About St. John the Apostle · Virginia Beach, Virginia
St. John the Apostle Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Sandbridge area of the Princess Anne district in Virginia Beach, Virginia, belonging to the Diocese of Richmond. Its parish roots reach back to 1967, when Catholics in southern Virginia Beach first gathered for Mass in a Sandbridge home; the community was formally established as a parish on May 30, 1989 by Bishop Walter Sullivan, and the present church was consecrated on June 24, 1995. Today the parish serves a vibrant community with three Sunday Masses, daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, an active school serving PreK–8, and more than forty lay ministries. Its mission is to 'grow in faith and union with Jesus Christ and one another,' responding to the needs of the community and the world through Word, Worship, Stewardship and Service.
- Established
- 1989
- Patron
- Saint John the Apostle (Wikipedia notes the parish's dedication to Saint John the Evangelist)
- Rector
- Rev. Felix Rex Amofa
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. John the Apostle is a welcoming Sandbridge-area parish that combines the rhythm of traditional Catholic worship with active lay involvement. Three Sunday Masses, daily Mass Monday through Saturday, robust Thursday Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, and regular opportunities for confession make it easy to grow in prayer. With an on-site PreK–8 Catholic school, a thriving youth ministry (C.I.A. for grades 8–12), RCIA, and more than forty lay ministries — including the Knights of Columbus Council 13467, the Legion of Mary, Little Company of Mary, Bible studies, the Marian Prayer Group, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Bereavement Hospitality, and Meals on Wheels — parishioners find concrete ways to serve both inside the parish and out in the wider Virginia Beach community.
Mass times at St. John the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:45 PM
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday beginning at 8:00 AM, concluding with Benediction at 6:45 PM
History of the Parish
St. John the Apostle traces its origins to 1967, when Catholics in the southern portion of Virginia Beach were given permission to celebrate Mass inside a private home in the Sandbridge area. As the community grew, the celebration of Mass moved first to Saint Simon by the Sea Episcopal Community (1973) and then to Tabernacle Methodist Church. In the meantime, Bishop Walter Sullivan of the Diocese of Richmond asked nearby Star of the Sea Parish to study the feasibility of establishing a new parish; the resulting committee selected the present site off Sandbridge Road and Painter Lane. The worshiping community took the name The Catholic Community of Southeastern Virginia before being formally established as the Parish of Saint John the Apostle by Bishop Sullivan on May 30, 1989. The present church was consecrated on June 24, 1995.
- Origins: 1967 in a Sandbridge home
- Relocated to St. Simon by the Sea Episcopal (1973)
- Renamed Catholic Community of Southeastern Virginia
- Formally established May 30, 1989
- Church consecrated June 24, 1995
Parish Staff
St. John the Apostle is led by Pastor Rev. Felix Rex Amofa (appointed July 1, 2024), with Parochial Vicar Rev. Seth Seaman and four Permanent Deacons: Rev. Mr. Glenn Bailey, Rev. Mr. Chris Finocchio Jr., Rev. Mr. Joseph Grillo, and Rev. Mr. Gary McClelland. Lay staff include a Music Director, Director of Religious Education, Youth Minister, Facility Manager, Office Manager, Business Manager, and two Administrative Assistants.
- Pastor: Rev. Felix Rex Amofa ([email protected])
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Seth Seaman
- Deacons: Glenn Bailey, Chris Finocchio Jr., Joseph Grillo, Gary McClelland
- Music Director: Dr. Brandon Spence
- Director of Religious Education: John Domingo
- Youth Director: Veronica Litwinowicz
- Facility Manager: Al McClenney
- Office Manager: Carole Romanini
- Business Manager: Tracey Dooley
Liturgy, Prayer, and Worship Ministries
A wide range of liturgical ministries invite parishioners to participate actively in Mass and the parish's prayer life, from serving at the altar to welcoming those who enter the church.
- Altar Guild
- Altar Servers
- Choirs and SCHOLA Men/Boys Chant (Dr. Brandon Spence)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)
- Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Funeral Planning and Funeral Team
- Greeter Ministry
- Lectors
- Ushers
Devotional and Prayer Groups
In addition to public Mass and Adoration, several small prayer and devotional groups sustain the spiritual life of the parish throughout the week.
- Little Company of Mary (ministry to the sick and dying)
- Marian Prayer Group
- Legion of Mary
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Prayer Chain
Adult Faith Formation
Adults at St. John the Apostle have multiple opportunities to grow in knowledge of the Catholic faith through Bible study, women's groups, and theological discussion.
- Truth Among Us Bible Study (Billie Sullivan)
- Women of Grace Group (Jaci Brandwein)
- Thursday Theologica (Thursday morning discussion)
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Young Adult Ministry (YAM)
Parish and Community Life
Parishioners find many ways to build community through service, scouting, social events, and outreach to those in need both inside and outside the parish.
- Art & Environment
- Bereavement Hospitality (facilitated by Deacon Glenn Bailey)
- Boy Scouts / Cub Scouts
- Children's Nursery
- Knights of Columbus Council 13467 (Grand Knight Patrick Mayette)
- Ministry to the Homebound (Deacon Joe Grillo)
- Advocates for Persons with Disabilities
- Money Counters
- Respect Life
- Parish Social Events
- Welcome Desk
Outreach and Charity
Through the parish Outreach Co-Chairs (Lisa Rohrer and Kirsten Lundquist), St. John the Apostle organizes an annual Thanksgiving Food Drive that delivers food and gift cards to dozens of families nominated by Catholic Charities, the Virginia Beach Department of Social Services, and Virginia Beach Schools, as well as year-round Meals on Wheels service in the local community. SJA Quilters also craft handmade items for those in need.
- Thanksgiving Food Drive and Christmas outreach
- Meals on Wheels (rotating parish teams)
- SJA Quilters (Christina Echevarria)
- Respect Life advocacy
Additional Parish Resources
Several smaller but valued groups round out parish life — from the Gift Shop operated by volunteers, to Natural Family Planning instruction, to a Social Media team that keeps the parish connected online. Listening devices are available in the sacristy for those with hearing difficulty; ask an usher.
- Gift Shop (Bobbie Vinsand, [email protected])
- Natural Family Planning (Chris and Stephanie Finocchio)
- Parish Social Media team
- Listening devices available in the sacristy
St. John the Apostle Catholic School
St. John the Apostle Catholic School shares the parish campus at 1968-B Sandbridge Road and serves students in PreK through Grade 8, with roughly 480 students enrolled. The school is advised by a School Advisory Board chaired by Benito Loyola, supported by Principal Joe Branco, Assistant Principal Jackie Lovell, Business Manager Maryann Gavin, and Development Director Bobby Steinburg. Recent parish-wide initiatives, such as the Race for Education, support the school's fundraising and enrollment efforts.
- Grades PreK–8 (approximately 480 students)
- Principal: Joe Branco
- Assistant Principal: Jackie Lovell
- Business Manager: Maryann Gavin
- Development: Bobby Steinburg
- Advisory Board Chair: Benito Loyola
- Phone: (757) 821-1100
Youth Ministry (C.I.A.)
The parish runs the C.I.A. (Christ In Action) Youth Ministry Program for students in Grades 8–12, under Youth Director Veronica Litwinowicz. The program includes weekly Youth Group nights, retreats, and participation in the Diocesan Youth Conference (DYC), an annual weekend gathering for 8th–12th graders from across the Diocese of Richmond.
- Weekly Sunday evening Youth Group nights
- Diocesan Youth Conference (DYC) participation
- Directed by Veronica Litwinowicz ([email protected])
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism preparation classes are required for parents, and baptisms are not celebrated during Lent. Weddings are coordinated through the parish office. Funeral planning is supported by a dedicated Funeral Team. First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are prepared through the parish Religious Education program.
- Baptism (preparation class required; not during Lent)
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion)
- Penance (Reconciliation)
- Marriage / Weddings
- Anointing of the Sick and Funeral rites
- Holy Orders / Vocations referrals
Columbarium and Cemetery
In addition to its church and school, the parish campus includes the Saint John the Apostle Columbarium, a sacred place for the inurnment of cremated remains. Inquiries about the columbarium are handled through the parish office at (757) 426-2180.
- Saint John the Apostle Columbarium on parish grounds
- Inquiries: (757) 426-2180
Visiting and Getting Involved
First-time visitors and returning parishioners alike are welcomed by the parish Welcome Desk at weekend Masses. Newcomers can find a home in any of more than forty ministries listed in the parish bulletin and on the parish website, with opportunities for service spanning liturgy, faith formation, social events, and outreach. The parish communicates regularly through its bulletin, its website at www.sjavb.org, and its Facebook page (facebook.com/sjavb).
- Welcome Desk staffed at weekend Masses (Betty Rosignolo)
- Over forty ministries available for involvement
- Parish bulletin published weekly
- Follow the parish on Facebook (facebook.com/sjavb)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Rob Cole (Fr. Robert J. Cole, KHS)Through June 12, 2024 (more than 15 years)
Reassigned by Bishop Knestout following a diocesan investigation; recognized for more than 15 years of pastoral service.
- Rev. Esteban De Leon, V.F.June–July 2024
Pastor of Star of the Sea Catholic Church; served as temporary administrator of St. John the Apostle during the transition.
- Rev. Felix Rex AmofaJuly 1, 2024–present
Previously pastor of St. Gabriel, Chesterfield and Good Samaritan, Amelia; appointed pastor of St. John the Apostle by Bishop Barry C. Knestout.