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350 Attend Mass of Thanksgiving for St. Ann's At Shrine Celebrating 150 Years of Caring

Posted March 26, 2010

When three Daughters of Charity began their ministry of care to 
orphans and young single mothers 150 years ago, they surely could 
not have imagined that the mission they embraced in 1860 would 
continue to be lived out at St. Ann's into the 21st century. 

This tradition of caring was celebrated at a Mass of Thanksgiving on 
March 21, 2010 in the Crypt Church of the Basilca of the National 
Shrine.  Daughters of Charity, former residents, board members, 
volunteers, Seton Guild members, Ladies of Charity, and friends filled 
almost 350 seats as Most Reverend Donald W. Weurl, Archbishop of 
Washington, presided.

Archbishop Wuerl offered a beautiful homily tracing St. Ann’s history 
and how it is inextricably linked to that of the Church and the city of  
Washington.

As the crowd strolled across the Catholic University campus after Mass 
to a reception at the Pryzbyla Center, it was clear that we could not 
have asked for a more beautiful day for our celebration.  The 
fellowship continued over coffee and baked goods as old friendships 
were renewed and new ones were formed.

The 150th Anniversary celebration will continue with a Gala at the 
Music Center at Strathmore on Saturday, September 18, 2010.