ARTICLES

Comboni Sisters to end day care program

After 50 years of child day care service in the Richmond area, the Comboni Missionary Sisters will be closing the Holy Angels Day Care Center on May 30.

Holy Angels, located at 1307 Lakeside Ave. in the Lakeside area of Henrico County, is closing because of a shortage of vocations and because of stricter government regulations in day care operations.

The facility, built in 1959, was the first integrated child day care center in the Richmond area.

The Comboni Sisters will continue to own the brick one-story building and will rent the facility to an outside group. The building should work well for a senior center, child day care program or after school care, said Sister Mary Luz Aguilera.

The multi-purpose building, located near the intersection of Parham and Brook Roads, is approximately 3,500 square feet. It is currently configured with three large classrooms, or open folding partition for two large classrooms.

There are five rest rooms, a kitchen and office as well as storage space. In addition, there is a large outdoor play area which is completely fenced.

“The Comboni Sisters are very grateful to the parents and grandparents of the children who attended Holy Angels, for the opportunity to serve the community and to help prepare the children for life,” Sister Mary Luz told The Catholic Virginian.

“They thank all those who so generously supported the day care over the years,” she added.

“The Sisters will continue the mission of St. Daniel Comboni (founder of the religious community) to serve the neediest.”

The Comboni Missionary Sisters, formerly known as the Missionary Sisters of Verona, first established their apostolate in Richmond in October 1950 when four sisters arrived.

They previously operated a day care program at Holy Rosary parish in Richmond’s Church Hill neighborhood and the former St. Gerard Home for Unwed Mothers in South Richmond.

Any inquiries about the building should be directed to Larry Phillips, at 804–405–0200.

back to top