About Corpus Christi Parish · Mobile, Alabama
Corpus Christi Parish is a Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Mobile, located at 6300 McKenna Drive in Mobile, Alabama. Its mission is to 'bring the Body of Christ to the people of Mobile, Alabama so that we can become one with Him.' The parish community gathers for Mass in English throughout the week, maintains a K3–8th grade Catholic school on its grounds, runs an active youth group for high school students, and celebrates its patron feast — Corpus Christi — each year with a multicultural festival featuring food from around the world. The parish is currently led by Fr. Pat Arensberg, named pastor in 2021.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick 'Pat' Arensberg
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Mobile (Metropolitan Archdiocese)
Why belong here
Corpus Christi Parish offers a full Catholic life in west Mobile: weekend and daily Mass in English, regular Saturday and Sunday confession windows, First Friday Eucharistic Adoration from 9 AM to 5 PM, an OCIA/RCIA process for adults exploring Catholicism, a parish council with elected five-year terms, a vibrant high school youth group that meets Wednesday nights with dinner provided, and a parish-supported K3–8 school with a Catholic mission. The parish celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi each June with a multicultural festival reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its members.
Mass times at Corpus Christi Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 6:30 AM – 6:50 AM
- Sunday 8:30 AM – 8:50 AM
- Sunday 10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
- Saturday 5:00 PM – 5:20 PM
- By appointment through the Parish Office (251-342-1852)
Adoration times
- First Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Welcome from the Pastor
In his welcome letter on the parish website, Fr. Pat Arensberg writes: 'Corpus Christi exists to bring the Body of Christ to the people of Mobile, Alabama so that we can become one with Him. I hope you will join us in our celebration and then go forth with the peace of Christ, sharing Him with those you encounter.' The parish's prayer for visitors is that their time at Corpus Christi fills them with joy, challenges them to live a holy life, and helps them achieve it.
- Pastor: Fr. Pat Arensberg
- Mass times and confession windows listed on every page of the site
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a small, dedicated staff led by pastor Fr. Pat Arensberg. The office is on the 2nd floor of the Community Center and is open Monday–Thursday 9 AM – 3 PM (closed Friday).
- Pastor — Fr. Pat Arensberg ([email protected])
- School Principal — Mrs. Kristy F. Martin
- Business Manager — Mr. John Gelineau
- Communications Director — Miss Elizabeth Gelineau
- Parish Office Secretary — Mr. Ryan Beall
- Sacramental Coordinator — Mrs. Mary C. Lawson
- Youth Ministry Coordinator — Mr. Peter J. Stoyka
- Music Director — Mrs. Kathleen Farrell
- Lead Pianist — Mrs. Gretter Diaz
- Facilities & Events — Ms. Denise Dancause
- Maintenance — Mr. Brian Sherman
- Janitorial Staff — Mrs. Shannon Freeman
Parish School — Corpus Christi Catholic School
Corpus Christi Catholic School sits on the parish grounds at 6300 McKenna Drive. Ground was broken May 22, 1958, and the school celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2019 with a parish-wide picnic. Today the school serves students in K3 through 8th grade, with an enrollment around 446 and an average class size of 22. The school is accredited by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
- Grades: Pre-K3 through 8th
- Founded 1958 (groundbreaking May 22, 1958)
- Enrollment: ~446 students; average class size 22
- Accredited by NCEA
- Mission: to provide a spiritual, academic, disciplined and safe environment that encourages superior student performance and integrates the Word of God with Christian fellowship and service
- Motto: 'teach as Jesus did'
- Principal: Mrs. Kristy F. Martin
Faith Formation — OCIA / RCIA
The parish's OCIA (formerly RCIA) process welcomes anyone interested in learning about or joining the Catholic Church — cradle Catholics wanting a refresher, non-Christians, or those preparing for baptism. Classes meet on Sunday mornings following the 9 AM Mass (10:05–10:55 AM) in the Adult Education Room on the first floor of the Community Center, and typically begin each fall.
- 50-minute classes on Sundays after 9 AM Mass
- Coordinator: Elizabeth Gelineau ([email protected])
- Steps: Pre-Catechumenate (Inquiry) → Catechumenate → Rite of Election → Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil → Mystagogy
Youth Ministry
The Corpus Christi Youth Group is a community of high school disciples of Christ striving to live holy lives. Under the quote 'The world promises you comfort. But you were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness' (Pope Benedict XVI), the group meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM in the Parish House. Each week a team of volunteers serves dinner to about 50 teens, with pizza night a perennial favorite.
- Coordinator: Mr. Peter J. Stoyka
- Wednesdays 6:30 PM in the Parish House
- Open to all high school students
- Summer retreat offered annually
- Meal volunteers welcome (contact Susie Veasey at 251-510-5803)
Parish Council
Members of the Parish Council serve five-year terms, are appointed by the pastor, and meet once a month. The Council includes a dedicated youth representative — currently James Edwards, a sophomore at WP Davidson High School and Corpus Christi School alumnus who also plays JV soccer, E-Sports, and is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
- Five-year member terms
- Monthly meetings
- Includes a youth representative
- Contact: [email protected]
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at Corpus Christi Parish is led by Music Director Mrs. Kathleen Farrell and Lead Pianist Mrs. Gretter Diaz. The music ministry supports the English Mass schedule throughout the week and on weekends.
- Music Director: Mrs. Kathleen Farrell
- Lead Pianist: Mrs. Gretter Diaz
Outreach — St. Vincent de Paul
The parish hosts a St. Vincent de Paul Conference that helps neighbors in crisis through direct assistance and referrals to other agencies. Support typically includes food, rent, utilities, medical needs, and other urgent situations.
- Parish Office contact: 251-342-1852
- Helps with food, rent, utilities, medical bills, and crisis referrals
- Conference president listed on svdpccc.org
Knights of Columbus & Seton Sisters
The parish's Knights of Columbus council is a regular presence at parish events, firing up the smoker for their famous pulled pork at the annual Corpus Christi multicultural festival. The Seton Sisters is a service organization for young girls that has been active in the parish since its inception and is championed by parishioner Claire Hanna.
- Knights of Columbus — pulled pork smoker at parish festival
- Seton Sisters — young-girls service organization
Feast of Corpus Christi Multicultural Festival
Each year in early June, Corpus Christi Parish celebrates its patron feast — the Feast of Corpus Christi — with a multicultural festival featuring homemade dishes representing the many national backgrounds of parishioners. The second edition of this new tradition (2025) included food from Brazil, Croatia, Italy, the Philippines, Syria, and Togo, with the Knights of Columbus providing their famous pulled pork.
- Held in early June
- Multicultural food festival
- Knights of Columbus pulled pork is a mainstay
Office & Visiting
Parish Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Friday closed). The office is on the 2nd floor of the Community Center, accessible by elevator or the stairway in the Atrium. For sacramental needs outside of scheduled confession times, contact the office at 251-342-1852 or [email protected].
- Address: 6300 McKenna Dr., Mobile, AL 36608
- Phone: (251) 342-1852
- Email: [email protected]
- Office: 2nd floor, Community Center (elevator accessible)
- Hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM – 3 PM; Friday closed
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick 'Pat' Arensberg2021–present
Named pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in 2021; previously Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus in Semmes and Parochial Vicar at St. Bede the Venerable in Montgomery.