About St. Andrew Apostle · Silver Spring, Maryland
St. Andrew Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish in Silver Spring, Maryland, canonically established in June 1959 as the 25th parish of the Archdiocese of Washington. Located at the corner of Kemp Mill Road and Arcola Avenue, the parish has grown from about 800 founding households to over 1,200 families and runs a parish elementary school (K–8) along with a Pre-School, Early Learning Center, and Day Care. It offers daily and Sunday Mass in English, a vibrant Eucharistic Adoration program on Wednesdays, and a Spanish mission called Misión San Andrés based at the Catholic Charities Center.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- Saint Andrew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. John (Jack) H. Kennealy
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
St. Andrew Apostle is a long-established, multi-generational parish (founded 1959) with over 1,200 families and a K–8 Catholic school, Pre-School, Early Learning Center, and Day Care — a place where children can be educated in faith from infancy through eighth grade under the same parish roof. The community offers daily and Sunday Mass, weekly Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration from morning until night, regular Confession multiple days a week, RCIA, and a robust calendar of outreach to the poor through partnerships with the Missionaries of Charity Soup Kitchen, Shepherd's Table, Catholic Charities, and several local food pantries. A Spanish-language mission (Misión San Andrés) hosted at the Catholic Charities Center extends the parish's reach to Spanish-speaking Catholics in Silver Spring.
Mass times at St. Andrew Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday — 9:00 AM until confessions have ended
- Tuesday — 9:00 AM until confessions have ended
- Wednesday — 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Wednesday — 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Thursday — 9:00 AM until confessions have ended
- Friday — 9:00 AM until confessions have ended
- Saturday — 9:30 AM until confessions have ended
- Saturday — 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday — 9:00 AM (after morning Mass) until 9:00 PM
Parish Overview & Mission
Saint Andrew Apostle Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Silver Spring, Maryland, founded in 1959 as the 25th parish of the Archdiocese of Washington. The parish's stated mission is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ by living their faith as a Catholic community in worship, service, and support of one another. Members are called to discipleship, outreach, and evangelization to both the parish and local community, celebrating the gift of Jesus by growing in faith and living out fidelity to the Roman Catholic Church.
- Mission: to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ through worship, service, and mutual support
- Each member called to discipleship, outreach, and evangelization
- Today: over 1,200 families
History of Saint Andrew Apostle Parish
The parish was established in June 1959 through the division of portions of Saint John the Evangelist (Forest Glen) and Saint Bernadette's (Four Corners). The first Mass was celebrated June 14, 1959 at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School on Georgia Avenue in Wheaton. Groundbreaking for the ten-acre site at Kemp Mill Road and Arcola Avenue was led by Auxiliary Bishop John M. McNamara on February 7, 1960, and Archbishop Patrick O'Boyle dedicated the church, rectory, convent, classrooms, and activities hall on November 27, 1960. Founding pastor Msgr. Joseph B. Coyne welcomed about 800 original households and invited the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Third Order Regular to found the parish school. Substantial renovations to the physical plant — including stained-glass windows and interior changes — have been made under successive pastors.
- Established June 1959 (25th parish of the Archdiocese of Washington)
- First Mass: June 14, 1959 at Our Lady of Good Counsel HS, Wheaton
- Campus dedicated November 27, 1960 by Archbishop Patrick O'Boyle
- Founding pastor: Msgr. Joseph B. Coyne
- Substantial interior renovations including stained-glass windows
Pastorate Succession
The parish history page lists the succession of pastors who have served Saint Andrew Apostle since its founding in 1959. The current pastor is Rev. John (Jack) H. Kennealy.
- Msgr. Joseph B. Coyne — founding pastor
- Rev. Robert McMain
- Rev. Francis W. Krastel
- Rev. John P. Stack
- Rev. David J. Conway
- Msgr. Thomas P. Kelley
- Rev. Joseph P. Kennedy
- Msgr. Michael J. Mellone
- Rev. Daniel P. Leary
- Rev. Ismael Ayala
- Rev. John (Jack) H. Kennealy — current pastor
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently served by a pastor, two parochial vicars, and three deacons, supported by a parish administrator, secretary, accountant, faith formation director, RCIA coordinator, and Director of Liturgy & Music.
- Pastor: Rev. John H. Kennealy
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Blake Evans-Campos; Rev. John F. Lado
- Deacons: Deacon Stephen O'Neill; Deacon Brodie Wise; Deacon David Suley
- Administrator/Secretary: Theresa Comer
- Accountant: Theresa Deere
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Sean Hennigan
- RCIA Coordinator: Therese Errigo
- Director of Liturgy & Music: Theresa Trigiani
Faith Formation & Religious Education (K–8)
The Faith Formation Program supports parents in building a foundation of lifelong Catholic learning for students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 (the program also extends through Confirmation). Classes follow the Archdiocese of Washington's 'Forming Disciples for the New Evangelization' curriculum, using 'Christ Our Life' (Loyola Press) and 'Faith and Life' (Ignatius Press) textbooks. The program runs mid-September through May; registration is coordinated by Director of Religious Education Sean Hennigan. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation uses a separate registration form.
- Program for K through Grade 8 (through Confirmation)
- Follows ADW 'Forming Disciples for the New Evangelization' curriculum
- Textbooks: Christ Our Life (Loyola Press) and Faith and Life (Ignatius Press)
- Director: Sean Hennigan — [email protected] / 301-649-3700 x 209
- Safe-environment 'Circle of Grace' program K–8
- Fees: $175 one child / $200 two / $225 three or more (2025–26)
St. Andrew Apostle Catholic School
The parish school, originally founded in 1960 by the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Third Order Regular, today educates students from Kindergarten through eighth grade, alongside a Pre-School, Early Learning Center, and Day Care. The school is guided by the motto 'Guided by faith. Educating leaders.' and partners closely with the parish community to educate the whole child spiritually, intellectually, and morally.
- Grades served: Pre-School, K–8
- Open House dates published on the school website
- Sibling programs: Early Learning Center and Day Care
- History: opened September 15, 1960; Franciscans staffed until 1984
- Web: school.standrewapostle.org
Liturgy & Music
Liturgy and music at Saint Andrew Apostle are coordinated by Director of Liturgy & Music Theresa Trigiani. The parish celebrates Mass in English daily and on Sundays, with a 1st Friday evening Mass that includes the Anointing of the Sick, and hosts weekly Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration from morning until 9:00 PM.
- Daily and Sunday English Masses
- 1st Friday Anointing of the Sick
- Wednesday all-day Eucharistic Adoration
- Director of Liturgy & Music: Theresa Trigiani
Misión San Andrés (Spanish Mission)
The parish hosts Misión San Andrés, a Spanish-language Catholic mission based at the Catholic Charities Center. This ministry extends Saint Andrew Apostle's reach to Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Silver Spring area. Schedule details are published on the parish's Spanish mission page.
- Located at the Catholic Charities Center
- Spanish-language Catholic mission
- Connected to Saint Andrew Apostle Parish
Outreach & Ways to Help
Saint Andrew Apostle parishioners are deeply involved in outreach to the local community and to those in need beyond Silver Spring. The 'Ways to Help' page lists multiple ongoing service opportunities coordinated with area ministries and food pantries.
- Missionaries of Charity Soup Kitchen (founded by St. Mother Teresa) — served first Saturday of each month; provides meal for 60–80 people
- Shepherd's Table (downtown Silver Spring) — 300 sandwiches donated monthly; peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich ministry
- Wednesday Food Drive — non-perishables collected for Catholic Charities and area food centers
- Silver Spring Christian Reformed Church Food Pantry — Tuesday 4–6 PM; bagging/setup/cleanup volunteers
- St. Camillus Food Pantry — emergency food assistance
- St. Martin's Food Pantry — distributes non-perishables, bread, produce, and coffee (Mon 6 AM–1 PM)
RCIA & Sacramental Preparation
Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), coordinated by Therese Errigo. Children preparing for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation register through the parish Faith Formation Program.
- RCIA Coordinator: Therese Errigo
- Sacramental prep via Faith Formation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation
- Separate sacramental registration form required for children
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Joseph B. Coyne1959–
Founding pastor; led building of the church, rectory, convent, school, and activities hall; invited the Sisters of Saint Francis to found the school.
- Rev. Robert McMain
Successor pastor.
- Rev. Francis W. Krastel
Successor pastor.
- Rev. John P. Stack
Successor pastor.
- Rev. David J. Conway
Successor pastor.
- Msgr. Thomas P. Kelley
Successor pastor.
- Rev. Joseph P. Kennedy
Successor pastor.
- Msgr. Michael J. Mellone
Successor pastor.
- Rev. Daniel P. Leary
Successor pastor.
- Rev. Ismael Ayala
Immediate predecessor to current pastor.
- Rev. John (Jack) H. Kennealy
Current pastor.