A Friend in Jesus

Ron Lemnah was born in Vermont. He and his four brothers were raised in the Catholic faith. Despite his love for the "Green Mountain State" and enjoying many nearby relatives, Ron moved to Washington after high school to work for the government.

After a few years of government work, Ron moved on to work at various careers while he contemplated his future. During this time, he worked as a dance instructor, in landscape design sales, and at Bell and Howell educational sales. Eventually Ron returned to the government in a different capacity. Noticing his drive and intelligence, Ron's boss, a Navy Admiral, encouraged him to return to school to take some classes. After acquiring a few more tools for his tool box, Ron spent 25 years working in IT.

For several years Ron focused on his career while putting down roots in the area. Living in Fairfax, Ron often found himself driving by St. Ambrose Parish, in Annandale. Each time he drove by the parish, Ron realized how far he had drifted away from his Catholic faith. One day while passing the parish, Ron finally recognized God was sending him a message, so he went inside and made his first confession in a long time.

Ron then returned to the Church with passion and commitment. He eagerly immersed himself in multiple ministries; praying outside abortion clinics, saying the rosary at local nursing homes, ushering at St. Ambrose and volunteering with the Legion of Mary. As Ron's dedication to the Legion of Mary grew, so did his responsibilities. Over time, he assumed many roles: such as President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary at both his parish and the Curia.

As a strong believer in promoting religious vocations and in memory of his brother, Ron established the U.S. Marines – Peace Keepers Vocations Scholarship Fund at George Mason University Catholic Campus Ministry. This fund:

  1. may provide scholarships and other seminarian education expenses for George Mason Catholic Campus Ministry students who are pursuing entrance into the religious life or are to be ordained to the diocesan priesthood
  2. also provides additional scholarships for GMU CCM students to attend vocation discernment retreats

Ron also supported the Bishop's Lenten Appeal, as well as, St. Ambrose and Holy Spirit parishes. During the St. Ambrose capital campaign, Ron pledged a stain glass window to memorialize the Marines killed in the 1983 Beirut bombings for the new church.

When Ron became a member of the Catholic Heritage Circle after naming the Diocese in his estate plans, he said "it's easy to give, people need help and we need good priests." Ron passed away earlier this year but he knew Jesus was his best friend and looked forward to spending eternity with Him in heaven.