About St. Therese · Chesapeake, Virginia
The Catholic Church of St. Thérèse is a Roman Catholic parish in the Western Branch section of Chesapeake, Virginia, in the Diocese of Richmond. Founded in 1954 and named for St. Thérèse of Lisieux — the youngest Doctor of the Church — the parish grew from a chapel shared with Little Flower School into a thriving community at 4137 Portsmouth Blvd, just minutes from Portsmouth, Suffolk, and I-664. Under current pastor Rev. Rolo B. Castillo and Permanent Deacon Frederick "Bubba" Allen III, the parish celebrates weekend Masses, daily Mass Tuesday–Friday, Saturday confessions, and weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and runs a wide range of worship, formation, justice-and-peace, and community-life ministries.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin, 1873–1897), the youngest Doctor of the Church, author of Story of a Soul and known for her 'little way' of spiritual childhood.
- Rector
- Rev. Rolo B. Castillo (2023 – Current)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. Thérèse is a warm, multi-generational Western Branch parish where daily and weekend Mass, Saturday confessions, and Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction anchor the week. Members grow through Christian Initiation (OCIA), Sacramental Preparation, Word of Life faith formation for all ages, Vacation Bible School, a Centering Prayer group, Ladies' and Men's fellowship circles, and a Christian Initiation team — while serving neighbors through Angel Tree Prison Ministry, the Oasis Social Ministry Thanksgiving Food Collection, Norton Appalachian Ministry, Haitian Outreach, the Homeless and HER Shelters, Red Cross Blood Drives, and GriefShare. There is a clear place for everyone: greeters, altar servers, cantors and instrumentalists, lectors, ushers, catechists, youth ministry, scouts, and community-life committees.
Mass times at St. Therese
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM
- Or by appointment with Fr. Rolo Castillo (call the parish office or email)
Adoration times
- Wednesday after the 9:00 AM Mass until 12:00 PM, concluding with Benediction
About St. Thérèse Parish
St. Thérèse is a Roman Catholic parish in the Western Branch section of Chesapeake, VA, located at 4137 Portsmouth Blvd just minutes from Portsmouth, Suffolk, and I-664 exit 11B. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Richmond and draws its name and spirituality from St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the youngest Doctor of the Church. The parish mission is: 'As followers of Jesus, nourished by the Word, the Eucharist, and one another, we are called to joyfully spread the Good News by praising God, serving the poor, comforting the sick, and welcoming all.'
- Patron: St. Thérèse of Lisieux
- Feast Day: October 1
- Diocese: Richmond
- Deanery: 3
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–12:30); Friday closed
Parish History
St. Thérèse was conceived in May 1942 through the efforts of Msgr. Govaert, then pastor of St. Paul's in Portsmouth. Fr. Thomas Finnegan was appointed pastor on June 16, 1954, and the parish opened its doors on September 5, 1954, sharing facilities with Little Flower School on Oregon Ave. After consolidation of parish schools, the community moved temporarily to Chittum Elementary's auditorium before finding a permanent home.
- 1942 – Parish conceived under Msgr. Govaert
- 1954 – Fr. Thomas Finnegan appointed; parish opens Sept. 5
- 1971 – Groundbreaking on current Portsmouth Blvd site under Fr. Frank Ready
- June 24, 1972 – New church dedicated
- June 16, 1996 – Church rededicated with 10,000 sq ft of new office/fellowship space
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Thérèse is described as a lifelong journey supported by family, community, and the parish. The Word of Life program offers age-appropriate break-out sessions three Sundays a month from September through May (9:45–10:45 AM), giving singles, couples, and families a way to practice faith formation together. A week-long Vacation Bible School is held in late June for children PK3 through 5th grade.
- Word of Life (Christian Formation) — Sundays, 9:45–10:45 AM, three weeks per month
- Vacation Bible School — 5 days in late June, PK3–5th grade
- Ladies' Scripture Sharing Group & Little Rock Scripture Study
- Centering Prayer Group — Mondays 1:45–3:00 PM in the daily chapel
- Boy Scouts / Cub Scouts
- Youth Group — two Sundays a month
Christian Initiation (OCIA / RCIA)
Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA) is the parish's process for adults and children age 8 and older preparing to enter the Catholic Church. The year-round cycle begins with a late-August or early-September interest meeting, followed by formation, the Rite of Election on the first Sunday of Lent, and reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Already-baptized Christians are prepared individually rather than re-baptized. Sponsors and team members are encouraged to join.
- Interest meeting in late August / early September
- Three Sunday meetings per month at 9:45 AM
- Rite of Election – first Sunday of Lent
- Easter Vigil – Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist for the Elect
- Contacts: Paul Garrity & Deacon Bubba Allen
Sacraments
Information about each sacrament and its preparation is published on the parish's Religious Education page. Children typically prepare for First Reconciliation before First Eucharist (usually in second grade), and Confirmation preparation begins in grade 10 or above. Registered parishioners must contact the parish at least six months before scheduling a wedding, and Anointing of the Sick is arranged through the parish office.
- Baptism (children under 7) – parent info session + parish registration
- First Eucharist & First Reconciliation – second grade or later
- Confirmation – grade 10 or above
- Reconciliation – Saturdays 3:30–4:30 PM or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick / Ministry of Care – call (757) 488-2553
- Marriage – 6 months' notice for registered parishioners
- Holy Orders / Vocations – referrals to the Diocese of Richmond Office of Vocations
Justice, Outreach & Community Life
St. Thérèse runs an unusually broad outreach program — local, regional, and international — coordinated through its Justice and Peace ministries. The Oasis Social Ministry runs a Thanksgiving Food Collection and a 'Thanksgiving in July' drive, while the parish partners with the Homeless Shelter, the HER Shelter, the Norton Appalachian Ministry in far Southwest Virginia, Haitian Outreach, and Angel Tree Prison Ministry. Pastoral Care of the Sick brings Communion and Anointing to the homebound and hospitalized.
- Angel Tree Prison Ministry
- Oasis Social Ministry — Thanksgiving Food Collection & Thanksgiving in July
- Homeless Shelter & HER Shelter
- Norton Appalachian Ministry
- Haitian Outreach
- Pastoral Care of the Sick
- Red Cross Blood Drives (3–4 per year)
- GriefShare support ministry
Parish Fellowship & Groups
Beyond outreach and formation, St. Thérèse nurtures parish life through men's, women's, and senior fellowship, leadership councils, and welcome teams. The Ladies of St. Therese and the Men of St. Therese (M.O.S.T.) meet monthly, the Nifty-Over-Fifties group connects seniors, and the Community Life Committee organizes parish-wide hospitality. Pastoral and Finance Councils provide lay leadership.
- Ladies of St. Therese — first Monday, 6:00 PM
- Men of St. Therese (M.O.S.T.) — third Monday
- Nifty-Over-Fifties (senior fellowship)
- Pastoral Council — third Tuesday after worship, 6:30 PM
- Finance Council
- Hospitality, Information Desk Greeters, Office Ministries
- Buildings & Grounds, Garden & Ground Beautification
Staff & Contacts
The parish office is staffed Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–12:30) and closed on Fridays. All staff can be reached through the main number (757) 488-2553 plus their extensions. Most staff can also be reached by emailing the parish at [email protected].
- Pastor — Rev. Rolo B. Castillo (Ext. 311, [email protected])
- Permanent Deacon — Rev. Mr. Frederick 'Bubba' Allen III (Ext. 313, [email protected])
- Pastoral Associate / DRE / Youth Ministry — Megan Malhiot (Ext. 306)
- Music Director — Michelle Hickling (Ext. 312)
- Office Manager / Sacramental Records — Jessica Robusto-Salmons (Ext. 301)
- Business Administrator / VIRTUS — Toshia Bushore (Ext. 304)
- Parish email: [email protected]
Visiting St. Thérèse — Location & Practical Info
St. Thérèse sits at 4137 Portsmouth Blvd in Western Branch, Chesapeake, VA 23321-2127, with easy access from I-664 exit 11B, Portsmouth, and Suffolk. The office follows Chesapeake Public Schools' inclement-weather closures, and holiday or schedule changes appear in the weekly bulletin and email.
- Address: 4137 Portsmouth Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23321-2127
- Phone: (757) 488-2553 · Fax: (757) 465-4086
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–12:30); Friday closed
- Inclement weather: office closes whenever Chesapeake Public Schools close
- Diocese: Richmond (Deanery 3)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas Finnegan1954–1959
Founding pastor; opened the parish on Sept. 5, 1954.
- Rev. Joseph Leitch1959–1964
- Rev. William Connelly1964–1970
- Rev. Frank Ready1970–1973
Founding pastor of St. Thérèse's current site; broke ground August 1971, dedicated new church June 24, 1972. Later known as a 'building pastor' who also launched Sacred Heart in Manassas.
- Rev. Albert Pereira1973–1981
- Rev. Charles Saglio1981–1983
- Rev. Robert French1983–1992
- Rev. James Griffin1992–1998
- Rev. Robert Cummins1998–2009
- Rev. Jim Gordon2009–2011
- Rev. Romeo Jazmin2011–2012
- Rev. Kevin J. O'Brien2012–2023
- Rev. Rolo B. Castillo2023 – Current
Current pastor.