Three special blessings kicked off the 25th anniversary
celebrations at St. Theresa Church in Ashburn during the
month of the holy rosary.
The new school administrative addition was blessed after the
Vigil Mass Oct. 3, with a reception that evening and an open
house after Masses the following day. The new front wing
coordinates with the existing church, across the campus
street. A chapel will provide a spiritual space for nearly
500 students, faculty and staff members in the school.
The approximately 20,000-sq. ft. addition to the existing
45,020-sq. ft. school created a courtyard, that can provide
outdoor classroom space for teachers. The addition also
allowed reclamation of indoor classroom space. Glass-enclosed
offices for both school administration and a parish secretary
are directly across from each other in the new entry area.
Two school nurses will use the new clinic space to assist ill
or injured children.
Established by Arlington Bishop John R. Keating in 1991, with
Msgr. James W. McMurtrie as founding pastor, the parish has
seen significant growth under the leadership of Father
Richard M. Guest, the current pastor. Msgr. McMurtrie oversaw
the construction of the original two phases of the school.
After his appointment in 2002, Father Guest was charged with
the construction of the church, which was completed in 2009.
After a groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 30, 2007, building
began in April 2008, with the dedication Nov. 11, 2009.
Today, there are nearly 4,500 families in the parish.
Another significant improvement implemented by Father Guest
was the purchase, rebuild and installation of an important
organ during the 2014-15 school year. Previously, there was
an electric Allen organ to enhance liturgies. The “new” organ
was blessed during the 10:30 a.m. Mass, with a hymn to St.
Therese of Lisieux adapted by organist Matthew J. Ho.
After the 12:30 Mass, a freshly landscaped memorial for the
miscarried and unborn children was blessed. This idea
originated in 2010 from parishioners Michele Brennan and
friend Jennifer Hein. Father Guest assisted with the
selection and installation of the Italian sculpture featuring
Jesus with children, as a tangible site for visitation,
reflection and prayer. There will be a book placed at the
back of the church for prayer entries.
Gilbert is a freelance writer from Ashburn.
