Community
St. John said that one cannot love God if one does not also love one's neighbor. The Sunday Mass, in which we adore Almighty God and receive his grace, is the center of our parish life, but what we receive is not meant to stay within the walls of the church. The organizations and committees of our parish have as their goal to give to others what we receive from God: namely charity. Whether you are a new to the OLV community or a long-time parishioner, we encourage you to learn about and get involved in these organizations and to participate in our parish-wide events.
Parish Council
The parish council is an institution that brings together lay people and the ordained who work jointly to build the parish as a living Christian community. Through reflection, prayer, planning, motivation, and support, the parish council is the place where those ministries or services that are needed for the growth of a living parish community are identified, encouraged, and evaluated on a regular basis. Thus the parish council must carefully consider the needs of the faithful and search within the community to recommend means that will adequately respond to these needs.
Finance Council
The finance council is a consultative body of lay persons established to advise the pastor in matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the parish. In fulfilling its responsibilities the finance council must be directed by the values of the Gospel as well as by good business practice. Efficient and effective use and management of parish resources must be measured as much by their contribution to parish mission and ministry as by commonly accepted business standards.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
Educational Endowment Fund
The fund was established to support and encourage the educational pursuits of the parish, including but not limited to spiritual and educational instruction, educational materials, religious instruction, resource teachers, scholarships, CCD programs, and teacher enrichment. An Advisory Board acts as an advisor to the pastor in administering the fund, and incidental thereto, to accept, manage, and disburse monies.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
In the R.C.I.A., (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) you will embark upon a nine-month journey of faith, fellowship, and prayer designed for adults who would like to learn (or even re-learn) the basic tenets of Catholicism in an atmosphere that is warm, supportive, and friendly. For some, this journey will take them to the Easter Vigil, where they will be welcomed into the full communion of the Roman Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
To Learn More or Sign Up
For more information, to find out what to expect as a participant, or to enroll, contact the rectory or email the Director of Religious Education.
Deo Gratias Concert SeriesCelebrating 100 years of grace by sharing God's gifts
In thanksgiving for God's generosity to Our Lady of Victory over the past century, we are celebrating our centennial year by giving back to those in need. Some of Washington's best musicians and singers will share their talents in The Deo Gratias ("Thank you God") concerts to benefit local charities like Veronica House (homeless women), the Welcome Home Program (prisoners returning to their communities), the OLV Chapter of the So ciety of St. Vincent de Paul (assistance to persons in financial need), and the OLV Home & School Assocciation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Washington DC, the John Warman Scholarship Fund (tuition assistance to young musicians entering Gonzaga High School), and the Jerris and Mariellen Leonard Scholarship for graduates of the Washington Jesuit Academy.
