Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Encourage and teach with patience

The death of Father John J. Hughes on February 13^th marks the loss of yet one more priest who formed the original presbyterate when the Diocese of Arlington was founded in 1974.  A native of Rhode Island, Father Hughes was accepted for priestly ministry by Bishop Peter L. Ireton.  He served at several parishes in the then – Richmond Diocese until 1974 when he was incardinated into the newly – established Diocese of Arlington.  Assigned to the Parish of Saint Luke in McLean, as Pastor, Father Hughes led the parishioners in building a new church and school.  Later, he was appointed Pastor of the Parish of Saint Bernadette in Springfield where he oversaw the tremendous growth of that parish.           

Father Hughes was gifted with a beautiful tenor voice, which he used to bring joy to so many people wherever he served.  His pastoral care for people was truly evident in every parish to which he was assigned and even into retirement when he would voluntarily assist at various parishes, both weekdays and on the weekends.  He strove to enable the laity to understand better their responsibility for the mission of the Church according to their state of life. 

We ask the Good Shepherd to give eternal life to this faithful and devoted shepherd.  His example of priestly commitment inspires each one of us to be faithful to our individual vocation as we continue to journey towards that true home where, we pray, he has preceded us.  “Well done, good and faithful servant!  Enter into the joy of Your Master!”