Giving
programs supported by the bishop's lenten appeal
Vocations
The BLA currently supports 37 seminarians with room, board, tuition and health care expenses as they prepare to one day serve our parishes and ministries. The Office of Vocations coordinates awareness and discernment groups that assist men and women considering a religious vocation. Additionally, the BLA provides funding for the permanent diaconate program, and for active and retired priests. In January 2011, the diocese ordained 10 Permanent Deacons who now are serving our diocese.
Office for Family Life,Young Adults and College Campus Ministries
The Office for Family Life supports ministries and programs that serve parishes, young adults and families throughout the diocese. These programs include: Gabriel Project, Project Rachel, Marriage Preparation, Marriage Enrichment, Theology on Tap, and Respect Life Programs. The Tribunal Office is a healing ministry that examines petitions for annulment.
SPIRITUALITY CENTER
The diocesan Spiritual Center is a serene and peaceful retreat complex in White Post, VA offering a venue for a wide variety of retreats and days of reflection for groups and individuals seeking spiritual renewal and growth in the faith.
eVANGELIZATION EFFORTS
This program area includes ecumenical outreach, support of our Dominican Republic Mission Parishes, the Peace and Justice Commission, INOVA Hospital Ministry and campus ministry programs at George Mason University, Marymount University and Mary Washington University.
Spanish Apostolate and Diocesan Multi-cultural Ministries
The Spanish Apostolate encourages and evangelizes the Hispanic population and/or Spanish speaking Catholics in our diocese. 36 parishes now offer Sunday Mass in Spanish. The Office of Multicultural Ministries serves the pastoral needs of the various ethnic communities within our diocese.
DIOCESAN/PARISH LAND ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT
The diocese acquires land that is granted to new parishes upon their founding.
Catholic Charities, Victim Assistance and Other Charitable Works
Adoption, Foster Care, Counseling, Crisis Pregnancy Services, Elderly Services, Services for the Disabled. Prison Ministry, Transitional Housing Services, Refugee Support, Christ House on Wheels and Emergency Assistance programs are some of the programs coordinated by Catholic Charities.
Youth Ministry, Catholic Schools and Religious Education
These programs help people in their Catholic faith formation. Our Office of Youth Ministry provides direction and guidance to parents, pastors, principals and parish youth ministers as they provide spiritual guidance to young people. Our Office of Catholic Schools provides support to principals, teachers, nurses, counselors, coaches and school staff so that students are offered an exceptional academic curriculum in a Christ-centered environment. Our Office of Catechetics works with parishes to assist and guide them in their religious education programs for children, teenagers and adults.
Parish Programs and Other Services
Programs and offices assisting 68 parishes, 6 missions and more than 3,000 parish, school and diocesan employees which include support of liturgical issues, parish financial guidance and audits, human resource and employee benefit programs.
CHANCERY OFFICES AND THE VIRGINIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
The BLA funds chancery offices that assist the Bishop as he leads our parishes and the diocese. Additionally, the BLA supports the Virginia Catholic Conference, which represents the public policy interests of the two Catholic Bishops in Virginia.
pARISH AND DIOCESAN FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS
The BLA provides support for the diocesan programs and ministries, while the Parish Offertory Program helps parishes address their pastoral needs. The Communications Office assists in media relations, Bishop Loverde’s Regional meetings and other diocesan external interactions.
AND MANY MORE PROGRAMS AND MINISTRIES SERVING PARISHES AND PARISHIONERS THROUGHOUT OUR DIOCESE
