Local

St. Ambrose, a golden parish

Dave Borowski | Catholic Herald

St. Ambrose Church in Annandale is celebrating it its golden jubilee.

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After Mass June 18, clergy and worshippers leave the church for a reception in the St. Ambrose School cafeteria.

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The 50th Anniversary Mass begins June 18 at St. Ambrose Church in Annandale.

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St. Ambrose Church founding parishioners wait for a group photo prior to the 50th Anniversary Mass.

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Founding parishioner Agnes Cantwell, 95, said she was happy to be a part of the celebration.

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Many of the nearly 30 founding parishioners who returned to
St. Ambrose Church in Annandale June 18 for the parish’s 50th
anniversary Mass moved slowly, aided by wheelchairs, walkers
and canes.

When the parish was young, they witnessed their children’s
first Communions and weddings. Over 50 years of parish life,
they watched their children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren mark life’s milestones. The congregation
gathered first at Luther Jackson Middle School in Falls
Church, then the St. Ambrose School cafeteria, and eventually
in their new church.

The founders were special guests for the evening, with
reserved seating in the church and time set aside for taking
group photos.

“This is wonderful,” said Agnes Cantwell, 95. “I’m so happy I
could come.”

The church’s first choir director, Chuck Sanders, 85, said
it’s hard to believe that 50 years have passed.

Father Andrew J. Fisher, pastor, Father Charles C. Smith,
parochial vicar, Fairfax INOVA Chaplain Father Stefan P.
Starzynski and Deacon Ted Ostrom were led to the altar by
Knights of Columbus and Sovereign Military Order of Malta
honor guards.

Priests with special ties to St. Ambrose assisted in the
celebration, including Youth Apostle Father Peter W.
Nassetta, Franciscan Friar Father George Lewitt, Fathers
Christopher J. Pollard, James C. Hinkle and Steven R. Walker.
Also attending were diocesan seminarians Jeffrey Petroski and
Nicholas Schierer.

In his homily, Father Fisher spoke of the countless births,
first Communions, confirmations and weddings that have taken
place at St. Ambrose. He praised the closeness of the parish
family.

“You know every other parishioner,” he said. “People stop and
talk after Mass.”

Father Fisher said that Masses are packed with worshippers
and religious education classes are full, all signs of a
“special parish family.”

Father Fisher also spoke about the future of the parish.
After years of Fairfax County zoning hearings, final approval
was given by the county in February for church demolition and
new construction. The parish is close to raising the money
needed to break ground.

Father Fisher said the parish is celebrating the past half
century, “but now it’s our chapter.” He said the parish has
to get its hands dirty and start building the new church.

There was a reception in the school cafeteria after Mass,
where parishioners perused photos and reminisced about the
past 50 years.

Walter Jackson, a parishioner since 1987, photographed the
jubilee Mass for the parish.

“It’s a pleasure to see this turnout and the faces of those
who came back,” he said.

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