About Holy Spirit · Annandale, Virginia
Holy Spirit Catholic Church is a large, active Roman Catholic parish in Annandale, Virginia, in the Diocese of Arlington. Established on May 23, 1964, it serves approximately 7,400 registered parishioners with six weekend Masses, a parish school (Pre-K through 8th grade), and more than 50 active ministries. The parish is known for its welcoming atmosphere, an Eritrean Catholic community based at the church, a popular weekly Bible study that has grown from 20 to more than 60 participants, and a newly completed narthex and parish hall blessed by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge in June 2022.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Fr. David Meng
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
Holy Spirit is a highly engaged parish with more than 50 active ministries spanning every age and stage of life — from CYO sports and a Militia Immaculata children's rosary prayer group, to a high-school youth ministry with 'Band of Brothers' and 'BEHOLD' small groups, to a recently launched Young Adults Ministry. A weekly Bible study that has grown from 20 to more than 60 participants and six weekend Masses (including one with ASL interpretation and a 9 a.m. livestream) make it accessible to virtually anyone. The parish is also notably multicultural, with extraordinary ministers and lectors drawn from Brazil, France, Ghana, Guam, Malaysia, the U.K., Vietnam and beyond, and an Eritrean Catholic community worshipping on-site led by Father Hagos Haile. An annual parish picnic has become a neighborhood tradition welcoming non-parishioners as well.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:00 & 8:30 AM
- Wednesday: 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 & 8:30 AM
- Friday: 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 3:30 PM
Welcome & Parish Identity
Holy Spirit Catholic Church describes itself as a parish that 'joyfully embraces the fullness of the Sacramental Life and the faith of the Church.' Visitors — whether out-of-towners, newcomers, returning Catholics, or those exploring faith for the first time — are explicitly welcomed. New parishioners can register using a fillable PDF form emailed to Office Manager Cheryl Hutchison.
- Registration Form available as a fillable PDF
- Six Sunday Masses drawing 2,000+ worshippers
- ASL interpretation at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass
- Livestream of the 9 AM Mass (daily and Sunday)
History of Holy Spirit Parish
Founded May 23, 1964, by Bishop John Russell of the Diocese of Richmond, Holy Spirit began with roughly 500 families carved from Saint Leo and Saint Michael parishes. Mass was first celebrated at W.T. Woodson High School. The school opened in 1966, the church was dedicated in September 1967, and the parish has grown into one of the larger communities of the Diocese of Arlington.
- 1964: Parish established; Fr. Paul Cauwe, CICM, founding pastor
- 1965–1966: Parish school built and opened
- 1967: Church dedicated; Liturgical Conference Merit Award
- 1974–1981: Fr. Paul DeWolf, CICM, second pastor
- 1981: Transition from Missionhurst to diocesan clergy
- 1991: Rectory constructed
- 2014: 50th anniversary Mass with Bishop Paul Loverde
- 2022: New narthex, baptismal font, parish hall blessed by Bishop Burbidge
Architecture & Recent Renovations
Architect Robert Calhoun Smith's 1967 church was honored for its design adaptation to the renewed spirit of Catholic worship after Vatican II. The 2021–2022 renovation added a narthex crowned by a cupola with a custom-carved Italian wooden Holy Spirit dove suspended above a new baptismal font, plus a new parish hall and meeting rooms. The sanctuary received fresh light fixtures, marble flooring, and a Sacred Heart of Jesus mosaic on the new Altar of Sacrifice.
- Original 1967 design by Robert Calhoun Smith
- Merit Award of the Liturgical Conference
- Italian-carved Holy Spirit dove under a painted-blue cupola
- New parish hall and meeting rooms adjoining the narthex
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently pastored by Fr. David Meng and served by two parochial vicars, two deacons, and a full parish team including directors of operations, religious education, youth ministry, liturgical music, marketing, facilities, and child protection.
- Fr. David Meng — Pastor
- Fr. Ignatius Agure — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Jim Harbour — Parochial Vicar
- Dcn. Mark Arbeen — Deacon
- Dcn. Tom Grodek — Deacon
- Patricia (Patty) Tang — Director of Parish Operations
- Cheryl Hutchison — Office Manager
- Anson Groves — Director of Religious Education & Youth Ministry
- Mayra Saunders — Assistant Director of Religious Education
- Alberto Gonzalez — Director of Liturgical Music
- Anne Dyke — School Principal
- Ashley Martinez — Assistant Principal
- Lori Martin — School Registrar
- Brian Patterson — Parish Accountant
- Rebecca D'Souza — Marketing & Social Media Manager
- James Small — Bulletin Editor
- Robbie Parnell — Facilities Manager
- Mike Callahan — Assistant Facilities Manager
- Alicia Steger — Child Protection Manager
- Csilla Daphnis — Receptionist
Holy Spirit School (Pre-K–8)
Holy Spirit Catholic School opened in 1966 with kindergarten and first grade and now serves approximately 440 students in preschool through eighth grade, with two classes per grade. The school is located at 8802 Braddock Road and is led by Principal Anne Dyke and Assistant Principal Ashley Martinez. Recent additions created a new kitchen, cafeteria, science and art rooms, and meeting space.
- Founded 1966
- Pre-K through Grade 8
- Approximately 440 students, two classes per grade
- Phone: (703) 978-7117
- Website: holyspiritflames.org
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
Anson Groves directs both Religious Education and Youth Ministry. Programs span grade-schoolers through high-schoolers and include weekly Bible study, sacramental preparation, and a wide range of youth groups.
- Religious Education (CCD): (703) 978-8925
- Youth Ministry office: (703) 425-8778
- High School Youth Ministry — Sunday night gatherings with food, talks, activities
- Middle School Youth Ministry (grades 6–8) — Friday night prayer, pizza, games
- 'Band of Brothers' boys' small group & 'BEHOLD' girls' small group
- 'Ignite' middle-school small groups
- WorkCamp, Diocesan Youth Rally, Frassati Outdoor Adventure
Children's & Family Programs
Programs for younger children in the parish include a weekly children's rosary prayer group and CYO athletics through the Catholic Youth Organization.
- Militia Immaculata — weekly children's rosary prayer group (grades 1–8)
- CYO Sports — cross country, basketball, cheerleading, track & field, volleyball (grades 3–8)
- Young Adults Ministry (recently launched for those who have aged out of Youth Ministry)
Adult Faith Formation & Community Life
The parish runs a weekly Bible study that has grown from 20 to more than 60 participants both in-person and online, and an annual parish picnic that has become a major neighborhood event welcoming non-parishioners as well as parishioners. The parish is notably multicultural, with liturgical ministers drawn from Brazil, France, Ghana, Guam, Malaysia, the U.K., Vietnam and other countries, and an Eritrean Catholic community worshipping on-site led by Father Hagos Haile.
- Weekly Bible Study (60+ participants)
- Annual parish picnic
- Eritrean Catholic community
- Extraordinary Ministers and Lectors from Brazil, France, Ghana, Guam, Malaysia, U.K., Vietnam and beyond
Contact & Visiting
The parish can be reached at (703) 978-8074 (parish), (703) 978-7117 (school), (703) 978-8925 (Religious Education), and (703) 425-8778 (Youth Ministry). The church is at 8800 Braddock Road, with the parish office/center (mailing address) at 5121 Woodland Way, both in Annandale, VA 22003. Parish Office Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Church: 8800 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA 22003
- Parish Office & Center (mailing): 5121 Woodland Way, Annandale, VA 22003
- School: 8802 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA 22003
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Paul Cauwe, CICM1964–1974
Founding pastor; a Missionhurst priest who began the parish at Woodson High School.
- Fr. Paul DeWolf, CICM1974–1981
Also a Missionhurst priest; previously an associate since 1971.
- Msgr. Richard Burke
First diocesan pastor after Missionhurst ended its staffing in 1981.
- Fr. John M. O'Donohue2012–
Returned to Holy Spirit as pastor in 2012 after earlier service as a parochial vicar following his 2000 ordination.
- Fr. David Meng
Current pastor listed on the parish's official Clergy & Staff page.