About St. Jude · Lakewood, Colorado
St. Jude Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Lakewood, Colorado, belonging to the Archdiocese of Denver. Founded in August 1967 under Archbishop Casey, it has grown into a 1,765-family community known historically for its pioneering spirit — it was among the first Archdiocesan parishes to use female altar servers, to give the laity a voice in selecting Mass readings and music, and to open a youth center. The parish still lives out that original emphasis on lay participation and inclusive community life through 26+ active ministries, a strong faith-formation program, a tithing outreach tradition, and the long-running 'little parishes' small groups that the founding priest, Father William 'Bill' Sievers, set up to knit the young parish together.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- St. Jude (Thaddaeus)
- Rector
- Rev. Jason E. Thuerauf
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Denver)
Why belong here
St. Jude is a large, lay-driven parish where an unusually broad range of people find a place — from the parish's signature 26+ ministries (RCIA, faith formation, special education, youth ministry, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, prayer communities, Respect Life Rosary, and more) to the long-running 'little parishes' small groups that have met in parishioners' homes since 1967. It is a tithing parish that gives monthly to outside charitable organizations in addition to its own outreach, and it is known for its welcoming, multi-generational community and the strong participation of laypeople in the liturgy itself.
Mass times at St. Jude
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursdays in Lent 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
- By appointment
- Parish penance service each Advent and Lent
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration (times listed under 'Adoration and Confession Schedule' on the parish website — see parish site for current hours)
Our Story & Heritage
St. Jude was founded in August 1967 under Archbishop Casey and built its identity on lay participation from the very first day. The parish's first home was the auditorium of Alameda High School — known as 'St. Alameda's' — until the first Mass in the new church on December 20, 1969, with Archbishop Casey formally dedicating the building in April 1970. The parish marked its 50th anniversary in 2017 with a Mass presided over by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila.
- Founded August 1967 by Archbishop Casey
- Founding pastor: Rev. William 'Bill' Sievers
- Worshiped at Alameda High School auditorium ('St. Alameda's') until 1969
- First Mass in current church: December 20, 1969
- Church dedicated April 1970
- Youth center opened August 17, 1974
- 50th anniversary Mass with Archbishop Aquila: August 27, 2017
- 1,765 registered families and 135 charter members as of 2017
The 'Little Parishes' — A Lasting Legacy
Without a church building to call his own, founding pastor Father Sievers divided the new parish into 27 'little parishes,' each led by a designated couple. The groups met monthly and even celebrated home Masses together — an arrangement that lasted four or five years and gave St. Jude its enduring neighborly feel. Three of those original little parishes still meet in parishioners' homes to this day, an extraordinary continuity from the parish's first generation.
- 27 original 'little parishes' founded by Father Sievers
- Each led by a couple; monthly meetings and home Masses
- Three original groups still meeting monthly today
Parish Firsts in the Archdiocese
St. Jude has a documented history of firsts within the Archdiocese of Denver. It was the first parish in the archdiocese to allow female altar servers, the first to seat laity on a liturgical commission that chose Mass readings and music (even before the current A, B, and C lectionary cycle was introduced), and the first to establish a youth center (opened August 17, 1974). These 'firsts' are part of the parish's self-understanding as a community that takes Vatican II's call to lay participation seriously.
- First parish in the Archdiocese with female altar servers
- First liturgical commission to include laity selecting readings and music
- First youth center in the Archdiocese (1974)
Our Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by pastor Rev. Jason E. Thuerauf (assigned effective July 1, 2022 by the Archdiocese of Denver) and is assisted by two permanent deacons, Deacon Joe Hensley and Deacon John Volk. A lay staff handles faith formation, music, hospitality, business, facilities, and ministry coordination.
- Rev. Jason E. Thuerauf — Pastor (ext. 114)
- Deacon Joe Hensley — Permanent Deacon (ext. 123)
- Deacon John Volk — Permanent Deacon (ext. 112)
- Jeff Ruskamp — Business Manager (ext. 116)
- Sharon Hensley — Ministry Coordinator (ext. 121)
- Mary Richards — Director of Family Evangelization (ext. 118)
- Tracy Reiner — Receptionist / Pastoral Assistant (ext. 110)
- Ed Dill — Music Coordinator (ext. 120)
- Liz Perry — RE Resource Coordinator & Hospitality / Wedding Coordinator
- Diane Schreiber — Special Education Coordinator
- Rudy Ramirez — Facilities Coordinator (ext. 122)
- Mark Cubbage — Facility Maintenance
- Diane Wieland, Emily Keelan, Theodore Foelker — Accompanists
Pastor History
St. Jude's published record names Father William 'Bill' Sievers as the founding pastor of the 1967 parish and Father Robert 'Bob' Kinkel (later Msgr. Robert Kinkel) as the pastor who led the 50th anniversary in 2017 after having first served the parish for 12 years earlier in his career. The Archdiocese of Denver's official reassignment list effective July 1, 2022 names Rev. Jason E. Thuerauf as the new pastor of St. Jude, Lakewood.
- Rev. William 'Bill' Sievers — founding pastor (1967)
- Msgr. Robert 'Bob' Kinkel — pastor for 12 years; returned 2015; reassigned 2022
- Rev. Jason E. Thuerauf — pastor effective July 1, 2022
Faith Formation & Sacramental Prep
The parish's faith-formation program follows the Archdiocese of Denver's 'Restored Order' of the sacraments of initiation: Reconciliation is received in 2nd grade, and Confirmation and First Eucharist are received together in 3rd grade. The two-year sacramental preparation process (Year 1 and Year 2) is led by Director of Family Evangelization Mary Richards. Children with special needs are served through a dedicated Special Education program under coordinator Diane Schreiber. Adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church are served through the OCIA/OCIC process.
- Year 1 & Year 2 Sacramental Preparation
- Reconciliation in 2nd grade
- Confirmation and First Eucharist in 3rd grade (Restored Order)
- OCIA/OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children)
- Special Education (Special Needs) program
Youth Ministry
St. Jude runs a Middle School Youth group for grades 6–8 on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and a High School Youth group on Sundays from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Confirmation preparation for grades 6–12 is offered for those who have not yet been confirmed. Communication with RE and youth families is run primarily through Flocknote (text stjude to 84576 or visit flocknote.com/stjudelakewood).
- Middle School Youth (grades 6–8): Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 p.m.
- High School Youth: Sundays 12:30–2:00 p.m.
- Confirmation classes for grades 6–12
- Flocknote used for primary family communication
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Lay liturgical participation is central to the parish's identity, in keeping with its founding culture. Volunteer liturgical ministers include altar servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, greeters and ushers, sound ministers, and members of the Art and Environment committee. The music ministry is led by Music Coordinator Ed Dill and supported by three accompanists: Diane Wieland, Emily Keelan, and Theodore Foelker.
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors (Readers of the Word)
- Greeters and Ushers
- Sound Ministry
- Art and Environment
- Music Coordinator: Ed Dill
- Accompanists: Diane Wieland, Emily Keelan, Theodore Foelker
Parish Groups, Prayer Communities & Service
St. Jude's more than two dozen active groups span prayer, fellowship, study, and service. Prayer and devotion groups include the Light of God Prayer Community, Fellowship of Light, Militia Immaculata (total consecration to Mary), Our Lady of Perpetual Help Rosary Makers, and the Respect Life Rosary. Service and outreach include the Christian Service Committee, Catholic Daughters, the Raphael Book Club, St. Francis Sewing Circle, the parish Rosary Garden, Communion to the Homebound, Volunteers of America Sack Lunch Sunday, and Knights of Columbus Council 16052. The parish is also a tithing parish that gives monthly to outside organizations.
- Light of God Prayer Community
- Fellowship of Light
- Militia Immaculata
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Rosary Makers
- Respect Life Rosary
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Christian Service Committee
- Catholic Daughters
- Raphael Book Club
- St. Francis Sewing Circle
- Rosary Garden
- Communion to the Homebound
- Prime Timers (seniors)
- Knights of Columbus Council 16052
- Volunteers of America Sack Lunch Sunday
- Serra Club of Southwest Denver
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick, plus funerals. Children's sacraments follow the Archdiocese of Denver's Restored Order (Reconciliation in 2nd grade; Confirmation and First Eucharist in 3rd grade), with two years of formal preparation. Adults preparing for initiation are served through OCIA (formerly RCIA). Confessions are heard every Saturday from 3:30–4:30 p.m., on Thursday mornings during Lent, by appointment, and at the Advent and Lent parish penance services.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturday 3:30–4:30 p.m., Lenten Thursday 8:30–9:30 a.m., by appointment, Advent/Lent penance service
- Confirmation (Restored Order) — 3rd grade; classes for 6th–12th grade; adults via OCIA
- First Holy Communion — alongside Confirmation in 3rd grade
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals
Get Involved & Stay Connected
Visitors and newcomers are welcomed to register with the parish, sign up for Flocknote (text stjude to 84576 or visit flocknote.com/stjudelakewood) for announcements, follow the parish Facebook page, read the weekly bulletin, and listen to 'St. Jude Parish Chatter' — a weekly reflection podcast hosted by Fr. Jason Thuerauf and Deacon Joe Hensley about the weekend readings and parish life. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Parish Registration
- Flocknote — text stjude to 84576
- Weekly bulletin and bulletin archive
- St. Jude Parish Chatter podcast (Fr. Thuerauf & Deacon Hensley)
- Parish Facebook page
- Parish Calendar
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Donate (online giving linked on site)
Visit & Contact
St. Jude Catholic Parish is located at 9405 W Florida Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado 80232. The parish office can be reached at 303-988-6435 (fax 303-988-6438) or by email at [email protected]. The mailing address and the physical address are the same.
- Address: 9405 W Florida Ave, Lakewood, CO 80232
- Phone: 303-988-6435
- Fax: 303-988-6438
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William 'Bill' Sievers1967 – founding pastor
Founding pastor; organized the parish as 27 'little parishes' led by couples while the church was being built; presided over the first Mass in the new church on Dec. 20, 1969.
- Rev. Robert 'Bob' Kinkel (later Msgr. Robert Kinkel)Served as pastor for 12 years; returned in 2015; reassigned July 1, 2022
Led the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2017 with Archbishop Aquila; credited with reinforcing the parish's lay-participation culture; listed in the Archdiocese of Denver's July 1, 2022 reassignment of pastors.
- Rev. Jason E. ThueraufEffective July 1, 2022 – present
Assigned as pastor of St. Jude, Lakewood, in the Archdiocese of Denver's official July 1, 2022 priest appointments; co-hosts the weekly 'St. Jude Parish Chatter' reflection series.