Approximately 750 Seton School alumni, parents, teachers, and other guests celebrated the Manassas school’s 50th anniversary with dinner, dancing, and fundraising at a gala held Nov. 1 at Foxchase Manor in Manassas.
Organizers said the sold-out event also was held to thank God for “blessings without number and mercies without end” and to pay tribute to Anne Carroll, the school’s founder and executive director.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge attended and expressed his gratitude that for five decades the independent school has provided parents in the diocese with “another opportunity to ensure their children have an authentic Catholic education.”
“Seton has partnered with parents to nurture students’ spiritual, academic, and social growth, always rooted in the truth,” he said, thanking Carroll as well as Seton’s staff, benefactors, and parents. “I pray that through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lord will continue to bless Seton School with continued success.”
Msgr. Lee R. Roos, pastor of nearby All Saints Catholic Church, added his congratulations to Carroll and the school, noting that many of its teachers and students are his parishioners. He said it was unique that his parish hosts two weekly school Masses — one on Monday mornings for Seton and another for the parish school.
“I see their dedication to Catholic education and the efforts which they put forth,” he said. “Teaching the Catholic faith in word and example is the constant work of Catholic education and we see it done consistently at Seton School. Those who have been alumni of the school now have their own families and their own children who are students. What began from small beginnings has blossomed into something bigger than anyone could imagine at first. May God continue to bless Seton School through the intercession of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.”
Patrick J. Reilly, president, CEO and founder of The Cardinal Newman Society, which promotes and defends faithful Catholic education, presented Carroll with an award recognizing her work.
The event raised more than $700,000 for the school’s Christ the King Fund, which addresses five goals: affordable tuition and financial aid; faculty compensation and development; athletic program support; classroom expansion and campus development; and students’ spiritual development.
Longtime Seton parents expressed their gratitude for the school’s work. Maria Hartung is an alumna and mother of six alumni and four current students. “Seton School is an amazing place. The fact that it is still going strong is a testimony to her and to the Holy Spirit,” she said. “Seton emphasizes the good, the true and the beautiful. Our children have formed lifelong friendships and had excellent character formation.”
Mike and Ann Hadro first heard about Seton from friends who spent several hours daily commuting their children from southern Maryland to the school and back. They said enrolling their children was the start of a 32-year “love affair” with the school and “the best decision we ever made, not only for our kids, but for our entire family.”
The “affair” also sparked more relationships as two of their daughters later married fellow Seton classmates.
“They say that sorrow shared is half sorrow, and joy shared is twice joy. Over 32 years we have shared much prayer, sorrow and joy and have grown together with the Seton community,” they said. “We are forever indebted to Mrs. Anne Carroll.”
Carroll addressed those gathered and summarized Seton School’s identity in four words: challenging, communal, countercultural and Christ-centered.
“If we stay Christ-centered, then 50 years from now, when some of you and your children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren are celebrating the 100th anniversary, the students will still be singing ‘An army of youth flying the standard of truth,’ still be chanting ‘Viva Cristo Rey,’ ” she said. “And we can hope that those of us who have finished the race will be watching from heaven, or maybe purgatory, and cheering them on.”
