What’s distinctive about your parish? The parish is nestled in a neighborhood off Poplar Tree Road near Walney Park in Chantilly. We are one of the largest Catholic grade schools in the commonwealth of Virginia.
What is your parish’s charism? Living our faith through the sacraments, apostolic service, education and community life.
What’s the one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there? A visit to our Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel is a must, not only for its beauty, but also for the peace you will feel sitting, praying and visiting with the Lord. Inside our church, we have gorgeous stained-glass windows — each designed by our former pastor, Father Cornelius O’Brien. Each large window has hidden symbols. On a sunny day, the rays of light illuminate the sanctuary.
What is a new ministry that you’ve started? Or, alternatively, share some recent activities of longstanding ministries. We have 37 ministries and groups. One of our newest groups is the Man Cave, which has hosted four events for the men of the parish, gathering more than 100 men at each one. It began as COVID restrictions were lifted.
Our St. Vincent de Paul ministry has been a longstanding service to those struggling in this area, offering financial assistance for housing, utilities, health, food and other needs. We have a food pantry that is open the third Saturday of each month, assisting approximately 150 families in our immediate area.
Is there a special way your parish encourages and supports faith formation? Faith formation comes in many ways. Our RCIA program begins each fall through the Easter Vigil, baptism classes, marriage prep, That Man is You, Walking with Purpose, small group Bible studies, and religious education for our grade schoolers, high schoolers and young adults. The priests also held a mini-series on “Mindfulness in an Anxious World” last fall and a four-part Lenten Parish Mission this past spring.
How are you supporting the faith journey of particular cultures represented in your parish? St. Timothy’s is a melting pot of many cultures. In past years we have hosted an International Festival where everyone shared their heritage in faith reciting the rosary. We also have a diverse variety of statues of Our Lady, attire, food, music, dance and games. Recently we hosted an Indian Culture Evening with food, dance and comedy.
What would a visitor say about your parish, and how do new parishioners get involved? We are a large parish with many ways to be a part of the parish community. We have more than 37 ministries, which are all listed on our parish website and in our bulletin, which is also on the parish website.
What’s something we should know about your clergy? We are blessed to have three full-time priests and one who also assists at Fairfax Hospital, two deacons and a summer seminarian. They work tirelessly to serve our parishioners.
Is there a standout or longtime staff member or volunteer you’d like to tell us about? Staff member Vincentius Sugiyatmo, who has been employed by St. Timothy’s since August 1994, plans to retire at the end of this year. He knows the parish campus inside and out and will be sadly missed by everyone here.
Quick Facts:
St. Timothy Catholic Church
13807 Poplar Tree Rd.
Chantilly
703/378-7461
Pastor: Fr. David Meng
Parochial vicars: Fr. James Searby, Fr. Charles Pavlick, Fr. Sunny Joseph
Mass times:
Saturday Vigil: 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.
Confession times:
Wednesday: 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Saturday: 3:30 p.m.
School: Saint Timothy Catholic School
13809 Poplar Tree Rd.
Chantilly
703/378-9408
Pre K–eighth grade
Total Students: ~750
Principal: Michael J. Pryor
Year established: 1972
Total parishioners: 16,534 families
Social Media: Instagram: @StTimsYA
