A Bilingual Catholic Parish in the Lakeside Area
Our Lady of Lourdes sits along Woodman Road in Henrico County, just outside Richmond, and calls itself "a bilingual community gathered in Christ, worshipping in the Roman Catholic tradition, and sent forth in His love to serve the Lakeside community and surrounding areas." The parish belongs to the Diocese of Richmond, and its life runs on two languages and a steady rhythm of Mass, sacraments, formation, and outreach. Visitors step into a church that lives out Catholicism in both tongues, side by side, every day of the week.
Mass in Spanish and English, Seven Days a Week
The parish's weekly schedule is built around two language tracks. The English track begins with the Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 pm, which is livestreamed on the parish Facebook page. Sunday brings two more English Masses at 8:15 am and 10:00 am. The Spanish track picks up on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm, also broadcast live, and continues with an evening Mass at 6:00 pm.
Daily Mass fills the rest of the week. English Mass is celebrated on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings at 8:30 am. Spanish Mass follows on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7:00 pm. A bilingual Mass rounds out the month on the first Saturday at 10:00 am, preceded by a 9:00 am Rosary and 9:30 am Confessions. Worship follows the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church: liturgical, reverent, and centered on the Eucharist.
Reconciliation, Adoration, and First Saturday Devotions
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered three times a week. Confessions are heard in English and Spanish on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. The parish welcomes those who have not been to confession in years as readily as those who come regularly, quoting the assurance that "the Father is longing to run to you and welcome you home."
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at 6:00 pm on Wednesdays in English. The Spanish community gathers for Adoración, the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, after the 7:00 pm Thursday Mass. The First Saturday Devotions gather monthly for Rosary at 9:00 am, Confessions at 9:30 am, and a Bilingual Mass at 10:00 am.
The Seven Sacraments, From the Cradle to the Sickbed
Sacraments mark the parish's rhythm of life, and the staff walks with parishioners through each one. Baptism, celebrated as soon as possible after birth, is scheduled through Nilda Torres, who serves in both English and Spanish. Parents and godparents receive preparation beforehand.
First Sacraments (First Penance and First Holy Communion) are prepared in formation sessions open to baptized Catholics in second grade or higher; families work with Deacon Steven Cottam for English or with Natalia Serna for Spanish. The parish welcomes older youth and adults seeking to enter the faith as well, walking them toward Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Confirmation preparation is offered to baptized Catholics who are at least fifteen years old; candidates meet with Deacon Cottam or Natalia Serna depending on language. Holy Matrimony requires at least six months of preparation with a priest or deacon. Anointing of the Sick is available for any serious illness, before surgery, or for the homebound; the parish office can arrange for a priest to visit. Holy Orders inquiries, for those discerning priesthood or religious life, are directed first to the pastor.
Faith Formation for Children, Teens, and Adults
Our Lady of Lourdes offers Faith Formation for students from kindergarten through high school, with First Sacraments for second graders and older, and Youth Confirmation for those in grades ten through twelve (ages fifteen and up). Registration is handled through the parish office during the week and on select Sundays, with calendars provided at sign-up. Adult formation through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults welcomes those seeking to become Catholic, age seven and up, as well as baptized Christians entering into full communion.
Two digital tools extend faith formation beyond the classroom. The parish partners with Hallow, the Catholic prayer and meditation app, and runs an annual summer prayer challenge built around a thirty-day walk through the four Gospels. The parish is also registered with FORMED, an online library of Catholic video studies, e-books, and audio content available to parishioners free of charge. Flocknote keeps the community informed of parish news and updates through email and text.
Our Lady of Lourdes School, Junior Kindergarten Through Eighth Grade
The parish campus includes Our Lady of Lourdes School, a Catholic school serving junior kindergarten through eighth grade. The school markets itself with the line "You Belong Here," promising affordable faith-based academics, small class sizes, rigorous coursework, and dedicated educators. Tuition assistance is offered through grants for Catholic students, sibling discounts, and income-based awards. Spanish-speaking families can find information on a parallel Spanish page; the school maintains a separate online address.
Music Ministry and the Advent Concert
The Music Ministry serves the parish liturgies under Director of Music Katie Goodloe, with Paul Davies serving as Assistant Director of Music. Musicians support Masses in both languages and prepare for major feasts. Each Advent, the parish hosts an evening Advent Concert that draws the wider community; the annual tradition continues into a new year each November.
Human Concerns: Food, Clothing, Healing, and Life
The parish operates a Human Concerns outreach coordinated by Joan Dufour, built around four pillars.
- Food Pantry. Volunteers distribute food on Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00 to 11:30 am by appointment, and respond to emergency situations as they arise.
- Laura's Closet. A free clothing ministry named for a beloved parishioner. Gently used clothing is collected in wooden boxes just inside the main doors during office hours and weekend Masses; the closet itself opens to the public from 9:30 to 11:00 am every Tuesday.
- Rachel's Vineyard. The parish sponsors this post-abortion healing retreat ministry, with a confidential line and three co-facilitators who walk with men and women toward hope and reconciliation.
- Mary's Choice RVA. The parish supports this mission that welcomes women facing unexpected pregnancies, providing them with a loving and safe home environment.
The parish also addresses issues such as human trafficking and assisted suicide, directing readers to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for teaching and statistics.
The Fisher Memorial Library
The parish operates the Fisher Memorial Library, with an online catalog that opens to both English and Spanish readers. The library extends the parish's reading and study resources beyond the sanctuary, supporting parishioners who want to read more deeply about their faith.
Giving, Livestream, and Parish Communications
Parishioners and visitors can support Our Lady of Lourdes through online electronic giving by credit or debit, recurring drafts from a checking or savings account, and weekly envelopes placed in the collection or mailed to the office. Text-to-give is available by sending a contribution amount to 804-293-2361; a follow-up text handles registration, and adding the word "debt," "youth," or "365" directs the gift to a particular fund. Monthly and annual financial reports are posted in English.
The Saturday Vigil Mass (5:00 pm English) and the Sunday afternoon Mass (1:00 pm Spanish) are broadcast on the parish's Facebook pages. The weekly parish bulletin, financial updates, daily Mass readings in English and Spanish, and sacramental registration forms are also available online. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and by appointment on Fridays. The Spanish-language line is staffed separately.
Clergy and Staff
Our Lady of Lourdes is served by two priests and a permanent deacon. Father Herman Katongole is the pastor; Father Marlon Portillo serves as parochial vicar; Deacon Steven Cottam assists in liturgy, Baptism preparation, and First Eucharist and Confirmation formation in English. Megan Cottam serves as Parish Engagement Coordinator. Natalia Serna coordinates Faith Formation and First Sacraments in Spanish; Sarah Howard serves as Youth Advocate. Katie Goodloe directs the Music Ministry with Paul Davies as Assistant Director. Joan Dufour coordinates Human Concerns. Nilda Torres is the Pastoral Associate for Baptism and serves Spanish-speaking families. Sister Adriana Tovar supports formation across the parish. Parishioners seeking the sacraments of Holy Matrimony or Anointing of the Sick, or arranging a priestly visit, are invited to contact the parish office.
Joining the Parish
New parishioners can register online through a parish registration form, available in English and Spanish, or in person at the parish office. Karla Rinn, who keeps parish records, assists with registration questions. Becoming a registered parishioner matters especially for those seeking the sacraments, enrolling children in Faith Formation or the school, or planning a wedding at the parish.