Local

St. Katharine Drexel Mission hosts a fundraiser to build a permanent church

Elizabeth A. Elliott | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

St. Katharine Drexel Mission will host its third annual gala to raise money for a permanent church March 2. JOE CASHWELL | FILE

CROP_LR_2018-SKD-Gala.jpg

The St. Katharine Drexel Mission in Haymarket opened in 2000, the
year the saint was canonized. Since then, the mission church has been without a
permanent home. They meet weekly in Bull Run Middle School in Gainesville to
celebrate Mass.

The goal of building a permanent church for the community is close
to a reality. The mission recently completed a second capital campaign to raise
money for construction.

“With this effort, they’re closer than ever to achieving their
goal with pledges made by more than 200 families,” said David O’Flynn, head of
the St. Katharine Drexel building committee. “(The mission) expects to achieve
its goal with ongoing efforts, including the Mardi Gras Ball.”

The third annual ball, co-chaired by Casey Parker, Mary Banworth
and Dianne Lemanski, will be held at Piedmont Golf Club in Haymarket March 2. There
will be a live and auction, buffet dinner and dueling pianos for the
entertainment. All the proceeds will go to the building fund, including tips
given to the piano players.

“It was our intention when we started the gala in 2017 to build a
bond in our community,” said Parker. “We needed social interaction without the
set up and take down of the school for Mass.”

Parker said the community is strong and has grown, with an active
Knights of Columbus and Legion of Mary.

Father Christopher D. Murphy, pastor of St. Stephen the Martyr
Church in Middleburg and the mission, said the new church will serve the people
of Gainesville and Haymarket. When the boundaries of the diocese changed 10
years ago, many parishioners from the geographic area joined other churches
including Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville. Father Murphy said the mission
needs the support of those parishioners as well.

Father Murphy will celebrate Mass at the mission and a reception
for the feast of St. Katharine Drexel March 3. Parishioners will receive
updates from the building committee’s annual report on the progress.

“We want to convey that our second capital campaign is almost
complete,” said Father Murphy. “That depends on everyone’s enthusiasm remaining
high and that we all follow through with our pledges.” 

If you go

St. Katharine Drexel Mardi Gras Ball, March 2, 6:30 –11
p.m.

Piedmont Golf Club, 14675 Piedmont Vista Drive, Haymarket

Purchase tickets online at
katharinedrexelcc.org/st-katharine-drexel-mardi-gras-ball/.

Related Articles