The Arlington Diocese is turning over the administration of
two parishes to religious order priests, according to a June
8 announcement by Bishop Paul S. Loverde.
The Missionhurst Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
will assume responsibility of St. Ann Church in Arlington,
while the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary (DCJM)
will assume responsibility of Queen of Apostles Church in
Alexandria. Both changes are effective June 26.
In addition, Bishop Loverde appointed two other pastors.
Father James C. Hudgins will become pastor of St. Jude Church
in Fredericksburg and Father Matthew H. Zuberbueler will
become pastor of St. Louis Church in Alexandria. Both had
been parochial administrators at their respective parishes.
“Welcoming both the Missionhurst Congregation of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Disciples of the Hearts of
Jesus and Mary to their new apostolates brings great joy to
me,” Bishop Loverde said. “These two religious communities,
the former long present in active ministry in our diocese,
the latter fairly new to this part of the world, will enrich
the parishes they shepherd and our entire diocesan family.”
The Missionhurst community, founded in Belgium in 1862, has
its U.S. provincial house in Arlington and currently staffs
Precious Blood Church in Culpeper. Although primarily known
for its missionary outreach to China, Asia and Africa, the
community has a long history in Virginia dating to the 1940s.
Missionhurst priests primarily served in parishes in the
Shenandoah Valley, such as Our Lady of the Blue Ridge in
Madison and St. Peter Church in Washington, Va. The community
also staffed Holy Spirit Church in Annandale.
“We have been privileged to have the Missionhurst
Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary play a role in
our diocese since its foundation and I know that they will
continue and build upon their spiritual and pastoral works at
St. Ann,” Bishop Loverde said. “We are fortunate to have
them, and I know the St. Ann community will embrace them.”
Father Ramel O. Portula will replace Father Donald C.
Greenhalgh as pastor of St. Ann Church. Father Greenhalgh
will become pastor emeritus, with residence at St. Mary of
Sorrows Church in Fairfax.
Father Portula will be joined later this summer by then newly
ordained Father Frederic Mizengo Mabe, a native of the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I am very grateful to Bishop Loverde for this joyful
opportunity to strengthen our missionary presence in the
Diocese of Arlington,” said Father Portula. “The Congregation
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary since its birth in 1862
through the pioneering spirit of our founder, Father
Theophile Verbist, has been at the service of God’s mission.
We look forward to joining St. Ann Church and forging deep
ties with the parish family and community.”
The Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary is a relatively
new religious institute that was inspired by the teachings of
Blessed John Paul II. It was established in 1987 in Cuenca,
Spain, where the motherhouse and novitiate still are located.
“Religious institute” is the term used by the Second Vatican
Council and the revised Code of Canon Law to describe any
religious order, society or congregation in which the members
take public vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and live
a common life.
Father Leopoldo Vives will replace Father Kevin B. Walsh as
pastor of Queen of Apostles. Father Javier Nieva will be
parochial vicar. Father Ignacio de Ribera will be in
residence, while teaching philosophy at Catholic University
in Washington. Father Walsh will begin full-time studies at
the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
“We were privileged to have DCJM Fathers minister in our
diocese from 2004 to 2009 and I am pleased to welcome them
back as they build upon their spiritual and pastoral works at
Queen of Apostles Church,” Bishop Loverde said. “The
Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary are a young order,
but I know the Queen of Apostles community will be as
impressed with their vigor and spirituality as I am. We are
fortunate to have them.”
Former Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput invited DCJM
priests to staff St. Mary Church in Littleton, Colo., in
2007. They also staff Santa Maria Josefa del Corazon de Jesus
Church and operate Stella Maris School, both in Madrid.
“During my years as archbishop of Denver, I had the privilege
of meeting many fine young priests,” said Archbishop Chaput.
“Very few have the blend of maturity, joy, energy and
discipline I find in the Disciples.”
Father Jose Noriega is superior general of the institute,
which has a strong interest in education and ministering to
families. The institute has 20 priests and 10 men currently
in formation.
“We are very grateful to Bishop Loverde and elated to take on
this blessed responsibility,” said Father Vives. “We come
here with great hope and enthusiasm to share the blessings of
the Lord upon the parish and its members and families. We
look forward to joining Queen of Apostles Church and creating
strong bonds of faith and service with our new parish
family.”
Parishes staffed by religious orders
The following diocesan parishes are served by religious
communities:
Holy Martyrs of Vietnam, Arlington – Order of Preachers
(Dominicans)
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Arlington – Congregation of the
Holy Spirit (Spiritans)
St. Joseph, Alexandria – St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred
Heart (Josephites)
Precious Blood, Culpeper – Missionhurst Congregation of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary
St. Joseph, Herndon – Third Order Regular Franciscans
Our Lady of the Valley, Luray – Third Order Regular
Franciscans
St. John Neumann, Reston – Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Our Lady of Good Counsel, Vienna – Oblates of St. Francis de
Sales
St. Francis of Assisi, Triangle – Order of Friars Minor
Christ the Redeemer, Sterling – Franciscan Friars of the
Atonement
