In a ceremony held the same weekend that Virginia's new governor was inaugurated, the Rev. Edward C. Hathaway was installed Jan.as pastor of St. John’s Catholic Church in McLean.
Hathaway, 41, had served as administrator of the church for the past 18 months.
During that time, the parish acquired a Roman Catholic bookstore and gift shop, a book club was formed, a youth group was organized, and a lecture series was initiated.
The Knights of Columbus formed a colorful escort for Hathaway after the installation ceremony, held as part of the noon mass on Jan. 13. Hathaway then greeted parishioners during a reception in the parish hall. His photograph adorned a large cake that was served to parishioners.
Hathaway is a graduate of the University of Virginia and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa. He served as a priest at St. Michael’s and worked on the staff at St. Thomas More churches in the Diocese of Arlington, said Jean Nolan, a spokesperson for St. John’s.
The parish, located on Linway Terrace in McLean, has about 1,700 member families.