Good
Shepherd parish was formed in May 1965 by Bishop John J.
Russell of the Diocese of Richmond in response to the
remarkable growth of Fairfax County during the early 1960's.
The boundaries of the parish encompass the historic Mount
Vernon Estate and most of George Washington's farms
including River Farm to the north and Mansion Farm on the
south. The Potomac River forms the eastern border and the
historic community of Gum Springs is on the west, bounded by
U.S. Route One.
Father Joseph F. Schwartz, Good Shepherd's first pastor,
founded an "instant parish" of more than 900 families. The
first Mass was celebrated on Sunday, May 30, 1965, in Walt
Whitman (now Mount Vernon High) School. Under pressure from
Fairfax County to vacate the public schools, a low-cost
quick-to-build multi-purpose structure was constructed. The
building, complete with an altar setting and 980 green
folding chairs, was formally dedicated by Bishop Russell on
June 17, 1967.
In June 1970, Father William P. Connelly was named pastor
and continued building the programs of Good Shepherd until
July 1971, when he was succeeded by Father Thomas J.
Quinlan. During Father Quinlan's pastorate, plans were
created for additional parish facilities and a fund-raising
campaign was initiated. To celebrate the diverse ethnic and
multi-cultural background within the community, the concept
for our annual International Festival was developed.
In 1974, the Commonwealth of Virginia was split into two
dioceses, Richmond and Arlington. Father Quinlan opted to
remain in the Richmond diocese, and Father John P. Hannan
was appointed as Good Shepherd's pastor in August 1974.
During this time, the ways in which Good Shepherd
interpreted the spirit of Vatican Council II, especially the
role of the parish council, came under scrutiny. The severe
polarization of opinion that resulted received attention on
a diocesan and national level. Father Hannan was soon joined
by Father Thomas F. Egan and the two served as co-pastors
until 1975, when Father Egan became sole pastor. Father Egan
fell ill and was replaced by Father Frank E. Mahler in
December 1975. Father Mahler served first as administrator,
then as pastor, until June 1979.
From 1974 to 1979, the life of Good Shepherd community was
deeply affected by the struggle to find a resolution to the
polarization within the parish. Bishop Joseph H. Hodges of
Wheeling-Charleston was appointed Apostolic Visitator for
Conciliation. Ultimately, the Apostolic Delegate and the
prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Clergy became
directly involved with Bishop Thomas Welsh of the Diocese of
Arlington in recommending solutions to the difficulties
affecting Good Shepherd Parish.
In June 1979, Father Gerard Creedon was appointed pastor
with a mandate to restore unity. The theme "Building
Community in the Light of Christ" inspired all efforts
undertaken to reconcile the various factions in the parish.
The resurgence of the International Festival in 1980 became
a sign of community bonding and the resurrection of Good
Shepherd's community spirit.
Plans were initiated for the construction of a church and
the development of additional facilities. These plans
received prompt approval from Bishop John R. Keating. On
October 21, 1984, Bishop Keating dedicated Good Shepherd
Church, 19 years after the parish was formed. The
cornerstone was hewn from a rock quarry on the Mount Vernon
estate; the mahogany altar and ambo relate to the design of
an 18th Century sideboard in the Mount Vernon mansion's
dining room.
Recognizing the special needs and concerns of the
Spanish-speaking members of Good Shepherd parish, a monthly
Spanish-language liturgy was added to the Sunday Mass
schedule in August 1984. In late 1989 Father Tadeo Mich
joined the parish on a regular basis for Sunday and Holy Day
Spanish-language liturgies. He was succeeded in October 1992
by Father Mario Dorsonville of the Diocese of Bogota,
Columbia. In February 1995, Father Fernando Cristancho of
the Diocese of Istima-Tado, Columbia, became the first
full-time Hispanic member of the parish clergy. In 1998, he
was followed by Father Jesús Navarrete, who is incardinated
in the Diocese of Madrid, Spain. Fr. Juan Alvarez joined
the parish in September 2005. Fr. Juan is a member of the
Crusaders of St. Mary.
With full community review and support, diocesan approval
was granted in September 1987 for the construction of the
Good Shepherd Parish Community Center, which incorporated
the original multi-purpose building, and added space for
parish offices, a professional-style kitchen, a nursery and
youth center and six classrooms. The building was dedicated
in January 1991 and has been the hub of the parish's
activities ever since. During Fr. Creedon’s tenure as
pastor, Good Shepherd Parish became known for its outreach
to the poor and underprivileged, both in our own community
and also nationally and internationally.
Following an assignment of 12 years as pastor of Good
Shepherd Parish, Father Creedon was replaced by Father
George Griffin, who served as Good Shepherd’s pastor from
June 1991 until June 2003. Under Father Griffin’s direction,
parish facilities were updated, portraits of Good Shepherd’s
pastors were commissioned, stained glass windows were added
to the worship space, a memorial to the victims of September
11th was constructed, and a comfortable priests’ residence
was built on parish grounds. Due to Father Griffin’s superb
financial management, these projects were completed without
any major fundraising campaigns and all Good Shepherd
facilities are mortgage-free.
Fr. Griffin also continued Good Shepherd’s outreach to the
poor and needy, and its dedication to Social Justice issues.
In 1992 our Emergency Assistance Program was the first
church-based organization accepted by the United Way / CFC
Campaign (designation number 8294). Today, through grants,
direct assistance and special collections, more than 16% of
our income is returned to charitable causes.
Father Chuck McCoart was named pastor in June 2003, and
under his direction, Good Shepherd Parish continues to
flourish as a caring and sharing community, welcoming all
who share the vision of "Building Community in the Light of
Christ." Good Shepherd continues to grow in size and
spirituality by living our baptismal call to be disciples of
Christ and to be the people and parish God intends for each
us.
