About St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church · Great Falls, Virginia
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Great Falls, Virginia, part of the Diocese of Arlington (Deanery III). The parish serves a community of families in the rolling hills of Fairfax County along Springvale Road in northern Virginia, west of Tysons Corner. It is notable for its traditional Catholic identity, including a celebrated Sunday noon Mass in the Novus Ordo Latin form sung by a professional resident choir, and for Siena Academy — the only Montessori school in the Diocese of Arlington. The parish is pastored by Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky, a priest of the Diocese of Arlington and co-founder of Adoremus: Society for the Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy.
- Established
- 1968 (as a mission of St. Luke Parish, McLean); established as a parish on June 4, 1979
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Siena (1347–1380), lay Dominican, mystic, and Doctor of the Church; patron saint of Italy and Europe
- Rector
- Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington (Deanery III; Dean: Very Rev. Michael G. Taylor, V.F.)
Why belong here
St. Catherine of Siena offers a traditional Catholic community anchored by reverent liturgy, including a Sunday noon Novus Ordo Latin Mass with Gregorian chant and a resident choir of ten professionals. The parish family includes thriving ministries for youth, women, and the homebound, the Knights of Columbus (Padre Pio Council 10754), Third Order Dominicans, Opus Dei, perpetual Eucharistic adoration on Wednesdays and First Fridays, and Siena Academy — the Diocese of Arlington's only Catholic Montessori school — where children attend daily Mass as part of their formation.
Mass times at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM (before daily Mass; no confessions on Holy Days or civil holidays)
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Expanded schedule during Advent and Lent
- Wednesday evenings during Lent: 6:30 PM sharp
- During Holy Week: also on Wednesdays
Adoration times
- All Day Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday, beginning 1:00 PM and continuing through the 8:30 AM Mass on Thursday morning
- All Day Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday, beginning 9:00 AM and continuing through the 8:30 AM Mass on Saturday morning
Parish Identity and History
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church traces its roots to 1968, when a Great Falls family asked St. Luke Parish in McLean for religious-education classes closer to home. A mission church was launched once 110 local Catholics were gathered. On June 4, 1979, the community was formally established as a parish, with Fr. Anton Justs — later the first Bishop of Jelgava, Latvia — as its founding pastor. The present church was dedicated in 1981. In 2004, Father Franklyn M. McAfee supported the opening of Siena Academy on parish grounds, and Father Alexander R. Drummond, who had served as parochial vicar and administrator, was appointed pastor in 2006. The parish is currently led by Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky.
- 1968: Mission established from St. Luke Parish, McLean
- 1979 (June 4): Established as a parish; Fr. Anton Justs founding pastor
- 1981: Present church dedicated
- 2004: Siena Academy opens
- 2006: Fr. Alexander R. Drummond appointed pastor
- Current pastor: Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky
Leadership and Clergy
The parish is led by Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky, pastor. Fr. Pokorsky is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington, ordained in 1990 by Bishop John R. Keating, with prior studies at Marquette University and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland (MDiv and ThM degrees). He served three years as financial administrator of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, and was director and treasurer of Human Life International. He co-founded Adoremus: Society for the Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy and contributed to the Adoremus Hymnal. He is reachable directly at 703.759.3520 for pastoral matters; administrative questions should go through the parish office. The Director of Religious Education is Anson Groves.
- Pastor: Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky (direct line 703.759.3520)
- DRE: Anson Groves (Religious Education: 703.759.3530)
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–1:30 PM (closed federal holidays)
Mass and Sacramental Schedule
The parish publishes a clear, fixed weekly Mass schedule. Sunday worship includes English Masses at 8 AM and 10 AM and the Novus Ordo Latin Mass at Noon. Saturday worship includes a daily Mass at 8:30 AM and the Vigil Mass at 5:30 PM. Weekday Masses are at 8:30 AM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with Wednesday's Mass at 12:15 PM. Holy Days (except Christmas) are celebrated at 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM. Because the parish operates as a one-priest community, weekday-Mass attendees can register online to receive cancellation alerts.
- Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM (Latin)
- Saturday: 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM Vigil
- Weekdays: 8:30 AM Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri; 12:15 PM Wed
- Holy Days: 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM
Organizations and Apostolates
A rich slate of parish life groups meets at St. Catherine of Siena, supporting liturgy, service, and formation.
- Choir — professional resident choir for the Sunday Latin Mass
- Ushers — Sunday and special liturgies
- Altar Servers
- Opus Dei (gatherings Monday after 8:30 AM Mass, 9:00–11:00 AM)
- Women's Group
- John Paul II Youth Group
- Third Order Dominicans
- Knights of Columbus — Padre Pio Council 10754 (Great Falls, VA)
- Homebound & Sick Calls (Communion to the sick)
- 24-Hour Eucharistic Adoration
Religious Education
Faith formation for parish children is directed by DRE Anson Groves, with a dedicated phone line (703.759.3530). The program includes preparation for First Penance and First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and a robust prayer memorization curriculum. Letters from Father Pokorsky and parish guidelines for the sacraments are published on the parish website.
- First Penance and First Holy Communion
- Confirmation preparation
- Prayers to Memorize
- Calendar and Forms
- Diocesan high school options listed
- Letter from Father Pokorsky
Siena Academy (Parish School)
Siena Academy is the only Catholic Montessori school in the Diocese of Arlington and operates in affiliation with St. Catherine of Siena on the parish campus. Founded in 2004 under then-pastor Father Franklyn M. McAfee, Siena Academy serves toddlers through elementary-age children (ages 2½ to 12). The school has scheduled around religious formation so that children can attend daily Mass, and many graduates matriculate to schools such as Oakcrest (girls) and The Heights (boys).
- Ages 2½–12 (Toddler, Primary, Elementary)
- Head of school: Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Janet Siepker
- Phone: 703.759.4129
- Web: sienamontessori.org
Sacraments
Guidelines for each sacrament are maintained on the parish website. Parents and adult faithful should contact the parish office at 703.759.4350 to begin preparation; the pastor is also available directly at 703.759.3520.
- Baptism Guidelines
- First Communion Guidelines
- Confirmation Guidelines
- Wedding Guidelines
- Funeral Guidelines
Visiting and Newcomers
New parishioners are welcomed to register via the parish website (a short registration form is hosted at a tinyurl link from the welcome page). Those seeking Catholic inquiry classes (RCIA-style exploration for non-Catholics or for Catholics seeking deeper formation) can sign up directly. The parish office welcomes questions by phone (703.759.4350) or email at [email protected]. The church typically opens at 7:30 AM and closes around 7:00 PM, with hours subject to the pastor's schedule.
- Parish registration via online form
- Catholic Inquiry Classes available
- Office hours Mon–Fri, 9:30 AM–1:30 PM
- Church opens ~7:30 AM; closes ~7:00 PM
Diocese and Community Context
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church belongs to the Diocese of Arlington and is grouped in Deanery III, whose dean is Very Rev. Michael G. Taylor, V.F. The parish is one of twelve parishes and missions in the deanery, alongside Christ the Redeemer (Sterling), Corpus Christi (Aldie), Our Lady of Hope (Potomac Falls), St. Theresa (Ashburn), St. Thomas a Becket (Reston), St. Joseph (Herndon), St. Katharine Drexel Mission (Haymarket), St. Stephen the Martyr (Middleburg), St. Francis de Sales (Purcellville), St. John Neumann, and St. John the Apostle (Leesburg). The parish is also reflected in GCatholic records under Church ID 25140.
- Diocese: Arlington
- Deanery III
- Dean: Very Rev. Michael G. Taylor, V.F.
- GCatholic Church ID: 25140
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anton Justs1979–
Founding pastor when the mission became a parish on June 4, 1979; later installed as the first Bishop of Jelgava, Latvia
- Father Alexander R. Drummond2006–
First served as parochial vicar and administrator before being appointed pastor in 2006
- Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky
Current pastor; priest of the Diocese of Arlington, ordained 1990, co-founder of Adoremus