Who We Are
St. Jude Maronite Catholic Church is a vibrant, faith-filled parish located in Taylorsville, Utah. Founded in 1980, our community is rooted in the Maronite Catholic tradition — an ancient and beautiful expression of the Catholic faith. We welcome everyone seeking to deepen their relationship with Christ through prayer, fellowship, and service.
Finding a Home
Through the generosity of Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal and Father Mark Benvegnu, the Maronite community acquired the former St. Vincent de Paul Church building in Murray. Dedicated to St. Jude, the patron saint of desperate cases, the mission became St. Jude Maronite Catholic Parish on April 12, 1980.
Father Jonathon (William) Decker was the second priest assigned to St. Jude Church. Under Father Decker's loving care, properties to the side of the Church were purchased, and improvements to the rectory and church buildings were done. The buildings were not the only part of St. Jude's to receive improvements, however. Father Decker's love for God and our Holy Mother shone in everything he did. In Father's humble way, he imparted an even deeper spirituality into the hearts and souls of the community. The social life of the parish also grew, and the community continued a tradition started by Chorbishop Trad. The very first Lebanese Festival, begun as a Spaghetti Dinner, flourished as the ladies of the community prepared mouth-watering Lebanese food for family and friends. The good food and dancing at the Annual Lebanese Festival, or 'Haffi' was one that all looked forward to.
Father Joubran Bou-Merhi was the next to grace St. Jude with his leadership and presence for eighteen years. He nourished us with the Bread of Life, forgave our sins, baptized and married us, and buried our loved ones. This can be said of all our priests, but because of his tenure, Father Joubran touched almost all of the community members we now have. He loves chanting, and encouraged the congregation to participate in the beautiful Maronite liturgical music. Many a homily of his was enhanced by litte 'sayings' he had picked up. Hospital ministry throughout the Valley was something he loved, and if ever a parishioner was sick we could count on him being at our bedside with the Sacraments. Father Joubran carefully watched over the growth of St. Jude, and always said this community was his family.
When one good priest leaves, our Dearest God sees fit to send us another to be a Good Shepherd to this little flock at St. Jude's Church. Chorbishop William Leser was welcomed as our Temporary Administrator. Another humble "Father Bill', as he also introduced himself, worked his way into the hearts of the community in just a short time. Chorbishop Bill brought almost 50 years of Priesthood experience to our little Church. Chorbishop William Leser was a Judicial Vicar for both our Maronite Eparchy, and the Roman Diocese of Los Angeles, and when not helping a parishioner or visiting the sick at either the Intermountain Medical Center or at the St. Mark's Hospital one saw him busy at his desk working on various cases. He taught us well, and started an RCIA class on Tuesday nights.
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Each of our priests has blessed us in special ways, and our Church has grown in so many different ways under the guidance of each priest. We are a small, but intimate congregation - united by our love of God, the Catholic Church, and our Maronite Faith and Traditions. Perhaps our numbers have not grown in leaps and bounds, but our spirit reaches beyond the walls of the Church building.
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St. Jude, we remain always under your protection and always look to your intercession to keep your little church, in Taylorsville united under God and His Mother.
Monsignor John Trad was reassigned, five years and one day later than his arrival, on January 25, 1981, to St. Teresa of the Little Flower, in Brockton, Massachusetts. He had accomplished his mission in Utah, seeing the little Mission become a Parish only eight months earlier. After his reassignment, Monsignor Trad was elevated to a Chorbishop. Chorbishop John Trad touched many lives during his priesthood. On November 11, 2002 Chorbishop John Trad passed away. May God grant eternal rest and peace to his soul.
Then came Father Anthony Spinosa. Father Spinosa came to St. Jude's in 1984, and contributed to our growth until 1987. Father Anthony also looked after the physical improvements to our little church and parking lots. With his guidance, in 1985, a group of St. Jude parishioners brought our Lebanese Food to the public, at the very first "Living Traditions Festival" held at This Is The Place Monument in Salt Lake City. The Anton Family Band added to the Lebanese presence by supplying traditional Lebanese music for that Festival. St Jude Church, and the Anton Family Band have participated every year in each Festival since then. The beauty of Father Anthony's love for our dearest Mother Mary, and his devotion to our rich Maronite heritage showed in every celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
Monsignor William Bonczewski, a holy priest of 35 years, served us for just one month shy of three years! Father Bill, as he humbly introduced himself, captivated the hearts of our St. Jude's community. In his short time here he was busy organizing all areas of the Church and Rectory. Under his watchful eye our Sanctuary has had a beautiful renovation, with the addition of wood flooring in the High Altar area, and tile flooring with a mosaic design on the Bema area. A new back High Altar with a white marble top was built to hold the Tabernacle; and a marble backdrop designed for behind the Tabernacle. At the entrance to the Church, our beautiful statue of St. Joseph holding the Child Jesus now has its own altar, and is a wonderful greeting as friends and parishioners enter St. Jude's Church. Father Bill loved the personal contact with all our people, and his laughter cheered many a gathering. His hospital ministry was constant and compassionate. The community, through his guidance, opened our doors to weekly AA meetings and created a St. Jude Dance Troupe and a Men's Club. With his blessings, St. Jude's hosted a Bible Study Program each Saturday evening. His love for the Eucharist, the Trinity, our Holy Mother and our Maronite Faith and traditions filled the Church. With Father Bill's prompting, we continued the Living Traditions Festival with the greater Salt Lake Community, and we also renewed our own St. Jude festivals, or 'Hafflis', which had been left aside over the years. His first February with us we opened our doors to the Salt Lake Diocese in honor of St. Maron. Bishop John Wester accepted our invitation, along with many of the Salt Lake priests and deacons. From there, our St. Jude Day Events were introduced the following October. Monsignor Bill worked hard with our parishioners and organizing committees to plan the Third Annual St. Jude Day and 35th Anniversary Celebration of our little Church of St. Jude's.
Our History
The Maronite Catholic Tradition
The Maronite Church is one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, tracing its roots to St. Maron, a 5th-century Syriac monk. After his passing, a movement of believers formed around his teachings, eventually becoming the Maronite Church.
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Full Communion with Rome
The Quorbono (Divine Liturgy)
Deep Devotion to the Eucharist
Lebanese Cultural Heritage
Our Pastor
Fr. Alejandro Landin was ordained on June 1, 2024 as a Maronite priest for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. He began serving as the Administrator of St. Jude in July of 2025.
📞 Parish Office: (801) 268-2820
✉ Email: pastor@stjudemaroniteutah.org
Our Mission Today
St. Jude Maronite Catholic Church exists to:
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Celebrate the sacraments with reverence and joy.
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Preserve and share the Maronite spiritual heritage.
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Serve the needs of our parish family and community.
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Foster faith formation for all ages.
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We invite you to join us — whether for Sunday Mass, a parish event, or a moment of quiet prayer — and become part of our growing family in Christ.