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St. Anthony Mission in King George celebrates 100 years as ‘lights of Christ’

Elizabeth A. Elliott | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

The cemetery outside St. Anthony Mission in King George dates back to 1931. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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St. Anthony Mission in King George celebrates its centenary in 2017. CATHOLIC HERALD FILE

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Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge (left) with pastor Fr. Francis M. de Rosa thanks the parishioners for a birthday cake at the centenary celebration for St. Anthony Mission in King George June 13. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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St. Anthony Mission in King George celebrates its centenary with a birthday cake June 13. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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In 1917, Our Lady of Fatima appeared
to three shepherd children, President Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany and
St. Anthony Mission in King George was established.

A mission of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Church in Colonial Beach, St. Anthony marked its centenary June 13, the feast
of St. Anthony of Padua, with Mass celebrated by Arlington Bishop Michael F.
Burbidge. More than 200 people attended the Mass and dinner.

Father John C. Cregan, who served as
the first diocesan pastor in Colonial Beach after the Missionary Servants of
the Most Holy Trinity priests assigned to the mission left in 1993, was the
homilist. Concelebrants included Father Mark Mullaney, Father John A. Ziegler,
Father Jerome A. Magat and Father John H. Mellmer, former pastors or parochial
vicars. Also concelebrating were Father Ronald J. Gripshover Jr., a former
parishioner; Father Francis M. de Rosa, pastor of St. Anthony and St. Elizabeth;
and Father Joseph R. Kenna, parochial vicar of St. Anthony and St. Elizabeth.

Images of St. Anthony adorned the
church for the celebration, including a small statue as old as the church building
itself. Red and white roses with baby’s breath were placed near the altar.

Father Cregan told the congregation
they are each a part of the story of the mission.

“On this hundredth anniversary of St.
Anthony’s, really try to be a light here in King George,” he said. “Be a light
to your friends, in your schools. Get up and consciously desire to bring the
light of Christ.”

He said his years at St. Anthony’s
were a special time in his priesthood as he learned the message of family
there. People reached out and families were determined to raise their children
in the faith, he said.

He told the parishioners to believe
that the simple acts of faith and devotion over the past 100 years of this
parish have made a deep impression on the community.

Father de Rosa presented the history
of the mission, introduced distinguished guests and spoke about his hopes for
the future before dinner was served outside under a large white tent.

“Our little country church is firmly
maintaining its Catholic presence,” he said. “In our second centenary, we
intend to beautify the sanctuary and we are going to rebuild the parish hall to
have a more fitting parish center.”

Bishop Burbidge, who turns 60 June 16,
was surprised with a birthday cake and spiritual bouquet at the dinner, where he
congratulated the parishioners on all they have achieved.

“We know it is only with God’s grace
that we can do it, and it is always for God’s glory that we do do it. So
continue that great work and enjoy your time together as a parish family,” the
bishop said.  

A smaller celebration of the centennial
of the church consecration will be held June 24, and they will mark the start
of the second centenary with solemn vespers, adoration and the Divine Mercy Chaplet
June 25.

Dorothy Halpin, a parishioner for 45
years, has served as the sacristan for 40 years. She said she feels this is her
church. “Everything that has been sewn in the church I have made,” she said. Halpin,
who taught religious education, said her favorite memory, among many, was
witnessing her grandchildren make their first Communion.

Kevin Sofa, a parishioner for only a
year, appreciates the mission’s longevity. “There is something special about
being in a church this old,” he said, adding that it feels homey and comfortable.
“Father de Rosa is building a good base here,” he said. “There are a lot of
young, Catholic families.”

The size of the parish has grown from
30 a century ago to 500 Sunday churchgoers now.

Mary Hannick, a parishioner since 1971,
said the parish tries to let the community know they are present in a
predominately Baptist area. “We have been blessed through the years with many
awesome priests,” she said.

Father de Rosa encourages parishioners
to go out and witness to their faith. They visit nursing homes and shut-ins.
They volunteer at the Guadalupe Free Clinic in Colonial Beach, which provides
services for anyone in need of health care in the area. There are 50 members in
three Legion of Mary praesidia who commit one to two hours per week to
apostolic works. The Knights of Columbus reach out to the community.

“Every one of our efforts, no matter
how humble, is caught up in the great mystery of the church and is directed to
the salvation of souls and the greater glory of God,” said Father de Rosa.

History of mission

St. Anthony Church, built in 1917, began as a mission of
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Fredericksburg. The first pastor was
Father Thomas B. Martin. Masses were celebrated on the second Sunday of each
month from May to October. The numbers were small, with only five to 15
parishioners in the beginning. Wood stoves were installed a few years later,
which allowed Mass to be celebrated all year. The founding family descended
from Fielding Lewis and Betty Washington Lewis of Fredericksburg. Betty was
George Washington’s sister.

St. Anthony became a mission of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
in Colonial Beach in 1940.

 

A parish hall was built in 1972. The church was expanded
in 1986. Mass was celebrated in the parish hall while construction was completed
on the church.

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