About Holy Family · Virginia Beach, Virginia
The Church of the Holy Family is a Roman Catholic parish in Virginia Beach, Virginia, founded in 1977 and part of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. Located at 1279 N. Great Neck Road, the parish describes itself as 'a family celebrating God's gift of life and love in Word, Worship, Community and Service,' dedicated to manifesting the joy of the Gospel. It serves the Great Neck and Bayfront area of Virginia Beach, offers daily and weekend Masses in English, runs an associated Holy Family Day School for PreK–Kindergarten, operates a parish columbarium, and reaches out to local nursing homes, hospitals, and charitable partners along the coast.
- Established
- 1977
- Patron
- Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. René R. Castillo
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
Holy Family offers a full Catholic life in a coastal Virginia Beach setting: a Sunday Vigil Mass on Saturday and two Sunday morning Masses, weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday, weekly Saturday Confession, and Tuesday morning Eucharistic Adoration. Parishioners can grow in faith through the K–5 Christian Formation program, Youth Ministry, RCIA for adults becoming Catholic, and an active music ministry led by a Director of Music Ministries. The parish also lives its faith outward — running a Holiday Food Basket and Giving Tree program that partners with Catholic Charities, PIN Ministries, and the Seatack Neighborhood Assistance Program, and a Social Justice ministry that serves area hospitals, nursing homes, and migrant farm workers.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (in the Reconciliation Room inside the Chapel)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 10:00 AM – 12:50 PM (in the Reconciliation Room inside the Chapel)
Welcome & Parish Mission
The Church of the Holy Family welcomes visitors and parishioners alike as 'a family celebrating God's gift of life and love in Word, Worship, Community and Service.' Its published mission statement reads: 'The Catholic Community of the Church of the Holy Family welcomes and educates all in the knowledge and love of God and the Gospel, challenging us to improve the lives of others through ministry and outreach in building a just society. We invite you to participate in our prayer and fellowship.' The parish anchors itself in the scriptural call, 'Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.'
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. René R. Castillo and is assisted by Permanent Deacons Rev. Mr. Robert (Bob) May and Rev. Mr. Hung Nguyen. A full lay staff supports the parish's ministries and operations.
- Rev. René R. Castillo — Pastor (Pastorholyfamilyvb.org)
- Rev. Mr. Bob May — Deacon (Deaconholyfamilyvb.org)
- Rev. Mr. Hung Nguyen — Permanent Deacon
- Carla Schneider — Parish Secretary
- Lani Ulep — Business Manager (x123)
- Sylvia Chapa — Director of Music Ministries (x124)
- Brian Alexander — Social Justice Minister
- Cindy Girard — Day School Director (757-481-1180)
- Michelle De Rubertis — Early Childhood Coordinator
- Marie Wolanin — Christian Formation K–5 Coordinator (x125)
- Natalie Wolanin — Evangelization Support
- Abby Causey — Director of Evangelization & Communication Technology (x122)
- Mark Stinard — Facilities Manager
- Laurie Powers — Pastoral Care, Admin and Liturgical Support (x126)
Parish Finance Council
Holy Family's Parish Finance Council advises the pastor on stewardship of parish resources. Questions and concerns can be directed to the Business Manager at [email protected].
- Fr. Rene Castillo
- Steve Winters
- Jill Broome
- Ray Michelini
- David Reda
- Bonita Volker
- Rob Wright
- Mike Zeiders
Becoming Catholic — RCIA
The parish hosts a Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program for those inquiring about the Catholic faith. Sessions meet on Sundays from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. The program welcomes adults seeking baptism, Christians from other traditions wishing to enter full communion, and Catholics who need to complete First Communion and/or Confirmation.
- Meets Sundays, 9:30–10:30 AM
- Open to unbaptized adults, Christians entering the Church, and Catholics completing Sacraments
- Contact: Parish Office (757) 481-5702 or [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's catechetical mission is 'to provide a solid foundation of the Catholic faith through a catechetical program that focuses on the pillars of the Catechism, love of God, being a disciple of Christ, building a faith community, spiritual growth, and living the Gospel daily through outreach.' Following the Catechism of the Catholic Church (§2223, 2226), the parish recognizes parents as the primary witnesses of the faith and seeks to walk alongside them.
- Christian Formation K–5 — led by Marie Wolanin
- Early Childhood Ministry (PreK–K) — coordinated by Michelle De Rubertis, in partnership with Holy Family Day School
- Youth Ministry
- RCIA for adults (Sundays 9:30–10:30 AM)
- Parish Library and Daily Readings resources linked from the Faith Formation page
Holy Family Day School
Sharing the parish campus at 1279 N. Great Neck Road is Holy Family Day School, an early-childhood program serving PreK through Kindergarten. The school shares the parish's Christian Formation staff and provides a faith-based foundation for the parish's youngest members.
- Director: Cindy Girard
- Phone: (757) 481-1180
- Grades: PreK–Kindergarten
- Website: http://www.holyfamilydayschool.org
- Email: dayschoolprincipalholyfamilyvb.org
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at Holy Family is coordinated by Director of Music Ministries Sylvia Chapa, who supports the parish's weekend and daily Masses as well as seasonal celebrations such as the Easter Vigil and Holy Day liturgies.
- Director of Music Ministries: Sylvia Chapa (x124, musicholyfamilyvb.org)
- Live-stream broadcast of Sunday Mass at holyfamilyvb.org/watch
Social Justice & Outreach
The Social Justice Ministry coordinates the parish's charitable response to neighbors in need locally and beyond. The parish partners with Catholic Charities, the Catholic Worker, the Seton Youth Center, PIN Ministries, the Seatack Neighborhood Assistance Program, the Eastern Shore Migrant Farm Workers, Meals on Wheels, and other agencies. The Holiday Food Baskets and Giving Tree drive each Advent distributes food, gift cards, and practical gifts to families and individuals served by these ministries.
- Social Justice Minister: Brian Alexander (socialjusticeholyfamilyvb.org)
- Holiday Giving Tree — tags distributed in November; gifts due by mid-December
- Holiday Food Baskets — items needed include boxed potatoes, gravy, stuffing mix, canned vegetables, pie crust mix, and more
- Agencies supported: Catholic Charities, Catholic Worker, SE VA Training Center, VB Public Schools, Seton Youth Center, PIN Ministries, HCHV Veterans, Bay Pointe Rehab, Seatack NAP, Eastern Shore Migrant Farm Workers, Meals on Wheels
- Outreach contact: Mike DeJaeger ([email protected])
Pastoral Care to the Sick & Homebound
Parish Pastoral Care ministers to the sick, elderly, and homebound across a wide network of local hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities on the Virginia Beach coast. Coordinated by Laurie Powers, this ministry brings Holy Communion, prayer, and pastoral presence to those who cannot easily attend Mass.
- Coordinator: Laurie Powers (x126)
- Virginia Beach General Hospital
- Russell House
- First Colonial Inn
- Westminster-Canterbury
- Windermere
- Silver Hill
- Virginia Beach Rehab
- Atria-Hilltop
- Bay Pointe
Cemetery — Church of the Holy Family Columbarium
The parish maintains an on-site columbarium for the inurnment of cremated remains, providing a sacred space for parishioners to be interred within the church community.
- Cemetery name: Church of the Holy Family Columbarium
- Contact: (757) 481-5702
Sacraments
Holy Family prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic Sacraments. Preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage is offered through the parish office, while Anointing of the Sick is arranged through Pastoral Care. Adult initiation is handled through the parish RCIA program.
- Baptism (infant and adult via RCIA)
- First Communion and Confirmation
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00–5:00 PM
- Marriage — preparation through the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — via Pastoral Care ministry
- RCIA — Sundays 9:30–10:30 AM
Visit, Contact & Get Involved
Visitors are warmly welcomed to weekend and weekday Masses and to parish events. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Inquiries about joining the parish, becoming Catholic, scheduling a Baptism or wedding, or volunteering with a ministry can be directed to the parish office by phone at (757) 481-5702 or by email at [email protected].
- Address: 1279 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23454
- Phone: (757) 481-5702
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:30 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 9:30 AM–1:00 PM
- Website: www.holyfamilyvb.org
- Live-stream Mass: holyfamilyvb.org/watch
- Diocese: Catholic Diocese of Richmond (richmonddiocese.org)