What’s distinctive about your parish? What is your parish’s charism? We are a family-oriented parish, both in the literal sense and with an overall feeling of community and welcoming as soon as parishioners walk in the doors.
Our outreach and the level of services we provide to others are unique, whether to someone needing physical support, monetary help or other assistance. We set aside 5 percent of our offertory collection for grants to outside communities. We organize events year-round that benefit an array of charities, such as Christ House in Alexandria, and connect parishioners, who respond generously, with people in need. In addition, our extensive English as a Second Language program provides instructions to as many as 150 students with the help of more than 40 volunteers.
The Memorial Garden behind the church is a growing ministry that offers a peaceful resting place for urns containing the remains of the faithful departed. At the end of a parish funeral, if the deceased is to be interred in the garden, there is a beautiful procession from the church down into the garden to place their remains. In response to continued interest, this fall we will initiate a fourth phase of development to add nearly 100 more spaces.
How does your parish encourage and support faith formation? Our ministries offer opportunities for parishioners to grow closer to God in every stage of their life. The RCIA program is very active, with a sacramental program with formation for first penance, first holy Communion and confirmation. Confirmation preparation includes an overnight, off-site retreat.
We organize or offer events each month for parish teens, including WorkCamp and travel to Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, for summer events to deepen their faith.
For adults, regular Bible study that was in person before COVID is now online over Zoom, connecting parishioners with those who have moved away. We also host programs on Sunday mornings geared to the parents of children in religious education classes, and are open to all adults to foster their formation. Our parish’s Alpha Team offers an 11-week retreat program that brings together small groups of parishioners to watch faith-related films and engage in informal discussions about life’s biggest questions and how to develop a closer relationship with Jesus.
Our choirs offer another way for parishioners to get involved with our vibrant liturgy. They include a children’s choir, a traditional choir, two contemporary/folk choirs, a handbell choir, a funeral choir and a festival choir for large parish events.
What’s another feature of the parish we should know about? Our St. Mark’s Activity Center, or SMAC, team of volunteers power a range of events promoting fellowship, from spaghetti dinners to fall festivals.
Many SMAC volunteers also participate in our funeral ministry. We meet with the people involved to plan and talk through the funeral liturgy. Our funeral coordinators help ensure everything goes right. Our volunteers set up and serve the meals the funeral party provides, and the volunteers also bring homemade baked goods for dessert. We celebrate all of our volunteers with an annual appreciation dinner in April, near the feast of St. Mark, our parish patron.
How do new parishioners get involved? People can call or stop by in person to register. New parishioners get a new member packet with a copy of our bulletin, bimonthly newsletter and information about ministries and education. They also receive a welcome email and an official welcome letter from our pastor, Father Pat Holroyd. We host newcomer luncheons in the fall and spring.
What’s something we should know about your clergy? We have been blessed with Father Holroyd as pastor for the past 20 years. Under his leadership we built the Christian Formation Center, which hosts school classes during the day and religious education, adult formation and other parish activities after hours. Father Ignatius Chung, parochial vicar, is with us from Cameroon as he prepares to go to school to study systematic theology. His efforts supported a monthly Mass here for the Cameroonian community.
Is there a standout or longtime staff member or volunteer you’d like to tell us about? Claire Fountaine was the office manager for 30 years before retiring approximately 10 years ago. She stays involved with the parish by leading SMAC team and works to support our funeral ministry.
Quick facts
9970 Vale Rd.
Vienna, VA 22181
703/281-9100
Website: stmark.org
Pastor: Fr. Patrick Holroyd
Parochial vicar: Fr. Ignatius Chung
Deacons: John P. Allen and Charles H. Duck (retired)
Mass schedule:
Saturday vigil: 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
Monday-Friday at 9:15 a.m., Monday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 6:15 a.m., and Saturday at 8 a.m.
Confession:
Saturday: 8:45-9:30 a.m. and 4-5:15 p.m.; and by appointment.
Year established: 1965
Total parishioners: 10,774
St. Mark Catholic School
9972 Vale Rd.
Vienna, VA 22181
703/281-9103
Website: stmark.org/school
Pre-K through eighth grade
Principal: Kimberly Parker
