About St. William of York · Stafford, Virginia
St. William of York Catholic Church is a family-oriented Catholic parish serving Stafford County, Virginia, about 35 miles south of Washington, D.C. The parish community was founded in 1956 and became an independent parish in 1971; today it counts more than 5,100 registered parishioners. It offers daily and Sunday Mass (including a weekly Mass in Spanish), a parish elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, sacramental preparation, youth ministry, the Knights of Columbus, and a parish-run Outreach thrift store that provides emergency aid to local families. The parish is in communion with Pope Leo XIV and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.
- Established
- 1956 (church dedicated); 1971 (established as independent parish)
- Patron
- St. William of York (William fitzHerbert, Archbishop of York, d. 1154)
- Rector
- Rev. Robert J. DeMartino
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
St. William of York is a vibrant, family-oriented Catholic parish that takes seriously both liturgical worship and works of mercy. Parishioners of all ages find a place here: pre-K through eighth-grade children attend the parish school, teens gather for youth ministry events like WorkCamp, Triple D, and the Living Stations, and adults serve through the Knights of Columbus, OCIA, Religious Education, and SWOY Outreach, a volunteer-run thrift store that provides emergency financial help and food to families in Stafford County. With a wide schedule of daily and Sunday Masses (including a weekly Mass in Spanish), regular confession times, First Friday adoration, and a full social calendar, the parish offers a clear path to grow in faith and serve neighbors.
Mass times at St. William of York
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 9:30 AM
- Friday 9:30 AM
- Saturday 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM
Adoration times
- First Fridays 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Between morning daily Mass on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Parish History
Catholic life in Stafford reaches back to the first Catholic families who settled near Aquia Harbor around 1650, including the prominent colonial-era Brent family. The first permanent Catholic church building in the county appeared in 1943 with St. Therese Mission near Quantico, built largely to serve military families. Bishop Ireton dedicated the present St. William of York church on May 6, 1956; it became an independent parish in 1971 with just 25 registered families and has since grown to more than 5,100 parishioners, adding a parish school in 1992 and welcoming three Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Infant Jesus in 1998.
- First Catholic families settle near Aquia Harbor, c. 1650
- St. Therese Mission Church at Midway Island established 1943
- St. William of York church dedicated by Bishop Ireton, May 6, 1956
- Established as an independent parish, 1971 (25 families)
- About 600 families registered by the 1980s
- Parish elementary school opened, 1992
- Three Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Infant Jesus arrive, July 1998
- Parish grows to 5,100+ registered parishioners
Parish School (Pre-K through Grade 8)
St. William of York Catholic School is the parish's elementary school, opened in 1992 and now serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school works closely with the parish and, since 1998, has been served by Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Infant Jesus alongside lay staff.
- Opened in 1992
- Enrollment of 230 students by 2001
- Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade
- Office hours Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Contact: Jennifer Schiller, [email protected]
Religious Education
The parish Religious Education program offers faith formation for children not enrolled in the parish school, with sessions on Sundays and Wednesdays across the academic year. Sacramental preparation is provided for First Penance, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and the Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC), with mandatory class dates and retreats published annually.
- RE Sundays for Kinder–6th: 8:45–10:00 AM or 10:45 AM–Noon
- Confirmation Year 1 (7th–11th): Sundays 6:00–7:30 PM
- Confirmation Year 2 (8th–12th): Sundays 6:00–7:30 PM
- First Communion & OCIC (4th–11th): Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 PM
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM; expanded summer hours
- Contact: Kristy Lumley, [email protected]
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
OCIA is the parish's process for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church—whether unbaptized, baptized in another Christian denomination, or already baptized Catholic. The process includes classes, rites, and a celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
- For the unbaptized, baptized Christians, and baptized Catholics seeking full communion
- Coordinated by Kristy Lumley
- Contact: [email protected] or (540) 659-5705
- Resources available in English and Spanish
Youth Ministry
The parish's Youth Ministry serves all high school students (grades 9–12) and aims to be a safe, encouraging space where teens can grow in faith, leadership, and community. Programs include weekly gatherings, service trips, social events, and seasonal devotional opportunities, with participation in both parish-based and diocesan-wide events.
- Open to all 9th–12th graders
- Triple D – Dodgeball, Dessert & Discussion (monthly Sunday)
- WorkCamp – week-long youth service trip with the diocese
- Living Stations (Lenten Passion presentation)
- Tuesday Time with Father (young men's group with Father Will)
- Young Adult Tea Time for high school ladies
- Annual Deanery 7 Photo Scavenger Hunt (Christmas Cup)
- Football Friends, Mass & Movie Nights, Game Nights, specialty outings
Knights of Columbus
The Father Widmer Council of the Knights of Columbus, council #7877, is based on the grounds of St. William of York and supports parish and community life through fundraising, volunteer man-hours, and direct support of SWOY Outreach, the youth programs, and the parish school.
- Council #7877, 'Father Widmer Council'
- Meets 2nd Wednesday of every month, 6:30 PM at the Council Home
- Supports parish school, youth programs, and SWOY Outreach
- Open meetings for all Brother Knights
SWOY Outreach
St. William of York Outreach is a non-profit, volunteer-run ministry that provides emergency financial assistance and food to families in Stafford County. The work is funded and staffed through a parish thrift store, with all profits and donations going directly to neighbors in the greatest need.
- Non-profit emergency assistance for Stafford County families
- Provides financial help and food
- Funded and staffed through the parish thrift store
- Volunteer-operated
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by a pastor supported by three parochial vicars, a permanent deacon, and a team of lay and religious staff responsible for school leadership, religious education, youth ministry, sacramental coordination, business operations, facilities, communications, and outreach.
- Rev. Robert J. DeMartino – Pastor
- Rev. Nicholas J. Schierer – Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Alfredo Tuesta – Parochial Vicar
- Rev. William Nyce – Parochial Vicar
- Deacon James Benisek – Parish Deacon
- Jennifer Schiller – School Principal
- Kristy Lumley – Director of Religious Education / OCIA
- Diana Roets – Youth & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator
- Alita Nichols – Sacramental Coordinator
- Michelle McSorley – Office Manager
- Jose Gomez – Business Manager
- Chad Wahlin – Security Coordinator
- Erica Abagnale – Facilities Manager
- Kayla Dittmer – Media & Outreach Coordinator
- Alison Truslow – Bookkeeper
- Irma Alvarez – Receptionist
Visit, Register, and Stay Connected
Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to register with the parish, attend a Sunday Mass, and stay informed through the parish's bi-weekly newsletter and its official Facebook page. The Parish Office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM), and on Fridays from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM during the summer; holiday hours may vary.
- Parish Office: 3130 Richmond Hwy, Stafford, VA 22554
- Phone: (540) 659-1102
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:30 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 9:30 AM–12:00 PM (summer)
- Bi-Weekly Parish Newsletter available by subscription
- Official Facebook page for news and events