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OEM January 2024
Community Newsletter
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Here are the latest opportunities to strengthen
your faith and connect with the community.
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From the Desk of Daniel Villar | | |
Greetings brothers and sisters in faith!
On behalf of the Office of Ethnic Ministries we would like to wish you a happy and prosperous New Year! We look forward to seeing you at our events this year and may God grant you endless blessings on your journey!
Ad Jesum Per Mariam
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Daniel Villar
Director
Office of Ethnic Ministries
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The Parish Year of the Eucharistic Revival is Underway!
The National Guide for the Eucharistic Revival for 2023-2024: Click
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Intercultural Competencies Workshop
All Saints Catholic School
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On Friday, December 8, the Office of Ethnic Ministries facilitated the Intercultural Competencies Workshop at All Saints Catholic School for teachers and staff. There were about 50 participants present and there was a lot of conversation surrounding the importance of intercultural awareness and thinking in cultural categories. 85% of the student population at All Saints is either African American/Black or Hispanic/Latino so this pertinent gathering and the ones that are planned to follow will inspire our educators to continue building relationships with their students through the culture(s) that form part of who they are and where they come from. | | |
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French Mass at
Our Lady of Lourdes in Henrico
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The Office of Ethnic Ministries welcomes our French speaking parishioners! | Le Bureau des Ministères Ethniques accueille nos paroissiens francophones!
French Mass is being celebrated once a month at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Henrico | La messe en français est célébrée une fois par mois à l'église catholique Notre-Dame de Lourdes à Henrico.
For the French Mass flyer: English
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From the Desk of Fr. Tochi Iwuji | | |
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Prepare in Hope and Faith; Advent is here…
As we begin this new year, I invite you to walk with our Blessed Mother Mary. She is a gift to us and a model of discipleship. Here are three concrete ways one can walk with her.
- Walking the year with Mary means following her example of faith, hope, and love in every situation of life. Mary trusted in God’s plan even when it was difficult or mysterious. She hoped in God’s promises even when they seemed impossible or delayed. She loved God and her neighbor even when it cost her everything. Mary is our model of discipleship and the ever-loving mother who cares for us and intercedes for us.
- Walking the year with Mary means imitating her virtues such as humility, obedience, purity, courage, and joy. Mary was humble in accepting God’s will and acknowledging her need for His grace. She was obedient to God’s commandments and to the authority figures He placed over her. She was pure in her thoughts, words, and actions, and consecrated herself entirely to God. She was courageous in facing the trials and sufferings that came with being the mother of the Savior. She was joyful in praising God and rejoicing in His goodness.
- Walking the year with Mary means praying with her and to her, in particular, with the Rosary. The Rosary is a powerful prayer that helps us meditate on the mysteries of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, and helps us apply them to our own lives. The Rosary also helps us grow closer to Mary who leads us to Jesus and shares with us her maternal heart. Praying the Rosary daily is a great way to walk the year with Mary and experience her presence and protection.
Dear friends, our Mother Mary wishes to accompany us this year holding us up through her most powerful intercession and her Most Immaculate heart.
Happy New Year!
Fr. Tochi Iwuji, STL
Director, Office for Black Catholics
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Join Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church Justice Ministry in celebrating Black History Month
On Sunday, Feb. 4, at 11:15 a.m., following the 10 a.m. Mass, there will be a showing of "A Place at the Table," the story of four African-Americans on the path to sainthood, Augustus Tolton, Henriette DeLille, Julia Greeley, and Mary Lange. The film is about 1 hour long and refreshments will be served. No need to sign up to attend, just come and see." Reach out to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church for any questions.
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
2712 2nd Ave.
Richmond, VA 23222
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Pictures by Hunter Reardon | | |
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The Simbang Gabi kick-off Mass took place at St. Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg, Virginia on Saturday, December 9. Bishop Knestout celebrated the Mass on this wonderful occasion. Many from the Filipino community were present as well as many who were attending a celebration of this kind for the first time. As a Universal Church, this and many other expressions of diversity and tradition really reflect the integral nature of the Holy Spirit not only as a unifying force but also one that finds its home in the hearts of those who believe in Christ. The Office of Asian Ministry would like to thank Bishop Knestout for his celebration of this beautiful Mass; Luz Rayel-Straub, our advisory committee representative for the Filipino communities of our diocese; Fr. Eric Ayers, Rechelle Ramiro, and the team from St. Bede for their work in organizing and putting this all together.
Sinulog will be celebrated at different parishes throughout the diocese later this month. Please reach out to your local parish for Mass times.
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Celebrating Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year festival)
Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs
12500 Patterson Avenue Richmond, VA 23238
Sunday, February 4, 2024
The New Year Festival will be held in the parish hall.
Authentic Vietnamese food booths, entertainment (cultural dances, singing, dancing, etc...)
Everyone is welcome to attend!
Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs celebrates Lunar New Year - Year of the Dragon (Tết Giáp Thìn)
12500 Patterson Avenue Richmond, VA 23238
The first new moon of the year falls on Saturday, February 10, 2024
Celebration will be on Sunday, February 11, 2024
Mass at 8:00 am and 10:30 am. At the 10:30 am Mass, there will be a
traditional offering of incense.
The celebration (food and entertainment) will be in the parish hall after the Mass.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
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Vương cung thánh đường Thánh Anrê ở Roanoke cử hành Thánh lễ bằng tiếng Việt mỗi tháng một lần. Các giáo xứ khác trong giáo phận cũng cử hành Thánh lễ bằng tiếng Việt vào những thời điểm khác nhau trong năm. Để biết về giờ giấc và Thánh lễ bằng tiếng Việt được cử hành khi nào, xin vui lòng liên lạc giáo xứ của quý vị.
Translated by Julie Thùy-Dung Nguyễn
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Asian Retreat
The Office of Asian Ministry will be having its annual retreat on Saturday, April 13,2024 at St. Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg. For the Vietnamese community, we will be bringing back our retreat speaker from last year, Fr. Bao Nguyen. More information to come!
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Defining Terms: The Importance of Terminology | | |
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When serving vulnerable populations, an important factor to consider is the proper terminology and correct language used to refer to, respect, and represent their cultural backgrounds. Diversity is a significant component of indigenous people's culture, tradition, and language. Understanding populations' history, trauma, and unique cultures are critical to preventing, supporting, and providing appropriate services. Using precise terms to explain, refer to or learn about a community can prevent stereotypes, encourage historical understanding and break barriers of negative connotations. In terms of how to call Native Americans, here in order is what they preferred to be contacted:
1. By their tribal affiliation
2. Indigenous
3. Native
Many Alaskan Natives and Hawaiian Indigenous get offended if you refer to them as Native Americans. The US Government usually uses the longer title of U.S. Natives, Alaska Indigenous, and Hawaiian Indigenous.
For more information: Click
For more information about Native American/Indigenous Peoples: Click
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Save the Date
The Native American Retreat this year will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at St. Bede Catholic Church. More information to come!
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