What is your parish’s charism?
We are built on the charism of St. Francis de Sales, and we embrace Salesian spirituality in all we do. We strive for gentleness, patience and humility. “All are Welcome” is our parish motto, and we try to live up to that. Salesian spirituality embraces the holiness of laypeople and their involvement is celebrated. We’re all church together. We are also known for being committed to service, running over 20 ministries that meet community needs. Parishioners provide greeting cards to shut-ins, prepare meals for area shelters and much more. We are engaged servants.
What’s one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there?
The Mary Chapel off our main sanctuary has a beautiful sculpture of our Blessed Mother. We hope everyone will visit and share some time with Mary in prayer. Our prayer area for Our Lady of Guadalupe also attracts the faithful daily. The de Sales Chapel, our original church, is also a warm and inviting space for worship and prayer. The Care for our Common Home ministry, assisted by an Eagle Scout, created a prayer loop behind the church, which backs to woods and trails.
What are some long-standing ministries we should know about?
Among several is our Pro-Life Ministry, which promotes policies that encourage pro-life stances in all our work. Our Good Samaritan Ministry assists people in financial need. And our January Hypothermia Shelter, offered with the nonprofit FACETS and neighboring faith communities, provides a week of housing to the homeless. Some of our larger ministries are our ACTION Committee, which helps victims of clerical sexual abuse; our Racial Justice Ministry, which hosts programs on combatting racism and promoting inclusion; and the Care for Our Common Home Ministry, which helps us focus on protecting the environment as outlined in Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical.
Is there a special way your parish supports faith formation?
We have a year-round RCIA program, and 740 students are registered in our faith formation programs. We also regularly offer adult programs, including those in Salesian spirituality. Thanks to many volunteers, led by parishioner Carol Swiger, we offer several Salesian-themed classes and retreats, including the annual Live Jesus event, which draws more than 700 each year.
How are you supporting the faith journeys of particular cultures in your parish?
Our Hispanic ministry is large and growing, and our bulletin runs every article in both English and Spanish, side by side. We have a Spanish prayer group and weekly Spanish Mass. Last summer, we started offering the ARISE Bible study program in Spanish and it has been very popular. For five years, our multicultural rosary group has met weekly to pray the rosary in English, French and Spanish. An annual Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe features members of our Spanish-speaking community acting out the themes of the meetings between Our Lady and Juan Diego. This year, we celebrated National Hispanic History Month and National Black Catholic History Month, sharing stories of important and vibrant communities with parishioners.
What would a visitor say about your parish, and how do new parishioners get involved?
We hope they would say, “St. John Neumann is a vibrant and welcoming community, striving to ‘Live Jesus!’ ” We have a welcome desk staffed every Saturday and Sunday. Most Sundays, we have coffee and donuts in the auditorium. This hospitality allows people to meet and mingle, make new friends, and strengthen friendships. When you become a parishioner, you receive our Parish Ministry Guide, which describes each ministry and lists contacts to help people find a ministry that can use their talents.
What should we know about your clergy?
Our clergy are all Oblates of St. Frances de Sales and embrace the Salesian charism. Father Joe Brennan, our pastor, was ordained here in 1998 and spent five years here in his first assignment. A native Washingtonian, he learned so much about being a parish priest from the mentorship of then-Pastor Father Bob Brown, OSFS, for whom he is incredibly grateful. One of our parochial vicars, Father Don Heet, OSFS, is the former principal of St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly and a theater enthusiast. Father Michael Murray, OSFS, is a prize-winning railroad photographer.
Is there a standout or longtime staff member you’d like to tell us about?
Jo-Ann Duggan, our director of outreach, has done an outstanding job keeping up with the escalating needs brought on by the pandemic. She has been here 6½ years. She speaks Spanish (and English) fluently and meets people from all backgrounds with great respect and understanding.
Would you like to share anything else about your parish?
We pride ourselves on being a parish that sings, fully participating in the liturgy. We are blessed to have several choirs that serve at the different Masses.
Quick facts
Address: St. John Neumann Church, 11900 Lawyers Rd., Reston
Office phone: English: 703/860-8510; Español: 703/860-8511
Website: www.saintjn.org
Social media accounts: St. John Neumann Catholic Community – Reston, VA @sjnreston (Facebook) and sjnreston (Instagram).
Pastor: Fr. Joseph T. Brennan, OSFS
Parochial vicars: Fr. Donald J. Heet, OSFS; Fr. Michael Murray, OSFS
In residence: Fr. John W. Crossin, OSFS
Permanent deacons: Deacon Atanacio Sandoval; Deacon John A. Wagner
Mass Schedule:
Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m.,11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (en Español); 5 p.m.
Saturday vigil: 5 p.m.
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.; Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12:10 p.m. (first Wednesday in September through Friday before Memorial Day).
Reconciliation: Saturday: 10-10:30 a.m. and by appointment
Year established: 1979. The original church (now the chapel) was dedicated in 1984. The current church was dedicated in 2004.
Total parishioners: 8,567
St. John Neumann Catholic Preschool
Ages: 2½ to 4½.
Director: Kathy Dallessandro, 703/860-6158
