What is your parish’s charism? Giving.
This is a very generous parish. Whenever you ask, parishioners always provide, including support for the Catholic Charities Christmas collection. Donations to the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal perennially exceed the parish’s fundraising goal.
One charism for the time being is hope. The lack of a traditional parish hall has hindered our outreach and ministry efforts for a long time. Currently, large social events are held in the school gym. In 2017, we started a capital campaign to support construction of a Parish Life Center. We have received approximately $7 million in pledges and, should we receive the necessary approvals, we hope to break ground in early 2025. The parish hall’s construction will transform the parish forever. There is ample need for it today, which should only grow with the anticipated construction of a large, mixed-use facility nearby expected to include hundreds of new residences.
What’s one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there? Our church is home to what may be the largest relic of St. John Paul II.
The pope celebrated Mass on the National Mall in Washington Oct. 7, 1979. The altar he used nearly 50 years ago now stands in the sanctuary of our church. It was constructed using so-called “green” wood, not treated or dried wood. It was smooth when new. Over time, cracks have emerged in the altar, which are visible from the pews and underscore its historical significance.
In addition, our parish has a shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. Many people come throughout the day and night to pray there.
Tell us about your parish ministries. We have many active ministries that offer ways to get involved. For example, on Tuesdays, our youth ministry invites high school students for fellowship over games, bonfires and more. The Catholic women’s group organizes regular “Dinner with Friends” events to bring people together. Last month, a baby supplies drive benefited diocesan Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services and Mary’s Comfort, a new parish initiative we are in the process of launching to support women in crisis pregnancies. Later this year, we hope to open a house available to provide temporary housing for moms-to-be and their children. While living there, women would also receive life coaching and training to prepare them for independent living. It is modeled after Mary’s Shelter in Fredericksburg, where Father Don Rooney, pastor, was previously pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church.
Is there a special way your parish encourages and supports faith formation? We have adopted a hands-on approach to preparation for the sacrament of confirmation. Candidates for confirmation join teams that perform a series of both spiritual and corporal works of mercy and reflecting on them spiritually. That way, in addition to learning about the faith through books and lectures, young men and women learn by being the church. It has been successful and well-received. People have a positive experience because being the church and helping people is rewarding. Also this year, we have added a track of adult faith formation at the same time we have religious education for children.
How are you supporting the faith journey of particular cultures represented at your parish? Our parish is approximately one-quarter Spanish-speaking. In addition to celebrating regular Masses in Spanish, we also host the diocesan intercultural Mass for Filipinos on the third Saturday of the month. We host several cultural celebrations throughout the year for which our Spanish-speaking parishioners prepare traditional dishes and have fun.
What’s something we should know about your clergy? Father Rooney has worked as director of the diocesan Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for more than 20 years, and also enjoys painting when he can find the time. Father Jeb Donelan, parochial vicar, previously served at the diocesan mission in Bánica in the Dominican Republic. Father James Waalkes, parochial vicar, is a musician who wrote two songs that were recognized in the inaugural Catholic Song Contest in 2022.
Would you like to add anything else? St. Bernadette School is a huge parish ministry. Many new families come to the parish for the school, which is recognized as a Purple Star School for its warm welcome to military families. It has attracted a number of Orthodox students and families, including Greek Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox. The school is full, with a waiting list.
Quick facts
St. Bernadette Church
7600 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield
703-451-8576
Website: stbernpar.org
Pastor: Fr. Don Rooney
Parochial vicars: Fr. Jeb Donelan, Fr. James Waalkes
Mass schedule: Sat.: (vigil) 5 p.m.; Sun.: 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (Spanish), and 5:30 p.m.; Mon.-Fri.: 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.; Sat.: 8 a.m.
Confession: Sat. 3:30-4:30 p.m. (English and Spanish), or by appointment.
Year established: 1959
Parishioners: 11,217
St. Bernadette School
7602 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield
703=451-8696
Pre-k-8
Principal: Kathleen Burgess
