Groundbreaking at St. John Neumann Church, Reston

By Mary McCarthy
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 10/10/02)

RESTON — On the 27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, there was a standing-room-only crowd at the noon Mass at St. John Neumann Church in Reston. The crying room was full, there were people standing in the narthex, and there were even a few listening to Mass outside. The parking lot was full, and cars were parked on the street.

This is not an uncommon occurrence at St. John Neumann. The current church seats 550, but there are currently 3,400 parishioners.

Between the doors leading into the church is a framed print saying, "Let us build a house where all are welcome." This is the current mission at St. John Neumann.

Oblate Father Robert Brown broke ground on Oct. 6 for an addition to the church. Father Brown led those gathered in prayer, and then blessed the ground before he moved the first shovel of dirt. Following him in breaking ground were J. Edward Sweet Jr., chairman of the finance committee, and Chuck Caputo, chairman of the pastoral council. Father Brown invited two young boys to help as well.

The building fund was started in 1998. The addition will connect the original church with the parish center. Included in the addition will be a new church, which will seat 1,000, and new parish staff offices. The original church, which was built and dedicated in 1982, will be renovated in the second phase of the building project, and will be converted into classrooms for religious education. The present offices also will become classrooms. It is estimated that the project will be finished by Dec. 2, 2003.

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