About Holy Spirit · Jonesville, Virginia
Holy Spirit Catholic Community is a small parish located in Jonesville, Virginia, in the far southwestern corner of the state. It is the westernmost parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond, tucked between Tennessee to the south and Kentucky to the north, and is the only Catholic community in Lee County. Founded in 1956 as a mission church by the Glenmary Home Missioners, it is now part of the four-parish Holy Trinity Cluster that serves the remote Appalachian reaches of southwest Virginia. Despite a congregation that numbers less than one-half of one percent of the local population, the parish maintains a regular Mass schedule, Bible study, adult faith formation, and outreach to prisoners and the sick.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Rev. Ritche Sarabia (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
Holy Spirit Catholic Community welcomes anyone seeking a quiet, traditional Catholic home in one of the most remote corners of Virginia. Parishioners gather for Sunday and Thursday Mass, study Scripture together on Thursdays and Fridays, and grow in faith through adult formation sessions on the second and fourth Sundays. The parish also lives its faith beyond its walls through prison ministry at the Lee Federal Penitentiary and a special ministry to the sick at Lee Regional Medical Center and the Lee Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. In a region where Catholics are few, the community embraces its call to be the Body of Christ, rooted in the tradition of the early Church and committed to welcoming all and caring for life in all its diverse forms.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
About Holy Spirit Catholic Community
Holy Spirit Catholic Community is the westernmost parish in the Diocese of Richmond, tucked into the far southwestern corner of Virginia where Lee County meets Tennessee to the south and Kentucky to the north. It is the only Catholic community in Lee County, and its parishioners number less than one-half of one percent of the local population. Despite the small congregation, parishioners embrace their responsibility to be the Body of Christ as rooted in the tradition of the early Church. The parish welcomes all and commits itself to the preservation of the environment and to life in all its diverse forms.
History
Holy Spirit's roots go back to 1956, when it opened as a mission of Sacred Heart in Appalachia under the name St. Pius X. Both parishes, along with the other churches that would eventually form a cluster, were founded by the Glenmary Home Missioners. After Sacred Heart moved to Big Stone Gap in 1966 the relationship continued, and in 1984 the Diocese of Richmond took over responsibility for both parishes. A single priest served the two communities, who shared resources while keeping their autonomy.
- 1956 — Parish founded as St. Pius X, a mission of Sacred Heart in Appalachia, by the Glenmary Home Missioners.
- 1966 — Sacred Heart relocates to Big Stone Gap; pastoral relationship with the mission continues.
- 1984 — Diocese of Richmond assumes direct responsibility for both parishes.
- 2005 — Holy Trinity Parish Cluster formed, joining Holy Spirit, Sacred Heart, and St. Anthony in Norton.
- 2006 — St. Joseph in Clintwood joins the cluster.
Holy Trinity Parish Cluster
Holy Spirit is one of four parishes in the Holy Trinity Cluster, which serves the westernmost edge of the Diocese of Richmond in the Appalachian mountains of southwest Virginia. The cluster operates through a Cluster Council that meets quarterly to coordinate activities and pursue common goals, with each parish retaining its individual identity while supporting one another in mission.
- Holy Spirit — Jonesville, VA
- Sacred Heart — Big Stone Gap, VA
- St. Anthony — Norton, VA
- St. Joseph — Clintwood, VA
Clergy & Staff
The cluster is served by a Parochial Administrator who began in July 2023, originally from the Philippines and with prior service in the Richmond Diocese. A Sacramental Priest and Chaplain also assists the community. The cluster is supported by a Business Manager and Finance Officer based at the cluster office.
- Rev. Ritche Sarabia — Parochial Administrator (since July 2023); originally from the Philippines; served in the Richmond Diocese for two years prior.
- Rev. Daniel L. Kelly — Sacramental Priest and Chaplain.
- Harve Mooney — Business Manager.
- Patricia (Patty) Nauss — Finance Officer.
Mass, Worship & Devotions
Mass is celebrated in English in the Roman Rite. Weekday and Sunday Masses are offered each week, and the parish life extends beyond Mass into regular Bible study and adult formation.
- Sunday Mass — 8:00 AM
- Thursday Mass — 6:00 PM
- Bible Study — Thursdays at 6:30 PM (after Mass)
- Bible Study — Fridays at 6:00 PM (see calendar)
- Parish Community Meeting — 3rd Sunday of each month, after Mass
- Adult Faith Formation — 2nd and 4th Sundays, after Mass
Ministries & Outreach
Although small in numbers, Holy Spirit extends its ministry well beyond the parish grounds. The community maintains an active prison ministry and a special ministry of presence to the sick and those in nursing care across Lee County.
- Prison Ministry at Lee Federal Penitentiary & Satellite Camp
- Special Ministry at Lee Regional Medical Center
- Special Ministry at Lee Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- Bible Study
- Adult Faith Formation
- Parish Community Meetings
Visit, Contact & Location
The parish is located at 384 Eagle Ridge Drive in Jonesville, Virginia, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 923, Jonesville, VA 24263. Office hours vary; visitors and those seeking sacraments are encouraged to call ahead or contact the cluster office. As part of the Holy Trinity Cluster, Holy Spirit shares pastoral and administrative staff with the other three parishes in the cluster.
- Physical Address: 384 Eagle Ridge Drive, Jonesville, VA 24263
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 923, Jonesville, VA 24263
- Phone: (276) 346-0269
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://holytrinitycluster.org/parishes/holy-spirit/
- Diocese: Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 14)