A Parish Serving Western Loudoun Since 1921
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church sits at 37730 St. Francis Court in Purcellville, Virginia, the largest town in Loudoun County's rural western edge. Established in 1921, the parish grew for decades before the present church was dedicated on June 28, 1992, and the adjoining Education Center followed on September 21, 2014. Today it is a vibrant, multicultural faith community dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel and building the kingdom of God through Word, Sacrament, and Service.
The parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Church under the Diocese of Arlington. Its motto, displayed across the top of the parish site, is "Celebrating The Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist," and that Eucharistic focus shapes everything from the weekly schedule to the lifelong sacramental life offered to parishioners.
Mass Through the Week
The Sunday schedule opens with the Saturday Vigil at 5:00 p.m. and continues with five Sunday Masses at 7:00, 8:30, 10:30, 12:15, and 5:30 p.m. The 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass is a Teen Mass, accompanied by the parish's contemporary music group Witness.
Daily Mass is offered Monday through Thursday at 6:30 and 8:30 a.m., Friday at 6:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon, and Saturday at 9:00 a.m. A Rosary group gathers at 6:00 a.m. each weekday morning, before the first Mass.
Masses are livestreamed on the St. Francis de Sales YouTube channel, with recordings remaining available afterward for those who cannot attend in person. A Rosary runs at 6:00 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Friday Adoration Through Saturday Morning
Eucharistic Adoration is one of the parish's defining devotional rhythms. Each Friday, adoration begins immediately after the noon Mass and continues through the night, ending with the 9:00 a.m. Saturday Mass. The parish draws on Pope Benedict XVI's words about adoration being "an essential way of being with the Lord," inviting parishioners to bring petitions, concerns, joys, and gratitude into the silent hours in the chapel.
Confession Throughout the Week
The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Fridays at 11:00 a.m., Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m., with an additional half-hour before every Sunday Mass. Confession is also available anytime by appointment. Schedules for inclement-weather cancellations follow Loudoun County Government decisions for the parish office and Loudoun County Public Schools for Religious Education and Youth Ministry; updates are posted on the parish site and sent by text message.
The Sacraments of Initiation and Healing
Baptisms at St. Francis de Sales are celebrated on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. in the church. Parents must be registered parishioners, complete a Baptismal Registration form, select sponsors (with at least one practicing Catholic godparent), and attend a Baptismal Preparation class offered on the Friday before the third Sunday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Adult baptism is handled through the OCIA process described below.
First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation are prepared through the Religious Education program, with parents attending mandatory meetings along the way. First Reconciliation typically takes place in late January; First Holy Communion is celebrated in early May; Confirmation for eighth grade and high school candidates is conferred in the spring. Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick round out the seven sacraments celebrated at the parish, each with its own preparation process.
Becoming Catholic as an Adult
Adults interested in full communion with the Catholic Church join the parish's OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly called RCIA). Classes meet Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and include prayer, study, dialogue, instruction, and fellowship for anyone unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or a Catholic who has never been confirmed. The process also serves Catholics who wish to serve as sponsors or godparents but have not yet received Confirmation. Inquiries are directed to Vladimir Rudenko at vladimirudenko@gmail.com.
Religious Education from Pre-K Through High School
Under Director of Religious Education Diane Taylor, the parish offers a full Religious Education program rooted in Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and active sacramental participation. The 2026-2027 RE schedule includes Sunday morning sessions at 9:00-10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to noon, and Monday afternoon sessions at 3:30-4:45 p.m. and 5:00-6:15 p.m., with a SPRED track (Special Religious Development) for students with disabilities meeting Saturday mornings.
The year includes a First Day parent meeting in late August, Advent and Lenten Confessions for students, a Christmas Market and Pancake Breakfast, Confirmation and First Holy Communion retreats, parent sessions, and Safe Environment lessons (the "Circle of Grace" curriculum). A full-color liturgical-calendar PDF ties it all together, with Holy Week and Christmas breaks built in.
Youth Ministry for Middle and High School
Director of Youth Ministry Caitlin Orender oversees two complementary programs. High School Youth Group, for grades 9-12, meets weekly on Sunday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Upper Room (213) of the Religious Education building, with nights of prayer, discussion, service, games, and community.
MAC-PAC, the Middle School program for grades 6-8, stands for "Middle Schoolers Acting for Christ: Prayer Action Charity." It meets for a social activity on the second Sunday of each month after the 5:00 p.m. Mass in Our Lady of Victory Hall, with games, small groups, and service projects. Seventh and eighth graders accumulate Discipleship Hours - spiritual and corporal works of mercy - through these projects as part of their Confirmation preparation, with a 20-hour minimum by the end of eighth grade.
The program's annual guiding theme draws on St. Augustine and Pope Leo XIV's words: "Calling upon You is an act of believing in You." The youth follow an E.P.I.C. pathway: Encounter Christ, Proclaim His goodness, Intercede for one another, and Commit to daily faith in action.
Music for Every Generation
Music Director Michael Galdo leads three ensembles that span the parish's range of styles. The Parish Choir, open to high-school age and adult singers, rehearses Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the church and sings at the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Masses. Its repertoire ranges from chant and polyphony to contemporary music, and choir members also serve as cantors and assistant organists.
The St. Francis Children's Choir, for grades 2-8, rehearses Tuesdays during the school year at 3:30 p.m., with beginner students dismissed at 4:15 p.m. and advanced students at 4:45 p.m. The choir sings roughly twice a month at weekend Masses and on major feasts such as Immaculate Conception, Christmas, and Easter.
Witness, the parish's contemporary music group, provides music for the Sunday 5:30 p.m. Teen Mass. Open to adults and youth in eighth grade and above, the group rehearses at 4:00 p.m. on Sundays before Mass, playing modern music to draw young parishioners into full, conscious participation in the liturgy.
Women's Council and Knights of Columbus
The Women's Council, open to all practicing Catholic women aged 18 and older, meets twice monthly in the Chapel and Library: a Social and Activity Night on the first Monday of each month, and a Business Meeting on the third Monday. There are no dues or time requirements, just a spirit of joyful discipleship. Events include Oktoberfest, Ghouls for Gould, and Wine & Wisdom, alongside service projects and educational activities. Khristie Lynne Borneman serves as Treasurer, Sandy Regan as Vice President, and Ashley Mastracci in Communications and Marketing.
The parish also hosts a council of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization of men committed to charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. The local council is a visible presence in parish life, contributing to capital projects, serving at parish functions, and supporting parish families.
Parish Projects and Capital Improvements
St. Francis de Sales maintains a transparent Parish Projects and Repairs page, listing completed work, in-progress upgrades, and future capital needs funded through the Capital Repairs and Improvement Fund and the Parish Equipment and Essentials Fund. Recent accomplishments include parking lot resurfacing, HVAC compressor and control-board replacement on the south-side classroom system, restoration of the humidity control module and fan motors on the main church HVAC unit, and a fire-alarm system upgrade fully funded by parishioner gifts and a $35,000 matching gift. Future phases anticipate replacement of the LG Multi V HVAC systems in the Education Center, new commercial-grade glass front entry doors, repairs to rotted exterior wood trim and windows, and restoration of the wrought-iron railing.
The newest capital project is a parish playground, designed to be built in phases for a total of about $150,000. Phase 1, the Banks and Drops PrimeTime play system for ages 5-12, has been fully funded and is planned for groundbreaking in the fall. Phase 2 will add inclusive equipment such as GameTime's Spin with Me - accessible to those using mobility devices - and a VistaTree Top 1 net climber, with additional fundraising underway.
Facility Rentals for the Community
The parish opens its doors to the wider community through facility rentals. Our Lady of Victory Hall and its fully equipped kitchen accommodate receptions, banquets, and special celebrations; Knights Hall and Kitchen suits medium-sized gatherings, parish activities, and community events; and Education Center classrooms and a quiet library serve workshops, training sessions, and small-group meetings. Availability, rates, and guidelines are handled through a Space Reservation Request Form on the parish site.
Ways to Give
Parishioners and friends can support St. Francis de Sales in several ways. Online giving runs through the Realm platform for regular offertory, second collections, the Capital Repairs and Improvement Fund, the Parish Equipment and Essentials Fund, and special projects such as the playground. Text-to-Give is available by texting "SFDS" to 73256. Donors aged 70½ and older can make Qualified Charitable Distributions up to $108,000 directly from their IRA. Appreciated stock transfers, corporate matching gifts, sponsorship of parish events, and gifts through donor-advised funds and the Benecessed platform round out the options. The parish's stated E-Giving goal is to enroll 80 percent of households.
A Note from the Pastor
Pastor Father James Gould extends a warm welcome in the parish's online greeting: "The measure of love you give is the measure of love you receive." Quoting St. Francis de Sales himself, the parish reminds visitors that "Devotion does not consist in doing extraordinary things, but in doing ordinary things with extraordinary love." Father Gould, Parochial Vicar Father Joseph Kenna, and Deacon Larry Hammel, along with the parish's directors and staff, are glad to walk with anyone - parishioner, newcomer, or visitor - along the path of faith.
Planning a Visit
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a lunch break from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. and closures on major public holidays. Ample parking is available across the campus. Newcomers are invited to register through the online Parish Registration Form; the parish office follows up with next steps. Anyone seeking information about marriage, baptism, funerals, religious education, or joining a ministry can reach the office at 540-338-6381 or info@saintfrancisparish.org.