About Shepherd of the Hills · Ruckersville, Virginia
Shepherd of the Hills is a small, welcoming Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Richmond, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Greene County, Virginia. Its mission is 'To make disciples through the teachings and ministry of Jesus the Good Shepherd. We are committed to celebrate the Word and Sacraments and to be of service to God's family.' The parish has been an intimate, hands-on community since its founding in 1980, when a group of Catholic families in Greene County petitioned the Diocese for a parish of their own. Today, under the pastoral care of Fr. Michael Mugomba, Shepherd of the Hills continues that same spirit of small-parish warmth, with Sunday Mass, midweek Mass and Adoration, Bible Study, religious education K-12, a Prayer Shawl Ministry, Cursillo, and a Parish Hall that hosts potlucks, classes and family gatherings.
- Established
- 1980
- Patron
- Jesus the Good Shepherd (parish name 'Shepherd of the Hills'; dedication implied through parish name)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Michael Mugomba
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 11; parish number 3931)
Why belong here
Shepherd of the Hills offers a true small-parish experience where everyone knows each other and parishioner gifts — from woodworking to knitting to architecture — shape the life of the community. Families find a full Catholic life here: weekly Sunday Mass with Rosary beforehand and coffee after, Wednesday evening Adoration and Mass, Tuesday-morning Bible Study with Fr. Dan Hesko, religious education for children in grades K through 12 with sacramental preparation, a Prayer Shawl Ministry that brings comfort to the sick, Cursillo for spiritual growth, and outreach to Evergreen Nursing Home. With Bishop Sullivan's two-time endorsement of the community (Rite of Dedication 1982, church dedication 2003), it is a parish with deep local roots in Greene County and an open door for anyone seeking a quiet, faithful home in the Blue Ridge foothills.
Mass times at Shepherd of the Hills
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — contact Fr. Michael Mugomba at 804-484-2806
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:30 PM (immediately preceding the 6:00 PM Mass)
Our History
Shepherd of the Hills was born in 1979 when a group of Catholic families in Greene County, Virginia, petitioned the Diocese of Richmond for a parish of their own. Bishop Walter F. Sullivan approved the request in January 1980, and the very first Mass was celebrated in the Old Ruckersville Elementary School on February 17, 1980. Mass was first offered monthly by visiting local priests; later that year Fr. Thomas Reardon was named the parish's first pastor and weekly Mass began. The name was chosen to reflect the Blue Ridge Mountains rising on the horizon — Jesus the Good Shepherd watching over his flock in the hills.
- 1979 — Catholic families petition the Diocese of Richmond
- January 1980 — Bishop Walter F. Sullivan approves the parish
- February 17, 1980 — First Mass celebrated in the Old Ruckersville Elementary School
- Late 1980 — Fr. Thomas Reardon named first pastor; weekly Mass begins
- October 1981 — Diocese purchases a home and 5 acres in Quinque
- February 7, 1982 — Bishop Sullivan celebrates the Rite of Dedication of the remodeled house-church
- 1998 — Decision to expand; parishioner-architect Cliff Walcutt designs the new church
- October 2001 — Building plans approved
- April 2002 — Groundbreaking
- November 2, 2003 — Bishop Sullivan dedicates the new church; original worship space becomes the Parish Center and Social Hall
Mission and Identity
The parish describes itself as 'a welcoming Roman Catholic Parish community nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Greene County, VA.' Its published mission is: 'To make disciples through the teachings and ministry of Jesus the Good Shepherd. We are committed to celebrate the Word and Sacraments and to be of service to God's family.' From the start, Shepherd of the Hills has been a 'hands-on' parish — the original altar and presider's chair were crafted by parishioner Joseph Ference, a tradition of using parishioners' skills to build what is needed that continues today.
- Welcoming Roman Catholic parish in Greene County, VA
- Mission: make disciples through the teachings of Jesus the Good Shepherd
- Small, hands-on community where parishioners' gifts shape parish life
- Under the pastoral care of Rev. Fr. Michael Mugomba
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Shepherd of the Hills offers Religious Education for children in grades K through 12, along with sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Classes meet in the Parish Center (the original 1982 church building). Adults seeking to deepen their faith can join the Tuesday morning Bible Study with Fr. Dan Hesko, which is also streamed on his YouTube channel @Oldparson220.
- Religious Education for grades K–12
- Sacramental preparation: First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation
- Weekly Bible Study — Tuesday 10:30 AM, led by Fr. Dan Hesko
- Bible Study also available on YouTube: youtube.com/@Oldparson220
Parish Life and Ministries
Parish life at Shepherd of the Hills is intentionally close-knit. The Prayer Shawl Ministry knits, crochets and sews prayer shawls and quilts for those in need of healing and comfort. Cursillo is active in the parish, with a Woman's 4th Day Grouping meeting on the 1st and 3rd Mondays at 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall. The parish also maintains a Bereavement Committee for anointings and funerals, and reaches out as a Special Ministry to residents of Evergreen Nursing Home. The Parish Hall itself is available to rent for family gatherings.
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — Terry Losinksi & Rhea Linkous
- Cursillo / Valley Cursillo — contact Monica Waugh ([email protected])
- Bereavement Committee — for anointings and funerals
- Evergreen Nursing Home outreach (Special Ministry per Diocese of Richmond)
- Parish Hall rental — [email protected]
- Coffee and fellowship after Sunday Mass in the Parish Hall
Sacraments
All seven sacraments are accessible to parishioners, with the parish inviting families to contact Fr. Michael directly to begin preparation. Couples are asked to contact him at least six months before a planned wedding. The Bereavement Committee handles anointings and funeral arrangements. Reconciliation is by appointment outside of Advent/Lent communal services.
- Baptism — contact Fr. Michael directly
- First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation — preparation through Religious Education
- Matrimony — contact Fr. Michael at least six months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick and Funerals — through the Bereavement Committee
- Reconciliation — by appointment; communal Penance Services in Advent and Lent
Contact and Visit
Shepherd of the Hills Catholic Church is located at 6562 Amicus Road, Ruckersville, Virginia 22968, with a mailing address of PO Box 83, Quinque, VA 22965. The parish office can be reached at (434) 985-3929 or by email at [email protected]. Fr. Michael Mugomba can be reached directly at 804-484-2806. The parish homepage offers a 'CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS' link, and the latest weekly bulletins are posted on the Bulletin & Info page of the website.
- Address: 6562 Amicus Road, Ruckersville, VA 22968
- Mailing: PO Box 83, Quinque, VA 22965
- Office phone: (434) 985-3929
- Office email: [email protected]
- Fr. Michael Mugomba: 804-484-2806
- Website: https://shepherdofthehillscatholicparish.org/
- Weekly bulletins available on the Bulletin & Info page
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Thomas Reardon1980 –
First pastor; named by the Diocese of Richmond shortly after the parish was approved in January 1980, the same year he began celebrating weekly Mass.