The Catholic Herald
Sep 22, 2022
Elena Quartuccio taught at three different Protestant preschools before she learned that her parish, St. Mary of Sorrows in Fairfax, wanted to open its own. In June 1997, after preparatory plans were completed by parish and diocesan staff, Father Donald C. Greenhalgh, then pastor, asked her to lead it. Three months later, the doors opened, welcoming the inaugural class of 60 children.
It was the first standalone preschool in the diocese, according to Quartuccio, who went on to serve 20 years as director and helped establish other Catholic preschools in the area. She joined former colleagues, current teachers and administrators, students and parishioners Sept. 13 to mark the preschool’s 25th anniversary.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass for the occasion. In his homily, he recalled the annual themes for the three-year runup to the Diocesan Golden Jubilee (Remember, Rejoice and Renew), and applied them to the parish as it reflected on 25 years of blessings and recommitted itself to the work ahead.
“Today, dear friends, we also renew. We renew our promise that God has given us this privileged season to continue the work of this preschool,” Bishop Burbidge said, adding that such dedication will help the community “teach these beautiful children how to know and to love and to serve the Lord our God.”
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