St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Middleburg is still partially rural but also has become partially dense housing developments. The parish covers 300 square miles and portions of three counties: Loudoun, Fauquier and Prince William.

Although its population is growing rapidly, Father Joe Biniek, administrator, reminds its members that they need not rush through their activities. "There are no emergencies here," he tells them.

In 1997, when Father Biniek first arrived at the parish, it had just over 300 households; this year there were 764. He estimates that in another year, 1,000 households will be registered.

To accommodate the increasing numbers, "Masses of convenience" were begun in September 2000 at Haymarket and South Riding. The parish takes its mobile church to each location, including the pulpit made of wood from a local barn. At St. Stephen’s every possible space is used for parish activities. When youth minister Matt Zurowski was hired last year, the church’s boiler room was converted to include his office.

Father Biniek feels one thing that makes the parish unique is the CCD program for 3-9-year-olds, "Catechesis of the Good Shepherd." Marilyn Krause, program director for one-and-a-half years, currently has 180 children and will later add a level for older children. Based on the work of educator Dr. Maria Montessori, at the request of Pope Pius XII, the program teaches children by individual guidance rather than strict control.

"We’re hoping that this will have a significant influence on our children and our families," said Krause of the Catechesis program. "Children key into the life of the Church, participate more fully and develop a love of the Church."

Learning sites, called "atriums," are set up at the parish building, held in four homes around the area and at some local facilities. Of the three diocesan parishes that have the program, St. Stephen’s is the largest.

The program is not book-based and proceeds at a child’s pace including hands on work with objects. In the atriums, which the pupils understand to be "sacred space," the children go through a cycle of learning: seeing, teaching and doing, Krause explained.

During a recent presentation she dialogued with the children, who would later try the activity themselves to become familiar with it. On the same recent weekday evening at the parish, children in small groups were composing an altar collage, recreating an infancy narrative, putting together a liturgical colors diagram and spending time at a prayer table.

Krause, also a national instructor for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, said that teachers require 80-100 hours training for each level.

Julia Neely, DRE (Director of Religious Education) since 1992, has been a parishioner since 1975. She said Father Biniek is "a wonderful liturgist and celebrates Mass with his heart and soul."

Father Biniek has a strong ecumenical relationship with other Middleburg churches. The group holds three annual events: a Thanksgiving eve prayer service, a vacation Bible school and a homecoming gathering. The parish also participates in a Habitat for Humanity program. They recently completed their commitment of $1,000 per month for 15 months toward the local project.

Jaci Sirangelo is the new coordinator for the parish Hispanic ministry and outreach. The monthly Spanish Mass is celebrated by Father Francisco Méndez de Dios, parochial vicar at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Arlington.

Last month, the diocese lost former St. Stephen pastor Father James Muldowney, 76, who died at his residence, an assisted living facility in Virginia. He served at the parish from 1993 until his retirement in 1998 and his funeral Mass was offered there.

When St. Stephen was established as a mission in 1947 by St. John the Apostle Parish in Leesburg, people were not moving into the area as quickly as they have recently. At that time, there were 60 Catholics in Middleburg. Located in Virginia’s historic hunt country with many influential families, several of the mission’s founding members suggested that it be named Our Lady of the Hunt. Father Biniek said that even today, foxes occasionally run through the parking lot, and hunting dogs and riders on horseback can be seen nearby.

Through the 1950s, attendance grew until the Middleburg Community Center, where Mass was celebrated, reached capacity by 1962. At this time, John F. Kennedy, the first and only Catholic U.S. president, who had a weekend residence in Middleburg, joined the parish.

Father Biniek said that having a famous member attracted more people to the parish and increased their desire to have a suitable place of worship. One parishioner donated three acres of land and many gave large monetary donations, he said. Construction of a permanent church was begun and in April 1963, the Kennedy family attended the first Mass celebrated in the new building. The pew where they sat is marked with a plaque in honor of the president.

St. Stephen became an independent parish in 1975.

St. Stephen the Martyr Parish at a Glance

Intersection of Rts. 50 and Sam Fred Rd. (mailing address P.O. Box 474)

Middleburg, Va. 20118-0474

540/687-6433

Administrator: Father Joseph P. Biniek

Mass Schedule:

M-F 9 a.m.

Sat. (of convenience) at Little River Elementary School, 43464 Hyland Hills St., South Riding 4:30 p.m.

at Middleburg 6 p.m.

Sun. at Middleburg 8 and 11:15 a.m.

(of convenience) at Pace West.School, 14550 John Marshall Hwy. (Rt. 55), Haymarket, 9:30 a.m.

Third Sun. of the month, Spanish Mass at Middleburg 7 p.m.

DRE(s): Julia Neely, Marilyn Krause

YM: Matthew Zurowski

Parishioners: 1,691

Parish Founded: 1975

Deanery: III