About St. Ann · Arlington, Virginia
St. Ann Catholic Church is a family-oriented Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in the Bluemont neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia at 5300 North 10th Street. Founded on September 25, 1947 as a spiritual home for Catholics drawn to Arlington during the wartime and postwar boom, the parish has grown from 400 original families to a thriving multicultural community served by Missionhurst (CICM) missionaries, with a parish school (preschool–grade 8), a faith formation program, and an extensive network of ministries. The current church building, dedicated on April 30, 2005 by Bishop Paul Loverde, replaced the original 1948 brick church that had served the parish for 57 years; furnishings from the old church were incorporated into the new spaces.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- Saint Ann (Saint Anne), mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Johanes Teguh Raharjo, C.I.C.M. (Missionhurst), Pastor since January 1, 2024
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington (transferred from the Diocese of Richmond when the diocese was established in 1974)
Why belong here
Saint Ann is a welcoming, multigenerational Catholic parish in the heart of Arlington where grandparents, parents and children all find a role — many parishioners return to raise their own families in the parish they grew up in. With a National Blue Ribbon parish school (preschool–grade 8), a robust Faith Formation program for children and adults, and more than twenty active ministries — from Eucharistic Adoration and Legion of Mary to Walking with Purpose, Hispanic Prayer and Parents groups, the parish-sponsored Saint Ann Arlington Federal Credit Union, and outreach supporting Catholic Charities — there are concrete ways to live the faith and serve neighbors here. The parish is lovingly shepherded by Missionhurst (CICM) missionaries whose global perspective has welcomed a steadily growing cultural diversity, and a weekly Spanish Mass, annual Feast Day Picnic, Novena to Saint Ann and Saint Joachim, and Healing Mass keep the community connected throughout the year.
Mass times at St. Ann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. (in the Chapel)
- Sundays 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (in the Chapel)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration all Fridays after the 8:30 am Mass until 11:00 a.m., with Benediction at 11:00 a.m.
Parish History
Saint Ann Parish was established on September 25, 1947 on farmland at 5300 North 10th Street in Arlington, carved out of portions of Sts. James, Charles, Agnes and Thomas More parishes to serve the wartime and postwar Catholic boom in Northern Virginia. The handmade Williamsburg-brick church — with a main nave, stone columns and the dual-purpose St. Joseph's Wing — was built by the founding pastor and dedicated on June 27, 1948; the nave was dedicated May 1, 1949. A St. Mary's Wing in 1959 expanded seating to 750, and in 1966 parishioners raised funds for air conditioning (priests used to celebrate summer Masses in twenty minutes in Latin before AC). The original church served the parish for 57 years; the new church was constructed in 2004 and dedicated by Bishop Paul Loverde on April 30, 2005, with Fr. William Schardt installed as pastor at the same liturgy.
- Established September 25, 1947 (Diocese of Richmond, now Diocese of Arlington)
- Original brick church cornerstone laid June 27, 1948; first Masses celebrated October 17, 1948
- St. Mary's Wing added 1959; air conditioning 1966
- New church dedicated April 30, 2005; old church demolished 2003
- 75th anniversary Mass celebrated September 25, 2022 with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
Annual & Special Devotions
The parish keeps a steady rhythm of devotions through the year: an annual Novena to Saint Ann and Saint Joachim (July 17–25) leading into the St. Ann Feast Day Picnic on July 25; periodic Diocesan Healing Masses hosted at the parish; Lenten Soup Suppers (a tradition since the 1970s); the Walking with Him men's group; a Contemplative Prayer Group; and a Spiritual Book Club.
- Novena to Saint Ann & Saint Joachim (July 17–25)
- St. Ann Feast Day Picnic (July 25)
- Diocesan Healing Mass at St. Ann (periodic)
- Lenten Soup Suppers
- Walking with Him Men's Group
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Ann is led by Director of Faith Formation Amy Strickland, with support from Administrative Assistant Jackie Thompson. Children typically celebrate First Penance and First Holy Communion in the spring of 2nd grade (two years of formation beginning in 1st grade) and Confirmation in the fall of 9th grade (preparation beginning in 7th grade). Adult Faith Formation includes the Spiritual Book Club, Walking with Purpose (women's ministry), the Contemplative Prayer Group, and parish retreats. The Faith Formation Office shares the parish phone line at (703) 528-6276 and uses [email protected] as its email.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
St. Ann's RCIA is the normal path to becoming Catholic for adults who have never been baptized or who were baptized in another Christian church. The program resumes each fall with a combination of in-person and remote sessions, uses the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults as its basic text, and culminates with initiation at the Easter Vigil. Inquiries may be directed to Deacon Forrest Wallace ([email protected]) or Amy Strickland, Director of Religious Education ([email protected]).
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments on a regular schedule. Infant Baptism is celebrated twice each month, with parents completing Baptism Registration Forms and attending a Baptism Preparation Class (allow at least two months). Matrimony requires contacting a priest or deacon at least six months in advance per Diocesan policy. Adult Confirmation preparation sessions are held each spring, with adults confirmed by Bishop Burbidge at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More on the Feast of Pentecost.
- Infant Baptism — twice monthly; preparation class required
- First Penance & First Eucharist — 2nd grade (after 1 year of formation)
- Confirmation — fall of 9th grade (preparation begins 7th grade)
- Adult Confirmation — spring prep; confirmed at the Cathedral on Pentecost
- Matrimony — six-month notice required
St. Ann Catholic School
St. Ann Catholic School, located on the parish campus, is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence serving children in preschool through grade 8 with a mission to 'glorify God by embracing his call to love and serve.' The school was founded on September 23, 1951 for almost 300 K–4 students and grew rapidly through the 1950s with two additional classroom buildings, a playground and a rectory as enrollment passed 1,000. A preschool was added in the 1990s. The school's leadership includes Principal Mr. Anthony Sahadi, Assistant Principal Mrs. Julia Snyder, Preschool Program Director Mrs. Amy Dhondt, Registrar Mrs. Kristin Garésche, Receptionist Ms. Britney Price, and Marketing/Enrollment lead Mrs. Oriana MacGregor.
- National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
- Preschool through Grade 8
- School phone: (703) 525-7599
- Website: stann.org
Parish Ministries & Outreach
More than twenty active ministries give parishioners of every age and language a way to serve and pray together. Liturgical roles include Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors and Ushers; devotional life is supported by Eucharistic Adoration, Legion of Mary, the Hispanic Prayer Group, and the Spiritual Book Club; parish life is sustained by Hospitality, Coffee and Donuts, Plants & Décor, Money Counters, and the parish-chartered Saint Ann Arlington Federal Credit Union. Outreach has been part of St. Ann's DNA since the 1970s — Meals on Wheels, Lenten Soup Suppers, refugee sponsorship, blood drives and Catholic Charities support — and continues through Walking with Purpose and youth, Scout and CYO programs.
Hispanic Ministry
A Sunday Mass in Spanish is celebrated at 1:30 p.m., and Spanish-speaking parishioners are served by the Hispanic Prayer Group and the Hispanic Parents Group. Confessions in Spanish are available on Sundays from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. The parish website also offers an 'En Español' page.
- Sunday Spanish Mass — 1:30 p.m.
- Confession (Spanish) — Sundays 1:00–1:30 p.m.
- Hispanic Prayer Group
- Hispanic Parents Group
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry at St. Ann offers teens opportunities to grow through service, prayer and fellowship, coordinated by Mrs. Christina Gamache. Parish teens participate in the annual diocesan WorkCamp (a tradition since the 1990s), and parish youth benefit from longstanding Boy Scout, Girl Scout and CYO sports programs that began in the 1950s.
Parish Staff & Clergy
Saint Ann is served by Missionhurst (CICM) priests and a large lay staff. Pastoral leadership includes Fr. Johanes T. Raharjo, CICM (Pastor) and Fr. Wilfredirikus Amnunuh, CICM (Parochial Vicar), with Deacons William Donovan and Forrest Wallace. Operations are led by Mr. Joseph Hepp (Business & Facilities Manager), Ms. Gigi Montgomery (Bookkeeper) and Mrs. Debbie Bishop (Accountant); communications by Mrs. Alta Peltz (Parish Administrative Assistant); faith formation by Ms. Amy Strickland (Director) and Ms. Jackie Thompson (Administrative Assistant); music by Mr. Patrick Botti (Director of Music); youth ministry by Mrs. Christina Gamache; and facilities by Mr. Henry Gonzales (Parish Maintenance). The school is led by Principal Mr. Anthony Sahadi.
Cemetery & Campus
The St. Ann campus includes the 2004 church, the original parish school buildings, the rectory, chapel and parish hall added by Fr. Cilinski in the 1980s, and the historic Shrive Cemetery behind the parking lot — which contains graves dating back to 1832 and includes five generations of families from the surrounding area.
Visit, Register & Getting Involved
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish maintains a 'New Members' registration page where anyone new to the area can start the parishioner registration form online. Parish Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The parish phone is (703) 528-6276, email [email protected], and the mailing address is 5300 North 10th Street, Arlington, VA 22205. Visitors can also connect through the parish's annual Novena to Saint Ann, the Feast Day Picnic on July 25, Healing Masses, and the many ministries listed above.
- Parish Office: Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Phone: (703) 528-6276
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: (703) 522-4758
- New Members registration: stannchurch.org
- Faith Formation Office: (703) 528-6276 / [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Founding pastor (unnamed in published history)1947–c. 1969
Built the original Williamsburg-brick church, opened St. Ann School in 1951, expanded to 1,200 families and 1,000+ students by mid-1950s.
- Rev. Charles E. Ferry1969–1972
Second pastor; established the first elected pastoral council; co-petitioned Richmond for a new diocese including Arlington.
- Rev. Frank Hendrick1972–1976
Third pastor; oversaw transition into the new Diocese of Arlington (1974); implemented Vatican II liturgical reforms; welcomed the parish's first permanent deacon.
- Rev. John O'Connell1976–c. 1980s
Fourth pastor; led post-Vietnam refugee sponsorship (Nguyen family, Cambodian family); launched Meals on Wheels and Lenten Soup Suppers.
- Rev. John Cilinski1980s–1990s
Fifth pastor; built new rectory, chapel and parish hall; started RCIA, school special-needs center, hospital blood drives, and parish bingo.
- Rev. William B. Schardt1990s–2005
Sixth pastor; added preschool and remodeled classrooms; began Sunday Spanish Mass, Community Sundays, and youth WorkCamp. Installed as pastor at the dedication of the new church on April 30, 2005 by Bishop Paul Loverde; later pastor of St. Thomas à Becket, Reston.
- Rev. Ramel O. 'Mel' Portula, C.I.C.M.until December 31, 2023
Missionhurst pastor; led the parish through its 75th anniversary Mass with Bishop Burbidge on September 25, 2022.
- Rev. Johanes Teguh Raharjo, C.I.C.M.January 1, 2024–present
Missionhurst (CICM) priest; born in Magelang, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia; previously pastor of St. Patrick, San Antonio, TX.