St. John the Evangelist: A Parish with a Mission

By Irene Lagan
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 10/24/02)

As one of the oldest parishes in the Arlington Diocese, St. John the Evangelist in Warrenton has a rich history. The parish dates back to roughly 1860, when Richmond Bishop John McGill celebrated Mass in Warrenton on a pastoral visit. In the Civil War era, the church served as a military hospital for wounded soldiers before the building itself was yet completed. In 1874, the parish was officially established when St. John the Evangelist Church was dedicated.

Today, the parish continues to enjoy its proud legacy as a mission church. According to the pastor, Father Michael Bazan, the parish is widely known in the community as a place to turn when there is a need.

"This is still a mission church, but now the mission is reversed," said Father Bazan. "We are taking care of others’ needs whereas before we needed to draw on others for help."

Parishioners at St. John the Evangelist take an obvious pride in their church, evidenced by the beautiful gardens surrounding the school, parish offices, church building and rectory. The parish grounds form a little enclave, set on a hill slightly apart from a residential neighborhood with a panoramic view of the countryside.

The current church building dates back to 1964, when the parish outgrew the original structure following a period of growth. In 1959, the property on Winchester Street was purchased from Stuyvesant School, a boys’ boarding school that had closed, and a new stone church was built. The original church building was sold and is still used today by the county and other agencies to help the poor. Now, the parish has plans to double the seating capacity of its church. The "newest" building on the parish grounds is St. John the Evangelist School, built in 1987, with a current enrollment of nearly 250 students. The school opened in 1960, and was originally staffed by Benedictine Sisters and then by the Sisters of Notre Dame.

Father Bazan is assisted in his ministry by a parochial vicar, Father Christopher Murphy, Deacon Bernie Ragan and a large staff. Full-time staff members consist of a liturgy and music director, a youth minister, a social outreach coordinator and director of religious education. In addition, there is a 15-member parish council, a seven-member finance committee, a stewardship committee, a grounds committee and newly established welcoming and communications committees. One of the goals of the parish council this year is to make all those who are new to the parish feel welcome.

The parish is a thriving, family-oriented parish that is anticipating more growth as Fauquier County becomes more of a bedroom community outside the beltway. Although Warrenton has become increasingly suburban, it still retains a small-town flavor. Father Bazan and Father Murphy strive to make the parish motto "All are welcome, all are loved" a reality, and maintain an open-door policy for all new parishioners. In keeping with their missionary fervor, the parish community is committed to helping all those who come to the door with a need. "More and more people are coming directly here to the parish for help," Father Bazan said. "We try not to turn anyone away."

According to Father Bazan, the liturgical life of the parish is the first priority. "Everything we do flows from the liturgy," he said. "What we have to offer is Jesus Christ crucified, died and risen. Everything else we do flows from this." There are two Masses offered each day, and six on the weekend. On Wednesdays, there is Eucharistic Adoration and the Church is open for prayer every day. The parish has seen a steady increase in the number of people who attend daily Mass over the past several years, and parishioners are asking Father Bazan to extend the hours for Eucharistic Adoration.

Parish programs are scheduled to accommodate the needs of a growing and geographically diverse population. "Cars are a necessary part of ministry here," said Father Bazan. "Many parishioners have to drive significant distances, as much as 60 miles round trip, to get to the church. As a result, many parish programs are limited to weekends, or are scheduled later in evening than one would ordinarily expect. For instance, religious education programs are scheduled on Sunday and Monday afternoons or evenings." The catechetical program has offerings for pre-school through adult, and includes an RCIA program that runs from September through June.

Father Bazan noted that despite the large number of people in the community who are employed in government, technical, medical or legal professions, there is an increasing number of families who are dropping below the poverty level and who are struggling to find affordable housing. In response, the parish community has expanded many of its social outreach programs to accommodate the needs of poor or homeless families in the area. Father Bazan said the ministry during his seven years as pastor has increased to such an extent that the parish has hired a full-time social outreach coordinator. In addition to contributing to a local food bank, and helping to construct and staff two local family shelters (one of which is still in the formative stage), the parish helps pay rent and utilities for those who find themselves in severe financial distress, and has an angel tree program during the Christmas season. In addition, five years ago, the parish established a counseling center that offers individual, group and family therapy, and also began a widow/widower’s group.

Father Bazan said the generosity of the St. John Parish community is remarkable. "Whenever I have asked people in the parish for anything, I always get far more than what I asked for," he said

Local outreach is not the parish’s only concern. In conjunction with All Saints Parish in Manassas, St. John the Evangelist has formed a medical mission program to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Parishioners travel to the Dominican Republic and Haiti to bring medical supplies and offer services to the poor. The parish also contributes to Food for the Poor.

In addition to the social justice outreach programs, St. John has a Knights of Columbus council, a scout program, a women’s group, a vocation ministry, a youth group and a pro-life committee. Fathers Bazan and Murphy also try to meet the needs of the growing home schooling population by sponsoring events that draw people together.

In spite of the busy life of the parish and priests, St. John the Evangelist retains a tranquil atmosphere that is truly inviting.

At a Glance

St. John the Evangelist Church

271 Winchester St.

Warrenton, VA 20816

Rectory and Parish Offices

271 Winchester St.

703/347-2922

Pastor: Fr. Michael J. Bazan

Parochial Vicar: Fr. Christopher Murphy

Deacon: W. Bernard Ragan

DRE: Teresa Paccassi

Youth Ministry: Donna Stanislaw

Social Concerns/Outreach: Ellen Khoury

Music and Liturgy: Anne Conover

Mass Schedule

Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, 12 p.m.

(5:30 p.m. Sept.- June)

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

Weekdays: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

Holy Days: 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m.; 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Confession: Saturday 9 – 9:45 a.m. or by appointment

Tuesday, 9 a.m.; Wednesday, 8 p.m.

Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Divine Mercy Holy Hour: Friday, 3 – 4 p.m.

School:

111 King St.

540/347-2548

Principal: Elizabeth Roach

Pre-School

285 Winchester St.

540/347-5341

Secretary: Karen Fox

Counseling Center

Joan Depue, Ph.D., Director

540/347-2191

Parishioners: 5,130

Parish Founded: 1874

Website: www.stjohntheevangelist.org

Boundaries: Including all of Fauquier County that lies to the south of a line that follows Rte. 635 from the Rappahannock County line eastward to Rte. 688 (at Hume) – North on 688 to Rte. 55 (at Markham) – East on 55 (I-66) to Prince William County line.

 Copyright ©2002 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.