About Church of the Transfiguration · Fincastle, Virginia
The Church of the Transfiguration is a Roman Catholic parish in Fincastle, Virginia, serving Botetourt County within the Diocese of Richmond. Founded in 1989 and led since July 2024 by Very Rev. Zaverio (Xavier) Banasula, VF, the parish celebrates Mass in English on weekends (Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning), on Wednesday mornings, and on the first Friday of each month. The community is a small, mission-oriented family that supports prison ministry at the Botetourt Correctional Unit 25, offers Eucharistic Adoration on first Fridays, and reaches out to the broader Botetourt community through the Knights of Columbus and other parish groups.
- Established
- 1989
- Patron
- The Transfiguration of the Lord
- Rector
- Very Rev. Zaverio (Xavier) Banasula, VF
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
Church of the Transfiguration offers a warm, small-parish family rooted in joyful liturgical worship and active outreach in Botetourt County. The community is known for its regular Mass schedule with daily options, weekly Saturday confessions, and First Friday Adoration, as well as for its Knights of Columbus Fish Fry fundraisers that directly support the Botetourt Food Pantry, the Greenfield Elementary Backpack Ministry, and the Botetourt Resource Center. Visitors and parishioners alike are welcomed into a parish that explicitly commits to fellowship, sharing time and talent, and serving those in need through Prison Ministry at Botetourt Correctional Unit 25 and outreach to Brian Center Nursing Home.
Mass times at Church of the Transfiguration
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM
Adoration times
- First Friday 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Welcome and Parish Identity
The official website greets visitors with 'Welcome to the Church of the Transfiguration in Fincastle!' and presents the parish as a welcoming Catholic community in the heart of Botetourt County. Its stated mission commits the parish to building a strong foundation of joyful, loving, and faithful liturgical celebrations that foster spiritual growth; cultivating a parish family through fellowship and the sharing of gifts and talents; respecting and reaching out to other faith communities and to the community at large; and being good stewards of financial and physical resources.
- Mission Statement published on the parish homepage
- Online Giving available for weekly offerings and special parish collections
- Parish calendar and bulletin accessible from the homepage
Clergy and Staff
The parish is pastored by Very Rev. Zaverio (Xavier) Banasula, VF, who was appointed by Bishop Barry Knestout effective July 1, 2024 to serve both the Church of the Transfiguration in Fincastle and Saint John the Evangelist in New Castle. Father Banasula succeeded Father Paul Lagco, who had been named Parish Administrator in June 2023 following the unexpected death of Father Steve McNally in January 2023. The parish office is staffed Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and can be reached at (540) 473-2656.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Zaverio (Xavier) Banasula, VF
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Parish office email: [email protected]
- Associated parish: Saint John the Evangelist, New Castle, VA
- Diocesan parish number: 638
Parish History
Church of the Transfiguration was established in 1989 as a parish of the Diocese of Richmond to serve the Catholics of Fincastle and surrounding Botetourt County. It sits in Deanery 12 of the diocese and has long been twinned in pastoral leadership with Saint John the Evangelist Church in New Castle. The parish has had three resident pastors over its history, with Father Steve McNally, Father Paul Lagco (2023–2024), and Father Zaverio Banasula (2024–present) each serving the community in turn. In 2026 the diocese announced further changes, with Father Peter Naah named to succeed Father Banasula effective July 1, 2026.
- Founded: 1989
- Deanery 12, Diocese of Richmond
- Father Steve McNally: predecessor pastor, died unexpectedly January 2023
- Father Paul Lagco: Parish Administrator from June 2023, returned to the Philippines in spring 2024
- Father Zaverio (Xavier) Banasula, VF: Pastor since July 1, 2024
- Father Peter Naah: incoming pastor, effective July 1, 2026
Community Life and Fellowship
The parish website highlights a 'Community Life' section inviting parishioners to get involved in parish life and to share their gifts and talents. The Knights of Columbus council at Transfiguration is one of the most visible parish groups, hosting popular Lenten Fish Fry fundraisers that draw hundreds of attendees from across Botetourt County and raise thousands of dollars for local charities.
- Knights of Columbus Council at the parish
- Lenten Fish Fry Fridays with eat-in and take-out service
- 50/50 drawings at parish fundraisers
- Online community and contact options via the parish website
Outreach and Charitable Works
The Diocese of Richmond lists two signature outreach ministries at the parish: Prison Ministry at the Botetourt Correctional Unit 25 and a Special Ministry to residents of Brian Center Nursing Home. Knights of Columbus Fish Fry proceeds are directed to the Botetourt Food Pantry, the Backpack Ministry at Greenfield Elementary, the Botetourt Resource Center, and other local charities as determined by the council.
- Prison Ministry at Botetourt Correctional Unit 25
- Pastoral visits to Brian Center Nursing Home
- Support for the Botetourt Food Pantry
- Support for the Backpack Ministry at Greenfield Elementary
- Support for the Botetourt Resource Center
Sacraments and Devotions
Transfiguration celebrates the regular sacraments of the Roman Rite, with weekend and weekday Mass, Saturday confessions before the Vigil Mass, and First Friday Adoration. Father Xavier welcomes those preparing for the sacraments of Baptism and Marriage, and visits the sick and homebound of the parish.
- Baptism preparation
- Marriage preparation
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:30–4:15 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration: First Fridays 10:30–11:30 AM
- Visitation of the sick
Visiting the Parish
The parish is conveniently located just off US-220 in Fincastle, with easy access from I-81. The parish office is open during regular business hours throughout the week, and the website invites visitors to contact the parish directly with any questions.
- Address: 7624 Roanoke Road, Fincastle, VA 24090
- Phone: (540) 473-2656
- Fax: (540) 473-2193
- Office email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Directions: I-81 Exit 150B, north on US-220 for 8 miles
Stewardship and Online Giving
The parish has made Online Giving available for weekly offerings and other parish collections. Parishioners can set up one-time or recurring donations through the parish website in a process the parish describes as 'simple, safe, and secure' and taking less than five minutes.
- Online Giving portal linked from the parish homepage
- Recurring and one-time donation options
- Ability to view and manage giving history
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Steve McNally
Preceding pastor; passed away unexpectedly in January 2023.
- Father Paul Lagco2023–2024
Third resident pastor; named Parish Administrator in June 2023 by Bishop Barry Knestout. Born in the Philippines, youngest of nine children, ordained November 21, 2012. Previously parish vicar of St. Theresa, Farmville. Returned to the Philippines in late spring 2024 at the request of his bishop.
- Very Rev. Zaverio (Xavier) Banasula, VF2024–present
Current pastor since July 1, 2024. Also pastor of St. John the Evangelist, New Castle. Originally from Uganda; previously pastor of Good Shepherd (Lebanon), St. Therese (St. Paul), and St. Mary (Coeburn). Announced reassignment to St. Nicholas, Virginia Beach effective July 1, 2026.
- Father Peter Naah (announced)From July 1, 2026
Announced by the Diocese of Richmond as incoming pastor of Transfiguration, Fincastle and St. John the Evangelist, New Castle, effective July 1, 2026.