About St. John Neumann · Reston, Virginia
St. John Neumann Catholic Church is a Salesian parish of the Diocese of Arlington serving South Reston, Herndon, Vienna, and Fairfax in northern Virginia. Founded on July 5, 1979, by Bishop Thomas J. Welsh, the parish has been continuously staffed by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (OSFS) since its inception and now includes more than 2,500 registered families. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish, with over 800 children enrolled in its religious education program. The community worships in a 1,150-seat sanctuary dedicated in 2004, complete with a Rodgers Trillium organ and a three-bell carillon tower.
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- St. John Neumann (Jan Nepomucene Neumann, C.Ss.R., 1811–1860), fourth Bishop of Philadelphia, canonized in 1977
- Rector
- Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
St. John Neumann offers a large, multigenerational Catholic community rooted in the Salesian spirituality of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales — compassion, humility, and gentleness lived out in everyday parish life. With more than 2,500 registered families, vibrant bilingual worship in English and Spanish, over 800 children in faith formation, a dedicated High School Youth Ministry, active Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul outreach, and a long-established tradition of lay leadership, newcomers find a place to pray, serve, and belong. The parish welcomes all who wish to register and participate in its sacramental, educational, and charitable life.
Mass times at St. John Neumann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 10:00–10:30 a.m. (English)
- Sunday 3:00–4:00 p.m. (Spanish)
- By appointment — call the parish office at 703-860-8510
Adoration times
- First Thursday of the month: Exposition and Adoration 3:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. in the SJN Chapel
History of St. John Neumann Parish
Established July 5, 1979, by Bishop Thomas J. Welsh, St. John Neumann grew rapidly alongside Reston. Early Masses were celebrated at the Hunter Woods Center Theater and in parishioners' homes until the original 550-seat church was dedicated on June 28, 1982. The parish center and rectory followed in 1990–1991, and a much larger 1,150-seat sanctuary — with a Rodgers Trillium T967 organ and a three-bell carillon tower — was dedicated by Bishop Paul Loverde on May 23, 2004. The parish has grown from 800 founding families to more than 2,500 today.
- Founded July 5, 1979 — second Catholic parish in Reston
- Original 550-seat church dedicated June 28, 1982
- New sanctuary dedicated May 23, 2004 (Bishop Paul Loverde)
- First Mass in new worship space: Palm Sunday, April 4, 2004
- Founding pastor: Rev. John A. Heenan, OSFS (1979–1990)
- Eighteen-acre campus off Lawyers Road
Our Patron, St. John Neumann
St. John Neumann was born March 28, 1811, in Prachalitz, Bohemia (now Czech Republic), and emigrated to America as a young seminarian after his bishop postponed ordinations in his diocese. He joined the Redemptorists in 1842 as the first priest to enter the Congregation in America, and in 1852 Pope Pius IX named him the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia — the largest diocese in the country at the time. Affectionately called the 'Little Bishop,' he administered the diocese, built dozens of churches, founded the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Philadelphia, rescued the Oblate Sisters of Providence from dissolution, and introduced the 40-Hour Devotion to America. He died suddenly in 1860 at age 48 and was canonized on June 19, 1977, becoming the first male American saint. His feast day is January 5.
- First male American saint (canonized June 19, 1977)
- Feast day: January 5
- Fourth Bishop of Philadelphia (1852–1860)
- Introduced the 40-Hour Devotion to the Eucharist in America
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
St. John Neumann has been served by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (OSFS) since its founding. The order made a formal commitment to staff the parish with its own Oblate priests, and the entire current clergy team — including the pastor, parochial vicars, and priest in residence — are Oblates. The parish motto, drawn from St. Francis de Sales, is to live the Gospel 'with compassion, humility, and gentleness,' and the Salesian spirituality of practical, down-to-earth holiness shapes the parish's preaching, formation, and youth programs — including the monthly Salesian Youth Mass celebrated at the Sunday 5 p.m. liturgy.
- All current clergy are Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (OSFS)
- Salesian virtue reflections shared by teens at the Sunday 5 p.m. Mass
- Lay staff serve in key leadership roles (Office Administrator, Director of Music, DRE, Youth Ministry Coordinators)
- Pastoral Council and Finance Council advise the pastor on policy and planning
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. John Neumann serves more than 800 children each year through a coordinated series of age-appropriate programs for preschool through high school. Registration requires that families be registered parishioners, and volunteers who serve as catechists receive free tuition for their own children. All adult volunteers working with minors must complete the Diocese of Arlington's VIRTUS training and background check.
- Children's Faith Formation (K–Grade 5): Sunday 8:45–10:00 a.m., Sunday 10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m., or Tuesday 5:15–6:30 p.m.
- Family Program for Preschool–Grade 5: monthly Saturday gatherings 9:00–10:30 a.m.
- Rooted (Grades 6–8) middle school program
- High School Youth Ministry (Grades 9–12) with weekly youth nights, retreats, and the Salesian Youth Mass
- Adapted Religious Education (ARE) for learners with diverse needs
- Director: Phil Prinzivalli — [email protected], 703-860-6156
High School Youth Ministry
The High School Youth Ministry welcomes teens in grades 9–12 with a comprehensive program of prayer and worship, Christian formation, fellowship, and outreach. Teens gather roughly every Sunday evening during the school year, with social events, retreats, and service projects scheduled throughout. A monthly Salesian Youth Mass is celebrated at the 5 p.m. Sunday liturgy, where a teen shares a reflection on a Salesian virtue, followed by dinner and fellowship.
- Director: Eric Muñoz — [email protected], 703-860-6141
- Girls and Guys Small Groups (first Sunday of each month)
- Mini-Workcamp service days partnered with Cornerstones
- Knights of Columbus Charity Breakfast service opportunities
Music & Liturgy
The parish's Music Ministry centers on the Rodgers Trillium T967 organ installed in the 2004 sanctuary, an instrument with three manuals, 75 stops, and dimensional sound modeling designed to reproduce authentic pipe organ sound. The ministry includes a parish choir, scheduled cantors, and musical support for funerals, weddings, Holy Days, and special celebrations, all coordinated under the pastor and in collaboration with the Director of Religious Education for sacramental liturgies.
- Rodgers Trillium T967 organ — 3 manuals, 75 stops
- Parish choir with weekly rehearsal
- Cantors scheduled for weekend Masses
- Music for weddings, funerals, and sacramental celebrations
- Salesian Youth Mass features teen-led music and reflection
Outreach, Charity, and Service
St. John Neumann maintains an active outreach ministry directed by Jo-Ann Duggan, who oversees efforts to serve the poor, the homebound, and newcomers in the wider Reston community. Parishioners serve through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Knights of Columbus, and various parish-led initiatives including food drives and direct aid.
- Director of Outreach: Jo-Ann Duggan (bilingual English/Spanish)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society conference — home visits, telephone interviews, and referral to partner agencies
- Knights of Columbus Council — charity breakfasts, youth scholarships, and service projects
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the homebound and nursing homes
- Cornerstones partnership through High School Mini-Workcamp
Parish Staff & Leadership
Following the spirit of Vatican II, major roles in parish administration are shared with lay professionals who serve alongside the Oblate priests. The Staff, Finance Committee, and Pastoral Council advise the pastor on policy, planning, and the life of the parish.
- Pastor: Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Donald J. Heet, OSFS
- In Residence: Rev. John W. Crossin, OSFS
- Deacons: Deacon Atanacio Sandoval; Deacon John A. Wagner
- Director of Religious Education: Phil Prinzivalli
- Director of High School Youth Ministry: Eric Muñoz
- Director of Outreach: Jo-Ann Duggan
- Parish Pastoral Council Chair: Elizabeth Skarlatos
- Ex-Officio Staff Representative: Jo-Ann Duggan
Becoming a Parishioner
All are welcome at St. John Neumann. The parish encourages registration so that newcomers can enroll children in faith formation, receive parish communications, and be better served by the parish office. Registration forms (available in English and Spanish) can be picked up from the Welcome Desk and returned to the parish office.
- Registration forms at the Welcome Desk (English and Spanish)
- Faith Formation Office: 703-860-2815
- Parish Office: 703-860-8510
- Email: [email protected]
- After-hours emergency line: 571-464-3603
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John A. Heenan, OSFS1979–1990
Founding pastor; oversaw the establishment of the parish and the 1982 dedication of the original church.
- Rev. Anthony J. Larry, OSFS1990–1991
Succeeded Father Heenan during the construction of the parish center and rectory.
- Rev. Robert A. Brown, OSFS1991–2005
Led the multi-year planning and construction of the present 1,150-seat sanctuary, breaking ground October 6, 2002.
- Rev. Thomas E. Murphy, OSFS2005–2016
- Rev. Joseph T. Brennan, OSFS2016–2024
Ordained at St. John Neumann in 1998; native Washingtonian mentored under Father Brown.
- Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS2025–present
Native of Delaware; appointed parochial vicar in 2022 and administrator in 2024; installed as pastor by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge on February 9, 2025.