Some anniversaries are celebrated loudly, with parties and
ceremonies, big occasions marking big accomplishments. Other
anniversaries are celebrated quietly – in small moments of
recollection and reminiscing, moments that can be easily
forgotten or skipped over if you’re not careful.
Such was the case when St. Agnes Church in Arlington
celebrated the 43rd anniversary of the current church
building’s dedication during a quiet daily Mass on an Advent
morning flecked with snow. With 30 people in attendance – a
smaller-than-average crowd, maybe due to the weather – Father
Carroll L. Oubre, parochial vicar, encouraged attendees to
think about life in 1967. The same year touch-tone phones and
zip codes were introduced, and a quarter could buy a gallon
of gas, St. Agnes Church was dedicated.
“The church is more than a building. The church is the faith
of the people,” Father Oubre said, while reflecting on the
number of sacraments celebrated at the church over the
years.
The parish began in 1914, as a mission of St. Charles
Borromeo Parish in Arlington. For the first six years,
attendees worshipped in rented spaces, including a movie
theater and a grocery store. The first permanent church was
dedicated in 1920 by Richmond Bishop Peter Ireton. Years
later, in 1936, St. Agnes was established as an independent
parish. (See a
video profile of the parish here.)
Father Lee R. Roos has been at St. Agnes for seven years. He
was named administrator soon after the death of Msgr. James
McMurtrie and was promoted to pastor in 2005.
He believes St. Agnes is a “wonderful parish,” –
multigenerational, with some parishioners who have been
involved for 50 years, as well as families and young people
new to the area.
For the last 45 years, the parish has had a Brother Dennis
and Associates program, in which a portion of every weekly
tithe is given out in micro-grants to charitable causes for
people in need. Father Roos estimates that Brother Dennis
contributions average about $1,500 per week.
While Brother Dennis is not real – the name was made up by
then-pastor Father James More – the good the program has done
throughout the world is undeniable. In the back of the
church, amidst statues, shrines and the baptismal font, there
is a rotating globe on which push pins mark the locations
where the funds have been sent.
The money has been given to organizations as far away as
Kenya, South Africa, the Phillipines, India and Haiti.
Locally, the funds have helped crisis pregnancy centers,
homeless shelters and social service agencies.
“It is a way to keep visible before our parishioners the
needs of the world,” Father Roos said. “We’re recognizing
God’s blessings to us and using those blessings to help
others.”
Father Roos believes the fact that the program was started
even before the current church was built shows the importance
of giving to others, even when the money given could be used
just as easily at home.
The Brother Dennis program, like all of St. Agnes’
ministries, has strongly benefitted from the parish’s
perpetual adoration chapel, which has been open for 10
years.
“In adoration, we realize such is God’s gifts to us, we’re
called to be gifts to others,” Father Roos said. “Nobody can
do everything, but everybody can do something.”
Parishioner Bernadette Michael agrees. She thinks of the
perpetual adoration chapel as “a treasure.”
“It’s a huge influence on the parish with so much grace that
comes from that,” she said. “It’s another avenue of
opportunity to grow spiritually and a nice little place to
pray.”
For the past six years, Michael has been director of
religious education. According to her, there are about 350
students enrolled in the program, with 30 volunteers serving
as teachers and aides.
In addition to the students in religious education, there are
360 students in pre-kindergaten through eighth grade at St.
Agnes School, founded in 1946 by the Sisters of Notre Dame.
While the sisters no longer work at the school, Father Roos
says they have left – and continue to leave – a strong
influence.
“So much of our school has a debt to them and their witness,”
said Father Roos.
The parish has a very active athletics program for young
people, as well as a young adults ministry, a choir, and
various prayer groups and organizations.
Father Roos believes the parish takes inspiration from its
patron, St. Agnes, who was a 12-year old martyred in Rome
during the third century.
“She’s a virgin and martyr and inspiration for youth that
they can rise above the challenges they face,” Father Roos
said.
Inspiration is one thing the parish specializes in through
its outreach projects and strong community atmosphere.
“Our ministry is to people, to prepare the word and celebrate
the sacraments,” Father Roos said.
Quick Facts:
St. Agnes Parish
2002 N. Randolph St.
Arlington, Va. 22207
703/243-4793
Pastor: Fr. Lee R. Roos
Parochial vicar: Fr. Carroll L. Oubre
In residence: Fr. Frank J. Ready and Augustinian Fr.
Cedric P. Wilson
DRE: Bernadette Michael
Mass Schedule:
Sat.: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 5 p.m. vigil
Sun: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon
Weekdays: 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m.
Mon.: 7:30 p.m. (Spanish)
Parishioners: 4,539
School: St. Agnes School
2024 N. Randolph St.
Arlington, Va. 22207
703/527-5423
Principal: Kristine Carr
Students: 360
Website: saintagnes.org
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