Local

A parish in three stages

Dave Borowski | Catholic Herald

St. Jude Parish in Fredericksburg will move to their new, interim location in December.

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Fr. David Martin, pastor of St. Jude Church, meets with director of faith formation, Joyce Franklin

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A sign marks the 25 acres that will be the permanent home for St. Jude Parish in three to 10 years.

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If you are attending Mass at St. Jude Church in
Fredericksburg
for the first time it could be hard to
find. No cross sits atop of steeple – there’s no steeple. The
only way you would know it’s a Catholic church would be by
the large sign above the door and front window. And the sign
could say “Dave’s Auto Parts,” as easily as it says “St. Jude
Roman Catholic Church.” The church, once home to a health
club, shares space in the strip mall with a bank. The parish
worships, and meets for things like religious education, in
one big room. In December, they’ll move to their interim home
in space once occupied by Extreme Powersports, which sold
motorcycles and jet skis. There’s a pattern here.

“We’ve built up our spiritual muscle,” laughed Father David
L. Martin, pastor.

At 16,000 square feet, with parking for more than 100 cars,
the new space is bigger and, according to Father Martin, “it
looks more like a church.” The new space also will house the
parish office, which is now several miles away in another
rented space. Father Martin lives in a rectory miles away
from both sites.

But even this new space is temporary – three to 10 years. The
new church will be built on 25 acres of land that Father
Martin purchased in 2005.

Looking at the site one sees only a sign that reads “Future
site of St. Jude Roman Catholic Church.” You need to use your
imagination to see a place of worship. There are trees and a
road, actually two tire marks formed by vehicles driving
deeper into the property. But Father Martin sees a church
there.

He envisioned a new church when he was pastor of St. Isidore
the Farmer Parish in Orange. He got as far as breaking ground
there, but didn’t see the church completed before he was
reassigned.

“It’s very exciting to be in on the ground floor of the
establishing of a parish,” said Father Martin. “It’s an
awesome responsibility, but very exciting.”

The parish has been at its current location since becoming a
mission parish in 2003. Four years later, Arlington Bishop
Paul S. Loverde established St. Jude as a parish, making it
the 68th in the diocese.

Father Martin, ordained a Stigmatine priest in 1973, began
service in the Arlington Diocese at St. Mary Parish in
Fredericksburg in 1987. In 1988, he was assigned to St. John
the Evangelist Parish in Warrenton. He moved to St. Anthony
of Padua Parish in Falls Church in 1989, followed by
assignments at Church of the Nativity in Burke in 1983 and
then at St. John Parish in Orange in 1995, until it combined
with St. Mark Parish in Gordonsville to form St. Isidore the
Farmer in 2002.

In 1991, he was incardinated into the diocese and has served
as a parish priest ever since.

St. Jude is raising money to build the church through a
capital campaign. They hope to raise $3 million and so far
have $1.5 million pledged.

“Over 40 percent of parishioners have responded (to the
campaign),” Father Martin said. “I hope in five years the
church is finished.”

The parish community is new, but it’s strong and
committed.

Corita O’Brien and her husband, Hugh, have been parishioners
since the mission church was formed.

“It’s a most welcoming and vibrant parish,” said Corita. “If
(people) come and get involved, they realize it’s a great
place.”

Corita helps run the dinners at the Thurman Brisben Homeless
Shelter in Fredericksburg and says she’s not lacking for
volunteers. Parishioners seek out volunteer
opportunities.

Many parishioners see Father Martin as the lynchpin of the
parish.

“If someone is in the hospital, he’s right there,” said Hugh.
“He builds community.”

Being so new, the parish is still finding its identity.

For many parishioners, being a member of St. Jude is watching
a work in process.

“It’s as if the Holy Spirit asked us to help build this
parish,” said Corita.

Next week’s profile

St. John Bosco in Woodstock

Quick facts

St. Jude Parish

10800 B Courthouse Rd.

Fredericksburg, Va. 22408

540/891-7350

Address (Mid-December)

10725 Courthouse Rd.

Fredericksburg, Va. 22407

Pastor: Fr. David L. Martin

Deacons: Robert F. Borchert, Robert A. Lyons

DRE: Joyce Franklin

Mass Schedule:

Sat.: 5 p.m. vigil

Sun: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

Mon., Tues., Wed.: 9 a.m.

Fri.: 12:15 p.m.

Parishioners: 1,648

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