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 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm 

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.

Email the Knights

OLOL Helping Hands is a small but agile team of volunteers that runs parish food drives and supports Catholic Charities' Migration and Refugee Services (MRS). We collect and deliver nonperishable food to Christ House on a bi-monthly basis. We've also begun our work with MRS by holding a drive to support a new refugee family from Afghanistan. Opportunities to help are sketched out below. Come join us! Food drives We need periodic help moving food from the church vestibule to the Parish Hall. Every two months, we deliver food to Christ House in Alexandria. Drivers and nondrivers are welcome. Migration and Refugee Services Right now, we're considering what next steps to take as a parish to support MRS. Ideas under consideration include: Join another parish for an MRS drive to outfit incoming refugee families (be the lead parish) Gather a team of parishioners to be available to help with an apartment setup near Landmark Center, provide a hot meal, meet an incoming family at the airport, etc. Spanish speakers are needed to help make phone calls Offer a refugee simulation program - teach about the refugee experience (one hour zoom simulation hosted by MRS) Do furniture refurbishing - have a goal (eg - refurbish a table & chairs per quarter) MRS can pick up furniture Do a gently used winter coats + new scarves/gloves/hats drive Do a school supplies and backpacks drive Contact Donna for more information: [email protected]