Saint Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church — Church Directory

Quick Facts

Pastor — the shepherd God holds accountable Rev. Thomas P. Vander Woude (Pastor)

Founded 1858 (historic church at Fairfax Station); 2020 (current church dedicated)

Denomination Roman Catholic

Service Times Multiple Sunday and weekday Masses — see parish website Mass schedule

Men's Ministry Yes

Kids Ministry Yes

Website stmaryofsorrows.org

Pastor Credentials Roman Catholic ordained (Diocese of Arlington)

10-Point Theological Scorecard

Christology

Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)

Orthodox Trinitarian; affirms Apostles/Nicene Creed.

Strong

Scripture

Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?

Scripture + Sacred Tradition + Magisterium co-equal (Dei Verbum).

Caution

Men's Discipleship

Intentional formation for men?

Knights of Columbus Council 8600 linked on parish site.

Caution

Soteriology

Faith alone? How is salvation presented?

Council of Trent anathematized sola fide.

WARNING!

Gender / Biblical Design

Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?

Male-only priests; Marian/saint veneration — Our Lady of Sorrows (Mater Dolorosa) devotion.

Male-only priesthood per Catholic doctrine; Marian Sorrowful Mother devotion.

Caution

Leadership Structure

Male elders/pastors? Accountability?

Rev. Thomas P. Vander Woude confirmed as Pastor on parish site ('In Christ Through Mary, Rev. Thomas P. Vander Woude, Pastor'). Diocese of Arlington affiliation by geography; Knights of Columbus Council 8600 active on parish site. Red holds for sola-fide departure.

Strong

Preaching Style

Expository or topical/therapeutic?

Lectionary-based Catholic homilies.

Caution

Mission Clarity

Great Commission central?

Historic parish (1858, with Civil War connection via Fairfax Station) and modern large church (2020).

Caution

Cultural Alignment

DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?

Conservative Arlington diocese; historic Fairfax Station chapel still maintained.

Caution

Accountability Structure

Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?

Real oversight — Diocese of Arlington.

Strong

Assessment

St. Mary of Sorrows has deep roots — the Fairfax Station historic chapel (1858) served as a Civil War hospital where Clara Barton tended wounded soldiers. The new main church (2020 on Sideburn Road) serves the current parish under Fr. Vander Woude. Conservative Arlington diocese; standard Catholic red-flag on soteriology (Trent vs. sola fide) while Trinitarian Nicene Christology and male-only priesthood are preserved.

#roman-catholic#sola-fide-rejected#diocese-of-arlington#historic-parish#civil-war-site

MOOP Engagement Tracker

How this church was personally verified by the MOOP directory team:

✓ Researched church website