St. Ambrose (Diocese of Arlington): Difference between revisions

|ParishEmailAddress=information@stambroseva.org

'''Saint Ambrose Catholic Church''' is a Roman Catholic territorial parish in the [[Diocese of Arlington]], located in Annandale, Virginia. Dedicated to [[Ambrose|Saint Ambrose]], the fourth-century Bishop of Milan, Doctor of the Church, and patron of beekeepers and learners—renowned for his eloquent preaching, defense of orthodoxy, and conversion of Saint Augustine—the parish emphasizes service, outreach to the sick and elderly, lay leadership, and humanitarian care. It is home to the diocesan chapter of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and serves a diverse community with strong military ties, bilingual programs, and extensive ministries.

Established on June 4, 1966, amid population growth in Fairfax County, the parish initially comprised about 400 families and held Masses in local schools before building permanent structures. The church was dedicated in 1977, the parochial school opened in the 1980s (later becoming a recognized dual-language institution), and a new church building replaced the previous structure, with groundbreaking in 2021 and dedication on July 15, 2023, by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. As of December 14, 2025, Saint Ambrose continues to foster vibrant faith formation, youth programs, Eucharistic Adoration, community outreach, and digital engagement through livestreamed Masses.

The parish operates Saint Ambrose Catholic School (pre-K through grade 8), offering a Spanish immersion dual-language program with STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Math) emphasis, and supports ministries reflecting its patron's charitable legacy.

Subsequent pastors oversaw growth: renovations and school opening under Fr. Mark Pilon; new activities building in 2001 under Fr. Richard Ley; evangelization focus under Fr. Dominic Irace; and continued expansion under Fr. Andrew Fisher (installed 2011).<ref name="History" /><ref name="ParishProfile">{{cite web |url=https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/parishes/st-ambrose/ |title=St. Ambrose Church |publisher=Arlington Catholic Herald |date=October 19, 2023 |access-date=December 14, 2025}}</ref>

Population growth necessitated a new church; the 1977 building was demolished, groundbreaking occurred in 2021, and the current structure was dedicated on July 15, 2023.<ref name="Dedication">{{cite web |url=https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/parishes/a-walk-through-annandales-newest-catholic-church-is-a-pilgrimage/ |title=A walk through Annandale’s newest Catholic church is a pilgrimage |publisher=Arlington Catholic Herald |date=August 15, 2023 |access-date=December 14, 2025}}</ref><ref name="ParishProfile" />

* Home to the Arlington Diocese chapter of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, supporting humanitarian, medical, and social care<ref name="ParishProfile" />

* Extensive outreach to the sick and elderly, including ministries in six nursing homes and a mental health institute within parish boundaries, plus service at Christ House in Alexandria<ref name="ParishProfile" />

* Dual-language (English-Spanish) program in the parochial school, with sacraments and faith formation in multiple languages<ref name="ParishProfile" />

* Strong lay leadership and volunteerism, particularly among military families; active Knights of Columbus and Women of St. Ambrose<ref name="ParishProfile" />

* Youth ministries: God Squad (high school), Kolbe’s Kids (grades 5-8), religious education, and summer camp<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stambroseva.org/ |title=St. Ambrose Catholic Church |publisher=Saint Ambrose Catholic Church |access-date=December 14, 2025}}</ref>

* Digital engagement: Livestreamed Masses and active social media presence

The main altar, dedicated in 2023, contains a stone from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem embedded in its posterior, along with 14 first-class relics of saints (deposited by parishioners) and a first-class relic of St. Ambrose (gifted from Milan, placed in the narthex with a brick from his tomb).<ref name="Dedication" /><ref name="ParishProfile" />

The current church (dedicated 2023) features traditional elements blended with modernity: vaulted Marian blue ceiling with gold leaf, cherry wood furnishings, marble altar with altar rail, full accessibility, and stones from holy sites in Israel (Bethlehem, Nazareth, Holy Sepulchre) embedded in the main aisle floor to evoke a pilgrimage.<ref name="Dedication" /><ref name="ParishProfile" />

The interior guides worshippers in a pilgrimage experience with devotional artwork, including antique stained-glass windows (circa 1890, Munich, Germany, from a closed Philadelphia church), featuring a prominent rose window depicting Mary and the child Jesus.<ref name="Dedication" /><ref name="ParishProfile" />