About Our Lady of Hope · Potomac Falls, Virginia
Our Lady of Hope is a Roman Catholic parish in Potomac Falls, Virginia, belonging to the Diocese of Arlington. Founded in 2000 by Bishop Paul S. Loverde and led from the start by founding pastor Fr. William P. Saunders, the parish first celebrated Mass at Potomac Falls High School before moving into its own church and school campus at the corner of Algonkian and Cascades Parkways, dedicated in January 2006. The parish numbers about 3,424 registered parishioners, runs a fully accredited K–8 Catholic school (named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School), and is known for its Eucharistic spirituality, its active school and parish community, and its Knights of Columbus Council 12791.
- Established
- 2000
- Patron
- Our Lady of Hope
- Rector
- Father Anthony J. Killian
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
Our Lady of Hope is a vibrant, mid-sized Catholic community with a strong Eucharistic spirituality at its heart. Weekday and Sunday Masses are followed by a robust Thursday Holy Hour and Adoration (9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.), Saturday confessions, and Monday devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. The parish is home to a National Blue Ribbon School (K–8) with record enrollment, a strong RCIA/OCIA program, religious education K–8, a youth group, young adults community, Ladies of Hope women's group, and a Star Council-award winning Knights of Columbus council (#12791). For a family looking for an active parish that balances reverent liturgy with a thriving school and many ways to get involved, Our Lady of Hope offers a welcoming home.
Mass times at Our Lady of Hope
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 7:00 p.m. (until the last confession is heard)
- Saturday 9:00 a.m. (after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until the last confession is heard)
- Saturday 3:30–4:30 p.m.
- By appointment (call the Parish Office)
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Thursday 7:00 p.m. Public Holy Hour with Benediction, hymns, and a sermon (also features Confessions)
Parish History & Boundaries
The parish of Our Lady of Hope was established by Bishop Paul S. Loverde in 2000 in Potomac Falls, Virginia, with Fr. William Saunders named founding pastor on March 29, 2000. The first Mass was celebrated at Potomac Falls High School on August 6, 2000. After groundbreaking in October 2003, the new church and school campus at the corner of Cascades Parkway and Algonkian Parkway was dedicated on January 17, 2006 — the parish's patronal feast day. The official parish territory begins at the Potomac River, runs east to the Fairfax County line, south along that line to Route 7, west on Route 7 to Route 28, and north on Route 28 via Broad Run back to the Potomac River.
- Founded March 29, 2000 (announced in the June 6, 2000 Arlington Catholic Herald)
- First Mass: August 6, 2000, at Potomac Falls High School
- Groundbreaking: October 25, 2003 (Bishop Loverde, Fr. Saunders, Deacon Emley)
- Church dedication: January 17, 2006 (Bishop Loverde)
- Founding pastor: Fr. William P. Saunders (2000–2020)
- Current pastor: Fr. Anthony J. Killian (installed July 2020)
Parish Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Pastor Fr. Anthony J. Killian and Parochial Vicar Fr. Jordan M. Willard, with two permanent deacons. According to the Arlington Catholic Herald, parishioners regularly see the priests and deacons visiting the parish school. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and the Religious Education Office can be reached Monday–Thursday at 703-433-6564.
- Pastor: Fr. Anthony J. Killian — [email protected]
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Jordan M. Willard — [email protected] (Civil War history buff)
- Permanent Deacon: Marco M. Rajkovich — [email protected]
- Permanent Deacon: Thomas Wadolowski — [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education: Jackie Regan (x124)
- Religious Education Assistant: Ashley Cristofaro (x129)
- Business Manager: Pat Sabas (x140)
- Facilities Manager: Alfonso Peña (x131)
- Director of Music: Suzanne Yerks (x134)
- Parish Administrative Assistant: Will Goedde (x126) — [email protected]
- Youth Ministry Assistant: Shaun Silk — [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Our Lady of Hope runs a robust Faith Formation program for parish children, complementing the Catholic school. Religious Education classes for K–8 meet on Tuesday evenings during the school year (Kindergarten 4:30–5:30 p.m.; Grades 1–8, 4:30–5:45 p.m.). Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is offered, and SPRED — Special Religious Education — welcomes children and adults with special needs every other Sunday from 3:00–4:30 p.m. OCIC classes serve children 7 and older with little prior religious education who need sacramental preparation.
- Religious Education K–8 (Tuesday evenings)
- SPRED: Special Religious Education for children and adults with special needs
- OCIC: Older Children/Adults needing Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion & Confirmation
- Parents Partnership for Education (monthly parent discussions)
Becoming Catholic — OCIA (RCIA)
The parish's OCIA (formerly RCIA) program welcomes unbaptized adults, adults baptized in another Christian tradition who wish to become Catholic, and baptized Catholics who need First Communion and/or Confirmation. Inquiry classes meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall, coordinated by Phil and Sally Girardi.
- Program: Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
- Coordinator: Phil Girardi — 703-435-9116
- Wednesday 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall
Our Lady of Hope Catholic School (K–8)
Founded on September 6, 2005, alongside the parish church, Our Lady of Hope Catholic School is a fully accredited, co-ed K–8 single-track program in Potomac Falls. The school was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in 2015 and a Purple Star School of Distinction by the Virginia Department of Education in 2025 for its support of military-connected students. Mrs. Jeanne Canavan became principal on July 1, 2021, after more than 20 years in Catholic education. The school is in some respects regional, drawing students from St. John the Apostle (Leesburg) and Christ the Redeemer (Sterling).
- Founded: September 6, 2005
- Principal: Jeanne Canavan (since July 1, 2021)
- Address: 46633 Algonkian Parkway, Potomac Falls, VA 20165
- Phone: 703-433-6760
- Website: ourladyofhopeschool.net
- 2015 National Blue Ribbon School
- 2025 Purple Star School of Distinction
- Weekly School Mass; Adoration; Divine Mercy Chaplet on Wednesdays
- Virtue of the Month program; service through 'Crusaders Care'
Spiritual Life at the School
Spiritual formation is woven through every school day at Our Lady of Hope. Students attend a weekly School Mass, where 8th graders serve as readers, altar servers, cantors, and ushers; each classroom is named for a saint with religious statues throughout the school. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Stations of the Cross during Lent, the Divine Mercy Chaplet sung every Wednesday, and Virtue-of-the-Month programming help form 'Messengers of Hope for the World.'
- Weekly School Mass with student cantors, lectors, ushers, and servers
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
- Virtue of the Month
- Divine Mercy Chaplet on Wednesdays (since 2020)
- Classroom Saint Names
Parish Organizations & Community Life
Parish life at Our Lady of Hope extends well beyond Sunday Mass. Knights of Columbus Council 12791 has earned the international Star Council Award and runs Coats for Kids, the Parish Family Pancake Breakfasts, monthly food drives for Catholic Charities, Keep Christ in Christmas, a college scholarship program, and support for Special Olympics, seminarians, FOCUS missionaries, KOVAR, and the March for Life. The Ladies of Hope women's group and a re-energized Young Adults community (18+) also gather regularly, alongside popular parish events such as the annual Parish Picnic, Christmas Market, St. Patrick's Party, and Lenten Fish Fry.
- Knights of Columbus Council 12791 (Star Council)
- Ladies of Hope Women's Group
- Young Adults community (18+)
- High School Youth Group (Tuesdays 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the gym)
- Annual Parish Picnic, Pancake Breakfasts, Lenten Fish Fry, Christmas Market, St. Patrick's Party
Sacraments & Becoming a Parishioner
To celebrate the sacraments at Our Lady of Hope — including Baptism, Marriage, or to serve as a godparent or Confirmation sponsor — one must be a registered and active, practicing Catholic. Registration forms are available in the parish office or the narthex information rack. Baptism preparation begins with a call to the office (ideally before the baby arrives), with a required parent class (three-year interval). Marriage preparation begins at least six months in advance, with an initial meeting with the priest before any venue reservations.
- Baptism: parent preparation class, registration required
- Marriage: 6+ months lead time, initial meeting with priest
- Sponsor certificates (Baptism/Confirmation): sign in presence of a priest
- Adult sacraments: OCIA (Inquiry Thursday evenings)
- Parish Registration: forms in parish office or narthex
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father William P. Saunders2000–2020
Founding pastor; recruited from Queen of Apostles Parish in Alexandria by Bishop Paul S. Loverde; led the parish from its first Mass at Potomac Falls High School through the construction and 2006 dedication of the church and school.
- Father Anthony J. Killian2020–present
Installed as second pastor in July 2020; instituted the Thursday public Holy Hour with confessions and devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help on Mondays as post-COVID spiritual initiatives.