About University of Mary Washington John Bosco Center · Fredericksburg, Virginia
The University of Mary Washington John Bosco Center (commonly called the UMW Catholic Student Center) is the Catholic Campus Ministry chapel serving the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the nearby Germanna Community College. Operated under the Diocese of Arlington, the ministry is housed at 1614 College Avenue and is dedicated to Saint John Bosco, patron of young people. It offers Sunday and weekday Mass, Eucharistic adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, OCIA (catechumenate), Bible studies, a student leadership team, weekly Thursday and Sunday suppers, and a Works of Mercy outreach program. The current Chaplain and Director is Father Richard (Fr. Rich) Miserendino, supported by a small staff and a student leadership council.
- Established
- 2017 (building formally renamed and dedicated as St. John Bosco Center, September 7, 2017; Catholic Campus Ministry at UMW predates the renaming)
- Patron
- Saint John Bosco (1815–1888), Italian priest and educator, patron of young people
- Rector
- Rev. Richard (Fr. Rich) Miserendino — Chaplain & Director
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
UMW Catholic Campus Ministry exists to give students a genuine second home while they are studying in Fredericksburg. The community gathers around daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, then builds friendships through Thursday and Sunday community suppers, a Works of Mercy service program, Bible studies, a student leadership team, and annual traditions like the Eucharistic procession and all-night adoration. Whether a student is a lifelong Catholic, returning to the faith, or simply curious, the center offers formation, real friendships, and concrete opportunities to encounter Jesus and serve those in need on and off campus.
Mass times at University of Mary Washington John Bosco Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 3:30–4:00 PM (30 minutes before Mass, in the chapel)
- Tuesday 3:30–4:00 PM (30 minutes before Mass, in the chapel)
- Thursday 3:30–4:00 PM (30 minutes before Mass, in the chapel)
- Friday 11:45 AM–12:15 PM (30 minutes before Mass, in the chapel)
- Additional confession opportunities posted during the academic year and special events
Adoration times
- Friday 12:45 PM – 5:00 PM in the chapel of the Student Center (per published directory)
- Tuesday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the chapel (per third-party listing)
- Thursday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the chapel (per third-party listing)
- Annual all-night Eucharistic adoration with Benediction following the September Eucharistic procession
Welcome from the Chaplain
In his welcome letter, Fr. Rich Miserendino invites students at UMW and Germanna Community College to find at the St. John Bosco Center 'a community of good friends gathered in God's grace.' He frames CCM as a place where students can encounter God and be challenged to grow in a life of faith and virtue.
- Goal: help students recognize their God-given purpose and learn to serve God and neighbor.
- Rooted in 2,000 years of Catholic tradition, Scripture, the Sacraments, and beautiful liturgical worship.
About the St. John Bosco Center
The St. John Bosco Center is the 'headquarters' of Catholic Campus Ministry at UMW. It provides a large multipurpose room for Sunday Mass and social events, a separate Daily Mass chapel, a student lounge for socializing and formation, a full kitchen, a conference room for meetings, and staff offices. The St. Dominic Savio House, next door, is used for OCIA, Bible studies, and other events.
- Multipurpose room — Sunday Mass and social events
- Daily Mass chapel — weekday Mass and prayer between classes
- Student lounge — Bible Study, OCIA, fellowship, study
- Full kitchen — supports Thursday and Sunday Suppers
- Conference room — staff and student meetings
- St. Dominic Savio House (adjacent) — OCIA, Bible studies, events
History: From Catholic Student Center to St. John Bosco Center
The ministry has been present at UMW for many years. The modern chapter began in 2014 when Fr. Christopher T. Vaccaro was appointed chaplain and director. In 2017, the building was formally renamed the St. John Bosco Center in honor of the 19th-century Italian saint, and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge led its dedication on September 7, 2017, followed by the first annual Eucharistic procession and all-night adoration.
- 2014 — Fr. Christopher T. Vaccaro becomes chaplain and director.
- Summer 2017 — Bishop Burbidge approves the renaming of the building to St. John Bosco Center.
- September 7, 2017 — Formal dedication of the center by Bishop Burbidge; inaugural Eucharistic procession and all-night adoration begins.
- Today — annual procession and all-night adoration is student-led via the liturgy committee.
Our Staff
The ministry is led by a priest-chaplain and a small lay staff who together shepherd the spiritual, musical, and administrative life of CCM at UMW.
- Rev. Richard (Fr. Rich) Miserendino — Chaplain & Director
- Jane Baker — Associate Campus Minister
- Matt Lewis — Associate Campus Minister
- Ashleigh Messer — Music Director / Campus Minister
- Christie Daniels — Bookkeeper
Student Leadership Team
Students take the lead in running the community, with dedicated roles for prayer, service, and the weekly community suppers.
- Amy Crisp — President
- Adrian Anderson — Vice President
- Marcus Flanagan — Prayer & Liturgy
- Olivia Price — Works of Mercy
- David Rotes — Works of Mercy
- Ella Griffon — Thursday Suppers
- Clare Henzel — Sunday Suppers
Sacraments and Faith Formation
Frequent reception of the sacraments is at the heart of CCM. In addition to Mass, Confession, and Adoration, the center offers OCIA for inquirers and catechumens preparing to enter the Catholic Church.
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Mass)
- Reconciliation (before weekday Masses and by appointment)
- Eucharistic Adoration (weekly and annually in September)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (St. Dominic Savio House and St. John Bosco Center)
Bible Studies and Formation
Small-group Bible studies gather weekly for prayerful study of Scripture, deep conversation, and lasting friendships. The St. Dominic Savio House, next door to the St. John Bosco Center, hosts many of these sessions.
- Weekly small-group Bible studies
- Open to students of every background and level of faith knowledge
- Designed to build deep friendships and grow in prayer and understanding of the faith
Works of Mercy and Service
The Works of Mercy committee, led by student leaders, coordinates service and outreach to those in need on campus and in the wider Fredericksburg community, putting the Gospel call to love neighbor into concrete action.
- Student leaders: Olivia Price and David Rotes
- Service opportunities on and off campus
- Connected to the ministry's broader goal of recognizing Christ in the neighbor
Community Life: Thursday and Sunday Suppers
Shared meals are a hallmark of the ministry. Thursday Suppers and Sunday Suppers are organized by student leaders and supported by alumni and parent volunteers who help prepare and serve food, giving students a regular place to gather, eat, and build friendships in Christ.
- Thursday Suppers — student-led by Ella Griffon
- Sunday Suppers — student-led by Clare Henzel
- Volunteer support welcomed via [email protected]
Music and Liturgy
Beautiful liturgical worship is one of the defining gifts of CCM. The music ministry supports Sunday Mass, holy days, and special liturgies, including the annual Eucharistic procession.
- Music Director / Campus Minister: Ashleigh Messer
- Student Prayer & Liturgy committee led by Marcus Flanagan
- Involves both liturgical and choral music at Mass and special events
Alumni Community
UMW CCM maintains a robust alumni network, inviting former students to stay connected, support the ministry financially, and volunteer (especially with preparing Thursday and Sunday suppers).
- Facebook and Instagram alumni groups
- Email updates for alumni
- Volunteer opportunities (meal prep, etc.)
- Donations to support the ministry
Diocese of Arlington
The UMW John Bosco Center is one of several Catholic Campus Ministries supported by the Diocese of Arlington's Office of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministries, alongside ministries at George Mason University, Marymount University, Christendom College, and Shenandoah University. It is formally listed in the diocesan directory under the chaplain and staff above.
- Diocese: Arlington (Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at time of dedication)
- Also serves students from Germanna Community College
- Connected to the diocesan Office of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministries
Getting Involved
Whether a student is looking to deepen their prayer life, find community, serve others, or simply explore the Catholic faith, the St. John Bosco Center invites them to come to a Mass, supper, Bible study, or event. Visitors, seekers, and lifelong Catholics are all welcome.
- Attend Sunday or weekday Mass
- Join a Bible study small group
- Come to Thursday or Sunday Supper
- Sign up for OCIA (if not yet Catholic)
- Volunteer for the Works of Mercy service program
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Christopher T. Vaccaro2014 – c.2023
Appointed Chaplain and Director in 2014; oversaw the 2017 renaming and dedication of the St. John Bosco Center by Bishop Burbidge; founded the annual Eucharistic procession and all-night adoration tradition at UMW; has a personal devotion to St. John Bosco and founded the Associates of St. John Bosco.
- Rev. Richard (Fr. Rich) Miserendinoc.2023 – present
Current Chaplain & Director. A native of Burke, Virginia; studied Physics, Mathematics, and Music Performance at the University of Rochester / Eastman School of Music; entered seminary in 2009 at St. Charles Borromeo and the Pontifical North American College; holds degrees from the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum); previously served at St. Agnes and St. Bernadette Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Arlington.