About Resurrection · Moneta, Virginia
Resurrection Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Richmond located at 15353 Moneta Road in Moneta, Virginia, just north of Hales Ford Bridge on Route 122 South at Smith Mountain Lake. The parish was founded in 1984 after a small group of Catholic families at the lake began gathering for Mass in homes in the late 1970s. Today Resurrection serves the Smith Mountain Lake Catholic community with weekend and weekday Masses, faith formation for children and adults, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, and a parish cemetery. Bishop Barry C. Knestout rededicated the renovated church on June 29, 2025, after a major renovation that began in July 2024.
- Established
- 1984
- Patron
- The Resurrection of the Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Nixon Negparanon
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
Resurrection is a welcoming lakeside parish where the entire Catholic community — from Pre-K through adult — is invited to grow closer to Christ through the sacraments, prayer, formation, and service. Mass is offered Saturday evening, Sunday morning, and on Thursday mornings, with Eucharistic Adoration, a Healing Prayer Group, a Rosary group, and a Youth Liturgy on the fourth Sunday of the month from September through April. The parish supports Adult Faith Formation through retreats, Bible studies, a Book Club, the That Man Is You! men's program, and a parish subscription to Formed, and its mission explicitly calls its members to serve the basic human needs of others around Smith Mountain Lake.
Mass times at Resurrection
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursdays after the 10:00 AM daily Mass, 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM (also by appointment through the parish office)
- Wednesdays 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM at Holy Name of Mary, Bedford
Adoration times
- Mondays 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Thursdays after the 10:00 AM Mass, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Parish History
Resurrection Catholic Church was born from the determination of a handful of Catholic families who had moved to Smith Mountain Lake in the late 1970s and found themselves hours from the nearest parish. Beginning with Masses in homes in 1977, and the celebrated Labor Day 1978 Mass hosted by Pat Marlar for 70 people, the community grew into a mission, then a parish named Smith Mountain Lake Catholic Community, and finally in 1984 received the name Resurrection. The parish broke ground on its first church on May 2, 1987, dedicated the building in November of that year, burned the mortgage in 1995, expanded in 1997, and was rededicated after a major renovation by Bishop Knestout on June 29, 2025.
- 1977 — first home Masses by the Brock, Castellon, Halbert, Marlar, Murphy, Plymale, Reichard, and Wheaton families
- Labor Day 1978 — 70 people gather at Pat Marlar's home; recognized as the Charter Group
- Early 1980s — worship moves to Bethlehem United Methodist Church
- 1984 — parish formally named Resurrection
- 1986 — Pat Marlar installed as Pastoral Associate; 1987 named Pastoral Coordinator by Bishop Sullivan
- May 2, 1987 — groundbreaking for first church; Joe Bisso designs and builds most furnishings
- November 1987 — first church dedicated
- 1988-1997 — hosts Trinity Ecumenical Parish in its facilities
- 1995 — mortgage burned
- November 1997 — expanded worship space, social hall, and classrooms dedicated
- 2017 — renovation planning begins under Father Salvador Añonuevo and the Parish Pastoral Council
- July 2024 — renovation construction begins
- June 29, 2025 — Bishop Knestout rededicates the renovated church
Sacramental Life
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments and prepares members to receive them through its Sacramental Preparation programs. Reconciliation is offered every Thursday after the daily Mass and by appointment through the parish office, and also at Holy Name of Mary in Bedford on Wednesday evenings. The Diocese of Richmond requires those preparing for Confirmation to have completed parish registration, be regularly attending weekend Mass, and be active in the life of the parish.
- Baptism — preparation through the Director of Religious Education
- Reconciliation — Thursdays 10:45-11:30 AM and by appointment
- First Holy Communion — preparation for enrolled children
- Confirmation — parish registration and regular Mass attendance required
- Holy Matrimony — preparation arranged through the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — available on request
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults for those seeking full initiation
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at Resurrection covers every age and stage of Catholic life, from Pre-K through adulthood. The umbrella Faith Formation & Evangelization Ministry, chaired by Karen McCloskey, coordinates Adult Faith Formation, Sacramental Preparation, Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), the Welcome Committee, and Youth Faith Formation. Children's classes meet on Sundays at 9:30 AM, September through May.
- Christian Formation for children Pre-K through high school
- Sunday morning faith formation classes at 9:30 AM (Sept.–May)
- Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation
- Youth Group for grades 6 and up (Catholic youth and friends of any denomination)
Adult Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic
Adult Faith Formation meets parishioners where they are on their faith journey with retreats, Bible studies, guest speakers, book studies, and prayer services. The parish Book Club meets monthly around Catholic reading; 'That Man Is You!' is a men's program that meets on Saturday mornings; and Resurrection shares a subscription to Formed, an online Catholic learning platform, with Holy Name of Mary. Those seeking to enter or complete initiation in the Catholic Church journey through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).
- Retreats throughout the year
- Weekly classes in fall and spring exploring Catholic faith and the Bible
- Catholic-themed Book Club — contact Joe Shannahan, 703-380-6879
- That Man Is You! men's program on Saturday mornings
- Formed online Catholic learning subscription (shared with Holy Name of Mary)
- OCIA for unbaptized adults and for baptized Christians or Catholic children completing the Sacraments of Initiation
Music & Liturgy
Music at Resurrection is led by Music Ministry Coordinator Theresa Reiner. As of the most recent parish postings the parish is seeking a Music & Liturgy Coordinator to help shape worship alongside the current coordinator, with musicians also drawn from among the parish youth during the monthly Youth Liturgy.
- Music Ministry led by Theresa Reiner
- Music & Liturgy Coordinator position open (posted)
- Youth musicians serve at the fourth-Sunday Youth Liturgy (Sept.–Apr.)
Parish Staff & Leadership
Resurrection is served by a small staff and lay leadership under Pastor Rev. Nixon Negparanon. The Pastoral Council and Finance Council help guide parish life, and the parish is currently recruiting a Music & Liturgy Coordinator and a Youth Minister.
- Pastor — Rev. Nixon Negparanon
- Administrative Assistant — Annette Flagg
- Business Manager — Jennifer McLaughlin
- Director of Religious Education — Julie Pietrocarlo
- Music Ministry Coordinator — Theresa Reiner
- Youth Minister — TBD (position open)
- Faith Formation & Evangelization Chair — Karen McCloskey
- Pastoral Council — Bob Rauth (first Chair), with current Vice Chair Diane Loh
- Open positions: Music & Liturgy Coordinator and Youth Minister
Welcome & Community
The parish's mission statement calls Resurrection parishioners to be instruments of Christ for the Smith Mountain Lake community through the sacraments, the preaching of the Gospel, and service to those in need. The Welcome Committee reaches out to prospective and new parishioners with information packets, follow-up, and a Welcome Reception to meet the pastor and tour the church. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Welcome Committee for prospective and new parishioners
- Welcome Reception to meet the pastor and tour the church
- Parish office open Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Mission focus on the Smith Mountain Lake community
Resurrection Catholic Cemetery
The parish operates the Resurrection Catholic Cemetery at 15353 Moneta Road in Moneta. It is listed as an associated ministry of Resurrection on the Diocese of Richmond parish page and can be reached through the parish office at (540) 297-5530.
- Cemetery name: Resurrection Catholic Cemetery
- Location: 15353 Moneta Road, Moneta, VA 24121
- Contact: parish office, (540) 297-5530
Visit, Contact & Directions
Resurrection Catholic Church is at 15353 Moneta Road, Moneta, VA 24121, on Route 122 South just north of Hales Ford Bridge at Smith Mountain Lake. Visitors coming from the Huddleston area should expect heavy traffic near Eastlake Community Church on Sunday mornings and are advised to avoid Radford Church Road to Hendricks Store Road; those on White House Road (Rt. 608) should stay on Rt. 608 to Moneta Road (Rt. 122).
- Address — 15353 Moneta Road, Moneta, VA 24121
- Phone — (540) 297-5530
- Email — [email protected]
- Website — http://www.resurrectioncatholic.org
- Facebook — Resurrection Catholic
- Office hours — Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Salvador Añonuevo
Led the parish at the start of the 2024-2025 renovation; directed the initial renovation planning in 2017 with the Parish Pastoral Council.
- Rev. Nixon Negparanon
Current pastor; served at the June 29, 2025 rededication of the renovated church.