Archdiocese of Military Service

Thank you for your generosity during these challenging economic times. Find resources for promoting the collections at the following links: USCCB Collections and Collections not managed by the USCCB.

For questions regarding accounting for National Collections, contact Adrienne Willich, Executive Director of Parish and School Financial Operations, at willicha@adw.org.

The Cathedral Parish of St. Matthew the Apostle celebrates with you as you plan for your child’s baptism! Baptism preparation now can be completed online using Baptism MATTERS from Renew International. To sign up, parents and godparents seeking preparation should email the Baptism Coordinator, L.J. Milone. Read more about Baptism MATTERS.

Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center is providing virtual retreats so that you can connect with others and feed your soul. Currently, these programs are being offered at no cost, and a suggested donation of only $75 per person is greatly appreciated.

Click below to find more information and upcoming dates. Learn More

Catholic Charities ADW is seeking volunteers for many different projects this summer! Here are some ways you can get involved, both individually and with a group:

St. Maria’s Meals is back! Every Tuesday in Temple Hills and Wednesday in downtown DC, Catholic Charities volunteers and staff members provide individuals and families with hot meals. Sign up on our event calendar: https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/volunteercalendar/

Food Distributions: Throughout the summer, we will help deliver food items at St. Bernard in Riverdale, MD every other Tuesday. Learn more and sign up on our event calendar!

Prepare and deliver a meal for 20 people at Dorothy Day Place in Rockville, any night of the week! Signing up to cook a meal helps staff focus on other priorities such as clinical work and employment services: http://bttr.im/80hmc

Sign up for a year of service with Catholic Charities through AmeriCorps or Capuchin Franciscan Corps!

·        Financial Stability AmeriCorps

·        Nutrition Education AmeriCorps

·        Volunteer Office VISTA

·        Volunteer Medical Clinic VISTA

·        Capuchin Corps Volunteer in Volunteer Office, Spanish Catholic Center, or                 Medical Clinic

You can learn more on our Volunteer Homepage: https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/volunteer/

Coordinate bimonthly virtual mock interviews for adults with intellectual disabilities participating in Catholic Charities Maryland Employment Program. This is a great opportunity for your office to commit to volunteering! Contact Claire.Sanfilippo@cc-dc.org to learn more!

Design your own group project! Complete an interest form, and we will work with you to create a project which matches your group’s interests and availability: http://bttr.im/dn82w

Catholic Charities Legal Network counsels and provides legal representation to low- income and poor residents throughout the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. and relies heavily on volunteer lawyers to fulfill its mission. If you are a lawyer in active status who wants to make a real difference in the lives of families and individuals struggling in our community, please reach out to Dan Collopy at (301) 615-0949 or daniel.collopy@cc-dc.org to discuss how you can help. The Legal Network handles most civil practice areas and criminal expungements.

The Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese has thoughtful information for Catholics considering cremation of the body. “The Church earnestly recommends the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed, it does not however, forbid cremation unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching" (Canon 1176). The Church allows for cremation of the body, providing that those making that decision are not doing so because they fear the body is lost forever and has no future together again with the immortal soul. As the Catechism proclaims with joyful hope: “we shall rise like Christ, with him, and through him” (CCC 995). The interment of cremated remains in sacred ground is a corporal work of mercy for the one who awaits the resurrection of the body in Christ. The Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Washington have burial sections, columbariums and mausoleum niches. For information on the Catholic way of death and burial and the decision to cremate, visit ccaw.org.

We have resumed our normal monthly schedule for Parish Briefings, which provides updates regarding events, cancellations, new resources, and other important announcements. If you would like to submit an announcement for Parish Briefings, please send your submission to venablev@adw.org monthly by the 20th at 12:00 Noon. Thank you.