About Good Samaritan · Amelia, Virginia
Good Samaritan is a small Catholic parish in Amelia County, Virginia, founded in 1980 and now clustered with Saint Gabriel Parish in Chesterfield under the Diocese of Richmond. It serves a notably bilingual community, offering a Saturday Vigil Mass in English and a Sunday afternoon Mass in Spanish, with faith formation, sacramental preparation, and quinceañera ministry offered to both communities. The parish is led by Rev. James Boachie (Administrator in July 2024, designated pastor beginning July 2025) and supported by a deacon and a shared parish staff with Saint Gabriel. Its mailing address and offices are at 8901 Winterpock Road, Chesterfield, while the worship site sits on Patrick Henry Highway in Amelia.
- Established
- 1980
- Patron
- The Good Samaritan
- Rector
- Rev. James Boachie
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
Good Samaritan offers a close-knit, bilingual Catholic community in rural Amelia County, with two weekly Sunday opportunities to worship — an English Saturday Vigil Mass and a Sunday Mass celebrated in Spanish. Families with school-age children can enroll in monthly faith formation classes and prepare for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation, while engaged couples, parents planning baptism, and families celebrating a quinceañera are welcomed with clear, parish-supported processes. Because Good Samaritan is clustered with the larger Saint Gabriel Parish in Chesterfield, parishioners also benefit from a shared staff, weekday Masses, and adult formation programs from across both parishes.
Mass times at Good Samaritan
Weekly Mass schedule
Parish Identity and Diocese
Good Samaritan is a Catholic parish in Amelia, Virginia, founded in 1980 and listed under the Diocese of Richmond in Deanery 8. Although it sits in rural Amelia County, it is pastorally clustered with Saint Gabriel Parish in Chesterfield and shares its pastor and staff with that larger community.
- Founded 1980
- Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 8)
- Clustered with Saint Gabriel Parish, Chesterfield
- Church ID 25209 (GCatholic)
History of Good Samaritan Parish
Established in 1980 as a diocesan mission, Good Samaritan grew as a small but faithful Catholic presence in Amelia County. A turning point came in 2009, when Father Pat Apuzzo began monthly Spanish-language Masses for the area's growing Hispanic community. The parish was formally clustered with Saint Gabriel Parish in Chesterfield, and in March 2010 Bishop Francis DiLorenzo appointed Father Apuzzo pastor of both parishes — a model of ministry that has continued under every successor.
- 1980: Mission founded in Amelia County.
- 2009: Monthly Spanish Masses begin.
- 2010: Clustered with Saint Gabriel; Father Apuzzo appointed pastor of both.
- 2012: Bishop Walter Sullivan gifts the worship space new seating.
- 2013: Father Apuzzo retires.
Bilingual and Hispanic Ministry
The parish's identity is shaped by its bilingual character. Since 2009, when monthly Spanish Masses were first introduced, Good Samaritan has grown into a hub for Hispanic Catholic life in Amelia County. Spanish-language Mass continues every Sunday at 4:00 p.m., and sacramental processes for baptism, marriage, and quinceañera are offered in both English and Spanish.
- Sunday 4:00 p.m. Spanish Mass
- Quinceañera preparation (English and Spanish forms)
- Bilingual faith formation for children and youth
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Good Samaritan's faith formation program runs monthly and serves children and youth from 1st through 12th grade, partnering with parents as the primary educators of their children in the faith. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation is offered in addition to ongoing grade-level formation, with Confirmation prep classes held on the third Sunday of each month through April.
- Monthly faith formation for grades 1–12
- First Reconciliation preparation
- First Eucharist (First Communion) preparation
- Confirmation preparation (third Sunday monthly)
- Baptismal and First Eucharist certificates required for sacramental years
Sacramental Preparation
The parish walks families through each of the major sacraments with clear, parish-supported timelines. Parents are asked to prayerfully discern their child's readiness alongside catechists and staff before sacraments are received.
- Baptism: contact the parish office six months in advance
- First Reconciliation: age of reason (7+) and baptismal prerequisite
- First Eucharist: catechesis plus sacramental preparation
- Confirmation: 10th grade / age 15+, with Diocesan Confirmation Retreat
- Marriage: contact parish at least one year in advance
- Quinceañera: English and Spanish registration forms available
Becoming Catholic (RCIA / OCIA)
Adults interested in joining the Catholic Church are welcomed through the parish's RCIA / OCIA process, organized in partnership with Saint Gabriel Parish under Director of Adult Formation & Pastoral Care Lisa Gorton. Inquirers are encouraged to contact the parish office to begin the journey of formation, discernment, and sacramental initiation at Easter.
- Inquiry through the parish office
- Shared with Saint Gabriel Parish Adult Formation
Staff and Clergy
Because Good Samaritan is clustered with Saint Gabriel, the two parishes share a single pastoral team. Father James Boachie leads as pastor, supported by Deacon John Blakeney and a five-person lay staff handling business, formation, music, and administration.
- Rev. James Boachie — Administrator (designated Pastor July 2025)
- Deacon John Blakeney
- Therese Venti — Business Manager
- Lisa Gorton — Director of Adult Formation & Pastoral Care
- Carole Cox — Director of Children, Youth & Young Adult Formation
- Emily Rosenberger — Music Coordinator
- Heather Bigelow — Administrative Assistant
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Pasquale (Pat) Apuzzo2010–2013
Assigned pastor of Good Samaritan by Bishop DiLorenzo while continuing as pastor of Saint Gabriel; began monthly Spanish Masses in 2009; retired July 1, 2013.
- Rev. Eric Ayers2013–2017
Previously Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph (Hampton), Star of the Sea (Ft. Monroe), and St. Vincent de Paul (Newport News).
- Rev. Dr. Felix Amofa2017–2024
Reassigned to St. John the Apostle, Virginia Beach, in July 2024.
- Rev. James Boachie2024–present
Named Administrator July 2024; designated pastor beginning July 2025.