About Saint Jude the Apostle · Sandy Springs, Georgia
Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic Church is a thriving Roman Catholic parish in Sandy Springs, Georgia, founded on October 2, 1960 on land donated by the Spalding family. Located at 7171 Glenridge Drive NE, the parish is part of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and serves roughly 3,196 registered households. Under the leadership of Monsignor W. Joseph Corbett, Saint Jude is a multicultural community that celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, runs the parish K-8 Catholic school and a preschool, and supports more than 80 active ministries. The parish describes itself as a vibrant Eucharistic family committed to stewardship, faith formation for all ages, and outreach through Saint Vincent de Paul and other charitable works.
- Established
- 1960
- Patron
- Saint Jude the Apostle
- Rector
- Monsignor W. Joseph Corbett
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta
Why belong here
Saint Jude offers the rare combination of a long-established parish community (since 1960) with deeply multicultural liturgical life — English, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese Masses every Sunday — and a full K-8 Catholic school and preschool on campus. More than 80 ministries serve every stage of life, from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and EDGE middle-school youth ministry, to OCIA for adults becoming Catholic, to a Saint Vincent de Paul conference that helps neighbors in financial crisis. Families can attend Adoration in the chapel, register children for Faith & Life family catechesis, and join a Brazilian Festival, men's club, or Scout troop — all on one wooded Sandy Springs campus.
Mass times at Saint Jude the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays 6:00 – 6:30 pm (bilingual Spanish and Portuguese)
- Wednesdays 8:00 am (English)
- Wednesdays 6:30 pm (English)
- Saturdays 9:00 am (English)
- Saturdays 4:00 pm (English)
- By appointment via the parish office (770-394-3896)
History of Saint Jude Parish
Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic Parish was established on October 2, 1960, on land in Sandy Springs generously donated by the Spalding family. What began as a small mission in an undeveloped corner of north Atlanta has grown, under seven successive pastors, into a vibrant multicultural parish of more than 3,100 registered households. The parish celebrates this heritage through a 50th Anniversary history book that chronicles six decades of faith, growth, and community. The 2022-2023 Annual Stewardship Report, signed by Monsignor W. Joseph Corbett, documents how the parish has built on that legacy — paying down debt, improving the Adoration Chapel, modernizing the elevator, and continuing to expand ministries and outreach.
- Parish founded October 2, 1960
- Land donated by the Spalding family
- Seven successive pastors have served since founding
- 50th Anniversary commemorative book available on parish site
- 2022-2023 Annual Stewardship Report published
Parish Clergy
The pastoral team is led by Monsignor W. Joseph Corbett, pastor, who is assisted by two parochial vicars and three deacons. Father Ben Thomsen serves as Parochial Vicar, and Father Thiago Gomes serves as Parochial Vicar and Chaplain to the Atlanta Brazilian Community. Deacons Gary Schantz, Stan Stewart, and Joel Ballantyne assist at the parish and can be reached through the parish office at (770) 394-3896.
- Monsignor W. Joseph Corbett — Pastor (ext. 226)
- Father Ben Thomsen — Parochial Vicar (ext. 238)
- Father Thiago Gomes — Parochial Vicar & Chaplain to the Atlanta Brazilian Community (ext. 239)
- Deacon Gary Schantz
- Deacon Stan Stewart
- Deacon Joel Ballantyne
Parish Staff
Beyond clergy, Saint Jude is staffed by a large team supporting liturgy, faith formation, communications, operations, finance, and facilities. Molly Dean serves as School Principal; Lia English as Preschool Director; Bryan Archer as Director of Music & Liturgy; Roberta Meadows as Director of Religious Education; Maddie Massmann as High School Youth Ministry & Confirmation; Mary Kaitlyn Condict as Middle School Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator; Julia Acosta as Parish School of Religion Coordinator; Colleen Tyner as Director of Operations; Lourdes Davis as Director of Parish Life & Events; Jordan Simal as Director of Stewardship & Development; Ben Fraser as Director of Communications; and Kathleen Woods as Controller / Finance. Grace Pasden serves as Executive Assistant to the Pastor. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
- Molly Dean — School Principal (770-394-2880)
- Lia English — Preschool Director (678-252-5981)
- Bryan Archer — Director of Music & Liturgy (ext. 261)
- Roberta Meadows — Director of Religious Education (ext. 240)
- Maddie Massmann — High School Youth Ministry & Confirmation (ext. 233)
- Mary Kaitlyn Condict — Middle School Youth Ministry / Confirmation (ext. 241)
- Julia Acosta — PSR Coordinator (ext. 527)
- Ann Sottile — Adult Faith Coordinator (ext. 237)
- Colleen Tyner — Director of Operations (ext. 528)
- Lourdes Davis — Director of Parish Life & Events (ext. 223)
- Jordan Simal — Director of Stewardship & Development (ext. 242)
- Ben Fraser — Director of Communications (ext. 303)
- Kathleen Woods — Controller / Finance (ext. 310)
- Jodi Jones — Bookkeeper/HR Coordinator (ext. 225)
- Grace Pasden — Executive Assistant to the Pastor (ext. 236)
- Adriana Piper — Parish Secretary (ext. 525)
- Donna Lucarini — Nursery Manager
- Mike Higgins — Director of Facilities & Maintenance (ext. 532)
- Rick Huebner — IT Director (Leeward Technology)
- Liliana Hines — Admin Asst to the Spanish Clergy and Community (ext. 285)
- Rosana Szvarca — Admin Support Brazilian Community (ext. 259)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Saint Jude spans cradle to adult. The Parish School of Religion (PSR), under Director of Religious Education Roberta Meadows and PSR Coordinator Julia Acosta, offers Faith & Life Family Catechesis for K–6, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Faith Fusion for children ages 7+ who are missing sacraments, EDGE middle-school youth ministry, and SPRED specialized religious education for children and young adults with learning or physical disabilities. The Hispanic and Brazilian communities each run their own PSR Catequesis tracks. Adult formation includes scripture and book studies through the Adult Faith & Enrichment program and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for those becoming Catholic, coordinated by Ann Sottile.
- Faith & Life Family Catechesis — K–6, twice monthly on Sundays in Ministry Hall
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — Montessori-style atrium
- Faith Fusion — Sundays 10:00–11:15 am, ages 7+ missing sacraments
- EDGE — Middle School Youth Ministry, Sundays 6:00–7:30 pm
- Life Teen — High School Youth Ministry & Confirmation
- SPRED — Special needs religious education, twice monthly
- PSR Catequesis – Español
- PSR Catequeses – Comunidade Brasileira
- Adult Faith & Enrichment — scripture and book studies
- OCIA — Becoming Catholic
Children, Youth, and Family Life
Beyond classroom catechesis, Saint Jude offers a deep bench of programs for children and teens. Two parish schools — the Catholic Preschool (18 months through young 5) under Lia English and the K-8 Catholic School under Principal Molly Dean — anchor family life on campus. Liturgical and social opportunities include Altar Servers, Children's Choirs, Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW), and Vacation Bible School. Scouts (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts) and Jaguar Sports (K–8 athletics) round out extracurricular options. Sacramental preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation has separate registration tracks.
- Saint Jude Preschool (18 months – young 5): 678-252-5981
- Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic School (K–8): 770-394-2880
- Altar Servers, Children's Choirs, CLOW
- Vacation Bible School
- Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts
- Jaguar Sports (K–8 athletics)
- First Eucharist (2nd-grade track)
- Confirmation (EDGE and Life Teen tracks)
Outreach and Charitable Works
Outreach at Saint Jude is organized through the Outreach Commission of the Pastoral Council and reaches both the parish neighborhood and the wider world. The Saint Vincent de Paul conference (678-990-2969) provides direct financial assistance to neighbors in need, and parishioners are invited to become SVdP volunteers. The Men's Club and the annual Brazilian Festival raise significant funds for parish and charitable causes.
- Saint Vincent de Paul: 678-990-2969
- Men's Club (annual donation)
- Brazilian Festival (annual fundraiser)
- Outreach Commission of the Pastoral Council
Pastoral Council and Parish Governance
The Saint Jude Pastoral Council is a representative body that advises the Pastor on parish mission and administration. It draws representatives from four commissions — Worship, Parish Life, Outreach, and Faith Formation — as well as the Hispanic and Brazilian communities, plus the Finance Council chair. The 2026 council is chaired by Meg Valz (Worship Commission), with Catherine Blenke (Parish Life), Kim Sims (Outreach), Nara De Franca (Brazilian), Sunny Neely (Faith Formation), Jamie Kelly (Principal Advisory Council), Marshall Ford (Finance Council Representative), Jairo Martinez (Spanish Commission), and John Pleck (At-Large).
- Chair: Meg Valz (Worship)
- Parish Life: Catherine Blenke
- Outreach: Kim Sims
- Brazilian: Nara De Franca
- Faith Formation: Sunny Neely
- Principal Advisory Council: Jamie Kelly
- Finance Council Rep: Marshall Ford
- Spanish Commission: Jairo Martinez
- At-Large: John Pleck
Multicultural Community
Saint Jude is intentionally trilingual in its parish life. The Brazilian Catholic community (Comunidade Brasileira / Igreja São Judas) gathers for the 6:30 pm Sunday Mass (livestreamed) and is served by Father Thiago Gomes as chaplain, with Rosana Szvarca providing administrative support. The Hispanic community gathers for the 1:00 pm Sunday Mass (livestreamed) and has its own PSR Catequesis track, with Liliana Hines providing administrative support. Pastoral Council seats are reserved for both Spanish and Brazilian commission representatives.
- Brazilian Community — Sunday 6:30 pm Mass, Father Thiago Gomes chaplain
- Hispanic Community — Sunday 1:00 pm Spanish Mass (livestreamed)
- Bilingual (Spanish/Portuguese) confession Tuesdays 6:00–6:30 pm
- Pastoral Council seats for Spanish and Brazilian commissions
Parish Schools
Saint Jude operates two schools on or near its Sandy Springs campus. Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic School is a K-8 elementary school led by Principal Molly Dean (770-394-2880). Saint Jude Preschool serves children 18 months through young 5 under Director Lia English (678-252-5981), and is currently registering for the 2026-2027 school year. Both schools serve parish families and the wider Sandy Springs community.
- Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic School (K-8), Principal Molly Dean
- Saint Jude Preschool (18 months – young 5), Director Lia English
- 2026-2027 preschool registration open
- School serves parish families and surrounding neighborhoods
Getting Involved — Stewardship
The parish's 2022-2023 Annual Stewardship Report frames stewardship around 'time, talents, and treasure for the greater glory of God and the service of one another.' With offertory of $3.8 million and roughly 3,196 registered households, the parish has been able to grow ministries, retire debt, and invest in the Adoration Chapel and elevator. Jordan Simal serves as Director of Stewardship & Development and welcomes new parishioners and ministry involvement. Online Giving is available through the parish website.
- Director of Stewardship & Development: Jordan Simal (ext. 242)
- Online Giving available via parish website
- Archbishop's Annual Appeal participation
- More than 80 active ministries to join
Visiting Saint Jude
Saint Jude welcomes visitors and new parishioners. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, at (770) 394-3896. The church is located at 7171 Glenridge Drive NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, with GPS directions best entered as 705 Spalding Drive. Parking is entered from Spalding Drive. Sacramental emergencies after hours can be reported by calling the main number and following the prompts. Saint Vincent de Paul financial-assistance calls go to 678-990-2969.
- Parish office: (770) 394-3896, Mon–Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- GPS address: 705 Spalding Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
- Parking entrance: Spalding Drive
- Sacramental emergencies: main line after hours, follow prompts
- Saint Vincent de Paul: 678-990-2969
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor W. Joseph Corbett
Current pastor; led the parish through major debt reduction, capital improvements, and the 2022-2023 Annual Stewardship Report.