St. Jude

History of St. Jude Parish

St. Jude's story is one of small-town Catholic perseverance. In the early 1940s, the handful of Catholic families in Franklin and Southampton County had no parish — Mass was said in private homes, a WWII USO building, and a funeral home. A 1945 lot purchase and a 1947 building contract led to the April 25, 1948 laying of the cornerstone by Bishop Peter L. Ireton. The little mission was raised to parish status on May 1, 1955, and over the decades expanded with a religious education center (1986), commons area (1987), and a new worship center and fellowship hall (1994). A mission statement was adopted in 1995, and the parish formally celebrated 75 years on October 15, 2023, with Mass offered by Bishop Barry C. Knestout.

• 1945 — lot purchased for the future church
• April 25, 1948 — cornerstone laid by Bishop Peter L. Ireton
• May 1, 1955 — St. Jude raised to parish status
• 1986 — religious education center dedicated by Bishop Walter F. Sullivan
• 1987 — commons area dedicated by Bishop David Foley
• 1994 — new worship center and fellowship hall dedicated by Bishop Sullivan; original 1948 church becomes fellowship hall
• 1995 — first parish mission statement adopted
• October 15, 2023 — 75th anniversary Mass with Bishop Barry C. Knestout

The Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague (Wakefield)

Just a few years after St. Jude was built, the parish gave birth to one of Virginia's most recognizable roadside Catholic landmarks. In 1942, Virginia Diner owner Larry Monahan promised he would build a church if he could meet payroll; by 1952, he — alongside his two sons and Father Joseph Leitch, then pastor of St. Jude — broke ground across U.S. Route 460 from his diner in Wakefield. Monahan even sold cinder blocks at $10 apiece, raising $30,000 for construction. The Shrine was dedicated on October 28, 1953, and today is a popular stop for pilgrims and passers-by who light a candle. Its priestly care is shared with St. Jude under Father Mensah.

• 1942 — Larry Monahan's promise to build a church
• 1952 — groundbreaking with Father Joseph Leitch
• October 28, 1953 — Shrine dedicated
• Sister parish #621 under the Diocese of Richmond
• Shared pastorate with St. Jude, Franklin

Mass, Sacraments, and Devotions

The parish schedules reflect its small size and rural rhythm. Midweek Mass is offered on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, with evening Mass on Thursday; the Sunday Mass is at 10:30 AM. Reconciliation is heard every Thursday evening before Mass and on the last Sunday of each month before Mass, with appointments also welcome. Eucharistic Adoration is observed on the first Thursday of every month. The Anointing of the Sick is offered monthly after the last Sunday's Mass, and Birthday & Anniversary Blessings are given on the second Sunday of each month — a warm touch that has become a beloved community moment.

• Sunday Mass — 10:30 AM
• Tuesday Mass — 10:30 AM
• Wednesday Mass — 10:30 AM
• Thursday Mass — 6:00 PM
• Reconciliation — Thursdays 5:00–6:00 PM (or by appointment)
• Reconciliation — Last Sunday of month, 9:00–10:00 AM
• Adoration — 1st Thursday of the month, 5:00–6:00 PM
• Anointing of the Sick — Last Sunday of month after Mass
• Birthday & Anniversary Blessings — Second Sunday of month after Mass

Parish Mission Statement

Adopted in 1995 and still the parish's North Star, St. Jude's mission statement reads: 'The mission of St. Jude is to empower the people to be devoted followers of Christ through celebrating the Eucharist, proclaiming the Word, being a community and sharing resources.' The statement frames every ministry and committee work — from worship planning to Christian education to social outreach — and is published prominently on the parish website and bulletin.

Ministries and Outreach

St. Jude runs a full slate of parish ministries staffed entirely by laypeople, supported by Father Mensah. Pastoral and Finance Councils share governance; the Christian Education Committee plans formation for children and adults; the Social Outreach Committee responds to local need; and the Liturgical Ministry (Worship) Committee plans prayer and worship across the liturgical year alongside the pastor and Music Minister. The parish also maintains parish-life, planning-and-development, and grounds-and-maintenance committees.

• Pastoral Council — advises the pastor on the parish's spiritual well-being
• Finance Council — advises on budget and financial decisions (Chair: Calvin Holt)
• Christian Education Committee — plans formation for children and adults
• Social Outreach Committee — serves the poor, sick, and shut-ins
• Liturgical Ministry (Worship) Committee — plans liturgies across the year
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — visit homebound parishioners
• Prison Ministry — Deerfield Correctional Center
• Prison Ministry — Southampton Correctional Center
• Special Ministry — Southampton Memorial
• Special Ministry — Village at Woods Edge
• Special Ministry — Eastern Pavilion

Faith Formation

Faith formation at St. Jude spans every age and stage of life. Joe and Vicki Dobbins serve as Faith Formation Coordinators for the parish's children, while Mary McDaniel directs adult faith formation. The Christian Education Committee connects these programs with the wider parish calendar. A standalone Religious Education Center was dedicated by Bishop Walter F. Sullivan in December 1986, more than a decade before the worship center itself was built, signaling the parish's longstanding investment in Catholic formation in Southampton County.

• Faith Formation Coordinators (children) — Joe and Vicki Dobbins
• Adult Faith Formation Director — Mary McDaniel
• Christian Education Committee
• Religious Education Center dedicated by Bishop Sullivan on December 21, 1986

Visiting and Joining St. Jude

Visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is shared with the Wakefield Shrine and is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (and Friday 8:00–10:00 AM outside of summer, when Fridays are closed). St. Jude draws members from across Southampton County — Ivor, Boykins, Newsoms, Courtland — and even across the North Carolina line from Murfreesboro. Baptisms, weddings, and other sacraments are arranged by contacting the parish office; Reconciliation is offered weekly plus by appointment, and Anointing of the Sick is offered monthly.

• Parish office: 1014 Clay St, Franklin, VA 23851
• Phone: (757) 569-9600 • Fax: (757) 304-9338
• Office hours: Monday–Thursday 9 AM–2 PM; Friday 8–10 AM (summer: closed Fridays)
• Active Pastoral Council, Finance Council, and a full ministries roster
• 75-year legacy in Southampton County