About St. Gabriel · Fayetteville, Georgia
The Catholic Church of St. Gabriel is a warm, family-oriented parish in Fayetteville, Georgia, about 25 miles south of Atlanta in Fayette County. It is one of the parishes of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta and was canonically established on October 1, 1993, growing out of a mission that began in 1987. The parish mission is 'to live as a loving family of faith in the Kingdom of God,' and with over 500 registered families it serves Catholics in Fayetteville and the surrounding communities through daily and weekend Mass, Adoration, Confession, religious education, and a wide range of liturgical and outreach ministries. Father Richard Vu serves as the current pastor, supported by Deacon Anthony Calderon and a dedicated lay staff.
- Established
- 1993
- Patron
- Saint Gabriel the Archangel
- Rector
- Father Richard Vu
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta (Deanery: South; County: Fayette)
Why belong here
St. Gabriel Catholic Church is a mid-sized, multigenerational parish that intentionally lives its mission 'to live as a loving family of faith in the Kingdom of God.' Worship is supported by a vibrant music ministry, liturgical dancers, art & environment, a robust schedule of weekday Adoration (Monday through Friday), and Saturday Confessions. Faith formation is offered for every age — elementary religious education, sacramental preparation, and OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those entering or completing their Catholic initiation. Outreach runs deep: a sister-parish relationship with St. Gabriel in Nicaragua through 'Amigos for Christ,' ongoing mission trips, and local service to the homeless, an AIDS hospice, an Angel Food program for the needy, and a ministry of care at the local hospital. For Catholics in Fayetteville seeking a parish where you can be known, be fed, and serve others, St. Gabriel is a natural home.
Mass times at St. Gabriel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 pm (and by appointment)
Adoration times
- Monday 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
- Tuesday 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
- Wednesday 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
- Thursday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Friday 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Parish History
St. Gabriel Catholic Church was born in 1987 as a mission of St. Philip Benizi Parish in Jonesboro, when a small group of Catholics in Fayette County began gathering for Mass at Fayetteville Elementary School and holding religious education classes at a local Presbyterian church. In 1991 Franciscan Friars from St. Philip Benizi began serving the mission, and the Archdiocese purchased 16 acres on Antioch Road. On June 3, 1993 Father Paul W. Berny was appointed administrator of the mission; on September 29, 1993 — the feast of Saint Gabriel — Archbishop John F. Donoghue presided at the groundbreaking and blessing of the land, and on October 1, 1993 the Archdiocese formally established Saint Gabriel's as a canonical parish with Father Berny as its first pastor. The first building, the multipurpose Beltran Hall, was dedicated July 29, 1995, and the parish has continued to grow into a thriving faith family of more than 500 registered families.
- 1987 – Mission begins under St. Philip Benizi Parish, Jonesboro
- 1991 – Franciscan Friars begin serving; 16 acres purchased on Antioch Road
- October 1, 1993 – Established as a canonical parish; Father Paul W. Berny named first pastor
- July 29, 1995 – Beltran Hall blessed and altar dedicated by Archbishop Donoghue
- 1998 – Father Timothy era; later Father Jimmy Adams founds 'Amigos for Christ'
- Today – More than 500 registered families
Our Mission
The parish mission is 'to live as a loving family of faith in the Kingdom of God,' and the parish vision states: 'We are the body of Christ, serving God and each other.' The parish lives this out through daily and weekend Mass, weekday Adoration, an extensive religious education program for all ages, vibrant liturgical and social life, and outreach to those in need.
- Mission: To live as a loving family of faith in the Kingdom of God
- Vision: We are the body of Christ, serving God and each other
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Gabriel offers a full weekly schedule of Masses and quiet prayer. Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday evening at 5:00 pm (Vigil) and Sunday morning at 8:00 am and 10:30 am. Weekday Mass is celebrated Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:00 am; there is no daily Mass on Thursday. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturday at 4:00 pm and by appointment.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am & 10:30 am
- Weekday Mass (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri): 9:00 am
- No daily Mass on Thursday
- Confession: Saturday 4:00 pm and by appointment
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, deacon, and a small dedicated lay staff, all reachable through the Parish Office at (770) 461-0492.
- Father Richard Vu — Pastor — ext. 114 — [email protected]
- Deacon Anthony Calderon — ext. 113 — [email protected]
- Denise Hofrichter — Bulletin Editor — ext. 111 — [email protected]
- Judy Kuras — Administrative Assistant — ext. 112 — [email protected]
- Rich Powell — Maintenance — ext. 116
- Vickie Hardy — Custodian
Worship Ministries
Through the service of dedicated volunteers, the parish enhances the beauty, hospitality, and solemnity of worship at St. Gabriel. These liturgical ministries are at the heart of parish life.
- Music Ministry — leading worship with hymns and sacred music
- Art & Environment — preparing and beautifying the worship space for the seasons of the Church year
- Altar Servers — assisting the celebrant at the altar
- Lectors — proclaiming the Word of God at Mass
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — distributing the Eucharist at Mass and to the sick
- Ushers and Greeters — welcoming all who gather in God's house
- Liturgical Dancers
Pastoral & Outreach Ministries
Beyond the sanctuary, parishioners extend the parish's care into the wider community and to those in need, both near and far.
- Nursing Home and Homebound Ministry — bringing Holy Communion, prayer and companionship to parishioners who are homebound or in nursing facilities
- Funeral Guild — supporting families with funeral liturgies, hospitality and dignified services
- Catechist Ministry — teaching and guiding children, teens, and adults in religious education
- Coffee & Donut Ministry (Parish — monthly, and Elementary Faith Formation — weekly) — fostering community and fellowship
- Amigos for Christ — supporting the sister parish of St. Gabriel in Nicaragua through prayer, fundraising, and annual mission trips
- Outreach: helping the homeless downtown, food for an AIDS hospice, Angel Food program for the needy, and ministry at Fayette Community Hospital
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Gabriel is understood as a lifelong journey of conversion — not just religious education — guided by the Spirit and rooted in the teachings of Christ and His Church. The parish partners with parents (the primary educators of faith in the family) to support children, youth, and adults through programs tailored to every stage. Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is open, with tuition of $70 for one child, $105 for two, and $130 for three or more; sacramental retreat fees are additional ($25 for First Eucharist, $150 for Confirmation). Tuition is waived for catechists and weekly volunteers.
- Knowledge of the Faith — core beliefs, Scripture, traditions, and Catholic teaching
- Sacramental Preparation — Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation
- Prayer and Worship — personal and communal prayer life
- Moral and Spiritual Growth — forming a Christian conscience and growing in holiness
- Living in Community and Mission — active participation and missionary witness
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
OCIA at St. Gabriel is a welcoming, faith-filled journey for adults seeking to enter or complete their initiation into the Catholic Church — whether unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or a baptized Catholic who has not yet received Confirmation and Eucharist. Classes meet Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the lower church, beginning in the fall and culminating with the reception of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
- Catechumens — adults seeking Baptism and full initiation
- Candidates — baptized Christians preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist
- Baptized Catholics — completing the sacraments of initiation
- Classes: Wednesdays, 7:00 pm, lower church
- Contact: Parish Office (770) 461-0492
Sacraments
Information about each of the seven sacraments is available through the parish office. Sacramental preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation is offered through the Faith Formation program; baptismal preparation, marriage, and anointing of the sick are coordinated with the priests and deacon; OCIA prepares adults for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion & Sunday Mass)
- Reconciliation (Confession Sat 4:00 pm and by appointment)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders (vocations supported by prayer)
- Matrimony
Contact & Location
The parish office is open Sunday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. The mailing address is 152 Antioch Road, Fayetteville, GA 30215. Main phone (770) 461-0492; fax (770) 461-0374.
- Address: 152 Antioch Road, Fayetteville, GA 30215
- Phone: (770) 461-0492
- Fax: (770) 461-0374
- Office hours: Sunday – Thursday, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
- Website: http://www.stgabrielga.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Paul W. Berny1993–c.1997
Appointed administrator of the mission June 3, 1993; became the parish's first pastor when Saint Gabriel's was canonically established on October 1, 1993. A former Air Force chaplain with ten years of service.
- Father Timothy
Succeeded Father Berny; the parish history notes 'passing' and illnesses during his tenure but 'the enthusiasm and dedication remained high.'
- Father Jimmy Adams
Instrumental in founding 'Amigos for Christ,' a twinning ministry supporting the sister parish of St. Gabriel in Nicaragua; encouraged annual mission trips for the parish's Life Teen youth.
- Father Richard Vupresent
Current pastor, listed on the parish staff page.