Blessed Sacrament

Our Story: A Century on Norfolk's West Side

Blessed Sacrament traces its roots to 1905, when Catholics from the Lamberts Point, Park Place, Colonial Place, and Edgewater neighborhoods of Norfolk worshipped at St. Francis de Sales, a mission of Sacred Heart Church at Bluestone Avenue and 39th Street. By the end of World War I that mission had outgrown its space, and a new church was built at 37th Street and Colley Avenue on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Clark. It was dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament on 20 February 1921 by Bishop Dennis J. O'Connell, the seventh Bishop of Richmond, and Father Leo J. Ryan became the first pastor. The parish grew quickly through the mid-twentieth century — adding a school staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (1953), a thriving Newman Club at what is now Old Dominion University, and a strong youth culture. In 1965 a larger church was dedicated at Newport Avenue and Painter Street, and the original Colley Avenue church became the parish Chapel until 1989. Today the parish continues to serve as a hub of Catholic life on Norfolk's west side, sharing its campus with Norfolk Catholic High School and adjacent to (the former) DePaul Hospital.

The Rosary Before Daily Mass

The Blessed Sacrament community prays the Rosary before each daily Mass: at 11:20 AM before the Tuesday and Wednesday noon Mass, and at 8:20 AM before the Thursday 9:00 AM Mass. It's a quiet, half-hour way to prepare for the Eucharist in the heart of the workday.

• Tuesday 11:20 AM Rosary (before 12:00 PM Mass)
• Wednesday 11:20 AM Rosary (before 12:00 PM Mass)
• Thursday 8:20 AM Rosary (before 9:00 AM Mass)

Faith Formation for Children & Teens

The parish runs a robust religious education and sacramental preparation program for young people, coordinated by Patricia Richman (K–5 Religious Education and First Eucharist/First Reconciliation) and Rachel Sugg (Youth Ministry: Edge for Grades 6–8, Life Teen for Grades 9–12, and Confirmation in Grade 10). Sacramental prep classes meet during the school year, and the diocese-wide practice is that First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are typically celebrated in second grade.

• Religious Education for Grades K–5
• First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion prep (typically Grade 2; can be customized)
• Confirmation prep (Grade 10), Sundays 9:30–11:00 AM
• Edge middle-school youth ministry (Grades 6–8)
• Life Teen high-school youth ministry (Grades 9–12)
• CHICCA — Children's OCIA for ages 7–17 not yet baptized (2-year program)

OCIA — Becoming Catholic

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the parish's formal path for adults age 18 and older who wish to become Catholic or complete their initiation. It is also offered for children age 7 and older (CHICCA). Inquiry begins during the summer, classes start in October, and candidates are typically received into the Church at Easter or Pentecost. The parish welcomes team members — catechists, sponsors, hospitality, and prayer leaders — to walk alongside new Catholics.

• OCIA for unbaptized adults
• OCIA for Christians baptized in another tradition seeking full communion
• OCIA for baptized Catholics seeking First Communion and/or Confirmation
• Classes begin in October; reception at Easter Vigil
• Contact the parish office at (757) 423-8305 to begin

Adult Faith Formation & Small Groups

Blessed Sacrament hosts a range of ongoing adult formation opportunities that meet in the parish between Sunday Masses or on weeknights. The Sunday Morning Book Krewe is an intergenerational group that reads and discusses theological and thought-provoking books from 9:45 to 10:45 AM between the Sunday Masses. Spirituality Ignited is a Wednesday-evening Gospel-sharing group (6:30–8 PM during the school year). Two gender-specific groups round out the offering: Women of Faith (book study twice monthly) and Men of Blessed Sacrament (book discussions and charitable projects twice monthly).

• Sunday Morning Book Krewe (Sundays 9:45–10:45 AM)
• Spirituality Ignited — Gospel Sharing (Wednesdays 6:30–8 PM)
• Women of Faith (Tuesday evenings 4:30 PM or Wednesday mornings 9:30 AM)
• Men of Blessed Sacrament (twice monthly)
• All groups led or coordinated through Deacon Derek Turrietta

Music & Liturgy

Music at Blessed Sacrament is led by Music Director Shanshan Xie and Music Coordinator Ellin Maddock. Together they support the parish's weekend and daily Masses, the choir, and the wider liturgical life of the community, working with the pastor and Deacon to ensure music supports the prayer of the assembly.

• Music Director: Shanshan Xie
• Music Coordinator: Ellin Maddock
• Contact: [email protected]

Young Adults & Campus Ministry at ODU

Young adult ministry at Blessed Sacrament is coordinated by Marissa O'Neil, who also serves as Director of Catholic Campus Ministry at Old Dominion University. The Young Adults host a monthly 'Prayers & Pints' evening that includes Eucharistic Adoration open to all parishioners. The parish also continues the long tradition of ODU campus ministry that began when the Newman Club was organized at the Norfolk division of the College of William and Mary in the 1940s.

• Young Adults Ministry (monthly Prayers & Pints with Adoration)
• Catholic Campus Ministry at Old Dominion University
• Contact: [email protected]

Outreach & Charity

Outreach is a defining part of Blessed Sacrament's identity. The parish maintains special ministries at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center, Province Place of DePaul Retirement Home, St. Mary's Food Pantry, Old Dominion University, St. Patrick School, the Faith Inclusion Network, St. Columba Ministry, and the Norfolk Urban Outreach Center. The parish also takes seriously its ministry to the sick and homebound, with Sister Regina Stupak, I.H.M., coordinating visits and the distribution of Holy Communion.

• Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center
• Province Place of DePaul Retirement Home
• St. Mary's Food Pantry
• Old Dominion University (Catholic Campus Ministry)
• St. Patrick School
• Faith Inclusion Network
• St. Columba Ministry
• Norfolk Urban Outreach Center
• Eucharist to the Sick & Homebound — Sr. Regina Stupak, I.H.M.

Parish Staff

Beyond the pastor and deacon, Blessed Sacrament is served by a parish staff handling faith formation, youth ministry, music, business, and administration. Pastoral emergencies after hours are handled through a dedicated line.

• Father Gerry Kaggwa — Pastor (Anointing of the Sick)
• Rev. Mr. J. Derek Turrietta — Permanent Deacon (OCIA / Baptism)
• Sr. Regina Stupak, I.H.M. — Receptionist (Eucharist to the Sick & Homebound)
• Patricia Richman — Coordinator of Religious Education, K–5 (First Eucharist & First Reconciliation)
• Rachel Sugg — Youth Ministry (Edge 6–8, Life Teen 9–12, Confirmation Grade 10)
• Marissa O'Neil — OCIA, Young Adults Ministry, Director of Catholic Campus Ministry at ODU
• Keith Brittan — Business Manager / Facilities
• Maria Barrera — Bookkeeper
• Shanshan Xie — Music Director
• Ellin Maddock — Music Coordinator
• Andrea Petras — Administrative Assistant II / Media Communications (Funerals)
• Maiga Milbourne — Administrative Assistant / Records & Volunteers / Notary Public (Weddings)
• Pastoral emergency line: 757-863-9308

Sacraments at Blessed Sacrament

The parish celebrates all seven sacraments: Baptism (for infants under age 7, celebrated within Mass, with required baptism classes for parents), First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (typically in second grade), Confirmation (in tenth grade), Marriage (coordinated through the parish office), Anointing of the Sick (through the pastor), and Holy Orders and OCIA-initiated adult sacraments. Funeral arrangements are coordinated through the parish office as well.

• Baptism — within Mass; baptism class required for parents
• First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion — typically Grade 2
• Confirmation — Grade 10
• Marriage — Maiga Milbourne, [email protected]
• Anointing of the Sick — Father Gerry Kaggwa
• Funerals — Andrea Petras
• OCIA — becoming Catholic as an adult

Visit Us

Blessed Sacrament is located at 6400 Newport Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23505, on the corner of Newport Avenue and Painter Street, adjacent to Norfolk Catholic High School and the former DePaul Hospital campus. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Thursday, and 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Friday. New parishioners are warmly invited to complete a registration form online or to stop by the office in person.

• Address: 6400 Newport Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23505
• Phone: (757) 423-8305
• Office: [email protected]
• Pastor: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–3:30 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Website: blessed-sacrament.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/bsccnorfolk
• YouTube livestream: youtube.com/@blessedsacramentnorfolkva4751