St. Andrew the Apostle Parish: Grounded in Prayer

By Stephanie Tracy
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 8/29/02)

Set back from the winding path of Union Mill Road on property carved out of a densely wooded area in the middle of the growing Centreville/Clifton region, St. Andrew the Apostle Parish provides a place of focus and spiritual refreshment.

Father Jerome Fasano, pastor, sees the diversity of St. Andrew’s as one of the key factors that draws people from as far as an hour away to attend liturgies and events.

"We have everything here from a silent Mass, to high-quality contemporary liturgy, to a Latin Mass, to the common denominator Mass that you find everywhere," Father Fasano said. "It’s that diversity in liturgical choice that draws people here."

Four years ago the parish was forced to close open registration due to the influx of people attending services. The parish population now numbers close to 10,000.

Other activities and devotions outside of liturgical celebrations are also an attractive force, Father Fasano said.

Parishioners participate in a weekly novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Pio of Pietralcina on Wednesday nights in addition to the recitation of the Rosary and celebration of a Latin Mass.

During the week, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed between the two morning Masses, and the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy are prayed daily as well. A grotto outside the main entrance to the church is dedicated to the Schoenstatt devotion; the sanctuary to Our Lady attracts children from the school as well as visitors.

Founded in 1989 with Msgr. John P. Hannan as the first pastor, St. Andrew’s experienced incredible growth in its first years, as well as remarkable debt. Parishioners celebrated their first Masses at Centreville High School until the church and parish facilities were built in 1993. When the church and the school were opened, the parish faced a debt of almost $6 million.

Another special mark of St. Andrew’s Parish is the generosity of the people.

"The parish’s generosity is remarkable," Father Fasano said. "What was almost a $6 million debt has now been brought down to almost $2 million."

In addition to supporting the financial needs of the parish itself, St. Andrew’s parishioners are known for their generous support of various charities. Poor box donations are earmarked for different charities each week, and the parish is actively involved in supporting parishes in Siberia and Peru.

An active Knights of Columbus council, Legion of Mary, pro-life group and school community also add to the high level of outreach activity at the parish.

St. Andrew School, with a population of 300 students, offers education for grades pre-K through 8. Phyllis Hammang, principal, characterized the school community.

"We have a very caring community here, one that is committed to the Catholic faith and service to others," Hammang said.

During the school year, students attend daily Mass twice per week. The entire school celebrates Mass together on Fridays; on other days of the week, classes are scheduled each day in pairs according to a buddy system. A school-wide respect program rewards students for acts of kindness and respect. Students are given a gold coin in recognition of a kind act; accumulated coins are then redeemed for holy cards or statues of saints.

On a monthly basis, school children participate in a food and clothing drive for the Crusader Cupboard, sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Despite closing its boundaries, St. Andrew’s continues to grow in numbers, averaging 40 to 50 new Catholics brought into the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults each year. St. Andrew’s also boasts a large number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

A votive Mass is offered each week for the intention of an increase in vocations. It is a custom Father Fasano has instituted at each of his parish assignments since becoming a priest. The added prayer seems to be paying off, Father Fasano said.

"We’ve noticed a dramatic increase in vocations since we began the votive Mass; several young men and women have entered the seminary or religious life, respectively, in the last few years," he said.

At a Glance:

Pastor:

Fr. Jerome W. Fasano

Parochial Vicars:

Fr. Joseph J. Clark

Fr. Lawrence M. Violette

DRE: Delores Nelson

Youth Minister: Greg Ostrand

Mass Schedule:

Saturday: 8:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m. (Vigil Mass)

Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.

Weekdays: Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday 7 p.m. (Latin)

Holy Days: As announced

Confession: Saturday, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

School:

6720 Union Mill Road

Clifton, VA 20124

703/817-1774

Grades: Pre-K-8

Principal: Phyllis Hammang

Boundaries: Beginning at Rte. 29 at the Fairfax and Prince William Count lines, proceed south along the County line (Bull Run) to Popes Head Creek — North to Compton Rd. (including Balmoral of Clifton subdivision) east of the Balmoral of Clifton subdivision — East on Compton Rd. to Clifton Rd. — North on Clifton Rd. to Braddock Rd. — East on Braddock Rd. to Piney Branch Creek — follow Piney Branch Creek to intersection of Rte. 29 and Legato Rd. — West on Rte. 29 to the Fairfax and Prince William County line.

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