What’s distinctive about your parish? What is your parish’s charism? St. Peter Church in Washington, which began as a small mission church in 1979, is a traditional rural parish nestled in the beautiful piedmont of the Blue Ridge in Rappahannock County. It is truly a place of tranquil beauty. Our sacramental base strengthens the heart of our close-knit parish, which is to serve one another in our families, parish and the broader community.
What’s the one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there? St. Peter is one of 10 parishes in the Arlington diocese that maintains its own parish cemetery. As you enter the cemetery gate, you will see a Marian garden with a bronze statue of the Blessed Mother that replicates the statue in our church. There is also a memorial stone for the unborn placed there by the Knights of Columbus. The walkway around the garden is lined with the Stations of the Cross placed there as an Eagle Scout project. The church has beautiful stained-glass windows donated by founding parishioners; all but one depicts a scene in the life of St. Peter. The rose window depicts the keys of the kingdom and the upside-down cross of St. Peter. Beside the altar, there is a 3-inch replica of the Cross of the Millennium, given to the parish by the artist, Frederick Hart, a former parishioner. His original life-size cross was presented to Pope John Paul II for the celebration of the 2000th birthday of Jesus Christ. When the clear acrylic resin cross is illuminated, you can see the image of the crucified and rising Christ.
What is a new ministry that you’ve started? A Knights of Columbus Council was founded here in 2010 and supports many local charitable efforts. The Legion of Mary does apostolic work in and around the parish, including nearly monthly public Rosary Rallies on busy Lee Highway in front of the church. A new group is called the Seven Sisters Apostolate. This apostolate, which began in Minnesota in 2010, has more than 2,000 groups in parishes throughout the world. It consists of seven women, plus substitutes, who pledge to pray on a certain day every week before the Blessed Sacrament for one hour for their pastor or other designated priest or bishop.
Is there a special way your parish encourages and supports faith formation? A new study group, sponsored by the Legion of Mary has formed using the “Hearts Afire” program by Father Michael Gaitley of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. In between their “33 Days to Morning Glory” and “Wisdom and the Works of Mercy” series, they took a break to complete Father Donald Calloway’s “Consecration to St. Joseph” in honor of the year dedicated to St. Joseph. Our preschool through third grade religious education program has been using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program for the past 10 years. Their “atrium” for this Montessori-type program is set up in the basement of our rectory. A new youth group, entitled “Ignite! Living Our Faith!” meets after Sunday morning Mass in Father Albert Hall to build friendships, continue to learn about their Catholic faith and to plan ways to put their faith into action. Speakers from the parish are invited to share their faith at their meetings.
What would a visitor say about your parish, and how do new parishioners get involved? A visitor would probably say that our parish is located in an idyllic Alpine setting framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains and large tracts of undeveloped or farmland (there are no stoplights in Rappahannock County). In this peaceful setting, entering our simple rural church helps one feel the tensions of a busy life fall away so you can enter more easily into the presence of God.
What’s something we should know about your clergy? Father Kevin Beres is a wonderful example of a holy priest who is deeply committed to bringing parishioners to a greater love for the Blessed Trinity and the sacraments. He is the only priest assigned to St. Peter, but offers multiple daily Masses and the sacrament of Reconciliation after weekday Masses and before the Saturday Vigil Mass. He introduced the Traditional Latin Mass to the parish. He also participates in our social gatherings and group meetings.
Is there a standout or longtime staff member or volunteer you’d like to tell us about? There are many special men and women in our parish who inspire us to live our Catholic faith to the fullest by the example of their lives. Some are longtime parishioners who were here when we first became a mission church. These are the ones who you will see at many of the celebrations and functions of our parish. They are the ones who slip into a funeral Mass to pray for someone they might not have known. There are the “Friends of St. Joseph” who make the little maintenance tasks around the parish disappear. They always have a smile on their face and greet you as if you were family. When we need prayer, we know who to ask. They are “outstanding” to us because of their spiritual life that has been nurtured by the sacraments, their prayer life, their loving service, and their continual search to learn more about their Catholic faith through study and learning from the saints. They are eager to share their faith whether by teaching religious education or sharing in a Bible study group, or just giving you a warm smile.
Would you like to share anything else about your parish? Every Thursday after the 7 p.m. Mass, we have a holy hour during confession. Every Friday between the 8:30 and 11:15 a.m. Mass we have adoration.
Where can people learn more about your parish?
Website: stpeterparishva.org
Street address:
12762 Lee Highway,
Washington, Va.,22747
540/675-3432
Mass times: Saturday Vigil: 5 p.m.; Sunday Mass: 8:15 a.m., 9:45 a.m. (Traditional Latin Mass – TLM), 11:30 a.m.
Weekday Masses: Mon., Wed., Fri.: 8:30 a.m., English, 11:15 TLM; Tues: 6:45 a.m. TLM; and Sat 8:30 a.m. TLM.
Confession times: 10 minutes after weekday Masses MWF; 10 minutes after Thurs 7 p.m. Mass; Sat 4-4:45 p.m.
Pastor name: Father Kevin J. Beres
Year established: 1979
Total parishioners: 482
