As couples or friends, we find that our hearts expand as we step out of ourselves and embrace others.
-Pope Francis
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish has many opportunities for you to get involved with volunteer activities, fellowship, community service, and the practice of our Catholic faith. We invite you to become a member of at least one of our parish organizations.
SERVE
Serve During the Liturgy
Ushers extend hospitality to other parishioners during the Mass. They assist others in finding a seat, take up the offertory collections, and are a visible sign of leadership in the community.
-Currently on Hold-
Lectors, or readers, vocalize the Sacred Scripture of the Old and New Testament during Mass.
The Altar Guild is a dedicated group of women and men who are committed to the service of God by beautifying the Church. They maintain the sanctuary and sacristy, care for sacred vessels, linens, candles, liturgical decorations used at the altar and tabernacle, priests' garments, and respond to special requests of our priests. They arrange flowers weekly at the altar and tabernacle, and care for the green plants and flowers in the grotto. The Altar Guild works in teams each weekend to prepare for Saturday and Sunday Masses. It is a beautiful way to serve Our Lord and meet other parishioners.
Serving at the altar is one of the oldest ministries of the Church, with roots dating back as far as the second century. Altar servers assist the priest at Mass with reverence, faithfulness, and love to offer an example of complete participation in the liturgy. Servers develop a sense of responsibility, dependability, and accountability through their commitment, and often find a life-long desire to serve the Church and people in need. Boys in third grade or older who have received First Holy Communion and regularly attend Mass are invited to join.
-Currently on Hold-
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to homebound parishioners and those in nursing homes.
-Currently on Hold-
Choral singing provides beauty, joy, comfort, inspiration, and musical prayer for our communal liturgies and parish celebrations. This is possible due to the generous sharing of time and talent of diverse and committed members. If you can carry a tune and want to learn, come sing with us!
Our Lady of Lourdes Choir sings at one of the Masses every Sunday and rehearses on Sunday morning.
Serve in the Parish Community
Our Religious Education Program is powered by volunteers who give of their time and talent on the weekends, educating our youth in the faith, and helping to prepare them for the Sacraments of Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation. Classes are currently taught both virtually and in person each Sunday with a once a month in-person Saturday gathering for each virtual class.
The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church. Its members serve the Church as voluntareers. The Legion was founded in 1921 in Dublin, Ireland, by the Catholic layman Frank Duff, and has today over three million active members in almost every country of the world. There are 10 million auxiliary members estimated worldwide.
Membership
The Legion of Mary is open to all Catholics who: Faithfully practice their religion; Are animated by the desire to participate in the Church's apostolate through membership in the Legion; Are prepared to fulfill each and every duty which active membership in the Legion involves.
Activities
The Legion is an extension of the heart and hands of the pastor.
Members become instruments of the Holy Spirit through a balanced program of prayer and service. They meet once a week for prayer, planning, and discussion in a family setting. Then they do two hours of definite work each week in pairs. Works include door-to-door evangelization, parishioner visitation, prison ministry, visitation of the sick or aged, religious education, visiting the newly baptized, Pilgrim Virgin Statue rotations, and serving the spiritual needs of the parish community. Legionaries are under the guidance of a spiritual director named by the pastor.
How to Start
The first step is to be a guest at a meeting of the Legion of Mary. Guests are always welcome and can go on work assignments with an experienced member if they choose.
Our Lady of Lourdes' Legion of Mary Mother of Divine Grace Praesidium
Wednesdays 7:30pm - 9:00 pm (via Zoom until further notice)
For more information, ask any member of the Legion of Mary or contact the Rectory Office.
The Knights of Columbus is the largest Catholic men's fraternal service organization in the world, dedicated to charity and service. The Knights seek to help men, their families and their parishes grow closer to Christ by providing opportunities to live and spread the Catholic faith in the local community.
At Our Lady of Lourdes, the St. Joseph the Worker Knights of Columbus Council #14516 serves the parish - and the larger community - by sponsoring parish activities. The Knights run the First Sunday Breakfasts, Spaghetti Dinners and Parish Picnics at Our Lady of Lourdes. The Knights also fundraise to support their charitable works and Catholic activities.
Coming soon!
The Pro-Life Group offers a weekly Rosary on Tuesdays at 7 PM, organizes a Christmas Giving Tree for Project Rachel/Project Gabriel and provides a visible witness of the pro-life message at the annual March for Life.
Serve in the Larger Community
-Currently on Hold-
Visit residents of the local nursing home on Thursdays.
Perhaps one of the longest standing ministries here at Our Lady of Lourdes, we have been involved with Meals on Wheels (MOW) for over 30 years. Our Parish supplies drivers and helpers for MOW. Delivery takes place in South Arlington once a month (the 3rd Monday of the month), between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Meals are prepared by Arlington County, and complete directions for your route are provided. We currently need volunteers to fill in when the regulars go on vacation, doctor appointments, etc.
BE SERVED
Spiritual Care Ministries
Bishop Burbidge has given permission for priests to make visits to the homebound as long as they observe COVID-19 guidelines. If you are a homebound parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes who would like a priest to bring you Holy Communion or to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, or if you know of someone who may be interested in a visit, please contact the parish office at 703-684-6261 or [email protected].
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington provides comprehensive assistance to anyone who was sexually assaulted as a minor by a priest, deacon, teacher, employee, or representative of the diocese. Parents, guardians, children, and survivors of sexual abuse are invited and encouraged to contact the diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator, who will provide support, consultation, and referrals. The Catholic Diocese of Arlington is committed to assisting victims/survivors throughout the healing process. For further information, visit www.arlingtondiocese.org/Child-Protection.
Our parish is developing a ministry of prayer. Anyone who has an immediate need for prayer is encouraged to call Eileen at (703) 521-0079. The need/intention (no name or personal details of the intention will be revealed) will be passed on to a group of people who are willing to pray for that intention for the next three days. With the help of Our Lady of Lourdes, these prayers will strengthen both those who are prayed for and those who pray.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Religious Education For Students (K12) and Preschool Children
Please see the "Religious Education" Page
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: Adult Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation
Our 2020-21 course of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) has begun! Classes are held on Monday nights from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Parish Hall. A special invitation is extended to all adults who would like to become Catholic and to adult Baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation. Sacraments will be conveyed during the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday, April 3, 2021.
Invited are...
Those who have never been baptized but who are now being led by God to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) in His Holy Catholic Church
Those who were baptized in another faith tradition but who are now being led by God to the fullness of truth and life in His Holy Catholic Church
Those who were baptized in the Catholic Church, but not raised in it, and who are now being led by God to learn their faith and to complete their initiation in His Holy Catholic Church; or,
Those who were fully initiated in the faith of the Catholic Church but who, for one reason or another, abandoned the practice of their Catholic Faith and who are now being led by God to return to His Holy Catholic Church and the reception of the Sacraments.
Also invited, practicing Catholics who...
Wish to deepen their own faith;
Wish to support by prayer, penance, and presence those who will enter or return to the Church; and/or
Wish to be available to act as a sponsor for someone entering or returning to the Church.
Adult Education Series
Note: Adult Education courses are on hold until further notice.
Our Lady of Lourdes conducts Adult Education courses on spiritual topics throughout the academic year. Sessions meet two Sunday per month at 9:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Open to all, no registration required, coffee and pastries served! Check this space for upcoming courses and dates. For more information, please contact our Director of Religious Education at [email protected].
We are excited to announce an Adult Education class for our community will begin in early 2021 and take place the 2nd Tuesday of each month! The first class will take place on Tuesday, January 12th in OLOL Hall at 7pm. All parishioners are invited! Please contact the DRE with questions, or if you would like to be sent an invitation to join the class virtually.
FELLOWSHIP
Fellowship
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!