St. Jude

About St. Jude Catholic Church, Mineral

St. Jude Catholic Church, founded in 1974 in Mineral, Virginia, is the parish church for the Catholic community of Louisa County in the Central Piedmont of Virginia. It is partnered with the older mission church of Immaculate Conception in Buckner (founded 1876), and together the two worship sites are served by one pastor — currently Father Peter Calixtus Barfi ('Father Cal') — and two permanent deacons. The parish sits on the south shore of Lake Anna, about halfway between Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, and Richmond.

• Founded: 1974
• Diocese: Catholic Diocese of Richmond, Deanery 10
• Mailing Address: 1937 Davis Highway, Mineral, VA 23117-0040
• Phone: (540) 894-4266
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

History & 50th Anniversary

Founded in 1974, St. Jude grew from a small congregation into a 500+ family parish serving all 514 square miles of Louisa County. Longtime parishioner Alona Wiedel has been with St. Jude since its founding. The parish weathered a major setback in September 2014 when fire destroyed the parish hall; parishioners rebuilt it through their own generosity. On December 8, 2024, Bishop Barry C. Knestout concelebrated the 50th anniversary Mass with Father Cal, retired pastor Father Michael Duffy (17 years of service), Father Walter Wagner, and Deacons Alfonso Benet, Tom Fursman, and Liem Do.

• 1974: Parish founded
• Sept. 2014: Parish hall destroyed by fire; rebuilt by parishioners
• July 2023: Father Peter Calixtus Barfi ('Father Cal') arrives as pastor
• Dec. 8, 2024: 50th anniversary Mass with Bishop Barry C. Knestout

Clergy, Staff & Parish Councils

Parish leadership includes Pastor Father Peter Calixtus Barfi, Permanent Deacons Alfonso Benet and Tom Fursman, an Office Manager, Business Manager, Coordinator of Religious Education, Music Coordinator, and a strong team of lay-led councils. St. Jude's active councils include Finance, Pastoral, Community Life, Worship, and Social Ministry, each with a named chairperson.

• Pastor: Rev. Peter Calixtus Barfi (Fr. Cal)
• Permanent Deacons: Rev. Mr. Alfonso Benet, Rev. Mr. Thomas Fursman
• Office Manager: Peggy Heeke ([email protected])
• Business Manager / Bookkeeper: Mary Jensen ([email protected])
• Coordinator of Religious Education: Jody Sowa ([email protected])
• Music Coordinator: Becky Snyder
• Music Director / Catholic Mothers Ministry: Lauren Cunningham Headley
• Facility Director (St. Jude): Dan Schoenster
• Cemetery Director (St. Jude): Deacon Tom Fursman
• Finance Council Chair: Martin Ried
• Pastoral Council Chair: Scott Jensen
• Community Life: Rosemarie Ayres
• Worship: Ron Brassard
• Social Ministry Chair: Becky Chidester

Sacraments

The parish celebrates all the usual sacraments and asks families to begin sacramental preparation well in advance. Couples should contact the parish at least six months before a wedding.

• Baptism — call/email the parish office; first-time parents meet Fr. Calixtus first
• First Communion — contact the Coordinator of Religious Education
• Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturdays 4:00–4:45 PM, or by appointment
• Anointing of the Sick — call the office to schedule a visit with Fr. Calixtus
• Marriage — at least 6 months advance notice; meeting with Fr. Calixtus or a deacon
• Hospital Visits — call the office so Fr. Calixtus can be notified or visit

Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD)

Children's faith formation at St. Jude follows the Diocesan curriculum, with CCD classes meeting for about 45 minutes on Sunday mornings during the school year. Classes are held at both St. Jude and Immaculate Conception, and weekly attendance is expected. Registration for the following school year typically opens in spring, and catechists, assistants, and substitutes are always needed.

• CCD classes: Sundays 9:30–10:45 AM (school year)
• Curriculum: Diocesan grade-level standards
• Coordinator of Religious Education: Jody Sowa ([email protected])
• Registration open for 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 school years

RCIA — Becoming Catholic

Adults interested in joining the Catholic Church participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), a joint program of St. Jude and Immaculate Conception parishes that runs for a year or more. It includes unbaptized adults preparing for baptism, as well as already-baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, and combines teaching, worship, and prayer with the support of a sponsor and the wider parish community.

• Contact: Father Cal at (540) 894-4266

Social Ministry & Outreach

The Social Ministry is a combined ministry of parishioners from St. Jude and Immaculate Conception, grounded in the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching. It promotes Catholic social teaching in the parish and surrounding community through involvement, education, advocacy, and direct outreach to the poor — partnering with local agencies such as the Louisa Resource Council, area pregnancy centers, and the local Food Bank, and running events like 'Meals of Hope' meal-packaging days.

• Chair: Becky Chidester — (703) 582-0827
• Volunteers needed year-round for collection drives and outreach events
• Annual 'Meals of Hope' packaging event (e.g. July 19, 2025 — 35,000+ meals packaged)
• Collection drives for Resource Council and local Pregnancy Centers
• Baby-items collection drive each May with the Catholic Mothers Ministry

Music, Worship & Liturgy

Music and liturgical worship at St. Jude are coordinated by a Music Coordinator and Music Director, supported by a Worship committee and a team of parish musicians. The Worship committee (chaired by Ron Brassard) coordinates the liturgical ministries of the parish.

• Music Coordinator: Becky Snyder ([email protected])
• Music Director: Lauren Cunningham Headley
• Worship Committee Chair: Ron Brassard
• Parish musicians volunteer to serve at weekend and holy day Masses

Catholic Mothers Ministry & Family Life

The Catholic Mothers Ministry supports mothers and families in the parish through fellowship, service, and joint outreach projects with the Social Ministry. It is currently led by Lauren Cunningham Headley.

• Lead: Lauren Cunningham Headley ([email protected])
• Annual baby-items collection drive each May for local mothers in need

Children, Youth & Vacation Bible School

Beyond Sunday CCD classes, the parish runs an annual Vacation Bible School (VBS) and supports a Youth Group. Adult volunteers — catechists, assistants, substitutes, and VBS helpers — are recruited each year.

• VBS 2026: June 22–27 (volunteers needed)
• Youth Group activities listed in the weekly bulletin
• Contact: Jody Sowa at [email protected]

St. Jude Cemetery

St. Jude Cemetery is located on the parish grounds at 1937 Davis Highway, Mineral, VA 23117, and shares the parish phone number. It is directed by Permanent Deacon Tom Fursman.

• Cemetery Name: St. Jude Cemetery
• Phone: (540) 894-4266
• Location: 1937 Davis Highway, Mineral, VA 23117
• Director: Rev. Mr. Tom Fursman

Getting Involved & Contact

St. Jude's small size means there is room for nearly anyone who wants to serve. Parishioners are routinely invited to volunteer for Religious Education, Social Ministry outreach, music, the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, parish councils, and seasonal projects. The parish office is the best first stop for any newcomer or visitor.

• Parish Office: 1937 Davis Highway, Mineral, VA 23117-0040
• Phone: (540) 894-4266
• Office Email: [email protected]
• Rectory (Fr. Cal): (540) 894-8209 / [email protected]
• Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Sunday Office Hours (in the Parish Hall): 10:00–11:00 AM
• Weekly bulletin available at louisacatholics.org

Special Ministry: Lake Anna Summer Residents

Because roughly one-third of registered families are seasonal members who split time between homes at Lake Anna and elsewhere, the Diocese of Richmond lists a 'Lake Anna Summer Residents' special ministry for St. Jude — making the parish a spiritual home for part-year neighbors and visitors to the lake region.