About Holy Family · Dale City, Virginia
Holy Family Catholic Church is a large, multicultural Roman Catholic parish in Dale City (Woodbridge mailing address) in Prince William County, Virginia, belonging to the Diocese of Arlington. Established in September 1970 to serve a fast-growing Catholic community in a Hylton-family-built planned suburb, the parish first worshipped in Bel Air Elementary School and a garage chapel before moving into its modern brick church on Ferndale Road, which was dedicated June 2, 1974. Today it is a spiritual home to roughly 2,300–3,300 registered families, runs its own PreK-8 parish school and preschool, keeps a year-round food pantry, and offers a full bilingual (English/Spanish) schedule of Masses, confessions, Eucharistic Adoration and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1970
- Patron
- Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Ramon A. Baez, VF
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
Holy Family is one of the largest and most diverse parishes in the Diocese of Arlington, with a generous bilingual (English/Spanish) schedule including up to five Sunday Masses, daily 9 a.m. Masses, weekday confession, Holy Hour and Friday Eucharistic Adoration that runs into the night on First Fridays. Parishioners point to more than fifty years of service work — the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, Bill Mehr Drop-in Shelter support, Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention, Community Feeding Task Force, Circle of Caring for the seriously ill, and youth mentorship — as the parish's defining identity. Families are served on-site by the parish's own PreK-8 Holy Family School and preschool, plus an active Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Black History & Heritage Outreach and a multicultural annual Fun Family International Festival — a community that lives out its mission to be "Christ's hands to help those in need."
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- First Friday: 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday Holy Hour: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (bilingual)
- 1st Friday: after 9:00 AM Mass until 12:00 midnight
- 2nd Friday: after 9:00 AM Mass until 11:30 PM
- All other Fridays (3rd–5th): after 9:00 AM Mass until 6:00 PM
Our History
Founded September 1970 as the 'Dale City Parish' of the Diocese of Richmond and renamed Holy Family, the parish grew quickly — its first Mass at Bel Air Elementary drew 1,200 people. The Hylton family donated land on Ferndale Road; the permanent brick church was dedicated June 2, 1974. In 1974 it joined the newly created Diocese of Arlington with Bishop Thomas J. Welsh. The parish activity center was added in April 1990, followed by the preschool in 1992 and Holy Family School in 1995/1997. The parish celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020.
- Founded: September 1970 by Bishop John J. Russell (Richmond)
- Founding pastor: Rev. R. Roy Cosby (1970–1978)
- Church dedicated: June 2, 1974
- Joined Diocese of Arlington: 1974
- Activity Center dedicated: April 1990
- School opened: fall 1997; Preschool established 1992
- 50th Anniversary Mass: 2020 with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
Clergy, Deacons & Staff
The parish team includes two parochial vicars, a priest in residence serving as chaplain to John Paul the Great High School, permanent and transitional deacons, plus parish and school staff supporting liturgy, faith formation, youth ministry, music and business operations.
- Pastor: Rev. Ramon A. Baez, VF
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Daniel A. Rice, Rev. David C. Witherow
- In Residence: Rev. Christopher F. Tipton (Chaplain, JP the Great H.S.)
- Permanent Deacons: Helio A. Gomez (also Business Manager), Joseph L. Santiago, W. Vincent Einsmann (Ret.)
- Transitional Deacon: Rev. Mr. Aaron F. Zanca
- Parish Administrator: Maria Vela
- Business Manager: Rosa Diaz / Deacon Helio Gomez
- Music Director: Janet Munford
- Faith Formation / Youth Ministry: Toni Papp (Director), Colette Swindell (Asst. Director – Youth), Helen Bonilla (Asst.)
Outreach & Charitable Ministries
Service to people in need has defined Holy Family since its first parish meetings under Father Cosby. Today the parish runs a year-round food pantry through the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, supports the Bill Mehr Drop-in Shelter and Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Shelter, fields a Community Feeding Task Force (which distributed thousands of food bags during the COVID-19 pandemic), and the Circle of Caring ministry for the seriously ill and their caregivers.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — Food Pantry (Ginny Rote, 703-730-1791)
- Bill Mehr Drop-in Shelter (Judi Peacott, 703-670-8161 ext. 314)
- Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Shelter
- Community Feeding Task Force
- Circle of Caring — care for the seriously ill
- Black History & Heritage Outreach — annual MLK Mass, bake sale, festival booth, Black Catholic saints education
Faith Formation, Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Faith Formation covers PreK through adult, including sacrament preparation, while Youth Ministry welcomes middle- and high-school teens from any school — public or Catholic — for ongoing faith, fellowship, and service opportunities. The Young Adult Ministry serves young adults continuing in the life of the parish, and confirmation and First Communion preparation is integrated into the program.
- Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry: Toni Papp
- Assistant Director of Youth Ministry: Colette Swindell
- Assistant of Faith Formation: Helen Bonilla
- Youth Group for high-school teens
- Young Adult Ministry
- RCIA and adult initiation
Liturgy & Music
Music and liturgical coordination is led by Music Director Janet Munford, with parish choirs supporting the English and Spanish Mass schedule. Bilingual Examination of Conscience aids and weekly 'A Sunday Minute with the Holy Family' reflections (first half in English, second half in Spanish) accompany the Sunday liturgy.
- Music Director: Janet Munford
- Music Associate: Allan Palacios Chan
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — English Coordinator: Jeannine Evans
- Adult Choir and Youth Choir
- A Sunday Minute with the Holy Family (bilingual Sunday-lectionary reflection)
Holy Family School & Preschool
Operating in the parish activity center since 1992 (preschool) and 1997 (school), Holy Family School offers a Catholic PreK-8 education with Extended Day Care and a Resource Program. By its 25th anniversary in October 2022 it served roughly 242 students, more than half of them Hispanic, reflecting the parish's bilingual, multicultural character.
- Principal: Sarah J. Chevlin
- Grades: PreK-8 with Extended Day Care & Resource Program
- Enrollment: ~242 students
- Founded under pastor Fr. Joseph P. Biniek; school opened fall 1997; preschool opened 1992
- Address: 14160 Ferndale Road, Dale City, VA
- Phone: (703) 670-3138
Plan Your Visit
Visitors are warmly welcomed at any Mass on the published schedule. The parish office is open Monday–Friday 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed weekends and U.S. national holidays). Confessionals are located inside the church, and livestreams are available for those unable to attend in person. Free on-site parking and bilingual aids make it accessible to the diverse Dale City / Woodbridge community.
- Address: 14160 Ferndale Rd., Woodbridge (Dale City), VA 22193
- Phone: (703) 670-8161
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Free on-site parking; church accessible
- YouTube livestream of daily 9 AM Mass and Sunday Masses
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. R. Roy Cosby1970 – 1978
Founding pastor; built the parish from scratch, celebrated first Mass Sept. 6, 1970 at Bel Air Elementary School.
- Rev. Vincent Keane1979 – 1983
Second pastor; oversaw the transition into the newly created Diocese of Arlington.
- Rev. George Griffin1983 – 1992
Third pastor; oversaw the April 1990 dedication of the parish activity center.
- Rev. Joseph P. (Joe) Biniek1991 – 1998
Driving force behind the founding of the parish preschool (1992) and Holy Family School (1995/1997).
- Rev. Stephen F. Leva1998 – 2001
Served as Parish Administrator (not pastor) following Father Biniek.
- Rev. Jose Hoyos2001 – 2005
Sixth pastor; oversaw growth of Hispanic ministry.
- Rev. Donald Planty2005 – 2010
Seventh pastor.
- Rev. Gerry Creedon2010 – 2017
Eighth pastor.
- Rev. Bill Korpi2017 – 2020
Ninth pastor; presided into the parish's 50th anniversary year.
- Rev. Ramon A. Baez, VF2020 – Present
Tenth pastor; honored at the 2020 50th anniversary Mass as he took office.