What’s distinctive about your parish? What is your parish’s charism?
Our parish is staffed by Franciscan friars, so our charism is based on Franciscan spirituality. Some of the characteristics of Franciscan spirituality are humble service in ministry, fraternity, seeing the best in others, respect for all creation and following in the footsteps of Jesus. The sign on the street in front of our church says, “All are Welcome, A Franciscan Community.” And that is our emphasis. We are an inclusive parish, and a faith community where all are welcome to live and journey as disciples of Christ.
What’s one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there?
Visitors to our church often comment on how beautiful it is. Though it was built in 1972, it is more traditional in its appearance. It has beautiful stained-glass windows from a former church in Buffalo, N.Y. The stained-glass windows are surrounded by beautiful stonework that gives the church a very Franciscan, natural look.
What have some of your longstanding ministries been up to recently?
A ministry that we are most proud of is our extensive outreach programs to the poor, the disadvantaged and first-generation immigrants. These programs take place out of our parish St. Francis House Outreach Center. “Francis House,” as it is known, was rated one of the top 10 community outreach centers in Northern Virginia. Our parish is involved in refugee resettlement programs as well as VOICE — the coordinated effort of a number of faiths in Northern Virginia to deal with such issues as affordable housing, development of a public defender’s office, lobbying for a moratorium on apartment evictions, programs for the poor, etc. We also sponsor Stephen Ministry, an outreach ministry to the homebound or those experiencing difficulties.
How are you supporting the faith journey of particular cultures represented in your parish?
Since the addition of a weekly Spanish Mass in 2004, St. Francis has had an active and growing Hispanic parish ministry, particularly ministering to immigrants in the local community. Beyond welcoming Hispanic immigrants and allowing them to use our buildings, little by little, St. Francis is transforming into a vibrant, inclusive, diverse example of the body of Christ and not two “churches” using the same building. We are trying to be a parish where the bond of sharing our faith together transcends differences of race, culture, language, gender, social status and age. All parishioners are brothers and sisters.
In a multicultural parish like St. Francis, we have special celebrations during the year, such as Christmas, Holy Week and Easter, where we are learning to practice the “culture of encounter.” Also, we are proud of supporting and celebrating Hispanic traditions and celebrations such as: Cristo de los Milagros (Perú), Our Lady of Guadalupe, Posadas, Pastorelas and the Stations of the Cross.
What would a visitor say about your parish, and how do new parishioners get involved?
Visitors to our parish often comment on the prayerful liturgies, the welcoming atmosphere and that the people are so friendly. We send out welcome letters to new parishioners. We sponsor “Welcome Sundays” where the friars and parish lay leaders speak to new parishioners about the many aspects and programs of our parish. We also organize “Coffee Call” Sundays and parish social events, so parishioners have the opportunity to get to know each other.
What’s something we should know about your clergy?
Father John O’Connor, pastor, is the former minister provincial of Holy Name Province of the Order of Friars Minor and president of the English-speaking Conference of the Order of Friars Minor. He also served as the executive assistant to the minister general of the Order of Friars Minor in Rome. One of Father John’s unique accomplishments is that he represented the Franciscans in a joint venture that built a skyscraper in New York City.
We have three parochial vicars: Father Jim Scullion is a biblical scholar and taught graduate theology in Washington for many years; Father George Corrigan is a former nuclear engineer officer on a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine. His later experience in life, before becoming a Franciscan, included his work as a principal in an IT firm, and as a lay missionary in Africa. And Father Lalo Jara is originally from Costa Rica and recently became a U.S. citizen. He is finishing a doctorate in pastoral theology and has an extensive ministry not only in the parish, but as a televangelist, working with several dioceses on the East Coast.
Quick Facts:
St. Francis of Assisi
18825 Fuller Heights Rd.
Triangle
Stfrncis.org
703/221-4044
Pastor: Father John F. O’Connor, O.F.M.
Parochial Vicars: Father James Scullion, O.F.M., Father George Corrigan, O.F.M., Father Lalo Jara, O.F.M.
DRE: Marianne Hayes
Youth Ministry: Brandon Jubar
Mass schedule:
Monday-Friday: 8:45 a.m.
Saturday: 5:30 (vigil Mass)
Sunday: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Spanish), 5:30 p.m.
Year established: 1957
Total parishioners: 6,792
School information:
St. Francis of Assisi School
18825 Fuller Heights Rd.
Triangle
stfas.org
Pre-K-8 w/Extended Care
Student population: 275
Principal: Dr. Tricia Barber
