfortunately, the Governor declined to add these protections.
In addition, the Governor also signed HB 1049. Many of you were following our work on this bill during session. As resolved by the General Assembly and then signed by the Governor, the bill does add SOGI as protected classifications to many areas of state law, but does not change existing law on state contracts and thus does not impact partnerships Catholic Charities has with the state to provide refugee resettlement and other services.
In the weeks to come, we will be providing a full report – including charts showing how your legislators voted – on these and other key issues we worked on during what was an especially challenging session. Stay tuned, and thank you again for all you have done and continue to do to advocate for human life and dignity, the poorest and most vulnerable, religious liberty and the common good of our Commonwealth.
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In prayer and in public, your voices are urgently needed to bring Gospel values to bear on vital decisions being made by those who represent you.
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The Virginia Catholic Conference is the public policy agency representing Virginia’s Catholic bishops and their two dioceses.
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Ministries
Advocate for Persons with Disabilities
Ministry that welcomes persons with disabilities at the level they desire.
Aids/HIV Ministry
Updated information is available concerning AIDS and services which are available in the area.
Bereavement Ministry
Members of the Bereavement Ministry are present at Wake Services and visitation. They also provide referrals to support groups and, on the 2nd of November (All Souls Day), celebrate a Memorial Service to which people in the surrounding area are invited.
C.A.R.I.T.A.S. (Congregations Around Richmond Involved to Assure Shelter)
This family Focus program is sponsored by Our Lady of Lourdes Parish for one week during the summer. The Parish provides somewhere for families to sleep, dinner each night and other services.
Clothing Room (Laura’s Closet)
Open to the public on Tuesday 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and by special appointment. This service is available to the greater Richmond area. Laura’s Closet is closed in December and on Tuesdays following a Monday holiday.
Food Pantry
By appointment, this service is available to residents of local zip codes.
Funeral Reception Ministry
As a way to minister to those who are grieving, Lourdes offers funeral receptions, free of cost, to anyone who has a loved one being buried from Lourdes. We are always in need of volunteers to help with the reception. We have three teams of volunteers. Their duties including preparing desserts, some main dishes, fruit and vegetable trays.
Global Outreach
We support the Comboni Missionary Sisters with their work in Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and the Sudan. Each year we raise funds for projects such as providing clean water and food for hungry children as well as books to schools.
Health Ministry (formerly Parish Nurses)
Health Ministry nurses are available before and after Mass once a month to take blood pressure and pulse readings and to answer questions. They collaborate with the Lakeside Churches in finding ways to improve the health of people in the Lakeside area.
Legislative Advocacy
Participation of the parish by way of communication of documents from the Virginia Catholic Conference and the USCCB are shared on the website and weekly bulletin. Parishioners are invited to attend Catholic Advocacy Day at the General Assembly in January.
Operation Rice Bowl
Operation Rice Bowl is he Lenten solidarity program of the Catholic Relief Services. Small boxes called “Rice Bowls” are distributed and used during Lent for collections which are sent to Catholic Relief Services for local and global missions. This is a time of prayer, understanding and solidarity with those around the world and it promoted by a Rice Bowl calendar and other resources.
Respect Life
Materials are available on all issues of human life from conception to death. We provide speakers and information pertaining to Foster Care, Human Trafficking and bringing attention to the dignity of humans. We support Commonwealth Catholic Charities as well as the Pregnancy Resource Center with items such as diapers and formula for newborns up to two years of age.
Ministry that welcomes persons with disabilities at the level they desire.
Aids/HIV Ministry
Updated information is available concerning AIDS and services which are available in the area.
Bereavement Ministry
Members of the Bereavement Ministry are present at Wake Services and visitation. They also provide referrals to support groups and, on the 2nd of November (All Souls Day), celebrate a Memorial Service to which people in the surrounding area are invited.
C.A.R.I.T.A.S. (Congregations Around Richmond Involved to Assure Shelter)
This family Focus program is sponsored by Our Lady of Lourdes Parish for one week during the summer. The Parish provides somewhere for families to sleep, dinner each night and other services.
Clothing Room (Laura’s Closet)
Open to the public on Tuesday 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and by special appointment. This service is available to the greater Richmond area. Laura’s Closet is closed in December and on Tuesdays following a Monday holiday.
Food Pantry
By appointment, this service is available to residents of local zip codes.
Funeral Reception Ministry
As a way to minister to those who are grieving, Lourdes offers funeral receptions, free of cost, to anyone who has a loved one being buried from Lourdes. We are always in need of volunteers to help with the reception. We have three teams of volunteers. Their duties including preparing desserts, some main dishes, fruit and vegetable trays.
Global Outreach
We support the Comboni Missionary Sisters with their work in Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and the Sudan. Each year we raise funds for projects such as providing clean water and food for hungry children as well as books to schools.
Health Ministry (formerly Parish Nurses)
Health Ministry nurses are available before and after Mass once a month to take blood pressure and pulse readings and to answer questions. They collaborate with the Lakeside Churches in finding ways to improve the health of people in the Lakeside area.
Legislative Advocacy
Participation of the parish by way of communication of documents from the Virginia Catholic Conference and the USCCB are shared on the website and weekly bulletin. Parishioners are invited to attend Catholic Advocacy Day at the General Assembly in January.
Operation Rice Bowl
Operation Rice Bowl is he Lenten solidarity program of the Catholic Relief Services. Small boxes called “Rice Bowls” are distributed and used during Lent for collections which are sent to Catholic Relief Services for local and global missions. This is a time of prayer, understanding and solidarity with those around the world and it promoted by a Rice Bowl calendar and other resources.
Respect Life
Materials are available on all issues of human life from conception to death. We provide speakers and information pertaining to Foster Care, Human Trafficking and bringing attention to the dignity of humans. We support Commonwealth Catholic Charities as well as the Pregnancy Resource Center with items such as diapers and formula for newborns up to two years of age.
