Bishop assembles care packages for the poor

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2018

 

ARLINGTON, Va. – On November 18th for World Day of the Poor, Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, along with volunteers from St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, will collect and pack basic seasonal needs such as toiletries, hygiene, laundry items, and a personalized note of encouragement, that will be distributed to the poor at Catholic Charities programs, including Christ House and the Mobile Response Center, refugee families and patients in need at the Mother of Mercy Free Clinic in Manassas. Bishop Burbidge will also be celebrating Mass that day at 9 a.m.

 

Details:

 

When:           Sunday, November 18th

 

Time:             10 a.m. (Mass begins at 9 am)

 

Where:         St. Ann Roman Catholic Church

 

                        5312 10TH Street North

 

                        Arlington

   

In a letter to the faithful, Bishop Burbidge said, in part, “There is poverty all around us.  Jesus himself tells us in Matthew’s Gospel: ‘The poor you will always have with you’ (Matthew 26:11). But, do we recognize them? Our Holy Father is calling us, as Jesus did, to hear and respond to the cry of the poor. How can we do this?  One way is to participate in parish ministries that directly serve the poor,” he said.

 

The event at St. Ann’s is one of several Catholic Charities is participating in around the Diocese in recognition of World Day of the Poor, including food drives and talks to encourage parishioners to volunteer to serve the poor.

   

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About Catholic Charities, Catholic Diocese of Arlington

 

Catholic Charities is the charitable arm of the Catholic Church in the 21 counties and seven cities of the Diocese of Arlington under the leadership of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. Catholic Charities serves the poor and vulnerable who live in the Diocese, whether they are Catholic or not. Catholic Charities services include food for the hungry, a free medical clinic, transformational housing for men and families, individual and family counseling, emergency financial aid, immigration and refugee services, job training and workforce development, prison ministry and former prisoner re-entry program.

 

Contact
Angela Pellerano, Director of Media Relations (703)-841-2517 (o) (571)-215-8731 (c) a.pellerano@arlingtondiocese.org