What’s distinctive about your parish? This is a very urban parish. Many parishioners walk to the grocery store and to complete errands. Younger parishioners do not have or want a car. Father Frederick H. Edlefsen, pastor, visits the homebound on foot, meeting restaurant proprietors and other parishioners along the way. The size of the parish and its walkability are ideal for getting to know one another better.
The makeup of parishioners is always changing and increasingly reflects the development underway at National Landing, the combination of Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yards, fueled in part by construction of Amazon’s second corporate headquarters. Many parishioners work for the federal government or in related businesses, such as at embassies and other international organizations that attract Catholics from Africa and South America. Younger parishioners often move away after a few years in search of more affordable housing or a parish with a school as they marry and have children. They get involved with charitable drives or in parish ministry as sacristans or lectors, and they enjoy the company of our older parishioners. With so much transition in and out of the community, we prioritize pastoral outreach and being a user-friendly parish.
What’s something visitors should do or see at your parish? Our beautiful Mary chapel is a peaceful place to pray. Outside are two more inviting spots for worship — a Marian pro-life grotto and another grotto depicting the appearance of our patroness, Our Lady of Lourdes, to St. Bernadette. Our cozy, main church was constructed in the mid-20th-century architectural style and grows on people, even those who usually prefer gothic churches.
What’s new with your parish ministries? Hosting more social opportunities for parishioners and the community to interact has been a priority. People have responded. We expected 150 people for our fall festival; instead, 350 attended. The Knights of Columbus made an emergency grocery run, clearing out the shelves of hamburgers and hot dogs. A Mass and celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December drew nearly 300 people. We anticipate another strong showing for our upcoming 40 Hours Devotion, which will culminate in Mass and a reception honoring Our Lady of Lourdes Feb. 11.
Helping Hands ministry was established more than two years ago to support the work of diocesan Catholic Charities’ Migration and Refugee Services. A household items drive raised $10,000 worth of cash donations, pots, pans, sheets and even computers. Our second annual coat drive recently was completed with the support of Mattie & Eddie’s Restaurant and its manager Hayley Mackin, who is originally from Ireland and sought ways to partner with a local parish. We’re exploring the establishment of a St. Vincent de Paul conference here.
How does your parish support faith formation? We have an outstanding director of religious education, Leigh Hasson. She inspires our CCD teachers and organizes interesting classes that students enjoy. Previous lessons have included field trips to Washington to visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the St. John Paul II National Shrine, the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America and the Museum of the Bible.
Father Edlefsen occasionally delivers series of talks on faith formation, which are popular. For Advent, they covered meditation and grace. In June, they centered on St. John XXIII’s encyclical letter “Pacem in Terris” (Peace on Earth), tailored to parishioners who work in foreign affairs. In Lent, they focused on themes of redemption.
We often encounter Catholics who have moved around, including internationally. They may not have received certain sacraments or their children may not be baptized. We work to get them on the right track by being flexible with their needs.
What’s something we should know about your clergy? Two military priests are in residence: Father Steven Walker, a U.S. Navy chaplain, and Father Daniel L. Mode, who is the head of chaplains for the U.S. Coast Guard. They celebrate Masses here when their full-time assignments allow it, which people appreciate. Father Joseph R. Kenna, parochial vicar, likes to golf in his spare time. Father Edlefsen grew up in south Louisiana and still enjoys the quiet outdoors and hiking when he can.
Is there a standout staff member or volunteer you’d like to recognize? Ana Rivera has been a parishioner here since the early 1990s and is a critical point of contact for our Hispanic community. People from Latin America, South America and even the Caribbean come to our parish. She is great at working with them and on the necessary paperwork so they can receive the sacraments. We recently confirmed a 14-year-old boy from El Salvador at the Christmas Spanish Mass.
Quick facts
Our Lady of Lourdes Church
830 23rd St. S.
Arlington, VA 22202
703/684-9261
Website: ololcc.net
Pastor: Fr. Frederick H. Edlefsen
Parochial vicar: Fr. Joseph R. Kenna
In residence: Fr. Daniel L. Mode, Fr. Steven Walker
Mass schedule:
Saturday Vigil: 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 5 p.m. (Spanish)
Monday-Friday: 6:45 a.m., 12 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.
Confession:
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 12:30-1 p.m.
Saturday: 4-5 p.m.
Sunday: 4:15-4:45 (Spanish)
Year established: 1946
Total parishioners: 1,852
