Holy Spirit (Diocese of Arlington)
Holy Spirit Parish is in Virginia (United States) and is part of the Diocese of Arlington.
It is dedicated to Holy Spirit.
| Holy Spirit Parish | |
| Dedication: | Holy Spirit |
| Venerated Saints: | |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Arlington |
| Deanery: | Annandale Deanery |
| Address: | 5121 Woodland Way, Annandale, VA 22003 |
| Coordinates: | 38.8336, -77.2087 |
| City: | Annandale, VA |
| Subdivision: | Virginia |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Fairfax County |
| Website: | https://holyspiritchurch.us |
| Founded: | 1964 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | parish@holyspiritchurch.us |
History
Holy Spirit Parish in Annandale, Virginia, was established on May 23, 1964, by Bishop John Russell of the Diocese of Richmond, which then included Northern Virginia, to serve a burgeoning Catholic population beyond the Beltway. Father Paul Cauwe, CICM, a Missionhurst priest, was appointed as the founding pastor, leading a community of about 500 families drawn from St. Leo and St. Michael parishes. Initially, Masses were held at Woodson High School, affectionately dubbed “Saint Woodson,” until the church at 8800 Braddock Road was dedicated in 1967. The parish school opened in September 1967, with construction completed in 1966 to meet urgent religious education needs. The Missionhurst priests guided the parish until 1981, after which diocesan clergy took over, starting with Msgr. Richard Burke. Key developments include a rectory in 1991, a school expansion in recent years, and a major sanctuary renovation with a new narthex completed in 2022. The parish celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014 with Bishop Paul Loverde, reflecting its growth into a dynamic, family-centered community aligned with Vatican II’s spirit.
Special features
- Holy Spirit Catholic School, serving Pre-K through 8th grade since 1967, emphasizes academic excellence and Catholic identity, with students attending weekly Mass and monthly Eucharistic Adoration.
- The new narthex, completed in 2022, features a baptismal font under a cupola with a carved wooden Holy Spirit dove, symbolizing the parish’s dedication and welcoming visitors at the main entrance.
- A diverse Mass schedule includes Sunday 7:30 am, 9:00 am (Youth Choir & Organ), 10:30 am (Choir & Organ), 12:00 pm (Cantor & Organ), and 6:00 pm (Contemporary Ensemble), with confessions offered multiple times weekly, enhancing liturgical accessibility.
- The parish supports a multicultural community, with Eritrean Catholics based there under Father Hagos Haile, and plans to welcome Father Ignatius Agure from Cameroon in 2025, alongside ministries like the Young Adults group started in 2023.
Related parishes
Holy Spirit Parish is part of the Diocese of Arlington, covering 21 counties in Northern Virginia. It has historical ties to St. Leo in Fairfax and St. Michael in Annandale, from which its initial boundaries were drawn, and connects to nearby Annandale Deanery parishes like St. Ambrose (formed from Holy Spirit in 1966) and St. Philip in Falls Church through shared diocesan efforts.
References
| Holy Spirit Parish | |
| Dedication: | Holy Spirit |
| Venerated Saints: | |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Arlington |
| Deanery: | Annandale Deanery |
| Address: | 5121 Woodland Way, Annandale, VA 22003 |
| Coordinates: | 38.8336, -77.2087 |
| City: | Annandale, VA |
| Subdivision: | Virginia |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Fairfax County |
| Website: | https://holyspiritchurch.us |
| Founded: | 1964 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | parish@holyspiritchurch.us |
History
Holy Spirit Parish in Annandale, Virginia, was established on May 23, 1964, by Bishop John Russell of the Diocese of Richmond, which then included Northern Virginia, to serve a burgeoning Catholic population beyond the Beltway. Father Paul Cauwe, CICM, a Missionhurst priest, was appointed as the founding pastor, leading a community of about 500 families drawn from St. Leo and St. Michael parishes. Initially, Masses were held at Woodson High School, affectionately dubbed “Saint Woodson,” until the church at 8800 Braddock Road was dedicated in 1967. The parish school opened in September 1967, with construction completed in 1966 to meet urgent religious education needs. The Missionhurst priests guided the parish until 1981, after which diocesan clergy took over, starting with Msgr. Richard Burke. Key developments include a rectory in 1991, a school expansion in recent years, and a major sanctuary renovation with a new narthex completed in 2022. The parish celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014 with Bishop Paul Loverde, reflecting its growth into a dynamic, family-centered community aligned with Vatican II’s spirit.
Special features
- Holy Spirit Catholic School, serving Pre-K through 8th grade since 1967, emphasizes academic excellence and Catholic identity, with students attending weekly Mass and monthly Eucharistic Adoration.
- The new narthex, completed in 2022, features a baptismal font under a cupola with a carved wooden Holy Spirit dove, symbolizing the parish’s dedication and welcoming visitors at the main entrance.
- A diverse Mass schedule includes Sunday 7:30 am, 9:00 am (Youth Choir & Organ), 10:30 am (Choir & Organ), 12:00 pm (Cantor & Organ), and 6:00 pm (Contemporary Ensemble), with confessions offered multiple times weekly, enhancing liturgical accessibility.
- The parish supports a multicultural community, with Eritrean Catholics based there under Father Hagos Haile, and plans to welcome Father Ignatius Agure from Cameroon in 2025, alongside ministries like the Young Adults group started in 2023.
Related parishes
Holy Spirit Parish is part of the Diocese of Arlington, covering 21 counties in Northern Virginia. It has historical ties to St. Leo in Fairfax and St. Michael in Annandale, from which its initial boundaries were drawn, and connects to nearby Annandale Deanery parishes like St. Ambrose (formed from Holy Spirit in 1966) and St. Philip in Falls Church through shared diocesan efforts.