What is your parish’s charism?
Founded in 1968, St. Ambrose has a beautiful history of service and outreach. As a parish predominantly composed of military families, it fosters an environment of service and lay leadership. With six nursing homes and a mental health institute located within the parish boundaries, Father Andrew J. Fisher, pastor, prides the parish on its outreach to the sick and elderly.
St. Ambrose is a tight-knit community, and every parishioner has a unique role. Father Michael T. Nugent, parochial vicar, says that the close community gives parishioners a sense of ownership. This ownership allows for parishioners to volunteer their time and talents to parish ministries and events. No matter how big or small the task, there is always a St. Ambrose parishioner willing to help out.
What’s the one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there?
The new church building at St. Ambrose, dedicated July 15, was designed to be timeless. The vaulted ceiling is painted Marian blue with gold leaf bordering. Our antique stained-glass windows were crafted in Munich in 1890. A former parishioner and a Franciscan friar in Nazareth, Father George Lewitt, received approval to bring stones from holy sites in Israel to St. Ambrose. The stones are embedded along the center aisle, and a stone from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is embedded in the back of the altar.
Our patron saint holds a prominent place in the church. Several years ago, the rector of the Basilica of St. Ambrose in Milan gave a first-class relic of St. Ambrose and a brick from his tomb to several of our parishioners on a pilgrimage. The relic and the brick will soon be placed in a glass window box for all to see in the narthex. Father Fisher likes to say that every time a person visits St. Ambrose, they make a pilgrimage.
What are some longstanding ministries?
The Knights of Columbus are very active within the parish and were essential to preparing the parish grounds for the dedication Mass. Father Fisher says that the Knights and our women’s group, the Women of St. Ambrose, are the backbone and heart of the parish. The WSA takes care of the sick, prepares for funerals and addresses parishioners’ needs.
Young adult activity has increased in the parish, and we hold regular events for young adults, both single and married. Our young adult parishioners are enthusiastic to volunteer for events and participate.
How does your parish encourage and support faith formation?
St. Ambrose has great religious education programs. At St. Ambrose Catholic School, students receive excellent spiritual formation. In addition, we make the sacraments available in multiple languages, so that all parishioners feel welcome.
How are you supporting the faith journey of particular cultures represented in your parish?
At St. Ambrose, both our school principal and our pastor are bilingual in English and Spanish. We are very proud to be the first school in the diocese to have a dual-language program. The program’s model requires that some classes are taught in English and others in Spanish. The program launched last academic year with the kindergarten class and will continue to add a grade each year until all grades are taught with this model. Our goal is that when the original kindergarten class reaches eighth grade, they will be fully bilingual. The program has had tremendous support from the military families in the parish, who often move internationally and want their children to develop bilingual skills.
What would a visitor say about your parish, and how do new parishioners get involved?
Visitors would immediately notice how friendly and welcoming the parish is. While the parish is tightly knit, the community enjoys welcoming new parishioners to become involved. As our young adult population is growing, we have some wonderful young adults, both single and married, who are finding their niche in the parish and becoming great leaders.
What’s something we should know about your clergy?
After Mass, our priests stand at the front doors to chat with Massgoers. This helps to cultivate an environment where parishioners feel comfortable approaching the clergy. Our parishioners have close relationships with our priests. Whenever the clergy ask at the end of Mass for volunteers for a project or a ministry, families gather after Mass to lend a helping hand.
Would you like to share anything else about your parish?
St. Ambrose is also home to the Arlington diocese’s chapter of the Order of Malta, a worldwide lay religious order that provides humanitarian, medical and social care for those in need.
Quick Facts
St. Ambrose Church
3901 Woodburn Rd.
Annandale, VA 22003
703-280-4400
Website: stambroseva.org
Social media: Facebook: St. Ambrose Catholic Church, YouTube: Saint Ambrose Catholic Church – Annandale, VA
Mass schedule:
Saturday Vigil: 5 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m., 10 a.m. with livestream, 12 p.m., 5 p.m.
Monday-Friday: 7 a.m., 9 a.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.
Confession schedule:
Saturday: 9:30 a.m., 3-4 p.m.
Pastor: Fr. Andrew J. Fisher
Parochial Vicar: Fr. Michael T. Nugent
Year established: 1977
Total parishioners: 3,057
School:
St. Ambrose Catholic School
3827 Woodburn Rd.,
Annandale, VA 22003
Pre-K-8
703-698-7171
stambroseschool.org
Principal: Maria Teresa Tejada
