Seventy-seven years ago, 16 Black Catholics petitioned Richmond Bishop Peter L. Ireton for permission to establish a church where they could freely worship in undeveloped Arlington County. Those Catholics exhibited faith at least the size of the mustard seed that Jesus likened to the kingdom of heaven in St. Matthew’s Gospel, saying, “It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants.” Likewise, they could scarcely have imagined the 2,400-family, multicultural parish that Our Lady Queen of Peace Church has blossomed into today and the densely populated Arlington neighborhood it calls home.
That rich history and an enduring commitment to racial equality were highlighted during a Mass Nov. 6 recognizing the 75th anniversary of the church’s dedication on Pentecost Sunday in 1947.
In opening the anniversary Mass, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge recalled the Diocesan Golden Jubilee themes of Remember, Rejoice and Renew. He encouraged the congregation to remember and pray for the faithful departed who served and worshipped at the parish; to rejoice in God’s blessings over the past 75 years; and to renew the commitment to living out the Catholic faith with generosity and compassion toward others, something for which he said the parish is well-known.
“So, with all of the Diocese of Arlington, we certainly congratulate all of you and offer you our prayers.”
During the Mass, Bishop Burbidge presented Spiritan Father Timothy J. Hickey, pastor, with the original papal blessing from Pope Pius XII for the church’s dedication in 1947. Once considered lost, Father Hickey said it was rediscovered during a renovation and recently refurbished and framed by diocesan staff.
“That’s an amazing story, isn’t it? St. Anthony was at work,” Bishop Burbidge said.
Since its establishment as a parish, Our Lady Queen of Peace has been ministered to by priests of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, or Spiritans, whose charism places a special emphasis on care for the poor, immigrants and other marginalized people.
Parishioners support an impoverished parish in Medor, Haiti, run a clothing and thrift store called Matthew 25 Bazaar and maintain a robust food pantry that serves approximately 600 families each weekend. Organizers hope to distribute approximately 800 Thanksgiving dinners Nov. 21. Produce grown in gardens on the parish grounds is given away. A back-to-school drive this fall distributed 900 backpacks loaded with supplies and new socks and underwear. Solar panels are mounted on parish building rooftops, including an arrangement of panels in the shape of the cross.
Parishioners say that discipleship in action and living out Gospel values is what drew them to Our Lady Queen of Peace, where the liturgy also incorporates the Spiritan charism. Prior to the start of Mass, priests sometimes recognize out of town visitors in the pews. After the formal Prayers of the Faithful are completed, parishioners shout out their own petitions, met with the congregation’s response, “Lord, hear our prayer.” Applause occasionally punctuates the worship.
“The liturgies are beautiful, very meaningful with gorgeous music,” said longtime parishioner Bill Larme, who appreciates the parish’s food bank outreach and commitment to the environment.
“It’s always been welcoming,” said Rebecca Grant Jenkins, a parishioner for 18 years before joining the staff in 2019 as director of youth and young adult ministries. “It’s just a great place to worship and fellowship in a community of Catholics who are of like mind with social justice. That’s at our foundation.”
During his homily, Father Hickey reflected on a quote attributed to Dag Hammarskjold, former secretary-general of the U.N., that he previously selected for the memory card from both his religious profession and ordination: “For all that has been, thanks. For all that will be, yes.”
“I think it is appropriate for today as we celebrate this anniversary and as we have just celebrated All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day,” he said. “We do not know exactly what lies ahead but yet we are part of it, promised resurrection through our baptism.”
Schweers can be reached at [email protected].