Outreach

multicultural ministries

In 2004, Bishop Paul S. Loverde established the Office of Multicultural Ministries in the Diocese of Arlington as a response to the pastoral needs of the diocese and to the pastoral letter of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) entitled Welcoming the Stranger Among Us, Unity and Diversity. 

Catholic Diocese of Arlington

About the Office

The Office of Multicultural Ministries seeks to serve all ethnic communities located in the Diocese of Arlington and to serve as a resource to newcomers. We have assisted many immigrants within our diocese to join in parish and diocesan activities that are respectful to their cultures and enrich the lives of the immigrants within our Church. 

MULTICULTURAL NEWS

  • Pope Benedict XVI has established an Apostolic Exarchate for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in the United States this month and appointed its first bishop.  The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church is centered in southern India with as many as half a million faithful.  In the United States and Canada, it is estimated that there are approximately ten thousand Syro-Malankara Catholics.
  • The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has partnered with The Catholic University of America in developing a The American Catholic History Classroom.  The site provides free access to detailed primary documents showing the significant role of the Catholic Church in immigration issues in the United States over the last century.
  • The Ghana Catholic Community at Saint Anthony of Padua in Falls Church extends an open invitation to all to join in a nine day pilgrimage to Rome in November. Click here to view flyer.
  • Justice for Immigrants has developed a resource explaining the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' position on Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  This Parish Tool Kit is meant to educate, inform and assist you and your parish.

 

 

MULTICULTURAL SAINTS

 

upcoming EVENTS

  • The Catholic Heritage Festival is eager to support local catholic artisans, crafters and home-based businesses by showcasing them at this year's festival on Saturday, October, 2 at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville.  Please click here for additional information or to reserve a booth.
  • Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria will celebrate its 35th Annual International Festival on Monday, September 6.  This forum for food, faith, and fellowship will also raise funds for the parish Shepherd's Gate grant program, which supports local, national, and international community organizations that work for social justice. Click here for details.
  • *New* The Office of Black Catholics' Sisters in the Spirit hosts "He Touched Me" A celebration of the "Triumph of the Cross", September 11 from 9am to 3pm, in Washington DC.  Click here for more details.
  • The Catholic Diocese of Arlington's Peace and Justice Commission presents the 7th Annual Peace and Justice Commission Conference on the topic of Immigration Reform.  The event will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2010, from 9 AM until 1 PM at Saint John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston, VA. Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde will celebrate Mass.  Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, NY, and Former Chairman of the USCCB Migration Committee will be the featured speaker. 
  • The National Black Catholic Men's Conference will take place September 23-26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Visit www.bowmanfrancisministry.com or call 317-259-0144 for details. 
  • Saturday, October 2 marks our 2nd Annual Catholic Heritage Festival.  Join us from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville.  Celebrate with fellow Catholics of all ages and nationalities from across the Diocese with Mass, great food, games, music, sporting events, dancing and more.
  • The Brazilian Community will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Aparecida on October 11, 2010 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church. There will be a Mass and Rosary.  Brazilian Consular Services will be available throughout the afternoon. Click here to view flyers in English, Portuguese, or Spanish.  More details coming soon.


For a full listing of our upcoming events, and to find out more, please visit our calendar.

Visit here to learn more about our office and staff.