About St. Michael · Annandale, Virginia
St. Michael Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Arlington serving Annandale, Virginia, and the surrounding Northern Virginia suburbs. Established in June 1953 by Richmond Bishop Peter L. Ireton to serve a fast-growing Catholic community, the parish now counts about 2,695 parishioners on a 30-acre campus that includes a domed octagonal church, two school buildings, a rectory, a convent, and a perpetual adoration chapel. St. Michael is also home to a Pre-K-3 through Grade 8 Catholic school (228 students) and a robust Religious Education program for public-school and homeschooled children.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Alexander R. Drummond
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
St. Michael offers a stable, multigenerational Catholic home with abundant formation for every age — a PreK-8 school, a Religious Education program (CCD) for grades 1-12, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atriums for children 3-12, OCIA for adults, weekly Adult Bible Study, and the Salt and Light young-adult community (ages 18-39). Parishioners also have access to more than 40 years of perpetual Eucharistic adoration, three choirs, and a tightly knit body of roughly 2,700 fellow parishioners who worship together in one of the most architecturally distinctive mid-century churches in the Arlington Diocese.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 7:30–8:00 a.m. (except Federal holidays)
- Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. (sharp)
- Saturday: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the Adoration Chapel (40+ years); current needs include Monday 2–3 p.m., Tuesday 3–4 a.m., Wednesday 8–9 a.m. and 6–7 p.m.–midnight, Friday 2–3 a.m.
History of St. Michael Catholic Church
St. Michael Catholic Church was established in June 1953 by Bishop Ireton to address the growing Catholic population in Annandale, VA. From 1951 until the formal establishment of the parish, a Sunday Mass was celebrated in the cafeteria of Annandale Elementary School for 125 original parishioners. Founding pastor Fr. Scannell was a visionary who foresaw the urban sprawl of Fairfax County over the next fifty years and led the effort to build a permanent home for the community. The architectural design was revolutionary, incorporating an octagonal structure with a dome on top — and directly under the dome was the altar, with 11 pews flanking it and a balcony above for additional seating. This configuration allowed the celebrant to face the congregation and gave every worshiper an unobstructed view. The new church was dedicated on November 26, 1960. The 30-acre grounds now include a church, two school buildings, a rectory, and a convent.
- Pre-parish Masses: 1951, Annandale Elementary School cafeteria
- Parish established: June 1953 by Bishop Ireton
- Original parishioner count: 125
- Founding pastor: Fr. Scannell
- Church dedicated: November 26, 1960
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Michael is served by a pastor, two parochial vicars, a permanent deacon, a school principal, and a director of religious education. The pastor, Fr. Alexander R. Drummond, was named pastor in 2016; he was ordained in 1994 by Bishop John R. Keating and previously served as pastor of St. Catherine of Siena in Great Falls.
- Rev. Alexander R. Drummond — Pastor
- Rev. John F. Heisler — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. William B. Schierer — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon David S. McCaffrey — Permanent Deacon
- Annie Fernandez — School Principal ([email protected])
- Zachary Beckman — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Sarah Shafer — Music Director
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Michael's Religious Education program assists parents as the primary educators of their children, helping them come to know, love, and serve God. Classes meet Monday evenings for Grades 1–8 and every two weeks for High School students. Sacramental preparation for First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation is organized through the parish, with required documents and fees due by October 31 of each year.
- Grades 1–8 CCD: Monday evenings, 6:00–7:30 p.m., Junior School Building
- High School CCD: every two weeks on Monday evening, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
- Grades 1–2 use Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Grades 3–8 use the Faith and Life curriculum (Ignatius Press)
- High School uses The Great Adventure (Ascension Press) and Following Christ in the World (Seton Press)
- Director of Religious Education: Zachary Beckman, 571-385-0085, [email protected]
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Atrium)
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the Catholic Church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in a specially prepared room called an 'atrium' for presentations on parables, parts of the Mass, and the liturgical year, then work individually on simple, beautiful materials in silence before praying together at the end of the session. For 2025–2026, St. Michael's Atrium offers Levels 1 and 2, with a 2026 Summer Atrium also available.
- Level 1 (ages 3–6): Tuesday mornings 10:00–11:30 a.m. (waitlisted) or Tuesday afternoons 1:00–2:30 p.m. (openings)
- Level 2 (ages 6–9): Wednesdays 1:00–2:30 p.m. (waitlisted)
- Contact: [email protected]
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) is the way adults enter into the life of the Catholic Church — more than a program, it is a journey of conversion. The process begins with a no-pressure period of inquiry where adults may ask questions, learn the basics of the faith, and get to know the community, followed by weekly gatherings for teaching, discussion, and prayer, formation in Sacred Scripture, the Catechism, and the life of grace, and participation in the liturgical life of the Church. The parish's OCIA classes are conducted in English.
- Inquiry period with no commitment
- Weekly gatherings for teaching, discussion, and prayer
- Formation in Scripture, Catechism, and the life of grace
- Available in English
- Contact: Fr. Schierer at [email protected] or 703-256-7822
Adult Bible Study
St. Michael offers a weekly Adult Bible Study throughout the year exploring a variety of topics including a deeper understanding of the Mass, finding the Bible in the Mass, and Christ's Passion. Formation materials are drawn from sources including Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire); the St. Paul Center and Scott Hahn; and Edward Sri (Ascension Press).
- Meets Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.
- Location: lower level of the junior school building
- Cost: $20
St. Michael Catholic School
St. Michael Catholic School serves students from Pre-K-3 through Grade 8 on the parish campus at 7401-A St. Michael's Lane. As part of the Diocese of Arlington's school system in Fairfax County, it shares the parish's mission 'to learn and embody the Gospel message, achieve academic excellence, and selflessly serve others.' Applications are accepted on a first-registered basis, and the school is currently seeking substitute teachers.
- Grades: PreK-3 through Grade 8
- Enrollment: ~228 students
- Principal: Annie Fernandez
- Phone: 703-256-1222
- Website: stmikes22003.org
- Email: [email protected]
Music & Liturgy
St. Michael's music program welcomes singers of all experience levels to serve the liturgy through traditional Sacred Music. The Catechism (1156) calls 'the musical tradition of the universal Church … a treasure of inestimable value,' and the parish embraces this through its choirs. A Junior Choir for children was being relaunched in Fall 2025.
- Adult Choir
- Schola Choir
- Junior Choir (children) — contact Music Director to register interest
- Music Director: Sarah Shafer, 540-252-4472, [email protected]
Salt and Light Ministry (Young Adults)
Salt and Light Ministry (SALM) is a vibrant community of young adults (ages 18–39) at St. Michael's, called to be 'the salt of the earth and the light of the world' (Matthew 5:13-16). SALM hosts monthly Sunday gatherings and ongoing opportunities including adoration with praise and worship, men's and women's Bible studies, and speaker events.
- Faith Formation Chair: Jean Nuñez
- Social Event Chair: Julia Pipan
- SALM Worship Chair: John Cosgayon
- Communications and Social Media Chair: Colin Beach
- Young Adult Women's Bible Study — email [email protected]
- Instagram: @saltandlightyoungadults
- Facebook: facebook.com/groups/frassatiannandale
Sacraments
St. Michael prepares and celebrates the seven sacraments in the ordinary life of the parish. Baptisms are celebrated on the first and third Sundays of the month after the 12:30 p.m. Mass, with a required parent class. Couples should contact a priest at least six months before a wedding.
- Baptism: 1st and 3rd Sundays, after 12:30 p.m. Mass; parent class required
- First Penance & First Holy Communion: preparation through Religious Education
- Confirmation: preparation through Religious Education
- Holy Matrimony: contact at least six months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion Calls: notify the rectory
- OCIA for adult initiation
Visit, Register & Contact
Parish registration is required for Baptism or Matrimony in the parish and helps the parish family stay in touch. Registration forms are available from ushers after weekend Masses, in the main vestibule, or at the parish office during the week. The rectory and parish office are open Monday–Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday until 4 p.m.
- Rectory/Parish Office: 703-256-7822
- School: 703-256-1222
- Religious Education (CCD): 571-385-0085
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 7401 St. Michael's Lane, Annandale, VA 22003
- Rectory Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Fri until 4 p.m.
- School Address: 7401-A St. Michael's Lane
- Convent: 7421 St. Michael's Lane
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Alexander R. Drummond2016–present
Ordained in 1994 by Bishop John R. Keating; previously pastor of St. Catherine of Siena, Great Falls.
- Fr. Scannell
Founding pastor; the visionary who planned for the parish's growth in Fairfax County and oversaw the 1960 dedication of the octagonal church.