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OEM December 2023
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!
As Catholics from diverse cultures and communities, we have different traditions that adorn this time of year for us and our families. Underlining these customs and traditions are the fundamental tenets of charity and hospitality. Tenets that become part of and infuse with grace the journey of vigilance and waiting during this time of Advent. Pope Francis said:
“It is with this expectation filled with affection that we also want to prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus: at Christmas, which we will celebrate in a few weeks; at the end of time, when He will return in glory; every day, as He comes to meet us in the Eucharist, in His Word, in our brothers and sisters, especially those most in need.
So, in a special way during these weeks, let us prepare the house of the heart with care, so that it is orderly and hospitable. In fact, keeping watch means keeping the heart ready. It is the attitude of the sentinel, who in the night is not tempted by weariness, does not fall asleep, but remains awake awaiting the coming light. The Lord is our light and it is good to dispose the heart to welcome him with prayer and to host him with charity, the two preparations that, so to speak, make him comfortable. In this regard, the story goes that Saint Martin of Tours, a man of prayer, after giving half of his cloak to a poor man, dreamed of Jesus clad in that very part of the cloak he had given. Here is a good program for Advent: to encounter Jesus coming in every brother and sister who needs us and to share with them what we can: listening, time, concrete assistance.”
To read more: Click
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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The Diocesan Pastoral Center celebrated All Souls Day or Día de los Muertos on the first and second of November. The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed is as old as the Church itself and is celebrated in various ways in different cultures. The altar was decorated with photos and various objects representing the lives, achievements, and works of the people who have passed from this life to the next. The book of the dead was present where many wrote the names of their family, friends, and loved ones with messages of hope and love. At the All Souls Day Mass in the chapel, the book was placed in front of the ambo, and prayers were said for all the souls in Purgatory during the intercessions. In commemorating loved ones who have passed away, here are two testimonies from people who found the experience very healing. | | | |
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Stephen DeMauri
I am an adult convert from Protestant Christianity to Catholic Christianity. I appreciate that the Catholic Church affirms the benefit of praying to help souls in Purgatory attain the state of eternal joy with God in Heaven through the grace poured out through the Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a reminder of the thin veil between this world and eternity and that, through the communion of the members of the body of Christ, we can still demonstrate love to departed souls by praying for their eternal union with God.
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Bridget Farmer
My aunt Mary Ann passed away three years ago. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to say goodbye to her before she passed. Being able to honor her by writing her name in the book of the dead was a cathartic experience. I’m touched that we were able to come together in remembering our loved ones as a community.
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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 / Français
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From the Desk of Fr. Tochi Iwuji | | |
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Prepare in Hope and Faith; Advent is here…
“God is Light; in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 Jn. 1:5). God the Father Who is Light, Holiness, and Truth in all its fullness decided in love to intervene on our behalf to deliver us from darkness through His Son.
Advent means “Coming” so it is a time for us to prepare for the coming of the light into the world, Christ who was like us in all things except sin. My dear friends, Advent becomes a time of reflection when we look into our lives and acknowledge the areas in darkness that keep us bound. As a matter of fact, during Advent, we ask ourselves these challenging questions: Whose side am I? How can I become the light manifesting the goodness of God in a concrete way?
As St. John echoes “God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:16), Advent helps us to prepare for the celebration of the manifestation of God’s love at Christmas. We prepare ourselves morally and spiritually on the first Sunday of Advent at the beginning of the Church’s Liturgical Year. We purify ourselves and allow the Father to draw us closer into His embrace.
May we prepare for the coming of the newborn King with humility so that we can receive and enjoy all the blessings He will give us.
Happy Advent to you all.
Fr. Tochi Iwuji, STL
Director, Office for Black Catholics
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To read the article in The Catholic Virginian: Click | | |
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The Office of Asian Ministry is proud to present this year’s Simbang Gabi schedule of Novena Masses throughout the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.
For a Simbang Gabi Novena Mass in your area: Click
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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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Cha Kevin Segerblom, cha sở Nhà thờ Thánh An-rê (St. Andrew Catholic Church) ở Roanoke và là Đại diện Giám mục cho phía Tây của Giáo phận, thông báo rằng giáo xứ của ngài có dâng Thánh lễ Việt Nam vào Chủ nhật thứ ba hàng tháng. Ngoài ra còn có các thánh lễ hàng tháng khác trong toàn giáo phận bằng tiếng Việt. Chi tiết sẽ thông báo sau!
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. 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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Native American Retreat 2023 | | |
To read about the retreat: Click | | |
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Tekakwitha Conference 2024
From June 3-7, 2024, the Tekakwitha Conference will be held in our Region (1) at the Greater Raleigh Convention Center. More information to come!
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The Feast of St. Kateri
The Feast of St. Kateri Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. More information to come!
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