Mother's Group

Part of the Women's Council, the Mother's Group seeks to bring women of faith closer to Christ and to each other through events, talks, service and spiritual activities such as a retreat for mothers. If you are a mother of the parish and would like to find out how to get more involved please contact Clare McNiff at (571) 239-2420.

High School Youth Group/Senior Youth Group

Attention all High School students!  Come participate, practice your faith, make new friends and have fun.  Contact St. John’s Coordinator of Youth, Sebastien Jansen at sjansen@sjyouthgroup.com for more details and information or visit our web site at sjyouthgroup.com

St Peter Claver Society

St Peter Claver Society is dedicated to giving children orphaned by AIDS a chance to grow and an opportunity for a better and safer future. SPCS provides funds to several Catholic institutions that provide relief to the overwhelming needs brought about by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. These institutions provide orphans the basics of food, medical care and shelter, as well as the education and training in technical skills that enable them to eventually become self-reliant.

The St. Peter Claver Society was formed in 2003 by a group of St. John the Beloved parishioners with the support of the Pastor in order to help children in Africa orphaned by AIDS and cared for by Catholic institutions.

For more information, please visit our web site at stpeterclaversociety.net.

Young Adults/Grupo Frassati

Grupo Frassati is St. John’s young adult group, ages 20’s – 40’s, married or single, who meet for spiritual enrichment (retreats, monthly dinner & rosary); Catholic fellowship (parties, trips, sports with other Catholic groups); and more.  Contact Jamie-Leigh Taylor at 703-407-4403 for information.

Women's Council

All women of the parish are members of St. John Women's Council. The Council meets on the second Thursday of every month in the Dodi Regan room of the Cauwe Parish Center.

Council Ministries & Committees:

• Parishioner Outreach (formerly Companions in Christ): This group unites the parish community by providing assistance (rides to the grocery store, doctor’s appointment, church, etc.) to those parishioners who most need it, particularly the elderly.
• Helping Hands: Volunteers help set up, serve, clean up after, or just provide food following a funeral.
• Sacristy Committee: These women look after and care for the sanctuary and sacristy, including the linens and sacred vessels. They set up church for Holy Days, special occasions and much, much more.
• Sew & Sew Forths: The Sew & So Forths meet on Monday mornings at 9:45 in the Dodi Reagan Room (holidays excluded). Initially, the group was formed to make layettes (baby outfits, blankets, etc.) for HOPE of Northern Virginia or any other organization helping unwed mothers. On a continuing basis, we make hand-embroidered lace-trimmed baptism cloths, banners for Legion of Mary, Confirmation banners for the school children, and parish banners for Diocesan celebrations. Any experienced - or non-experienced - sewer knitter, crocheter, embroiderer, etc., is more than welcome!
• Pro-Life: Council seeks to support parishioner’s pro-life efforts through our parish pro-life committee (praying outside abortion facilities, taking part in the annual “Walk for Life”, and more) and by supporting “Hope”, “Gabriel Project” and Project Rachel”.
• Hospitality Committee: Assist pastor with receptions for the Bishop, the newly ordained, monthly priest’s luncheon and other occasions that may arise.
• Social Committee: Plan teas, luncheons and other fun activities for the council members so that the women of the parish get to know each other in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

The Women's Council also participates in the life of the parish by helping prepare for Masses at Arleigh Burke Pavilion and Powatan Nursing Home, visiting Lewinsville (elderly) Day Care Center and by having an annual fundraiser (Christmas Boutique) to support charities and charitable parish activities.

Over 50 Club

St. John's Seniors Club is an informal social club for St. John's parishioners, age 50 and over. The Club's primary activities are monthly luncheons and periodic day (and sometimes overnight) bus trips. The luncheon gatherings are on the third Monday of the month, September to June, and begin with Mass at 11:30am. This is followed by a short social period and then a catered lunch in the School cafeteria/hall. The after lunch programs are varied entertainment or presentations of interest to the Seniors. Recent meetings have included entertainment by the Lee Jammers and the Arlington Songfellows. Topics covered recently have included: World War II experiences, simplified Tai Chi, and investment and housing options for Seniors. Day trips frequently include symphony rehearsals at the Kennedy Center, and special art exhibits and theatre productions.

As a non-membership club, all interested parishioners and guests are welcomed. Notice of all events are posted on the bulletin board in the Church vestibule, requesting advance sign-up and payment. For information, contact Gladys Brennan at 703-821-2547.

Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church with well over 3 million active members in almost every country of the world. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel praesidium of the Legion of Mary was established at St. John in 1988. Members become instruments of the Holy Spirit through a balanced program of prayer and service.

The Legion of Mary and Junior Legion meet weekly to grow in spiritual formation. Activities include visiting residents of Arleigh-Burke and Powhatan Nursing Homes in our area and doing home visits to welcome new parishioners. We bring St. John's "Pilgrim Virgin Statue" to parish families and participate in door-to-door evangelization. Through Book Barrow we make catholic literature and sacramentals available in public places. Helping with CCD instruction and working with our Junior Legion of Mary helps encourage enthronement of families in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. We host celebrations for Our Lady's birthday and we make rosaries.

Adult members meet every MONDAY night from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the Dodi Reagan Room of the Cauwe Center. Members do two hours of work weekly of the activities mentioned above.
Junior members (ages 8 to 18) meets every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Dodi Reagan Room. Junior members do one hour of work weekly.

Call the rectory at 703/356-7916 for more information.

Pro-Life Committee

St. John parishioners hold a strong pro life philosophy. Some members of the parish take part in praying outside the nearest abortion facility in Falls Church on a weekly basis.

The parish participates in the yearly March for Life to mark the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, January 22, 1973. Those in the parish who are not able to go into D.C. on that day are encouraged to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament for an end to abortion and for the conversion of those who take part in this killing of the unborn.

CYO Sports

CYO Sports are organized by the Northern Virginia Catholic Youth Organization (NVJCYO) for the youth of its thirty-five member parishes. The NVJCYO, which dates back to 1959, is an all volunteer, non-profit, lay organization, incorporated in the State of Virginia, which is governed by the consent of the parish representatives under the auspices of their parishes and pastors. The NVJCYO strives to provide well‑organized sports activities which foster excellent sportsmanship and instruction from volunteer coaches.

Tai Chi Practice

Many who practice Tai Chi (Taiji), including those in St. John Parish, claim that it gives them a sense of well-being, decreased feelings of stress, more energy, and improved balance. We invite you to join us at 7:00 AM following the 6:30 Mass in the Gym on Mon, Wed, and Fri. Wear casual, comfortable clothing. We welcome beginners. Questions: richard.gramann@verizon.net or 703-821-8286.

CURSILLO

CURSILLO (pronounced cur-SEE-yo) is a Spanish word meaning "short course"; it might be best described as a seminar. CURSILLO, in this context, means "a short course in Christianity". It begins with a weekend, starting on a Thursday evening and continuing until Sunday evening. The weekend consists of daily celebration of the Mass, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, talks, meditations, singing, and good old-fashioned Christian fellowship. The goal of the weekend is to empower the attendees to become Christian leaders in their environments.

Notice that CURSILLO begins with a weekend. At the end of the weekend, the attendees begin their Fourth Day. This Fourth Day is the rest of one's life. After encountering Jesus Christ in such a special way on the CURSILLO weekend, the attendees return home with the challenge of remaining focused on Brother Jesus, and inviting Him to become a part of all facets of life. Two major tools are used to achieve this goal:

• GROUP REUNION A regular, preferably weekly, gathering of a group of 3 to 6 friends. These friends share their experiences and activities of the past week, and the ways in which they encountered Jesus Christ since they last met. Special emphasis is placed on Piety, Study, and Action.
• ULTREYA (ull-TRAY-uh) A weekly or monthly gathering together of all Group Reunions in an area to share prayers and songs and snacks. At each gathering, one member gives a witness talk about how our Lord is present in their life. Attendees on Cursillo weekends are sponsored by other members of the movement. If you feel that Cursillo might be for you, contact Mark Clemente at Clem1979@aol.com or (703)847-1575 and we'll put you in contact with a sponsor.

Share

SHARE, INC. is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1969 by individuals as well as religious and civic organizations that combined their efforts to meet emergency needs in McLean, Great Falls, Pimmit Hills, and surrounding areas. SHARE, INC. is sustained by donations of food, clothing, furniture and money, and is administered by volunteers, for a SHARING, person-to-person contact. St. John Parish supports Share through a collection of food and money on the third Sunday of each month as well as participation in the annual Food Drive, Thanksgiving & Christmas Food Basket programs, and the Christmas Gift Store. Volunteers are needed for committees on food, clothing, furniture, transportation and family assistance and for the Share Sunday collection at St. John. To volunteer or for more information please call Marianne Francis (703)356-1957, the Share Answering Service (703) 284-2179 or visit the SHARE website at www.shareofmclean.org. To donate furniture, please call the furniture hotline at (703) 448-1054. Furniture donations are picked up and delivered to needy families including the elderly and seriously ill, impoverished immigrants, victims of spousal abuse, and formally homeless persons. SHARE thanks the parishioners of St. John the Beloved for their continued support.