We are a parish of over 2800 families. Our three-time Blue Ribbon School and Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) provide Christian formation and opportunities for sacramental life including regular Mass and confession to nearly 900 children a year. Various ministries – from liturgical to social outreach – are supported by over 400 volunteers. We also offer a full schedule of adult formation opportunities, including scripture studies and days of reflection.
We hope you will stop by for a visit to our beautiful church, whether for quiet prayer time or the celebration of Mass. It is the people within the church who make our community truly special, and whatever the purpose of your visit, we look forward to welcoming you.
- To contact our Rectory office, click here.
- To learn about becoming a registered parishioner, click here.
- To learn more about our parish groups and ministries, click here.
Meet our pastor, principal, and director of religious education.
The Very Reverend Paul D. Scalia
Pastor
Welcome to Saint James Parish!
Read Father Scalia’s Welcome Letter here.
Mrs. Melissa Manaker
Interim Principal
Founded in 1906 by the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and lovingly led by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) since 1923, Saint James continues to be at the forefront of Catholic education in Northern Virginia. Our long-standing commitment to excellence has earned us the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence distinction three times: 1998–1999, 2014, and again in 2020.
Rooted in the IHM charism of love, creative hope, and fidelity, Saint James is dedicated to helping each child grow in virtue, service, and academic excellence. We live this mission in a spirit of joy—serving one another and deepening our love for God. As you meet our faculty and staff and visit our classrooms, you will witness this joy in action.
Philosophy
Saint James Catholic School provides a Christ-centered community which focuses on the whole child in order to enable each student to reach his/her full potential spiritually, academically, emotionally, and socially. Rooted in virtue, the faculty and staff, in partnership with families, offer a safe and nurturing learning environment.
All students, with their diverse backgrounds, and unique abilities and learning styles, are encouraged to take an active role in their education and in the service of their neighbor in order to prepare them to face the opportunities and challenges they will encounter in this life and achieve eternal happiness in the next.
Invitation
Please check out our website to learn more about Saint James School. I encourage you to schedule a visit. I hope you come to love Saint James as much as we do!
United with you in prayer and service,
Mrs. Melissa Manaker
Interim Principal
Sister Regina Rosarii McLallen, IHM
Director of Religious Education
When you say to yourself
“Where do I begin?”
Mother Teresa advises
us to just begin with one,
with the resources you have.
She said that if she
had not started with just
picking up one person,
she may not ever have
picked up the rest of
the millions that she
ended up providing for.
Good advice, for parents
and all of us!