Holy Spirit Parishioners Have 'Staying Power'

By Stephanie Tracy
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 8/15/02)

In an ever-changing world it is nice to know that some things remain constant. It is comforting to know that some people will still have the same address this Christmas as they’ve had for the last five Christmases.

It is nice to know that the house you grew up in is still there in the old neighborhood, even if the house looks a lot smaller than you remember it. It is wonderful to return to your home parish after being away to find familiar faces.

For Father Frank Ready, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Annandale, it is very common to find parishioners who were present for the founding of the parish in 1964.

"There are people here who’ve been here since the founding," Father Ready said. "They were the young married couples then, and now many have stayed around and they’re bringing their grandchildren here."

Father Ready described the parish as a cross-section of society.

"We have parishioners who are retired, and parishioners who are just getting started in the job market," he said. "This is the first parish I’ve been in where the funerals have equaled the weddings."

With an elementary school and a growing CYO program, Holy Spirit is never lacking in activity.

Tom Grodek has been a parishioner at Holy Spirit for 10 years.

"We have a lot of spirit and energy here," Grodek said. "It’s a very hardworking parish with a lot of energy across the board for a lot of things."

Grodek has been involved with the Men’s Club at the parish since his arrival. The group serves as a volunteer base for the parish, participating in community and parish projects. The Men’s Club is open to men who have a family registered in the parish.

Until five years ago, some parishioners feared that the establishment of a Knights of Columbus council in the parish would cause conflict. Both the Men’s Club and the Knights of Columbus council are flourishing today, Grodek said.

A high percentage of military and government families adds to the level of energy and involvement, Grodek said.

Parish groups include a Women’s Club, a sharing committee and other outreach groups. The sharing committee is responsible for responding to requests from people in need on a case-by-case basis. Parishioners also volunteer at Christ House, and support various charities, including the diocesan missions in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Founded in 1964 by Richmond Bishop John J. Russell, Holy Spirit Parish was carved out of the territories of St. Leo the Great Parish in Fairfax and St. Michael Parish in Annandale. Parishioners celebrated Mass at Woodson High School for three years while the church was being built. Bishop Russell dedicated the new church building on Sept. 9, 1967. Missionhurst Father Paul R. Cauwe, first pastor of Holy Spirit, shepherded 500 families through the early years until 1974.

The geographic area of the parish was split in 1966, sending 100 families to St. Ambrose Parish in Annandale. The Missionhurst Fathers turned the administration of the parish over to the Diocese of Arlington in May 1981; Arlington Bishop Thomas J. Welsh named Msgr. Richard Burke as pastor.

Holy Spirit Parish opened its own school in 1966. By 1989, the school accommodated grades K-8 with a student body of 500. There are just under 500 students enrolled in the school today.

The religious education program also remains active throughout the year with classes for grades K-12 and CYO activities for junior and senior high school students. A summer program, known as Vacation Church School, is offered every year during the last week in June. The program focuses on a new Biblical theme each year.

Margaret Whitehead, director of religious education for the parish, described the parish as one of welcome and support.

"This is a parish where everyone really likes to be here," Whitehead said. "There’s a lot of faith and a lot of interest in supporting the faith. It’s a real family parish with a lot of parent-involvement. Parents have been very generous in supporting our programs, as have the priests. This is just a very active and going parish where everyone’s happy to be here."

At a Glance:

Holy Spirit Church

8800 Braddock Road

Annandale, VA 22003-4165

703/978-8074

Rectory: 5121 Woodland Way

Pastor: Fr. Frank J. Ready, V.F.

Parochial Vicars: Fr. John M. O’Donohue

In residence: Rev. Msgr. Francis L. Bradican (Ret.)

DRE: Margaret Whitehead

Youth: Christine Najarian

Mass Schedule:

Saturday: 8 a.m.; 5:30 p.m. (Vigil Mass)

Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon

Weekdays: 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m.

Holy Days: 7:30 p.m. (Vigil Mass); 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Confession: Saturday, 4-5 p.m., 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Parishioners:

School:

8800 Braddock Road.

Annandale, VA 22003

703/978-7117

Grades Pre-K-8 with Extended Day Care

Principal: Deborah A. Mohney

Students:

Boundaries: Beginning at Accotink Creek and Beltway (I-495) — South on Beltway to Flag Run Creek — South along creek to Southern RR tracks to Rte. 652 — Northwest on 652 to Braddock Rd. — Northwest on Braddock to Burke Station Rd. — North on Burke Station Rd. to Fairfax County limits near Laurel St. — North and east along Farifax City limits to southeast corner of Frost J. H.S. — then east on a line parallel with Rte. 236 following the southern boundary — not including the following subdivisions: Haywood, Lee Meadows, Hunts Village, Doveville, Lee Forest and the Groves, Wakefield Forest Park, Ashton Jones and Wakefield Forest — to the southeast corner of Northern Virginia Community College — then follow creek to Accotink Creek east to the Beltway.

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