The Italian Heritage Society of St. Mary of Sorrows Church

Co-founded by Lucio D’Andrea (ldandrea1933@comcast.net) and Russell De Rose (jardr@comcast.net) in February 2010 with the blessing of Father James Barkett. Lucio D’Andrea is our contact for Italian Language Classes.

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.

General IHS meetings

2023 

• • Sunday September 17, 2023 from 4-6pm Farrell Hall Speaker Rusell DeRose Topic: Italian government functions, events and political parties, light refreshments and snacks with fruit  
  • Saturday October  21 International night in Farrell Hall Taste of the World at about  615-8:30pm. $20 limited tickets 
  •  Tuesday October 31 Halloween Luncheon NIK’s Berryville (Neighborhood Italian Restaurant) 12:30 pm email to reserve spot . 
  • Sunday November 19  4-6pm at FARRELL HALL Speaker : Bishop Paul Loverde and an Italian Heritage Book exchange
  • Monday December  11  Christmas luncheon at restaurant 12:30pm 

2024 

• • Sunday January 7, 2024  Epiphany celebration 4-6pm  Italian traditional holidays, Potluck with limited catered food
  • Friday February 16 First Lenten Fish fry 2024 Farrell Hall bring arts/crafts with Italian theme
  • Tuesday March 19 St. Joseph’s Feast RSVP for luncheon noon-3pm at Dolce Vita (Fairfax)
  • Cancelled – Saturday April 20 6:30-8:30pm- St Joseph Hall games or speaker (Food served: peppers/sausage)
  • Friday May 17 6-9pm Farrell Hall Italian movie night with popcorn
  • Cancelled – Sunday June 2, 6-9pm Festa Della Repubblica in Farrell Hall speaker and/catered food with Mario Palumbo musician/singer back by popular demand, tickets required
    
    

Planning Executive Board meetings on Wednesday

10am-Noon mostly in SMOS parish center Room 8L

2023:

• • September  6
  • October 4
  • Nov 1  All Saints Feast Day
  • December 6

2024:

• • January  17
  •  February 7
  •  March 6
  •  April 10 
  • May 15

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.