A Parish at Beulah and Hopkins
St. Augustine Catholic Church sits at the corner of Beulah and Hopkins Roads in northern Chesterfield County, just south of Richmond. The parish describes its own mission as providing "a community where people of all nations can encounter Christ through the proclamation of the Word of God, the celebration of the Sacraments and service of our brothers and sisters." The phrase "people of all nations" is more than a motto: weekend Mass is celebrated in both English and Spanish, faith formation runs in both languages, and a wide range of English-speaking and Hispanic ministries fill the parish calendar side by side.
The church building stands at 4400 Beulah Road, and the parish office is on the left side of the church. Visitors coming from Interstate 95 take the Chippenham exit, drive about three miles, exit onto Hopkins Road, turn left at the first light, and continue to the third traffic light before turning right. The church sits on the corner on the right side of the road.
A Bilingual Weekend: Five Masses from Saturday Evening through Sunday Afternoon
The weekend Mass schedule is one of the clearest signs of the parish's bilingual character. Saturday brings Mass in English at 5:00 PM and Mass in Spanish at 7:00 PM. On Sunday, the parish gathers for Mass in English at 9:00 AM and for two Masses in Spanish, at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Five weekend Masses across two languages give most visitors a choice of language and time.
Weekday Mass in English is celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 9:00 AM. Thursday evening adds a Mass in Spanish at 7:00 PM, followed by Adoration. On the first Friday of every month, the 7:00 PM Mass in Spanish is celebrated with Nocturnal Adoration. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Thursday during Adoration, on Saturday from 3:45 to 4:45 PM, and again on Saturday from 6:00 to 6:45 PM. Confessions are heard in the chapel.
The Seven Sacraments
St. Augustine celebrates all seven Catholic Sacraments and walks parishioners through the preparation each one requires.
Baptism
Infant baptism (children under seven) takes place on the first Sunday of every month. English baptisms follow the 8:30 AM Mass and Spanish baptisms follow the 1:15 PM Mass. Parents complete a Baptism Information form, attend a Baptism Preparation session, and choose one or two godparents who are confirmed Catholics at least sixteen years old and living a life consistent with the faith. A godparent may not be the child's parent, and if two are chosen, they must be one man and one woman, in keeping with Church law. Baptisms of older children and adults go through the parish's adapted initiation process.
Reconciliation
The parish teaches that Catholics come to this sacrament for forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism, drawing on gospel stories like the Prodigal Son, Zaccheus, and the woman caught in adultery to explain the gift of mercy. A how-to video walks visitors through the rite for anyone who does not remember what to say.
Holy Eucharist
The Eucharist is celebrated at every Mass: through the prayer of the priest and the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus. First Communion preparation typically begins around age seven or eight, in second grade, and is paired with First Reconciliation. Adults who have not yet been baptized, or who were baptized in another Christian tradition, prepare for First Communion through the RCIA process.
Confirmation
Confirmation is celebrated by the bishop, who anoints the candidate with chrism and invokes the Holy Spirit. In the Diocese of Richmond, baptized Catholic youth prepare for Confirmation once they are fifteen and entering the sophomore year of high school. Younger students who want to learn the faith first are directed to EDGE and LIFETEEN. Adults who have not yet been confirmed contact the parish office to begin preparation.
Holy Orders
The parish describes Holy Orders as the sacrament through which bishops, priests, and deacons continue the apostolic ministry entrusted by Christ. Men discerning a vocation are invited to speak with a priest or contact the Diocese of Richmond's Vocation Office.
Matrimony
The parish asks couples to contact the office six to nine months before their intended wedding date.
Anointing of the Sick
Once thought of as "last rites," Anointing of the Sick is offered to anyone facing serious illness. The parish invites anyone in need to ask the priest after Mass or to call the office; in an emergency, callers can press 5 on the parish voicemail to be transferred immediately to a priest's phone.
Christian Formation for Children and Youth
The parish runs Christian Formation programs for Grades 1 through 12, September through May. Topics include God, Jesus Christ, Liturgy and the Sacraments, the moral life, prayer, and Mary and the Saints. Families choose a track that fits their schedule and language preference.
Children in Grades 1 through 5 choose one of three groups or a home-study option. Group A meets three Sundays a month from 9:45 to 11:00 AM in English. Group B meets three Sundays a month from 2:30 to 3:45 PM and welcomes both English and Spanish speakers. Group C meets three Mondays a month from 6:45 to 8:00 PM in English, and is reserved for children preparing for First Communion and Reconciliation. The home-study track has families complete the material at home and check in at the parish office three times a year.
Grades 6 through 12 are served by EDGE (middle school) and LIFETEEN (high school), both meeting three Mondays a month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in English, with a home-study alternative. Sacramental preparation for older students happens within these programs.
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
Candidates are baptized Catholics age seven or older who can distinguish right from wrong, experience remorse for sin, forgive others, pray at home and at Mass, have a relationship with Jesus, and have expressed a desire to receive the Sacraments. Preparation includes Sunday Mass participation, enrollment in religious education or attendance at a Catholic school, two parent meetings, classroom sessions from September through May, a celebration of Reconciliation before First Communion, and a final prayer service and rehearsal. The parish posts First Communion Mass dates on its calendar.
Confirmation Preparation
Candidates begin at age fifteen, in the sophomore year of high school, as required by the Diocese of Richmond. The preparation path includes Sunday Mass participation, enrollment in religious education or Catholic school, an information session for parents and godparents, Monday-evening sessions from September through May, a Confirmation Retreat, the Rite of Presentation at Mass, rehearsal, and the celebration of Reconciliation before Confirmation.
Older Children and the RCIC
Children and youth seven and older who have not been baptized enter RCIC, the children's adaptation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. They attend religious education sessions and walk through the rites of acceptance, sending, election, scrutinies, and the preparation rites before receiving the three Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist - at Easter.
Adults: RCIA and Adult Sacramental Preparation
Adults interested in becoming Catholic or completing their Sacraments of Initiation are welcomed into the parish Sacramental Preparation program for Adults. Catechumens and candidates learn the teachings of the Church, develop a personal relationship with Christ, have their questions answered, and prepare for reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Inquiries go through Amanda Roberts in the parish office. A parallel Spanish-language program, Sacramentos de Iniciación para Adultos, is also coordinated through the office.
Ministries in English
Parish life beyond the sanctuary is organized into a wide range of ministries. Most meet weekly or monthly.
WINGS - Women in God's Spirit gathers every Wednesday from 9:45 to 11:45 AM for prayer, music, scripture study, life sharing, and fellowship. The group exists to give women of the parish and surrounding community a welcoming, safe place to share their faith, discover their gifts, and grow in the Spirit with the support of other women. Sharon Harrison moderates WINGS.
Bible Study meets on Tuesday at 9:30 AM, after the daily Mass, for a discussion of the Gospel for the coming Sunday. All are welcome to participate.
Food Pantry operates out of the auxiliary building beside the rectory. Clients are referred through CCHASM, a volunteer agency, or through the parish office, and receive non-perishable food and fresh items on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, or as need dictates. Cathie Mason coordinates the ministry.
St. Augustine Catholic Church Choir is a group of twenty-six men and women who sing at liturgies under the direction of Kathy Musselman. Rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the church, and new members aged sixteen and up are invited to join. As St. Augustine himself wrote, "He who sings, prays twice."
Hospital Ministry brings Eucharistic Ministers to Chippenham Hospital in even-numbered months to bring Communion to patients and the reminder that Christ is "Emmanuel, God with us." Volunteers can sign up through the parish office.
Poor Box Breakfast is held on the third Sunday of each month from September through May. All proceeds purchase items for the parish food pantry. The breakfast has been part of parish life for almost thirty years. Kathy Jones coordinates cooking, setup, and serving.
Women's Guild raises money through raffles and a Christmas Bazaar and carries out a quieter ministry of parish care: prayer shawls for those in need, lap robes for the Little Sisters and the Hispanic Confirmation class, and quilts for families at the time of a first baby's birth. Janet Bettinger and Diane DePlato lead the Guild.
Ministerios en Español
Spanish-language ministries are equally visible in the parish's life.
Hijas de María is a recently established ministry for women, offering a space for spiritual growth and reflection on the gifts, virtues, and charisms of women of faith - women who give of themselves to their families and communities and who, in turn, deserve to be listened to, valued, and accompanied. Mary Luz Jaramillo, Eva Reyes, and Wendy Villeda lead the ministry.
Ministerio de Discípulos Generosos matches willing volunteers with the practical needs of the parish. Francisco Hernández is the coordinator, with Blanca Cañas as sub-coordinator.
Escuela de Evangelización San Andrés forms new evangelizers for the new evangelization, drawing on the example of the apostle Andrew, who, in John 1:40-42, sought out those who would go on to serve the Lord. The school offers the Juan course as a prerequisite for the more advanced Tito course.
Coro Ministry includes seven choirs that serve Sunday liturgies and holy days: Nacidos Para Alabar, Revelación del Espíritu Santo, Talmir, Angelus, Jesús Eucaristía, Asunción de María, and Jóvenes Para Cristo. Each choir has its own coordinator and contact number.
Hermandad Guadalupana meets monthly and visits homes every Monday with a pilgrim image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, carrying out the work of the first evangelizer, the Mother of God who intercedes with her Son. Lorenzo Tista coordinates the brotherhood, with Lizbeth Bravo as secretary.
Communications, Livestream, and Giving
The parish livestreams recent Masses on YouTube, with one playlist for the most recent Mass in English and another for the most recent Mass in Spanish. Weekly bulletins are available in PDF form, with the most recent issue and an archive going back to 2025. Parishioners can sign up for Flocknote to receive announcements by email and text message.
Online giving is available through ParishSoft. Throughout the year the parish takes up regular second collections for the Building Our Future fund, Catholic Relief Services, and the Annual Diocesan Appeal.
Clergy and Staff
St. Augustine is served by a pastor, two deacons, and a full office and ministry staff. Father Wayne Ball is the pastor and can be reached through the parish office at extension 119. The two deacons are Eric Broughton and Ramon Rivera. Liliana Gutierrez is the Coordinator of Christian Formation. Together they lead the spiritual life of the parish and the work of forming new members in the faith.
Visiting the Parish
The parish office is open during the week at (804) 275-7962, with a fax line at (804) 271-4604. The most recent bulletins, the parish calendar, daily readings, and announcements are all available. For those unable to attend in person, the parish livestreams Mass on YouTube and welcomes online giving through ParishSoft.