The Italian Heritage Society of St. Mary of Sorrows Church

Co-founded by Lucio D’Andrea and Russell De Rose (jardr@comcast.net) in February 2010 with the blessing of Father James Barkett.

Membership Information: Membership is open anyone who is interested in Italian culture, history, language, and food. Our membership is made up of Italians, Italian Americans, those of Italian heritage, and other ethnic heritages.

Annual Dues: Single is $10.00 and Family is $15.00. (January 1 to December 31)

For more information contact officers:

Meeting Location and Dates: Meetings at 5222 Sideburn Rd. Fairfax, VA. Please sign in at the office area before attending meetings and get an IHS badge. If possible please bring a beverage or food item to share for the general monthly meetings.

Italian Heritage Society General Meetings are in St Mary of Sorrows parish center in Farrell Hall 

 2024

• Friday September 27 from  6-8:30pm share Italy Travelogue/Reimers in Sicily 
• Saturday October 19 from 630-830pm International Night-Taste of the World, Tickets required $20/$10 children. Some singing
• Friday October 25 from  6-8 pm Visiting Italy via Video and Language 
• SATURDAY November 23 from 3-6pm Speaker Elisabetta Lazarte on Regional music in 5 Italian Cities
• Monday December 9 Christmas Luncheon @ Cantina D’Italia (Fair Lakes) @Noontime

2025

• SUNDAY JAN 12 Epiphany celebration 4-6pm
• Feb 14 topic/event undecided
• FRIDAY MARCH 7  LENTEN FISH FRY with KNIGHTs 5-7pm
• WEDNESDAY MARCH 19 ST. JOSEPH’S DAY Restaurant luncheon Noontime
• SUNDAY APR 27 4-7pm
• FRIDAY MAY 16 6-9pm
• SUNDAY JUNE 1 Festa Della Republicca 3:30-6:30pm
  
  The IHS Executive Board Meetings in RM 8L

  2024

   

• WED SEPT 11 from 10-NOON 
• WED OCT 2  from 10-NOON (cancelled)
• WED NOV 6 from 10-NOON
• WED DEC 4 from 10-NOON

  2025

   

• WED JAN 8 from 10-NOON
• WED FEB 12 from 10-NOON
• WED MAR 5 from 10-NOON 
• WED APR 2 from 10-NOON
• WED MAY 7 from 10-NOON
• WED JUNE 4 from 10-NOON
  
  Mission: The mission of the Italian Heritage Society is to promote the cultural, social and educational heritage of Italy and its regions, and to increase the awareness and appreciation of the contributions made by Italians, Italian Americans, and those of Italian heritage to the economic, social and cultural development of the United States. It also seeks to support the spiritual, social and cultural values of the community of St. Mary of Sorrows Church.

Activities: Includes but is not limited to the following activities.

• • Dinners at an Italian restaurant or pot-luck or catered lunch or dinner at St. Mary’s Church, especially around Christian Holy Days.
  • Italian games (i.e. briscola, scopa, etc.) or bocce.
  • Attend Italian cultural events in the Washington, D.C. area.
  • Italian regional cooking demonstrations.
  • Wine tastings and presentations.
  • Visit to Virginia Italian vineyards.
  • Olive oil tasting.
  • Italian movie night.
  • Coordination with other Italian Heritage groups in Virginia.
  • Genealogical research programs at the National Archives (NARA), Library of Congress, Family History Library, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other sources.
  • Organized trips to the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Embassy of Italy, Congress, Holy Rosary Church, Italian feasts in the area, and Ellis Island, etc.
  • Celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph in March and its traditions.
  • Recommend Italian language classes for beginners, intermediate, and advance students.
  • Arrange programs that highlight the social, economic and intellectual development by Italians in the USA.
  • Cooperate with other St. Mary Church organizations in promoting spiritual and cultural events of the Church, i.e. International Night.