Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington

01/03/2023

"Through Catholic Charities and the many ministries of our parishes, may we continue to reach out to our vulnerable neighbors."

Read Bishop Burbidge's statement below:

STATEMENT BY BISHOP MICHAEL BURBIDGE FOR POVERTY AWARENESS MONTH:

The land will never lack for needy persons; that is why I command you: “Open your hand freely to your poor and to your needy kin in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11)

"Each January, we observe Poverty Awareness Month as a way to bring light to those who are in desperate need of fundamental human necessities, often left to suffer in the shadows of society.

In Virginia alone, more than 10% of our population lives in poverty. These brothers and sisters ─ often joined by their children ─ may even be homeless, living in their cars or on the streets. They are hungry for food, and desperate to keep safe and away from the elements. Through Catholic Charities and the many ministries of our parishes, may we continue to reach out to our vulnerable neighbors. May we help them experience Christ's healing and consolation, especially in their times of struggle and need. Finally, may each of us consider a new way in which we might support a local charity that serves the poor, ensuring them of our care."

https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/bishop/public-messages/2023/statement-from-bishop-michael-f-burbidge-in-recognition-of-poverty-awareness-month/

12/31/2022

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon dear Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI!

"I respectfully ask all in the Diocese of Arlington to unite in prayer as we mourn the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. May we give thanks to God for his example and witness and pray for his eternal peace and happiness.

Born Joseph Ratzinger, he served the Church faithfully and generously for more than 70 years as a priest, bishop, cardinal and pope. He was an influential figure at the Second Vatican Council and served as one of Pope Saint John Paul II's closest collaborators before being elected pope himself in 2005. A devoted student of the Word of God and steeped in the Church's liturgical and theological tradition, he was able to engage the modern world with intellectual clarity and pastoral charity. The breadth and depth of his teachings have inspired many and are already considered part of the Church's patrimony. May the Lord grant to this good shepherd eternal rest and abundant reward for his labors."

— Bishop Michael F. Burbidge

12/27/2022

As 2022 draws to a close – and our Christmas celebration continues – you can assist those in need through the ministries of Catholic Charities in our diocese. With your end-of-year gift, you make it possible for us to:

• Help women, couples, and families whose lives are impacted by unexpected pregnancy, parenting in a crisis situation, or those wanting to grow their family or place their child through adoption
• Prevent homelessness by offering financial assistance to help people avoid eviction or keep on their utilities
• Provide quality health care to uninsured and under-insured adults
• Collect and distribute food to hungry individuals and families
• Offer shelter, workforce training, and other services to homeless mothers and their children
• Provide food to vulnerable neighbors, and shelter, workforce development, and other services to homeless men
• Assist newcomers in securing housing, employment, education, and other services

Thank you for answering Christ's call to serve our vulnerable brothers and sisters.
Go to ccda.net to give.

12/22/2022

Have you marked your calendar?
Feb. 10, 2023 is the date of the Catholic Charities Ball, which for more than 40 years has been raising money to support our mission of serving the poor, protecting the vulnerable, and welcome the newcomer.
Find out more about sponsoring a table or reserving your spot here: https://www.ccda.net/support-us/catholic-charities-ball/

12/21/2022

We each have a story to tell. As we prepare to celebrate the greatest story ever told, our elders at our St. Martin de Porres Senior Center enjoyed sharing their stories this week at the annual Christmas party, with Catholic Charities President/CEO Stephen Carattini, St. Martin's director Anne Coyne, and others. St. Martins has served our elderly neighbors in Alexandria for 45 years.
Learn more: https://www.ccda.net/seniorservices/

12/16/2022

Our Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinics in Manassas and Woodbridge rely on volunteers - doctors, nurses, physical therapists, dieticians, administrative assistants and many others - to help us provide high quality healthcare to men and women with no or not enough insurance. Catholic Charities President/CEO Stephen Carattini, Mother of Mercy clinic director Alexandra Luevano, Clinical Director Dr. Michael Horne joined some of those volunteers at an Advent celebration where we shared our gratitude for their service. Learn more about the clinic and how you can volunteer at ccda.net/mercyclinic

12/15/2022

ISO: Family Reunification Therapist

You could make a difference in the lives of young unaccompanied children who are reuniting with their families or sponsors.

The Family Reunification Therapist of the Catholic Charities Diocese of the Arlington (CCDA) is responsible for providing therapeutically intensive services to unaccompanied children reuniting with sponsors. This professional works with unaccompanied children identified as Level 3 cases. Level 3 cases consist of clients who have been identified as requiring intensive services – mental health assessment due to traumatic experiences, diagnosed mental health by previous clinicians and supporting the client in adjusting to their new placement with the sponsor. After supporting the family with intensive counseling services, the case would be transferred to a post-release family reunification case manager that will continue monitoring the client’s well-being in their placement environment.

Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eqS43PCM

12/15/2022

Three-hundred-sixty-five days a year (!) we rely on volunteers from Catholic Diocese of Arlington parishes and community groups to help us operate Catholic Charities Christ House, with its food pantry, evening meal, men's transitional housing and emergency assistance program that serve our neighbors in need.
Last weekend, right before Gaudete Sunday parochial vicar Fr. Ed Bresnahan joined Catholic Charities President/CEO Stephen Carattini, and staff members Sister Annie Juan, John Croft, and Vince Cannava to celebrate - rejoicing with few of our amazing volunteers who make this work possible.

12/12/2022

On behalf of the poor and vulnerable neighbors throughout whom we serve everyday, deeps thanks to all who participated in the Catholic Charities Parish Christmas Collection. If you haven't made a gift, there's still time. https://secure2.ccda.net/Give/Give/Christmas_Collection/Christmas_Collection.aspx

12/09/2022

In your charity, please remember Catholic Charities in this weekend's Parish Christmas Collection so we may continue to serve our vulnerable neighbors, young and old, living within . https://secure2.ccda.net/Give/Give/Christmas_Collection/Christmas_Collection.aspx

12/08/2022

We're so thankful to the students at Basilica School of Saint Mary for 800 pounds of hygiene donations for our Mobile Response Center ministry.

12/07/2022

Your charity makes Catholic Charities possible.

This weekend (and always) your charity will continue to make Catholic Charities possible. https://mailchi.mp/arlingtondiocese/ccda-christmas-collection-2022

As Catholics, we rejoice because of all God has given us. Out of gratitude, we bring the love of Jesus to our neighbors in need. Supporting the Catholic Charities Parish Christmas Collection does just that.

12/05/2022

What a day that was! Along with 26 others...
We're looking back with gratitude to Thanksgiving when Catholic Charities President and CEO Stephen Carattini (right) joined Chef Sergio Mueller (second from right) and other generous volunteers at Christ House in Alexandria to serve 110 Thanksgiving meals to homeless neighbors and others in need. Chef Sergio has been preparing Thanksgiving meal at Christ House for the last 27 years!

11/29/2022

Your gift can help us serve our neighbors in need: $25 to provide baby supplies to an expectant mother in need; $75 to feed a family of three for one week; $100 to keep a family's home heat on; $500 to pay a family's rent to avoid eviction: https://secure2.ccda.net/Give/Give/Giving_Tuesday/Giving_Tuesday.aspx

11/29/2022

Climb the Lord's Mountain -- Prepare the Way | Week 1

Advent is now upon us - how are we preparing the way? Watch week one of this beautiful series featuring priests, religious, and lay people from throughout Catholic Diocese of Arlington.

11/29/2022

Catholic Charities of Catholic Diocese of Arlington serves the poor, protects the vulnerable and welcomes the newcomer - 365 days a year. Today, on , you can help spread the love and light of Christ by making a donation to help our neighbors in need.

https://secure2.ccda.net/Give/Give/Giving_Tuesday/Giving_Tuesday.aspx

11/28/2022

Tomorrow is 2022, but you don't have to wait until then to support our work. Give now! https://secure2.ccda.net/Give/Give/Giving_Tuesday/Giving_Tuesday.aspx

11/23/2022

It’s the eve of Thanksgiving at Christ House and we’re serving the Evening Meal to hungry neighbors as we do every night, 365 days a year. Tonight Catholic Diocese of Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge joined parishioners from St. Luke and handed out freshly cooked ham, potatoes and a veggie medley, apple pie, snacks, drink and warm socks and other necessities.
Together we shared the love of Christ tonight.
Arlington Catholic Herald

11/23/2022

Getting ready for the feast! Special thanks to our friends Christine Payne, Our Lady of Hope Women's group, with her husband Richard, for delivering pies to Christ House, which we’ll be serving at the Evening Meal this Thanksgiving eve and Thanksgiving Day. God bless them!

11/18/2022

At Thanksgiving — the robustly American tradition of a day dedicated to gratitude, complemented by bountiful meals and gathered relatives — it’s not difficult for immigrants and those in need to feel excluded. But in Catholic Diocese of Arlington, numerous parishes are working with Catholic Charities to give more people a place at the holiday table.

Read the whole article in the Arlington Catholic Herald
https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/parishes/ukrainian-afghan-refugees-welcomed-for-first-thanksgiving-at-parishes/

11/13/2022

The Mercy Van: Going Out to Reach the Poor

"It's about helping people with their own dignity and doing little things to try and make things easier." The Mercy Van, a mobile response center, is designed to bring services such as non-food items out to communities that don't have easy access to local services or any of the Catholic Charities programs. Watch the video or visit www.ccda.net to learn more!

11/11/2022

Who doesn't like lasagna?!
We've been serving the Evening Meal at Christ House 365 days a year for almost 50 years. And we love it when our diocesan students and staff, likes the good folks at , roll up their sleeves and bring on a really good one for our neighbors in need. This week, they served up lasagna, salad, rolls, and more! We're so grateful!

11/10/2022

Thanksgiving is a couple weeks away, but this week at Christ House in Old Town Alexandria we've begun distributing turkeys and all the trimmings in meal bags lovingly prepared by the students at Immanuel Lutheran School and other friends.
We're so grateful to our parishes and community partners - schools, churches and businesses who generously provide food to feed our neighbors in need.

11/09/2022

There's joy to found in open adoption - listen to this birth mother tell her story.
Learn more about our Pregnancy and Adoption Services.

11/04/2022

Tens of thousands of our neighbors in Catholic Diocese of Arlington don’t have enough food to eat. Together we can make sure they do.
Consider serving at one of our pantries, contribute to an upcoming St. Lucy Project parish food drive, send food via our Amazon wish list, or donate to support this mission. https://www.ccda.net/give-help/donate-and-distribute-food/

11/01/2022

On this glorious feast of we think of the many saints throughout history who shared the Gospel through their love for the poor. Here are just three of our favorite (canonized) saints. Who are yours?

10/26/2022

A test of faith at Falls Church trivia night - Arlington Catholic Herald

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Game night at St. James Catholic Church tested Catholic knowledge while affirming community's big commitment to serving the poor and vulnerable through Catholic Charities Mercy Van.

Trivia Night at St. James Church in Falls Church was a real test of faith.

10/25/2022

Tonight at Christ House, Old Town Alexandria, assisted by parish and community volunteers, we're providing dinner to homeless neighbors and others in need, as we do every evening, 365 days a year, for almost 50 years. ccda.net

10/25/2022

Tonight at Christ House, Old Town Alexandria, assisted by parish and community volunteers, we're providing dinner to homeless neighbors and others in need, as we do every evening, 365 days a year, for almost 50 years. ccda.net

10/19/2022

Hebrews 13 tells us never to neglect hospitality to strangers, for by it we may be entertaining “angels unawares.” Today on a visit with Justice for Immigrants, we stopped by the lovely sculpture of the same name on the grounds of . Just last month we gave a miniature version of this sculpture to Bishop Michael Burbidge for his leadership and support of service to migrants and refugees. Pictures here are Stephen Carattini, Catholic Charities President /CEO, Jessica Estrada, Director of Newcomer Services, and CFO Matthew Zimmerman.

10/12/2022

Thank you Accenture and 1 Journey Festival for volunteering your time and some ace job mentoring this week. They joined our Migration and Refugee Services staff and helped our refugee clients, including three Ukrainian doctors, develop U.S. style resumes, LinkedIn profiles and career guidance that will enable them and their families to thrive!
We can do so much good for each other when we work together.

10/11/2022

"Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
But as to what is within, give alms,
and behold, everything will be clean for you.” From today's Gospel. LK 11:37-41

Catholic Charities offers many opportunities to "give alms." One way is to participate in our St. Lucy Food Project Fall Harvest Food Drive, happening at parishes throughout Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Find an upcoming food and hygiene drive: https://www.ccda.net/give-help/donate-and-distribute-food/

09/27/2022

“When you are called from your prayers or the Eucharistic celebration to serve the poor, you lose nothing, since to serve the poor is to go to God. You must see God in the faces of the poor.” St. Vincent de Paul, pray for us!

09/27/2022

"When you are called from your prayers or the Eucharistic celebration to serve the poor, you lose nothing, since to serve the poor is to go to God. You must see God in the faces of the poor." St. Vincent de Paul, pray for us!

09/26/2022

After a fun week that included immigration workshops, office blessings, refugee simulations, an Afghan cooking class, soccer games and more, we capped off our National Migration Week observance with a beautiful World Day of Migrants and Refugees Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at St. Ann Parish, Arlington, which was also celebrating its 75th anniversary.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge recalled meeting two young Afghan refugees at the Woodbridge MRS office blessing.
“‘This is the first time I have met the Catholic Church and I have met love," one of the brothers told the Bishop. "'We were welcomed and treated compassionately and our hearts are full.'"
“Isn’t that what it means to be a follower of Christ?" Bishop Burbidge asked the congregation.
St. Ann is yet another Catholic Diocese of Arlington that is so involved in helping our local church welcome newcomers. We're grateful for the parish's long-standing support of migrants and refugees- including the jubilee sheets and towels collection to

09/24/2022

Happening now! Soccer and fun with our newcomer neighbors from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Come out and celebrate with us!

09/23/2022

Oh this is it! Your chance to test your Church knowledge and shine (humbly!) Round up your (smart!) friends for a fun evening of Catholic trivia at in Falls Church! The Oct. 21 event will benefit homeless people and other vulnerable neighbors served by our Mercy Van (aka Mobile Response Center) - price of admission: one hygiene pack. Details and registration at stjamescatholic.org