About St. Raymond of Peñafort · Springfield, Virginia
St. Raymond of Peñafort Catholic Church in Springfield, Virginia, is a vibrant parish established in 1997, known for its spiritual growth, community ministries, and modern worship space. The parish serves a growing congregation with daily and weekend Masses, active sacramental programs, and a variety of apostolates. It is part of the Diocese of Arlington and is led by Pastor Father John De Celles, with a dedicated clergy team and a rich history of architectural and spiritual development. The church’s current building, opened in 2006, features a parish hall, library, and classrooms to support its educational and pastoral ministries.
- Established
- 1997
- Patron
- Raymond of Peñafort
- Rector
- Father John De Celles
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
Join a parish that offers a strong sense of community through active ministries like the Family of Jesus Prayer Group, Legion of Mary, and Men’s Prayer Group. Experience vibrant liturgical life with daily and weekend Masses, live-streamed services, and opportunities for spiritual growth through homilies, faith formation, and sacramental programs. The parish also supports families with religious education and provides a welcoming environment for all ages.
Mass times at St. Raymond of Peñafort
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 7:00 am
- 9:30 am
- 10:00 am
- 6:15 pm
- 7:00 pm
Adoration times
- 8:30 am
- 9:00 am
- 6:15 pm
Our History
On July 5th, 1997, the late Bishop John R. Keating established Saint Raymond of Penafort as the sixty third parish in the Diocese of Arlington, naming the late Reverend Salvator Ciullo as our founding pastor. Bishop Keating A house on Triple Ridge Road was our first home, serving as rectory, office and daily Mass chapel. As our parish grew so quickly we needed to move our daily Masses to Christ Methodist Church and weekend Masses to West Springfield High School. Eventually, we moved to the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department Hall on Backlick Road for weekend Masses. Baptism in the “Holy Fire Hall” We later moved our daily Masses and Religious Education program to Angelus Academy. In June of 2000, Father James Gould became our pastor. Father Gould was the Vocation Director for many years, supervising the formation and ordination of over half the priests of the Diocese. He brought the same skills to form and lead our parish forward into a period of amazing spiritual, numerical, financial and architectural growth. Father James Gould On June 4, 2003 , ground was broken at the corner of Pohick Road and the Fairfax County Parkway to start the construction of an 850 seat church including a basement with a parish hall, library and eight classrooms, as well as a rectory to accommodate a parish office and priest’s residence. Bishop Loverde blesses the ground at the groundbreaking of our church site. On December 19, 2006, our new church was opened with Bishop Loverde celebrating the Mass of dedication. Dedication Mass March 2021: Altar Rail and Pulpit Project completed Photos of Altar Rail Installation
Clergy
Reverend John De Celles – Pastor Reverend Joseph Bergida – Parochial Vicar Reverend Edward Horkan – In Residence Reverend Charles Smith Reverend Mark Pilon Reverend Paul Scalia Reverend Chris Pollard Reverend Tad Pacholczyk Reverend Paul deLadurantaye His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke Most Reverend Salvatore Cordileone, D.D.
Ministries & Apostolates
The parish offers a wide range of ministries including the Family of Jesus Prayer Group, Legion of Mary, Men’s Prayer Group, Mothers Group, Junior Legion of Mary, Library, Religious Education, Daily Rosary, Faith Formation, and Youth Apostolates. These ministries provide opportunities for spiritual growth, community service, and fellowship.
- Family of Jesus Prayer Group
- Legion of Mary
- Men’s Prayer Group
- Mothers Group
- Junior Legion of Mary
- Library
- Religious Education
- Daily Rosary
- Faith Formation
- Youth Apostolates
Sacraments
The parish offers all seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders. Sacramental preparation and formation programs are available for all ages.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist
- Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- Funeral Rites
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Salvator Ciullo1997
Founding pastor
- Father James Gould2000-2003
Vocation Director; oversaw spiritual, numerical, financial, and architectural growth