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CLERGY

Administrator

Fr. Shay Auerbach

Fr. Shay Auerbach, SJ, has served as pastor of Sacred Heart Church since 2008. He is also the president of the Board of Directors of Sacred Heart Center, a non-profit organization whose mission is to connect Latino families with tools to thrive and flourish.

A member of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), Fr. Auerbach belongs to a Roman Catholic religious order known for its commitment to education, missionary service, and social justice.

Prior to his arrival in Richmond in 2007, Fr. Auerbach ministered in Raleigh, North Carolina, and in Mexico. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, he holds master’s degrees in linguistics, philosophy, and theology.

Fr. Auerbach currently serves as Dean of Deanery 8 in the Diocese of Richmond and will continue his duties as pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Richmond.

Parochial Vicar

Fr. Chrisly Ereno

Fr. Jose Chrisly Ereño, affectionately known as Fr. Chrisly, is a priest of the Diocese of Sorsogon in the Philippines.

He completed his seminary formation in 2007, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. Fr. Chrisly was ordained to the priesthood on September 26, 2009. In 2012, he returned to Rome to pursue advanced studies in Canon Law, completing a Licentiate in Canon Law.

Throughout his priestly ministry, Fr. Chrisly has served his diocese in a variety of pastoral and administrative roles. He has served twice as a Parochial Vicar and has also worked as a formator, spiritual director, and teacher in his local seminary. For several years, he was a member of the Matrimonial Tribunal of his Ecclesiastical Province, where he served as Defender of the Bond. Most recently, prior to his assignment to the Diocese of Richmond, he served as Chancellor of the Diocese of Sorsogon for five years.

Fr. Chrisly is grateful to Bishop Knestout for his appointment as Parochial Vicar of the Clustered Parishes of St. John, St. James, and Sacred Heart. He embraces this new ministry with hope and joy and looks forward to serving the faithful of these parish communities.

May the Lord bless this shared ministry through the intercession of the parish patrons and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Parochial Vicar

Fr. Joseph Ssemmanda

Fr. Joseph Balikuddembe Ssemmanda was born on September 30 in Bbongole, within Mitala Maria Parish, Uganda. He is the sixth of fourteen children born to Joseph Ssennyonjo and was raised in the rural community of Bbongole.

At the age of twelve, Fr. Joseph first felt drawn to the priesthood through the loving witness and example of Fr. Harmel Grandmaison, M.A., a priest of his home parish whose care for the community deeply inspired him. This early attraction led him to begin priestly formation at Nswanjere Preparatory Seminary (1979–1980), followed by studies at Kisubi Minor Seminary, a high school seminary (1981–1986). He continued his philosophical studies at Katigondo Major Seminary (1987–1989).

In 1990, Fr. Joseph completed a year of pastoral experience teaching at Kisubi Minor Seminary, an experience that further confirmed his vocation. He then completed his theological formation at St. Mary’s National Major Seminary in Gaba, Uganda, where he studied from 1991 to 1994.

During his seminary years, Fr. Joseph developed special interests in volleyball, theater, and languages. His love for languages led him to study both French and German.

Fr. Joseph was ordained to the priesthood on July 24, 1994, at his home parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in Mitala Maria Parish. Over his 31 years of priestly ministry, he has been blessed with a wide range of pastoral and educational experiences. He served two years as a Parochial Vicar in parish ministry and twelve years as a teacher and formator at Kisubi Minor Seminary. Following a sabbatical year (2009–2010), he was appointed chaplain to an orphanage (2011–2013). He was later assigned to the Office of Religious Education for Secondary and Tertiary Institutions in the Archdiocese of Kampala, where he served from 2013 to 2025 while residing at St. Matia Mulumba Old Kampala Parish.

While serving in Old Kampala Parish, Fr. Joseph’s bishop invited him to serve as a missionary priest in the Diocese of Richmond. He joyfully accepted this call and arrived in the United States on September 18. Since then, he has been residing and ministering at the Church of the Epiphany in North Chesterfield while adjusting to life and ministry in a new country.

Fr. Joseph now rejoices in his appointment to serve this Cluster Parish and looks forward to getting to know the community and working together with the faithful of the Church of the Sacred Heart, St. James the Greater, and St. John Nepomucene.

May the Lord bless all our shared service and ministry.

Deacon Bob

Rev. Mr. Robert Straub (Deacon Bob)

Born and raised in Saint Marys, PA. Awarded a BBA in Accounting from Saint Bonaventure University, a MS in Systems Management from University of Southern California, and a MA in Pastoral Theology from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Deacon spent 20 years in the United States Army as an Aviation Maintenance Officer and an Operations research Analyst. He is an active member of the Missioners of Christ as well as a Spiritual Director and a CVCC Board Member for Cursillo. He was ordained a Deacon in the Diocese of Richmond 19 October, 2013. Among his current responsibilities, Deacon Bob assists in marriage preparations and processing annulments. He also has faculties with the Archdiocese of Military Services at Fort Lee, VA.

Deacon Chao (Retired)

Rev. Mr. Esaud Feliciano (Deacon Chao)

Deacon Chao, as we all know him, was born and raised in Puerto Rico. In 1966 I went to Waterbury Ct. In 1984 I lived the Cursillo of Christianity on April 22, I worked in 18 short courses in different services, I was the director of the Utrellas for three consecutive terms and then two more. I served as cup minister since mass began at the Church of the Sacred Heart. I am serving in it and by the grace of God, I was able to become a deacon on November 3, 2012. My children have given me ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and two twin great-granddaughters are on the way for God's blessing. I am thankful to the Hispanic community in which I serve in the name of the Lord, the priests and church employees, to my fellow deacons for their continued help in the Lord's way.

Deacon Matt McLaughin (RETIRED)

Rev. Mr. Matt McLaughin (Deacon Mat) {RETIRED}

Deacon Ed (Retired)

Rev. Mr. Edward Hanzlik (Deacon Ed) {RETIRED}

Deacon Edward G. Hanzlik was born in and remains a member of Church of the Sacred Heart for over 80 years. He is married to his wife Evelyn (Skalsky) for over 50 years and they have four married children and eight grandchildren, all of whom live in Virginia. He was a Contract Administrator with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Transportation, retiring after having served there for 30 years. Deacon Ed has served the community of Sacred Heart as Coordinator of Christian Formation for 20 years and later as an ordained, Permanent Deacon for another 25+ years. He was instrumental in recording and preserving the history of both the parish and New Bohemia, resulting in Church of the Sacred Heart being recognized as a National Historic Site by the National Park Service.

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