St. Ann Parish Builds for the Future

By Alfonso Aguilar
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 11/7/02)

The building-and-growing process has been one of the hallmarks in the history of St. Ann Parish in Arlington. This tradition will have a new chapter when a $6 million construction project gets under way at the end of this year or the beginning of the next.

Father William B. Schardt, pastor of this parish for the last 13 years, said that they are just waiting for the approval from local authorities.

"It is very likely that we will begin the renovation and construction this year, and conclude in approximately 14 months," said Father Schardt, avoiding terms like "destruction" or "demolition" to refer to the renovation project that will change the image and life at this parish.

St. Ann Parish was founded in 1947 and officially dedicated in 1949. The first pastor was Father Dixon Beattie. He served until retirement in 1968 and died in 1971.

The parish school was the first in the then-Diocese of Richmond. It currently has 250 students from pre-school to grade 8. It operates in three buildings and its principal is Sally Berra. The well-equipped school is "dedicated to creating a strong foundation of math, reading and creative writing skills as well as a bedrock of faith," said the school’s official school’s brochure.

The new church will have two floors connected to the parish hall. The lower floor will be used for offices and will include a multi-use meeting room. The upper floor will host the new church with a seating capacity for 800, a chapel for 100, a sacristy and new restrooms.

"One of the best things about the new church is that it can accommodate all our parishioners in just one section, and not in three separated sections given the cruciform shape, or T-shape of the current one," said Father Schardt, who was ordained in 1975 for this diocese.

The new chapel will be used for daily Mass, weddings and funeral services. The multi-use meeting room will alleviate the need for more space for religious and social activities organized by the multicultural parish groups.

Architect Peter A. Juanpere of Intec Group, Inc., which has developed numerous other building projects for diocesan parishes and schools, explained that the exterior plaza will be connected to the main entrance as well as to the parish hall. Neither the school’s three buildings nor the parking lot are going to be affected, he said, and the new design includes many accomodations for handicapped people.

What is certain to be affected is an old church house near a cemetery, so the new exterior image will be consistent with the new and modern interior. "That house is too deteriorated. The best thing to do is tear it down," said architect Juanpere, a native of Cuba.

But in terms of what St. Ann Parish has been and is, nothing will destroy it, for it will be renewed. "Even some old religious images will find a place in the new church," Father Schardt said. The white statue of St. Ann, a symbol of this parish, has a prominent site in the new design. Masses will eventually be celebrated in the gymnasium as the construction is in progress.

From the beginning, Saint Ann Parish has been responsible for providing pastoral care to the patients and staff of Arlington Hospital. About 25 years ago, Hospice of Northern Virginia opened its acute care unit within the parish and priests and parishioners began visiting patients there as well.

"We also provide Sunday service at a nursing home in the parish," said Father Schardt. Numerous volunteers from the parish and from neighboring parishes are involved in visiting the sick and the elderly at theses facilities. "We are a very active, family oriented congregation with old and young families," Father Schardt said.

St. Ann Parish is an active member of the Arlington Interfaith Council, an umbrella organization that provides a variety of services to those in need in the community. It is also active in FISH and Meals on Wheels and collects food for the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

Father Schardt said that the parish has a Sunday morning program of adult faith as well a Bible study group. For several years it has offered a very successful program called Landings. It provides support and encouragement for inactive Catholics to return to participation in church life.

Another well-attended program is the Spring and Fall Speakers Series, a forum to discuss religious issues with personalities and world-renowned scholars on religion and society.

"We are grateful for the willingness of so many men and women from surrounding Catholic universities and institutions who have been part of this exciting programs," Father Schardt said with pride.

Another great source of pride is the historical fact that many parishioners from St. Ann Parish have answered the call to religious vocations. The first was Father Richard Sneed, ordained in 1959, and the most recent was David Collins, ordained to the deaconate of the Society of Jesus.

In 1997 the parish received a papal blessing in recognition of its years of service. 

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