✝ Brief History About Herndon - St. Antony Anbium
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ – Herndon St. Antony Anbium
The Herndon St. Antony Anbium began its blessed journey in 2015 as a small gathering of Tamil Catholic families united by faith, friendship, and the desire to worship God in their native language. What started with just eight families celebrating Mass with Fr. Devan has, through God’s grace, blossomed into a vibrant faith community deeply rooted in love, prayer, and service. In 2025, we joyfully celebrated ten years of togetherness, faith, and fellowship, reflecting on a decade filled with countless blessings and spiritual growth.
As our Anbium expanded, we were guided and inspired by Fr. Anthony Dass, the Spiritual Director for CATCA, whose encouragement and leadership have strengthened every Anbium under his care. Along with Fr. Devan and Fr. Christy, he has nurtured our community with wisdom, compassion, and prayerful direction. On this joyful milestone, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to all our priests for their constant support, spiritual nourishment, and inspiring service to our families.
Under their pastoral care, the Herndon St. Antony Anbium grew beyond monthly Masses to embrace community-centered celebrations that bring joy and unity to every household. We introduced Easter egg hunts, Father’s Day gatherings, and Anbium picnics, fostering fellowship and family spirit. Around 2018, we began our cherished tradition of Christmas caroling, which quickly became one of the highlights of our community life. By then, our Anbium had grown to nearly 23 families, and each Christmas season brought us closer together as we visited homes, sang carols, prayed for one another, and concluded with a joyful gift exchange and Santa visit. Our Easter celebrations, complete with egg hunts and delicious potluck meals, further strengthened our bonds in faith and joy.
Over the years, we have shared in many beautiful milestones—baby showers, baptisms, First Holy Communions, confirmations, weddings, anniversaries, and milestone birthdays—each event reflecting the blessings of our shared Christian journey. Even in challenging times, our unity, compassion, and prayer have kept us strong, reminding us that we are one family in Christ.
Beyond our spiritual celebrations, our Anbium has also shown deep commitment to charity and service. We have organized fundraising events, selling food and collecting donations to support both our local community and charitable projects in our homeland. Our initiatives have included buying computers for schools, building playgrounds, and helping families in need. We also volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, offering our time and resources to serve those less fortunate with love and humility.
Our Patron – St. Antony of Padua
Our Anbium proudly bears the name of St. Antony of Padua, our beloved patron saint, known as the “Wonder Worker” and the Patron of the Poor and Lost Things. St. Antony’s life was a shining example of humility, devotion, and love for God’s Word. Renowned for his eloquent preaching and deep compassion for the needy, he continues to inspire millions across the world. His intercession has blessed our community abundantly—guiding us in faith, protecting our families, and helping us find peace in times of trial. We invoke his prayers at every gathering, trusting that his example of service and holiness will continue to lead our Anbium closer to Christ.
As we look back on our ten-year journey, we are filled with gratitude for the countless memories and the enduring spirit of unity that have shaped the Herndon St. Antony Anbium. Our children have grown surrounded by faith, friendship, and the joy of Christian living. With hearts full of thanksgiving, we pray that our Anbium will continue to grow in faith, service, and love, carrying forward the mission of St. Antony—to live the Gospel through prayer, compassion, and community—for generations to come.