About Nativity · Burke, Virginia
Nativity Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located in Burke, Virginia, in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Founded in 1973, it is the second-largest parish in the diocese, with more than 16,800 registered parishioners. The parish is led by Very Reverend Monsignor Robert C. Cilinski, who was assigned as pastor in 2014, and is supported by two parochial vicars, an assisting Augustinian priest, a permanent deacon, and a large lay staff. Nativity sits at 6400 Nativity Lane and serves a diverse Burke/Springfield community near Washington, D.C., drawing many military and government families. It runs an attached parish school (PreK–8), a robust religious education program, weekly Spanish-language ministry, and a calendar of devotions, Eucharistic Adoration, and outreach.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- The Nativity of the Lord (Jesus)
- Rector
- Very Reverend Monsignor Robert C. "Bob" Cilinski (assigned in 2014)
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
Nativity is one of the largest and most active parishes in the Diocese of Arlington, with a pastor and staff who describe the entire congregation as ministers of the parish. Families find a full continuum of faith formation: a PreK–8 parish school, a religious education program (CCD/RE) for K–8, the EDGE middle school and LifeTEEN high school youth ministries, a college/young adult ministry, and the OCIA (formerly RCIA) process for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Spanish-speaking parishioners are served by a weekly Saturday vigil Mass in Spanish and ministry led by Deacon Jose Pardo and Fr. Cedric Wilson, O.S.A., while a ministry for the neurodiverse (monthly Sensory Mass) and outreach efforts such as Operation Starfish (Haiti) round out a vibrant community life in the Burke/Springfield area.
Mass times at Nativity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
- By appointment — call the Parish Office at (703) 455-2400 to schedule with a priest
- Also offered during 'Joyful Noise' Adoration nights (praise and worship with confession)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration in the Adoration Chapel each Wednesday, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
- The Adoration Chapel is open during all Church-open hours for quiet private prayer
- Joyful Noise Adoration (praise and worship with confession) — see parish calendar
About Nativity Catholic Church
Nativity Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish at 6400 Nativity Lane in Burke, Virginia, in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. It is the second-largest parish in the diocese, with more than 16,800 registered parishioners. The parish is led by Very Reverend Monsignor Robert C. Cilinski, who was assigned as pastor in 2014, and is supported by two parochial vicars, an Augustinian assisting priest, and a permanent deacon. Nativity's mission statement reads: 'We, the People of Nativity Catholic Church, by our baptism, are joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. We strive to love God, love others, and form new disciples. We celebrate Jesus Christ in Word, Sacrament and Service.'
- Located in the Burke/Springfield neighborhood of Fairfax County, near Washington, D.C.
- Many parishioners are military and government workers and families
- Diversity of cultures, children, teenagers, college/young adults, and people of every stage of life
- Total parishioners (most recent report): 16,841
History and Founding
The parish's story begins in the late 1960s, when Catholics in the Orange Hunt and Rolling Valley communities felt cut off from their parish, St. Mary of Sorrows in Fairfax Station. In spring 1970, Father Donald Lavelle, Co-Pastor of St. Mary's, asked parishioner Mary O'Brien to gather neighbors around her kitchen table; the group ran a door-to-door census and started a Mass at Hunt Valley Elementary School, soon nicknamed 'Holy Hunt.' On June 11, 1973, Bishop Walter Sullivan of the Diocese of Richmond (the Diocese of Arlington did not yet exist) announced the creation of two new parishes, and Father Frank J. Ready celebrated the new parish's first Mass that same day in the school cafeteria.
- Officially named 'Church of the Nativity' on July 1, 1973
- Building fund established February 1974; 10.4 acres purchased on Old Keene Mill Road in Burke that summer
- Groundbreaking June 11, 1977
- First Mass in new worship center: October 12, 1979, at 7:30 pm, with Bishop Thomas Welsh
- Formal dedication: April 26, 1980, with Bishop Welsh
50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee, 2023)
Nativity celebrated its golden jubilee on June 11, 2023, the Feast of Corpus Christi, with a standing-room-only Mass and luncheon. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge presided, and Msgr. Bob Cilinski recalled the parish's founding in 1973, one year before the Diocese of Arlington was established. Founding parishioner Jim McDaniel remembered attending Mass at Hunt Valley Elementary and reflected on the parish's renewal under Cilinski's leadership.
- Golden Jubilee theme: recalling founding pastor Fr. Ready: 'As you go into your future, do not be afraid. The Holy Spirit will guide you.'
Clergy and Staff
Nativity is staffed by a pastor, two parochial vicars, an assisting Augustinian priest, two permanent deacons, and a substantial lay staff. Among them are the directors of music, religious education, youth and young adult ministry, marriage enrichment, family and social action ministries, pastoral ministry, and the parish school.
- Very Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Cilinski — Pastor (since 2014)
- Rev. Jonathan 'Tony' A. Bennett — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Jordan Evans — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Cedric P. Wilson, O.S.A. — Assisting Priest / Hispanic Community delegate
- Deacon Richard F. Kelly — Bible studies coordinator
- Deacon Jose Pardo — Spanish Ministry
- Sister Donatella Merulla, A.R. — Co-Director of Religious Education
- Sister Mary Attilia Todaro, A.R. — Co-Director of Religious Education; Disability Inclusion Coordinator
- Mai Tran — Director of Traditional Choir
- Sara Prince — Director of Youth & Children's Choirs; Outreach Coordinator for Marriage Enrichment
- Maria Kelly — School Principal
- Richard Godwin — Assistant Principal
- Ann Benson — Business Manager; Director of Family & Social Action Ministries
- Carol Mack, M.T.S. — Pastoral Minister (part-time)
- Maureen Andersen — Liturgical Minister
- Cat Sands — Coordinator of Youth Ministry
- Johana Brown — Coordinator for Marriage Enrichment Ministry
- Mary Castellano — Social Media Coordinator
- Adrienne Swidal — Parish Secretary
- Sara Prince / Cat Sands — listed among marriage and youth ministry leaders
- Natacha Hines — Gift Shop
- Tracey Hulen — Gift Shop Manager
- Claire Anderson — Parish Receptionist
- Caroline Chase — School Business Manager
- Carlos Gutierrez — Facility Manager
Religious Education & OCIA (RCIA)
The parish's Religious Education (RE/CCD) program serves children from Kindergarten through 8th grade with sacramental preparation for First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. It is co-directed by Sister Donatella Merulla, A.R. and Sister Mary Attilia Todaro, A.R. For adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, Nativity offers OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, formerly RCIA), meeting on Monday evenings in the Fr. Ready Room; children 8–14 follow the RCIC track. SPRED (Special Religious Development) serves people with intellectual disabilities.
- RE/CCD office: (703) 455-0372
- Registration for RE 2026–2027 open; classes start September 20, 2026
- OCIA 2025–2026 begins Monday, September 15, 2025, 7:00 – 8:30 pm in the Fr. Ready Room
- SPRED for people with intellectual disabilities
Faith Formation for Youth & Young Adults
Nativity provides a full continuum of ministry for children, teens, and young adults, from Vacation Bible School and CampEDGE in the summer through weekly EDGE (middle school) and LifeTEEN (high school) gatherings, plus a College/Young Adult Ministry for those 18–21. The parish welcomes young people into serving at Mass through choirs and liturgical ministries.
- EDGE — Middle School Youth Ministry (grades 6–8)
- LifeTEEN — High School Youth Ministry (grades 9–12)
- College Ministry (ages 18–21)
- Vacation Bible School and CampEDGE
- Youth Contemporary Choir and Children's Choirs
Nativity Catholic School & Preschool
Nativity Catholic School provides a PreK–8, Christ-centered learning environment that fosters strong Christian virtues focused on cultivating the full potential of each child. The school is supported by a Preschool and Extended Care program.
- Principal: Maria Kelly
- Assistant Principal: Richard Godwin
- Pre-School & Extended Care Director: MaryJo Mazzella
- School Office: (703) 455-2300
Hispanic Ministry / Ministerio Hispano
Spanish-speaking parishioners are served by a weekly Saturday Vigil Mass in Spanish at 7:00 pm, with ministry led by Deacon Jose Pardo and Fr. Cedric Wilson, O.S.A., who serves as the Pastor's delegate for the Hispanic community.
- Saturday 7:00 pm Vigil Mass in Spanish
- Fr. Cedric P. Wilson, O.S.A. — Pastor's delegate for Hispanic Community
- Deacon Jose Pardo — Spanish Ministry
Outreach, Music, and Parish Life
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, Nativity runs a wide array of ministries. Family & Social Action Ministries are directed by Ann Benson; Marriage Enrichment is coordinated by Johana Brown and Sara Prince; Pastoral Minister Carol Mack supports parishioners; and Deacon Richard Kelly coordinates eight different Bible studies. Liturgical music is supported by Co-Directors of Music, the Traditional Choir under Mai Tran, and Youth & Children's Choirs under Sara Prince. Founding parishioner Jim McDaniel helped establish Operation Starfish, a parish ministry that supports and encounters the poor in Haiti.
- Marriage Enrichment Ministry and Marriage Encounter
- Family & Social Action Ministries
- Eight Bible studies coordinated by Deacon Richard Kelly
- Traditional Choir, Youth Contemporary Choir, Children's Choirs
- Operation Starfish — Haiti outreach ministry
Sacraments
Nativity prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation and celebrates them regularly throughout the year. Baptisms are celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month with required parental instruction, and parents must be registered members of the parish. Couples are asked to contact the parish as soon as they are engaged, and at least six months before their wedding date.
- Baptism: 1st and 3rd Sundays
- Marriage: contact at engagement, minimum 6 months before wedding
- First Penance / First Communion preparation in RE program
- Confirmation preparation in RE program
- Anointing of the Sick by appointment through the Parish Office
Contact & Practical Information
The parish office can be reached by phone at (703) 455-2400. The church is open for private prayer throughout the week; live-streamed Masses and funerals are available on Nativity's YouTube channel.
- Address: 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, VA 22015
- Parish Phone: (703) 455-2400
- Parish Fax: (703) 455-6832
- Nativity School: (703) 455-2300
- CCD/RE Office: (703) 455-0372
- Bulletin email: [email protected]
- Catholic Charities Counselor: Marguerite Turner, MS, LPC — (703) 772-4751
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Frank J. Ready1973–
Founding pastor; celebrated the parish's first Mass on June 11, 1973, at Hunt Valley Elementary, proposed the name 'Church of the Nativity,' and oversaw construction and dedication of the church in 1979–1980.