On the eve of the dedication of St. Raymond of Peñafort Church in Springfield, Maria Sanchez-O’Brien, her husband Patrick O’Brien and fellow parishioners were painting, sweeping and otherwise getting the building ready for the next day’s celebration. But in the midst of the hustle and bustle, they took a moment to take in the views at the top of the bell tower.
“There’s just perspectives that you’ll always cherish,” said O’Brien. “(Then pastor) Father (James R.) Gould recorded the bell pealing for his phone ringer. It was a very memorable occasion to go up and reflect on the fact that, wow we did this. It was accomplished.”
This year, the parish celebrated its 25th anniversary. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass at the parish to commemorate the occasion Dec. 4. In his homily, Father John C. De Celles, pastor, spoke about the new challenges and responsibilities the church should take on as the community becomes more established.
“So now with our childhood behind us, we face the mission (St.) John and Jesus himself had in proclaiming the Gospel, always in love and patience and prudence and also always in courage and boldness,” he said. “And like both John and Jesus, we must not be deterred by any suffering or ridicule this might bring. Rather we must let that suffering draw us deeper into the mystery of divine love and joy.”
According to parish history, Bishop John R. Keating established St. Raymond as the 63rd parish in the Arlington diocese July 5, 1997. A house on Triple Ridge Road served as rectory, office and daily Mass chapel. Later, daily Masses moved to Christ Methodist Church and weekend Masses to West Springfield High School.
Eventually, the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department Hall on Backlick Road, known to parishioners as the “Holy Fire Hall,” became the home for weekend Masses. Daily Masses and the religious education program moved to Angelus Academy, a private Catholic school in Springfield that has a close relationship with the parish. The parish supports families who want to attend Angelus and other local Catholic schools through its Our Lady of Ransom Scholarship Fund.
Ground was broken June 4, 2003, at the corner of Pohick Road and the Fairfax County Parkway for the construction of an 850-seat church with a basement parish hall, library, eight classrooms and rectory to accommodate a parish office and priest’s residence. Bishop Paul S. Loverde dedicated the new church Dec. 19, 2006.
The O’Briens have been St. Raymond parishioners for nearly 25 years. Patrick has served on the finance committee, as an usher, lector, Knight of Columbus and volunteer with the youth ministry. Maria has served in the parish gift shop, making meals for Christ House in Alexandria, and in the choir. She also helped launch the parish’s religious education program for children with intellectual disabilities. “Over the course of the last 20 years, maybe we’ve had 50 students receive sacraments, all the way up to confirmation. So that’s been a blessing,” said Maria.
The couple has five children who grew up in the parish and two of their daughters were married there. Their son who lives in the area, though not too close to the parish, regularly comes back for Sunday Mass. “He likes to come back to St. Raymond because there’s no place like home, even for church,” said Maria.
Bob and Beverly Ward were the first directors of religious education for St. Raymond and parishioners from the start. “A little group of us called ourselves the pioneers and we said when we build a church, the settlers will come,” said Bob. “That’s how we felt. It was very exciting but it was very challenging. The only real place we had was the rectory.”
The couple, parents of three and grandparents of six, now teach Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults classes and Bob leads a Bible study. They love the beauty of the church building, from the bright lights to the paintings of St. Raymond in the sanctuary. The liturgies are wonderful and the entire music program is phenomenal, said Bob. “I just can’t imagine being anywhere else,” said Beverly.
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