About Holy Spirit · Virginia Beach, Virginia
Holy Spirit Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Richmond located at 1396 Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Founded on Pentecost Sunday in 1975 with Monsignor William Carr as its first pastor, the parish has grown into a vibrant, multicultural Catholic community now marking its 50th anniversary. Today the parish is led by Fr. Anthony Mpungu as pastor, with Fr. James Matovu serving as Parochial Vicar and two permanent deacons, Rev. Mr. Stephen Kuczma and Rev. Mr. Robert Smithberger. Worship is offered in English at four Sunday Masses plus a Saturday Vigil and daily Masses throughout the week, with the 10 AM Sunday Mass livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.
- Established
- 1975
- Patron
- The Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony Mpungu (Fr. Anthony Mpungu)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
Holy Spirit is a warm, family- and service-oriented parish in southern Virginia Beach that welcomes newcomers with open arms. It offers a full sacramental life — including daily Mass, Reconciliation, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, and the OCIA process for adults seeking to become Catholic — alongside rich Christian Faith Formation for children (K-5), EDGE middle school youth, and Life Teen high school youth. With a multicultural congregation, an active St. Vincent de Paul Society, prison and widow/widower ministries, a thriving Music Ministry, and a livestreamed 10 AM Sunday Mass for the homebound, there is room for every gift and every schedule to be put to work in the life of the parish.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 4:00–5:30 PM (except during Advent and Lent)
- Thursday 4:00–5:30 PM (except during Advent and Lent)
- During Advent and Lent: by appointment only or through Regional Reconciliation Services
Adoration times
- First Thursday of the month, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Adoration from 1:00–6:00 PM is also noted on the parish home page)
Our Story — A Pentecost Parish for 50 Years
Holy Spirit was established on Pentecost Sunday in 1975, with Monsignor William Carr as its founding pastor. The young community first gathered for Mass at Holland Elementary School before the sanctuary on Lynnhaven Parkway broke ground. Five decades later, the parish celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025 with Bishop Barry C. Knestout presiding at Mass on June 22 and Fr. Anthony Mpungu concelebrating. The yearlong 'Moved by the Spirit' celebration included a 14-week spiritual learning series, a trip to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., a charity challenge with the parish's St. Vincent de Paul chapter, a 50th-anniversary charity golf tournament, and a gala.
- Founded Pentecost Sunday, 1975
- First pastor: Msgr. William Carr
- Originally met at Holland Elementary School
- 50th anniversary Mass celebrated June 22, 2025 by Bishop Barry C. Knestout
- Anniversary theme: 'Moved by the Spirit'
- Current pastor Fr. Anthony Mpungu arrived in 2023
Mass & Worship Schedule
Holy Spirit offers four Sunday Masses plus a Saturday Vigil and daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, with Reconciliation and monthly Eucharistic Adoration completing the rhythm of parish prayer. The 10 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed every week on YouTube, Facebook, and the parish website so that the homebound and those traveling can worship with the community.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM (livestreamed), 12:00 PM
- Daily Mass: Tuesday & Thursday 6:15 PM; Wednesday & Friday 8:00 AM
- Reconciliation: Tuesday & Thursday 4:00–5:30 PM (except Advent/Lent)
- Adoration: First Thursday of the month, 12:00–6:00 PM
- During Advent and Lent, daily Mass moves to 8:00 AM only; Reconciliation by appointment or Regional Reconciliation Services
Our Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor and parochial vicar with the assistance of two permanent deacons. Deacon Bob Smithberger also serves as the parish's Columbarium coordinator.
- Rev. Anthony Mpungu — Pastor (arrived 2023)
- Rev. James Matovu — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mr. Stephen Kuczma — Permanent Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Robert Smithberger (Deacon Bob) — Permanent Deacon / Columbarium Coordinator
Parish Staff & Lay Leadership
A small parish team supports the clergy with faith formation, liturgy and music, business operations, communications, and facilities. The Parish Council serves as an advisory body to Fr. Anthony, helping guide the pastoral life and mission of the parish.
- Erin Laurence — Director of Liturgy & Music
- Jenny Scharf — Coordinator of Faith Formation
- Kim Blanco — Business Manager
- Diana Ramos — Office Assistant
- Azelia Ramos — Faith Formation & Sacramental Prep Assistant
- Joy Palm — Parish Secretary
- Anne Smithberger — Bookkeeper
- Lani Ulep — Website Coordinator
- Josh Gora — Facilities Maintenance Assistant
- Rich Dettbarn — Pianist / Organist
- Parish Council members: Charlie Chan, Amy Cheatham, Judee Clamor, Marivic Ellorin, Tim Hatton (chair), Ken Hobbs, Linda Kuehn, George Onodu, Ian Fajardo
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Holy Spirit runs a Christian Faith Formation Religious Education program for children in grades K-5 on Sunday afternoons, alongside EDGE for middle school youth and Life Teen for high school youth on Sunday evenings. The 2025–2026 program year began September 28, 2025.
- Grades K-5: Sunday 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- Middle School EDGE: Sunday 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- High School Life Teen: Sunday 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Contact: Jenny Scharf or Kim Blanco at [email protected]
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
The Order of Christians Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA) is Holy Spirit's pathway into full sacramental life in the Catholic Church. It welcomes non-baptized adults, baptized Christians from other traditions, and baptized Catholics preparing to receive Confirmation and/or First Eucharist. In-person sessions resumed Sunday, September 7; inquiries go to Deacon Bob.
- Open to non-baptized adults, baptized non-Catholic Christians, and baptized Catholics preparing for Confirmation/Eucharist
- Contact: Deacon Bob at 757-468-3600 ext. 109
- Email: [email protected]
Liturgical Ministries
A wide range of liturgical ministries welcomes parishioners of all ages and schedules — from 'once a month' flexible roles to weekly commitments. Each is described in detail on the parish's Ministries page.
- Audio & Livestream Ministry (technical — sound and video for the 10 AM Mass)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers — ministry of hospitality and welcome
- Music Ministry — cantors, instrumentalists, and 10 AM Sunday Choir (September–June)
- Mass Coordinators — behind-the-scenes liturgical setup
- Lectors — proclaim God's Word at Mass
- Altar Guild Ministry — clean sanctuary, pews, windows, doors
- Art & Environment Ministry — altar linens, priest vestments, seasonal décor
- Flower & Plant Care
- Candlestick Care (flexible scheduling)
Outreach & Service
Outreach is woven into the identity of Holy Spirit, especially through its long-standing Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference and youth branch. The parish also reaches beyond its walls through a Prison Ministry at the City of Virginia Beach Correctional Center and ministry to widows and widowers in the community.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — parish chapter (separate line: 757-468-1533)
- Young Vincentians
- Prison Ministry at the City of Virginia Beach Correctional Center
- Widow & Widowers Ministry
- 50th-anniversary SVdP charity challenge (2025)
The Holy Spirit Columbarium
Holy Spirit is expanding its on-site columbarium to provide a sacred, consecrated resting place for the cremated remains of parishioners and their immediate family, close to the altar where Mass is celebrated daily. Deacon Bob Smithberger serves as the columbarium coordinator. As of 2025, sufficient funds had been received and the project was moving forward through diocesan review.
- Eligibility: Catholics and their immediate family members
- Five niches reserved for the indigent; five for Religious Orders (Pastor-approved)
- Single niche: $3,150; Double niche: $4,050
- Inscription of name, date of birth, date of death included at no extra cost
- Parish-supplied urn required (included in niche price)
- Perpetual Care Fund monitored by the Parish Finance Council
- Transfer permitted with $50 fee; cancellation repurchase at 75% of original price
- Contact: Deacon Bob Smithberger, 757-468-3600 ext. 109
Visit Us — Contact, Office Hours & Directions
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, closed for lunch 12:30 – 1:30 PM. Ample free parking is available, and handicap-accessible entrances are on both sides of the church. For a Sacramental Emergency when the office is closed, call the after-hours line at 757-904-3069.
- Address: 1396 Lynnhaven Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23453
- Phone: 757-468-3600
- Email: [email protected]
- Faith Formation email: [email protected]
- Ample free parking; handicap-accessible entrances on both sides of the church
- Sacramental Emergency after hours: 757-904-3069
- St. Vincent de Paul line: (757) 468-1533
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. William Carr1975 (founding)
First pastor of Holy Spirit; celebrated the parish's beginnings when it met at Holland Elementary School.
- Fr. Anthony Mpungu2023–present
Current pastor; arrived in 2023 and led the 50th anniversary celebration in 2025.