Saints Simon & Jude

Parish History

Sts. Simon and Jude was established in 1950 by Archbishop John A. Floersh to relieve overcrowding at Holy Name, Saint Thomas More, and Most Blessed Sacrament parishes in South Louisville. Father Louis Bossung was the founding pastor; Mass was first celebrated at the American Legion Hall until the L-shaped church building (combining church and cafeteria over a full basement) was completed in August 1952 on former baseball-diamond 'bottoms' land. The school opened in September 1952 under the Dominican Sisters.

• 1950 — Parish founded by Archbishop John A. Floersh; Father Louis Bossung appointed first pastor
• 1952 — L-shaped church/cafeteria building completed in August; school opens in September under the Dominican Sisters
• 1955 — Father Bossung becomes seriously ill; Father William C. Hartlage becomes pastor
• 1965 — School reaches nearly 800 students, one of the largest in the city; six new classrooms built largely by Father Hartlage and parishioners
• 1970s–80s — Stained-glass windows installed; 'white building' completed; food pantry and clothing store established; school breakfast program and dyslexia program begin (1971)
• Late 1980s–90s — Church repainted, new altar furniture installed, school consolidated with new library, computer lab and kindergarten; gym insulated; new roofs on school and church; sound system replaced
• 2005 — Joins with Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint Thomas More and Most Blessed Sacrament to form Saint Nicholas Academy regional school

Mission Statement

Saints Simon and Jude describes itself as 'a worshipping community of faith, serving the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of our community,' dedicated to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ in prayer and in the celebration of the sacraments, and striving to serve the needs of the people through all forms of social outreach.

Clergy & Pastoral Staff

The parish is currently led by an Administrator Pro-tem, Very Rev. T. Michael Tobin, V.F., with Rev. William P. Burks, Jr. serving as Sacramental Moderator. A small pastoral staff supports parish operations and faith formation.

• Very Rev. T. Michael Tobin, V.F. — Administrator Pro-tempore
• Rev. William P. Burks, Jr. — Sacramental Moderator
• Charlie Hulsman — Business Manager
• Melissa Wines — Bookkeeper
• Sandra Blanford — CCD Coordinator
• Jackie Hollenkamp Bentley and Alexandra McPherson — Youth Ministers

Parish Ministries & Outreach

From its earliest years the parish has been known for its many lay-led ministries. The women's and men's clubs, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Don Bosco Club for boys ages 9–15 drew more than 100 active members. Today the parish continues a strong outreach tradition through its thrift store, food pantry, women's club, and the 'Simon Sociables' senior citizens' group, with a particular focus on vulnerable children and the elderly.

• Thrift store
• Food pantry
• Women's Club
• Men's Club
• St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Don Bosco Club (boys ages 9–15)
• Simon Sociables (senior citizens' group)
• Home visitation program

Faith Formation & Youth Ministry

Religious education for children attending public schools is offered together with clustered partner Most Blessed Sacrament Church. Adult formation is provided through OCIA (formerly RCIA). A dedicated youth ministry team coordinates programming for parish teens.

• CCD religious education for public-school children (in cluster with Most Blessed Sacrament)
• OCIA / RCIA for adults
• Youth ministry (Jackie Hollenkamp Bentley and Alexandra McPherson)
• CCD Coordinator: Sandra Blanford

Sacraments

Parishioners can arrange the sacraments by contacting the parish office. Reconciliation is heard 30 minutes before Mass on the first weekend of the month or by appointment; Holy Day and daily Mass schedules appear in the bulletin.

• Reconciliation — by appointment, plus 1st weekend of the month 30 minutes before Mass
• Daily Mass and Holy Day Mass — see bulletin
• Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office

Contact, Office & Visiting

The parish office is at 4335 Hazelwood Ave., Louisville, KY 40215. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 am–3:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am–Noon, or by appointment. The parish can be reached by phone at (502) 368-4887, fax at (502) 375-1988, or by email at [email protected].

• Address: 4335 Hazelwood Ave., Louisville, KY 40215
• Phone: (502) 368-4887
• Fax: (502) 375-1988
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Thu 9 am–3 pm; Fri 9 am–Noon (or by appointment)