About St. Luke · Virginia Beach, Virginia
St. Luke Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the southern (Salem) area of Virginia Beach, Virginia, belonging to the Diocese of Richmond. Founded in 1986, the parish has grown from a small community of roughly 42 families into a multicultural faith family of Anglo, Hispanic, and Filipino Catholics, served today by a pastor, a permanent deacon, and a team of lay staff. The parish offers daily and Sunday Mass in both English and Spanish, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a Religious Education program for all ages, and an active hospital ministry at nearby Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. Its mission is to be disciples of Christ journeying to Heaven under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Communion of Saints, evangelizing through God's love, mercy, and generosity.
- Established
- 1986
- Patron
- St. Luke the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Raphael Peprah
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 2)
Why belong here
St. Luke offers a small, family-sized parish where newcomers are quickly known by name, while still providing the full sacramental life of a Catholic community: daily Mass, a Vigil Mass on Saturday, two Sunday Masses (one in Spanish), weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and Reconciliation by appointment and on Wednesday afternoons. The parish has a recognized Religious Education program for children, youth, and adults (including preparation for First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Baptism through the Diocese of Richmond), a Music ministry, active Pastoral Care, and a Hospital Ministry at nearby Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. With a multicultural identity — Anglo, Hispanic, and Filipino families worshipping side by side in English and Spanish — and livestreamed Sunday Masses for the homebound, St. Luke is well suited both to longtime Catholics and to those returning to the faith or new to the area.
Mass times at St. Luke
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- First Friday following the 6:00 PM Mass (until midnight)
- By appointment — call the parish office
Adoration times
- Tuesday – Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (following the 9:00 AM daily Mass)
- First Friday: following the 6:00 PM Mass until midnight
About St. Luke Catholic Church
St. Luke Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Richmond serving the southern (Salem) part of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Founded in 1986, the parish is a multicultural community of Anglo, Hispanic, and Filipino Catholics who worship together in English and Spanish under the patronage of St. Luke the Evangelist (feast day October 18). The parish's published Mission Statement commits the community to sacramental life, evangelization through God's love, mercy, and generosity, growth in love for the Eucharist, and active community outreach — all under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Communion of Saints. Whether you are new to the area, returning to the Church, or simply seeking a deeper connection with God, St. Luke welcomes you to worship, grow, and serve together in Christ's love.
- Diocese of Richmond (Deanery 2)
- Founded 1986
- Patron: St. Luke the Evangelist (feast October 18)
- Bilingual parish: English and Spanish
Parish History
St. Luke was established in 1986 as a new Catholic parish in the Diocese of Richmond to serve the expanding southern end of Virginia Beach around Salem Road. When Father Eugene "Gene" Teslovic was assigned as pastor in 1991, the parish numbered only about 42 families; under his leadership the community grew to roughly 225 families by 1992, and construction began on the present church building on Salem Road. By the early 2000s the parish had reached about 400 households and was widely recognized as a blended Anglo, Hispanic, and Filipino community, with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish. Today the parish continues that bilingual, multicultural mission, serving worshippers on site and online through livestreamed Sunday Masses on its Facebook page.
- 1986 — parish established in the Diocese of Richmond
- 1991 — Fr. Eugene Teslovic assigned as pastor; ~42 families
- 1992 — parish grew to ~225 families; construction of the current church building began
- Early 2000s — parish at ~400 households; recognized as a blend of Anglo, Hispanic, and Filipino families
Clergy and Parish Staff
St. Luke is currently served by a pastor, a permanent deacon who also serves as Business Manager, and a team of lay staff handling administration, religious education, pastoral care, music, and bookkeeping. The parish also has an active Pastoral Council and Finance Council, made up of lay parishioners who help guide the spiritual and temporal life of the community.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Raphael Peprah
- Permanent Deacon / Business Manager: Rev. Mr. Lito Magsombol
- Administrative Assistant: Patty Trail
- Religious Education: Melissa Paulmino
- Pastoral Care: Hilda Paulino
- Music Coordinator: Marie Weber
- Bookkeeper: Jean Malbas
Pastoral and Finance Councils
The Pastoral Council and Finance Council assist the pastor in guiding parish life. The Finance Council, as published on the parish site, includes Philip Tubera (Chair), Karla Aceituno, Edmund Daulton, Jose Dela Cruz, Rachel Fabunan, Christian Granados, Sanju Joseph, John Miller, Julia Neuweiler, Mike Rivera, Ferdinand Torres, and Preslaysa Williams. The Pastoral Council, chaired by Steven, includes Regina Gomez, Flory Lizan, Dan Rucker, and Lina Valencia.
- Finance Council chaired by Philip Tubera
- Pastoral Council chaired by Steven
- Council members drawn from the English- and Spanish-speaking communities of the parish
Religious Education and Faith Formation
St. Luke's Religious Education ministry serves all ages, guiding parishioners on their journey of faith through engaging programs rooted in Catholic teaching and the Gospel. Children's Faith Formation, Vacation Bible School, youth catechesis, and Adult Formation are all offered through the parish, and sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Baptism, and Confirmation flows through this ministry. The Diocese of Richmond requires that families preparing for the sacraments be registered, regularly attending weekend Mass, and active in the life of the parish.
- Children's Faith Formation
- Vacation Bible School
- Youth catechesis
- Adult Formation
- Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation
Sacraments at St. Luke
St. Luke prepares parishioners for the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Reconciliation is offered on Wednesday afternoons, on First Fridays after the 6:00 PM Mass, and by appointment. Children in second grade or higher prepare for First Eucharist through Religious Education classes. Families preparing for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, or Confirmation must be registered in the parish, regularly attending weekend Mass, and active in parish life, in keeping with the requirements of the Diocese of Richmond.
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Baptism
- First Eucharist (2nd grade and older)
- Confirmation
- Holy Communion for the sick and homebound (Pastoral Care / Hospital Ministry)
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical life at St. Luke is supported by a dedicated Music Coordinator (Marie Weber) and by the parish's liturgical ministries — altar servers, lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — who sustain the celebration of daily Mass, the Vigil Mass, Sunday Masses in English and Spanish, First Friday devotions, and the parish's livestreamed services. The parish is committed to growing faith through love for the Eucharist and the traditions of the Catholic Church.
- Music Coordinator: Marie Weber
- Altar servers, lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Bilingual liturgy: English and Spanish
Pastoral Care, Hospital Ministry, and Outreach
Pastoral Care at St. Luke is led by Hilda Paulino and is closely linked to the parish's Hospital Ministry at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital on Glenn Mitchell Drive in Virginia Beach, where the parish reaches Catholics who are hospitalized. The parish also supports community outreach in line with its mission to show God's love, mercy, and generosity, and parishioners are encouraged to share their gifts through the parish's many ministries.
- Pastoral Care coordinator: Hilda Paulino
- Hospital Ministry at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital
- Community outreach rooted in the parish's Mission Statement
Livestream Masses and Online Worship
St. Luke livestreams its Sunday Masses on its official Facebook page so that parishioners who are homebound, traveling, or otherwise unable to attend in person can still share in the readings, music, and Eucharist with the parish community. Sunday Masses are livestreamed at 9:00 AM (English) and 12:00 PM (Spanish). By following the page, viewers receive notifications whenever the parish goes live.
- Sunday 9:00 AM (English) — livestreamed
- Sunday 12:00 PM (Spanish) — livestreamed
- Livestreamed via the official St. Luke Facebook page
Operations and Facilities
St. Luke's Operations and Facilities ministry cares for the parish's physical church building and grounds, ensuring a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for worship, formation, and fellowship. Volunteers assist with maintenance, safety, and the day-to-day work that keeps the parish running, allowing the church to remain a beautiful and welcoming home for the community.
- Church building and grounds care
- Volunteer-driven maintenance and safety
- Welcoming, clean environment for parishioners and visitors
Knights of Columbus Council #13784
St. Luke is home to Knights of Columbus Council #13784, which meets at 2304 Salem Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. The Knights are a long-standing lay Catholic fraternal organization that supports the parish through works of charity, faith, and fraternity.
- Council #13784
- Meets at 2304 Salem Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Visit, Contact, and Parish Office
St. Luke Catholic Church is located at 2304 Salem Road in the southern part of Virginia Beach, in the Salem area south of Princess Anne Road. The parish office can be reached by phone at (757) 427-5776 or by email at [email protected], and the office is open Monday – Thursday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, with Spanish-speaking staff available on Wednesday evenings from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. The office is closed on Friday. Visitors and parishioners are warmly welcomed, and the parish's livestreamed Sunday Masses ensure that those who cannot attend in person can still share in the celebration of the Eucharist.
- Address: 2304 Salem Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
- Phone: (757) 427-5776
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon – Thu 9 AM – 2 PM; Wed 4 PM – 6 PM (Spanish); closed Friday
- Website: http://stlukevabeach.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Raphael Peprah
Current pastor; listed on the parish website and the Diocese of Richmond parish page.
- Rev. Eugene "Gene" Teslovic1991–2002
Assigned as pastor in 1991 when the parish had about 42 families; grew the parish to roughly 225 families by 1992 and oversaw the construction of the present church building. Removed from active ministry by Bishop Walter F. Sullivan in September 2002 following a Diocesan Review Board finding that allegations of sexual abuse of minors in the late 1970s and mid-1980s were credible.