About Saint Jude · South Bend, Indiana
St. Jude Parish is a Catholic community on the south side of South Bend, Indiana, founded in 1948 to serve the post-World War II population boom that had overcrowded nearby St. Matthew Parish. Located at 19704 Johnson Road, the parish campus today includes the church, rectory, and St. Jude Catholic School (PreK-8). The parish belongs to the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend and is currently led by Fr. Mark Hellinger, its eighth pastor, who also serves Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in nearby Lakeville.
- Established
- 1948
- Patron
- Saint Jude the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Mark Hellinger
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
St. Jude is a south-side South Bend parish where worship, education, and service are woven into a single campus: the church, rectory, and PreK-8 school sit together on Johnson Road, and the parish hosts Catholic education in partnership with All Saints Academy. Daily Mass and a robust First Friday adoration schedule, plus free parish-wide access to FORMED Catholic media, make ongoing faith formation easy for all ages. The parish's 75-year history — including the 2012-2013 'Our Time to Build' renovation that added a narthex, elevator, stained glass, and new classrooms — shows a community that actively invests in its future.
Mass times at Saint Jude
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 p.m. (or by appointment)
- Saturday after 8:00 a.m. Mass until 9:00 a.m. (or last confession is heard)
Adoration times
- First Fridays after Mass until 2:30 p.m.
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with catechesis from the priests on the first Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday Holy Hour after 8:00 a.m. Mass until 9:00 a.m.
History of St. Jude Parish
St. Jude Parish was born out of post-WWII growth on South Bend's south side in 1948, beginning as 110 families gathering for Mass at the Southmore Community Building before constructing a permanent church dedicated on June 10, 1951. The school followed five years later, and major growth in the 1960s added the present church and parish hall. After a temporary 2008-2011 merger into Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, St. Jude was re-erected as its own parish and continues to serve the south side today.
- First Mass celebrated at Southmore Community Building on December 5, 1948, with 110 founding families.
- Cornerstone of original church blessed October 29, 1950 (Feast of Christ the King).
- First Mass in the new church offered by Fr. John J. Szot on April 22, 1951; dedication on June 10, 1951.
- St. Jude School opened September 10, 1956, with four Sisters of St. Joseph teaching grades 1–4 (100 students).
- Present church, gymnasium, and Marian/Keller Rooms completed in the early 1960s growth phase.
- Merged with Sacred Heart Parish (Lakeville) into St. Catherine of Siena on November 1, 2008; re-erected as its own parish on June 1, 2011.
- 75th anniversary celebrated in 2023, with Father Bobby Krisch ('05) concelebrating the milestone Mass.
Mass and Devotion Schedule
The parish offers a daily Mass schedule alongside a robust First Friday and Saturday devotion tradition, including Reconciliation, Holy Hour, Adoration, and a weekly Wednesday evening Rosary.
- Sunday Mass: 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
- Vigil Mass: Saturday 4:30 p.m.
- Monday Mass: 5:30 p.m.
- Tuesday–Friday Mass: 8:00 a.m.
- First Saturday Mass: 8:00 a.m.
- Confessions: Saturday 3:00–4:00 p.m. (or by appointment).
- Holy Hour: Saturday after the 8:00 a.m. Mass until 9:00 a.m.
- First Friday Adoration: after Mass until 2:30 p.m.
- First Thursday Exposition with catechesis from the priests: 6:00 p.m.
- Rosary: before each daily Mass and Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
- Holy Days of Obligation: 8:00 a.m. & 5:45 p.m. (Vigil 5:45 p.m.).
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish runs a full faith-formation program for children, youth, and adults, including the Becoming Catholic (RCIA) process, monthly Religious Education classes for K–8 students not enrolled in Catholic school, Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, and parish-wide free access to the FORMED Catholic media platform.
- Becoming Catholic / RCIA classes meet weekly from 7:00–8:30 p.m.; contact Director Heather Buison.
- Religious Education for K–8 is held monthly on Sunday mornings.
- FORMED digital library (Catholic films, audio talks, e-books) is free to all parishioners.
- Bible Study is open to practicing Catholics, members of other denominations, and those exploring the faith for the first time.
Liturgical and Music Ministries
St. Jude welcomes parishioners to serve in the liturgy as cantors, sacristans, choir members, and in the Youth Choir, all coordinated by Music Director Emily Nufer.
- Cantors
- Sacristans
- Adult and Youth Choirs (Youth Choir rehearsals are scheduled on the parish calendar)
- Music Director: Emily Nufer ([email protected])
St. Jude Catholic School
St. Jude Catholic School is the parish's PreK-8 faith-based school on the same Johnson Road campus. The school motto is 'Live for Christ, Learn for Life!' and welcomes students of all backgrounds; it is an Indiana School of Choice with scholarships available. The current school principal is Ana Maria Lewis.
- Founded 1961 as part of the parish campus (school building dates to 1956).
- Grades: Prekindergarten through 8.
- Motto: 'Live for Christ, Learn for Life!'
- Partner parish/campus with All Saints Academy.
- Enrollment approximately 197 students; average class size 21.
- Indiana School of Choice; scholarships available.
- Activities include After-School Care, Chess Club, Fabric Arts Club, Heritage Club, Mentoring, Performing Arts, Young Vincentians.
- Athletics: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Football, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Wrestling.
Our Patron — Saint Jude
Saint Jude is sometimes called Thaddeus, a name meaning 'the brave one.' He is widely invoked as the saint of 'desperate or impossible cases,' and people pray to him when situations seem hopeless — often finding their petitions answered through his intercession. Iconography frequently shows him with a flame above his head in remembrance of his presence at Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles.
- Patron: Saint Jude the Apostle (also called Thaddeus).
- Feast day: October 28.
- Commonly invoked for desperate or impossible cases.
Parish Staff
Parish operations are coordinated by a team of lay and ordained staff under the direction of Fr. Mark Hellinger.
- Pastor: Fr. Mark Hellinger — [email protected]
- Parish Secretary: Carol Horvath — [email protected]
- School Principal: Ana Maria Lewis — [email protected]
- Business Manager: Tom Farwell — [email protected]
- Music Director: Emily Nufer — [email protected]
- Director of Faith Formation: Heather Buison — [email protected]
- Bulletin Editor: Mary Ann Padberg — [email protected]
- Main phone: 574-291-0570
Service and Volunteer Opportunities
St. Jude encourages parishioners to give back through catechist roles in faith formation and other parish-sponsored community and service events throughout the year.
- Catechists lead faith-formation sessions for children in large or small group settings.
- Service opportunities coordinated with parish events and outreach.
- Liturgical roles (cantor, sacristan, choir) for the parish's liturgical life.
- Young Vincentians and other ministry involvement for school families.
Campus and Facilities
The St. Jude campus at 19704 Johnson Road houses the church, the parish rectory, and St. Jude Catholic School together. A 2012-2013 capital campaign — known as 'Our Time to Build' — brought major renovations including a new narthex, bell tower, flooring, lighting, pews, stained glass windows, furnishings, an elevator, two additional classrooms, conference room, and combined parish/school office space, along with improved grading, security, and HVAC.
- Church, rectory, and PreK-8 school on a single Johnson Road campus.
- 2012-2013 'Our Time to Build' capital campaign improved the church interior and added a narthex, bell tower, stained glass, and an elevator.
- Combined parish and school office space added during the 2013 renovation.
- Construction work in 2024 or 2025 by HOCH Associates included renovation and expansion of the PreK-8 school and improved accessibility.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Mark Hellinger2025–Present
8th pastor of St. Jude; also serves as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Lakeville; ordained 2022; STL from Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm, Rome (2023).
- Fr. John Delaney2006–2025
7th pastor; led the parish through the 2008–2011 merger into St. Catherine of Siena and the 2011 re-erection; granted retirement effective June 16, 2025.