A Bilingual Parish on Salem Road
St. Luke Catholic Church stands at 2304 Salem Road in the southern part of Virginia Beach, easily reached from Princess Anne Road and the surrounding Salem area. The parish is a Roman Catholic community of the Diocese of Richmond that has served the city for forty years. A 40th Anniversary Mass on May 30, 2026 marked the milestone, and the parish continues to grow as a center of worship, formation, and outreach in southern Virginia Beach.
The parish describes its identity in these words: "As Catholics committed to a sacramental life, we are called to be disciples of Christ and help one another as we journey to Heaven under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Communion of Saints. Guided by St. Luke, we evangelize by showing God's love, mercy, and generosity, through the traditions of the Catholic Church. We grow the faith through our love for the Eucharist and community outreach." From its earliest days, St. Luke has been a place where Mass is offered in both English and Spanish, and that bilingual character shapes nearly every part of parish life.
Masses in English and Spanish
The weekly Mass schedule at St. Luke balances weekday prayer with bilingual weekend celebrations. Mass is offered Tuesday through Friday at 9:00 AM, with the rosary prayed in the church at 8:40 AM beforehand. On Wednesday evenings, Mass is celebrated at 6:00 PM in Spanish, with the rosary at 5:00 PM. The Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:30 PM. Sunday brings two Masses: 9:00 AM in English and 12:00 PM in Spanish. On First Fridays, an additional Mass is celebrated at 6:00 PM and is followed by Confession and Adoration continuing until midnight.
The parish warmly welcomes visitors and returning Catholics alike, and those preparing for First Communion journey alongside their families through formation classes before joining the assembly at the altar.
Adoration, Reconciliation, and the Prayer of Spiritual Communion
Eucharistic Adoration is offered in the church Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, giving parishioners an extended window for quiet prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is heard on Wednesday evenings from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM and at other times by appointment through the parish office. The parish reminds visitors that no matter how long it has been since a person's last confession, the sacrament is always available. Following the First Friday Mass, Confession and Adoration continue together until midnight.
For those at home who are unable to receive the Eucharist in person, the parish publishes a Prayer of Spiritual Communion that begins: "My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart."
Livestream, Homilies, and Daily Readings
The Sunday 9:00 AM English Mass and the 12:00 PM Spanish Mass are livestreamed on the parish's Facebook page, allowing those at home to share in the readings, music, and Eucharist alongside those present in the church. By following the page, viewers receive notifications whenever it goes live.
Each week, Pastor Msgr. Raphael Peprah records a homily that is posted online so parishioners can revisit the message throughout the week. Past homilies include reflections on the Feasts of Christmas and Epiphany, on the seasons of Advent and Lent, and on the Sundays of Ordinary Time. The parish also publishes the Catholic daily readings from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops each day in both English and Spanish.
The Seven Sacraments
St. Luke celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The Diocese of Richmond requires that families preparing for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, or Confirmation complete parish registration, attend weekend Mass regularly, and be active in the life of the parish before sacramental preparation can begin.
Baptisms are scheduled on the third Saturday of the month in English and on the fourth Saturday of the month in Spanish, with no Baptisms celebrated during Advent or Lent. Parents must be members of the parish and attend a required preparation class, and godparents must be Confirmed practicing Catholics. Children in second grade or higher prepare for First Holy Communion through formation classes led by the Director of Religious Education. Confirmation preparation is offered for Catholics at least fifteen years old. Couples planning to marry are asked to contact the pastor six to twelve months before the anticipated date. Men discerning Holy Orders are encouraged to reach out to the Diocese of Richmond Vocations Office, and the parish also shares information about consecrated life through links to the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Poor Clares, the Trappistines, the Dominican Sisters, and the Sisters of Bon Secours. The Anointing of the Sick is offered to any baptized Catholic facing serious illness or surgery, and parishioners may request that a priest bring Communion, Anointing, or a pastoral visit to a sick family member.
Liturgical Ministries
A wide circle of lay volunteers makes the parish liturgies possible. The Altar Bread and Wine ministry prepares the Eucharistic gifts for each Mass. Altar Servers, including many young parishioners, assist the priest and deacon at the altar and grow in faith through their service. The Arts and Environment ministry tends to the beauty of the worship space, decorating the sanctuary to mark the seasons of the liturgical year. The Christian Initiation ministry walks with those seeking to enter the Catholic Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), a journey of formation, prayer, and community that culminates in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist at Mass and bring Holy Communion to those who are homebound or living in care facilities. Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Mass. The Linen Care ministry cleans and prepares the sacred linens used at the altar with quiet devotion. Ushers welcome parishioners and visitors, assist with seating, take up the collection, and help the liturgy run smoothly. The Music Ministry, led by Music Coordinator Marie Weber, enriches every celebration of the Mass with voices and instruments, and a Children's Choir gives young parishioners a chance to learn sacred music and inspire the assembly with their singing.
Prayer and Devotion
Three prayer and devotional groups meet at the parish. The Alliance of the Two Hearts is devoted to the united love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Members grow in holiness through prayer, consecration, and spiritual formation, seeking to bring peace to families, communities, and the world. Eucharistic Adoration gathers parishioners for quiet prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament during the scheduled hours each week. Grupo de Oración is a Spanish-language prayer group that meets for praise, prayer, and reflection on the Word, welcoming all who wish to encounter the living presence of the Holy Spirit.
Faith Formation for Every Age
Religious Education at St. Luke serves parishioners from childhood through adulthood. Children's Faith Formation and Vacation Bible School accompany young parishioners on their journey toward the sacraments. Youth catechesis prepares older students for Confirmation. Adult Formation supports adult Catholics who wish to deepen their understanding of the faith, and the OCIA process welcomes those preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church.
The parish's Young Ministry gathers youth and young adults around the motto "Rooted in Christ. Growing in service. Called to lead with love." Participants explore their faith, serve the community, and grow as leaders through ministry roles, volunteer work, event organization, and peer mentoring. The Young Adult Group, in particular, is a space for connection, conversation, and community, where young adults explore faith, serve others, and build lasting friendships rooted in Christ.
Parish Clubs and Organizations
The parish is home to several lay organizations that strengthen the bonds of community and put faith into practice. The Knights of Columbus Council 13784 is a Catholic fraternal organization committed to charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism; members serve the parish and the wider community through acts of service, fundraising, and spiritual support. The Ladies Auxiliary supports the work of the Knights through prayer, service, and fellowship. The Women's Club gathers women of the parish for fellowship, charitable outreach, and faith-based activities. Together, these organizations offer ways to serve both within the parish and in the wider community.
Caring for the Parish Home
The Operations and Facilities ministry at St. Luke is run entirely by volunteers. They care for the church building, worship spaces, fellowship hall, grounds, and restrooms, keeping the parish clean, safe, and welcoming for every liturgy and gathering. A regular Saturday morning clean-up from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM prepares the building for the weekend liturgies, and new volunteers are always welcome to join in.
The Faith and Family 5K
The parish launched its inaugural Faith and Family 5K, drawing more than two hundred and fifty runners, walkers, families, and friends to the church grounds. A cloudy morning cleared just in time for the start, and the course filled with parents, kids, strollers, and friends, while supporters lined the route with cheers, signs, and smiles. The finish area rang with high-fives and celebration. The event is beginning to take its place as a new parish tradition that brings together the parish family and the surrounding community.
Pastor, Staff, and Councils
St. Luke is pastored by Msgr. Raphael Peprah, who also records the parish homilies each week. He is assisted by Deacon Lito Magsombol. Pastoral Care is provided by Patty Trail. Hilda Paulino serves as Administrative Assistant, Melissa Paulmino directs Religious Education, Marie Weber coordinates Music, and Jean Malbas serves as Bookkeeper. The Parish Council is chaired by Philip Tubera and includes 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 Finance Council is chaired by Steven Pearson and includes Regina Gomez, Flory Lizan, Dan Rucker, and Lina Valencia.
Office, Giving, and Welcome
The parish office at 2304 Salem Road is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with Spanish-language office hours on Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The office is closed on Friday. Parishioners and visitors can support the life of the parish in several ways: online giving through ParishGiving, traditional offertory envelopes at Mass, mail-in contributions, special collections for seasonal appeals, and memorial or tribute gifts honoring loved ones. St. Luke belongs to the Diocese of Richmond, and the parish works in concert with diocesan offices for marriage preparation, vocations, safe-environment reporting, and the wider life of the Catholic Church in Virginia. Visitors are welcomed as part of the parish family, and the life of St. Luke centers on the Eucharist, the Word, and the call to be disciples of Christ.