The Italian Heritage Society of St. Mary of Sorrows Church

Co-founded by Lucio D’Andrea and Russell De Rose in February 2010 with the blessing of Father James Barkett.

Membership Information: Membership is open to 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:

IHS President
Julie Klosky
julieklosky@yahoo.com

IHS Vice-President
Vacant

IHS Membership
Caterina Strasburg
catstrasburg@gmail.com

IHS Secretary & Hospitality
Opening

IHS Treasurer
Charlie Reimer

IHS Church Liaison
Lucy Schleibaum
Lucy5959@yahoo.com
(703)323-0345

IHS Programs
Howard Marshall
Kurmen40@yahoo.com
Russell De Rose
Caterina Strasburg
Sharon Strauchs

IHS Genealogy
John Di Bella
jsdbla@gmail.com

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 

The IHS general monthly meetings in Farrell Hall of the SMOS parish center are scheduled as follows and please let me know if you would like to share some information and do a PowerPoint or similar presentation associated with Italian heritage topics:

2025 dates

  • Friday September 26 at 6:00-9pm Saints Carlo Acutis & Pier Giorgio
  • Friday October 24 at 6:00-8:30pm Italian American Heritage Month
  • Friday November 21 at 6:00-8:30pm Italian POWs built Italian chapel in Lamb Holm Orkney Scotland 1943-1944
  • Tuesday December 9 the Christmas Luncheon @Pazzo Pomodoro Vienna VA (RSVP) at 11:30am

2026 dates

  • Friday January 9, The Epiphany Celebration Potluck at 6-8pm
  • Friday February 20, SMOS KofC Fish Fry at 5-7pm
  • Thurs. March 19th St. Joseph’s Day lunch Pazzo Pomodoro Vienna VA at 11:30am RSVP required
  • Friday April 17 at 6:00-8:30pm Meet and Greet Author Anthony DeSantis, The Stowaway in First Class at Old St. Mary Hall 11098 Fairfax Station Rd. RSVP Required
  • Saturday May 9 at 6:00-8:30pm Italian Movie Night Summertime (1955- filmed in Venice, English language) at Farrell Hall
  • Friday June 26 at 6:00-9pm Italian card games learning/playing night with other regional Italian club in Farrell Hall
  • Sunday September 13 at 6:00-8:30pm. Travel through Italy with guide Patti Edgar, an iHS member and travel agent. For Signature buffet please follow this guideline or contact Julie Klosky, members with last name A-M bring vegetables, salad, appetizer or dessert, members with last name N-Z bring a main dish. Bring a basket or Italian product for a basket raffle to Old St. Mary’s Hall 11098 Fairfax Station Rd. Fairfax Station VA 22039.

  • Friday Oct 9 Celebrate Italian American Heritage Month. SMOS Farrell Hall at 6pm-8:30pm. Watch a video from Great Courses: Guide to Essential Italy: Arezzo, Perugia & Assisi.  We are also asking you to “show and tell”  any special ITALIAN items, artifacts, clothing, travel or family stories with the group.  For this month, let’s aim for Italian food for our signature potluck buffet and as a guideline last names beginning with A to M bring main dish; N-Z bring beverages, dessert, appetizer or side dishes.

  • Sat Oct 17 International night at 6:30 pm in St Joseph Hall inside the SMOS parish center, please try to attend this event, many countries will be represented by parishioners to share their heritage and culture. The pre-paid tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids 5-11 years, 4 years and under is free and IHS will have a table with a main dish served in mini-sample cup. $25 at the door.

  • Friday, October 30th from 11 am until 8 pm the delicious and generous California Fish Grill (11048 Main Street in Fairfax at Kamp Washington) is donating back 35% of Dine-In or Takeout orders to support our Italian Heritage Society at St. Mary of Sorrows Church! On behalf of the Italian Heritage Society you’re invited to join us and eat out, Lunchtime meetup between 11:30am-12:30pm and Dinner meetup between 5:30-6:30pm or on your own enjoy a great fish meal. Please make sure you mention the IHS fund raiser at the register or in the app when ordering.

  • Friday November. 6: Italian Pasta & Pastries – Cook, taste, learn from some of our best Italian chefs in our own club! SMOS Farrell Hall. 6-8:30 pm.

  • Thursday December 3 Christmas Luncheon about noon. Location:TBD

The IHS Executive Board meetings at 5222 Sideburn Rd Fairfax VA are scheduled the first Wednesday of the month in Rm 8L of the SMOS parish center from 10am to Noon, space is allocated so occasional  extra general information sharing may be scheduled for the IHS membership.

  • 2025 dates
  • September 3
  • October 1 
  • November 5 Alyssa Ciccone discuss CiaoDC possible DC tours w/van/bus for IAMDC/Franciscan monastery/Italian restaurant
  • December 3

  • 2026 dates
  • January 7
  • February 4th – Rescheduled to February 11, in person or Zoom
  • Monday March 2,  Zoom only.
  • April 1
  • May 6
  • June 3

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. to