Matthew 25 Guides Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish

By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 3/21/02)

ARLINGTON — Thaddenia West (pictured at right) glows with pride and joy as she recounts the history of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish in Arlington.

West is the sole survivor of a small group of devout African-American Catholics who met with Richmond Bishop Peter Ireton’s representative in 1945 at Edward and Alice Moorman’s South 2nd St. home. For years, Arlington’s black Catholics had attended St. Joseph Church in Alexandria or black churches in Washington. Parish founders desired a spiritual home in their own neighborhood.

Bishop Ireton granted their request and invited the Holy Ghost Fathers to serve the parish. On May 20, 1945, Holy Ghost Fathers Father Joseph Hackett, their first pastor, celebrated Mass for 40 people in Lawrence Butler’s home on South Barton St. Recalling many novenas said during World War II for the safe return of loved ones, they named the parish, Our Lady, Queen of Peace.

On Sept. 20, 1946, Father Hackett and Alice Moorman turned the first shovel of dirt to break ground for the church. Sunday Mass was celebrated at Dunbar Center in Green Valley until the church at 19th and South Edgewood Streets was completed. The Holy Name Society, Sodality and Junior Sodality began during the first year. Bake sales, rummage sales and teas were held to raise money for the parish.

Bishop Ireton dedicated Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church on June 15, 1947.

Tremendous changes have occurred in the United States since the parish founding. According to parish history, "in 1945, it was simply accepted that Black people … called for a ‘special ministry.’" By 1963, Our Lady, Queen of Peace had been designated a territorial parish to include everyone within its boundaries, regardless of race.

With the arrival of Holy Ghost Fathers Father David Ray, as pastor, in 1958, community-minded programs expanded. Central to Father Ray’s philosophy was Matthew 25:35, "I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me…"

"This is still a strong component of the parish mission — outreach," said Holy Ghost Father Jeffrey Duaime, pastor since 1995. On July 1, 2002, Holy Ghost Father Leonard Tuozzolo, who is new to the diocese, will become pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace.

For years, Father Ray opened the rectory basement to provide housing, food and counseling to homeless men. Father Ray served Our Lady, Queen of Peace for 25 years, until his death in 1983.

In 1964, a modest day-care program moved into the Family Activities Center, now Father David Ray Hall. About 100 children, ages 2-6, receive year-round day care and Montessori instruction.

A federally chartered credit union for the community was formed in 1964. "It is a tremendous service to the church members. It was part of the philosophy of the parish that people should be helping each other," Father Duaime said.

In 1972, a building was erected to house Matthew 25 Bazaar, a thrift shop where used clothing, household goods and necessities are sold at a nominal price.

Holy Ghost Fathers Father James Healy, pastor until 1995, continued the parish tradition of social justice. The Social Ministries Office was established to more efficiently provide emergency financial, food and referral services to neighborhood poor.

Holy Ghost Fathers Father Edward Kelly, served as parish administrator from spring 1995 until Father Duaime arrived that fall. Holy Ghost Father Leonard Tuozzolo will become pastor effective July 1.

West does not dwell on the past, though. "I think we should focus on the present," she said.

The parish’s extensive Web site (www.ourladyqueenofpeace.org) describes a capital fund raising campaign for a new ministry center that will replace the Matthew 25 Bazaar and credit union buildings. Parishioners responded with $1 million in pledges in two months, said Father Duaime. Hopefully, the new ministry center, which will house Matthew 25 Bazaar, credit union offices, classrooms and a large meeting room, will be completed by the end of the year. The parish recently acquired a new property, adjacent to the parking lot, to serve as a rectory.

The parish is no longer predominantly black, according to West. "It was a black parish because it had to be at that time, but not today. There is so much love and so much of every [ethnic group] that you can think of is at our parish," said West.

The parish heritage is celebrated with a gospel choir and a scholarship for African-American students.

According to Father Duaime, Hispanics comprise about 25 percent of the parish. The church is full on Sunday for the 1 p.m. Mass in Spanish.

Social justice has been important to the parish "since day one," said West. Deacon Eugene Bétit directs parish social justice ministry full-time. He coordinates emergency assistance, such as the food pantry.

A prayer group, Women’s Faith Sharing, meets in parish homes. Their outreach has included Christ House in Alexandria, hospitality at parish functions and a banner sent to the twin parish in Haiti.

Members of Minkisi (Kiswahili for "healing objects") focus on scripture-based prayer and reflection, lead prayer services and offer retreats. They emphasize interracial dialogue and social action in the surrounding Nauck community.

The Haiti Committee coordinates solidarity with St. Joseph Parish in Medor, Haiti. Efforts have included funding of medical treatment for Sister Romanie of the Little Sisters of St. Theresa, a Haitian community with few financial resources.

Youth minister Aldophe Gervais plans to take teens to St. Joseph this summer. For 10-15 days they will experience the rich culture as well as the challenges of living in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

"We are doing an awful lot of outreach in the community with other churches," West said. The parish has three interfaith services each year. "We have been celebrating the diversity of the community. We have a multicultural festival at Pentecost … and at Epiphany we have a bilingual Mass and Epiphany fiesta, and at the end of summer a big picnic," Father Duaime said.
"It’s just wonderful to see how we are all working together — the Spanish people, blacks, whites, everybody cooperating," West said. She is delighted by the parish’s growth. "Our people are very generous. Every time we do something and every time something is added on, it’s, to me, like it was just supposed to be that way. I’m overwhelmed with the growth of Our Lady, Queen of Peace. I’m not by myself either," she said.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace at a Glance

2700 S. 19th St.

Arlington, Va. 22204-5298

703/979-5580

Pastor:

Deacon: Eugene D Bétit

Rectory: 2700 S. 19th St.

Arlington, Va. 22204-5298

School: Queen of Peace Early Learning Center

2700 S. 19th St.

Arlington, Va. 22204-5298

703/271-0692

DRE, YM: Aldophe Gervais

Mass Schedule:

Sat.: 6 p.m.

Sun.: 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. (Spanish)

Parish founded: 1945

Parishioners: 1,847

Parish Boundaries: Beginning at Columbia Pike and Arlington Ridge Rd. — South on Arlington Ridge Rd. to I-395 — South on I-395 to Four Mile Run — Northwest on Four Mile Run to a point west of S. 18th St. — East to and on S. 18th St. to S. Walter Reed Dr. (including Concord Village) — Northeast on S. Walter Reed Dr. to Columbia Pike — East on Columbia Pike to Arlington Ridge Rd.

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