St. Ambrose Church (Diocese of Arlington)
St. Ambrose Church is a Roman Catholic parish church located at 3901 Woodburn Road in Annandale, Virginia. Founded on June 4, 1966, and formally established in 1977, the parish serves a diverse community, including a significant number of military families, within the Diocese of Arlington.[1][2] The parish is known for its vibrant ministries, including youth programs like God Squad and Kolbe’s Kids, Eucharistic Adoration, and community outreach efforts such as serving meals at Christ House in Alexandria.[3]
The church supports a dual-language Catholic school for preK-8th grade students, emphasizing Spanish immersion and STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Math) programming.[4] With a strong commitment to faith formation, St. Ambrose offers a range of activities, including Bible studies, Lectio Divina, and a summer camp, fostering spiritual growth and community engagement.[3][5] The parish’s active presence on social media and livestreamed Masses reflects its adaptation to modern communication needs.[1]
| St. Ambrose Church | |
| Dedication: | Saint Ambrose |
| Venerated Saints: | |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Arlington |
| Deanery: | Unknown |
| Address: | 3901 Woodburn Road, Annandale, VA 22003 |
| Coordinates: | 38.837583, -77.234167 |
| City: | Annandale, VA |
| Subdivision: | Virginia |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Fairfax County |
| Website: | https://stambroseva.org |
| Founded: | 1977 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | information@stambroseva.org |
History
St. Ambrose Church was founded on June 4, 1966, to serve the growing Catholic population in Annandale and Fairfax, Virginia, and was formally established as a parish in 1977 under the Diocese of Arlington.[1][2] The parish quickly became a spiritual and communal hub, particularly for military families, fostering a tradition of service and outreach.[1] Under the leadership of pastors like Fr. Andrew J. Fisher, the parish has grown to include over 3,057 parishioners, offering a range of ministries and educational programs.[1]
The parish has developed robust youth and adult faith formation programs, including God Squad for high schoolers and Kolbe’s Kids for grades 5-8, alongside community service initiatives like meal preparation at Christ House.[3] The establishment of St. Ambrose Catholic School, a dual-language institution, further underscores its commitment to education.[4] The parish has embraced modern technology, offering livestreamed Masses and maintaining an active online presence to engage its community.[1]
Special features
- Dual-language school: St. Ambrose Catholic School offers a Spanish immersion program for preK-8th graders, integrating STREAM programming to foster holistic education.[4]
- Youth ministries: Programs like God Squad (high school) and Kolbe’s Kids (grades 5-8) provide spiritual and social formation, encouraging youth to grow in faith and service.[3]
- Eucharistic Adoration: Held on the first Friday of each month from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm, offering a space for prayer and reflection.[3]
- Community outreach: Parishioners serve meals at Christ House in Alexandria on a regular schedule, reflecting a commitment to social justice.[3]
- Summer camp: Saint Ambrose Summer Camp provides a Christ-centered experience for children, focusing on faith formation and community building.[5]
- Digital engagement: The parish offers livestreamed Masses and maintains active social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, to connect with parishioners.[1]
Related parishes
No specific related parishes are documented in the provided sources for St. Ambrose Church in Annandale, Virginia.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "St. Ambrose Church". 2023-10-18. https://www.catholicherald.com.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Saint Ambrose Catholic Church - Annandale, VA". https://www.youtube.com.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "St. Ambrose Catholic Church". https://stambroseva.org.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "St. Ambrose Dual Language School". https://stambroseschool.org.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Saint Ambrose Summer Camp". https://www.stambrosesummer.com.