About Holy Name of Jesus · Semmes, Alabama
Holy Name of Jesus is a Roman Catholic parish in Semmes, Alabama, a growing community in the northern Mobile metro area. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Mobile and worships at its church on Snow Road North. It ministers to a bilingual congregation through English and Spanish Masses, a robust sacramental and faith-formation program, and outreach such as Suzette's Food Pantry. Led today by Rev. Monsignor Stephen E. Martin, the parish was founded in 1977 and dedicated a new church building in December 2015.
- Established
- 1977
- Patron
- Holy Name of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Monsignor Stephen E. Martin
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Mobile
Why belong here
Holy Name of Jesus welcomes anyone in the Semmes and Wilmer area looking for an active Catholic community. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass in both English and Spanish, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, frequent Confession times, a high-school youth group (HNJ Impact) that meets Wednesdays around 6 PM, OCIA for adults entering the Church, and Knights of Columbus outreach including blood drives and Lenten fish fries. Through Suzette's Food Pantry — open the first and third Thursday mornings — Holy Name also serves non-parishioners in need, making it a true hub of faith and charity in north Mobile County.
Mass times at Holy Name of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 5:00 PM – 5:20 PM
- Sunday 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM
- Sunday 9:30 AM – 9:50 AM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday following the 8:30 AM Mass
- Third Thursday of the month, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Parish History
Holy Name of Jesus Parish was founded in 1977 and grew on its Snow Road North campus in Semmes. From the beginning the local Knights of Columbus council played a vital role, even hosting the first parish Masses in their meeting hall. After nearly four decades of growth, the parish dedicated a new church building in December 2015 — the capstone project of Fr. John L. Holleman's pastorate.
- Founded 1977
- New church dedicated December 2015
- Knights of Columbus hosted the first parish Masses
Mass & Worship Schedule
The parish celebrates a full weekly schedule that includes a Saturday Vigil, three Sunday Masses (one in Spanish), and daily Mass four days a week. Weekday Masses are held in the morning on Thursday and Friday and in the evening on Tuesday and Wednesday, making it easier for working parishioners to attend.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM (English)
- Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM (English), 12:30 PM (Spanish)
- Tuesday 6:00 PM, Wednesday 6:00 PM
- Thursday 8:00 AM, Friday 8:00 AM
- Holy Days: 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Monsignor Stephen E. Martin as pastor, assisted by Deacon Chuck Drake and Fr. Pat Arensberg. An emergency contact number for Msgr. Martin is published on the contact page.
- Rev. Monsignor Stephen E. Martin — Pastor
- Deacon Chuck Drake
- Fr. Pat Arensberg — Parochial Vicar (handles baptisms, anointings, vocation inquiries)
- MC Sylvester — Family Life / Youth Coordinator ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion through the CCD program (second grade and above), while teens in 11th grade and above go through a Fall Confirmation Preparation Program. Adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church participate in OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults).
- CCD / Sunday School for children
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (2nd grade+)
- Confirmation Preparation (11th grade+, Fall)
- OCIA for adults
Impact Youth Group
The HNJ Impact Youth Group is a community of high school disciples of Christ who meet weekly in the Family Life Center on Wednesdays. The evening begins with 6:00 PM Mass, followed by dinner and an activity from 6:30–8:00 PM. A favorite quote on the parish's youth page comes from Pope Benedict XVI: 'The world promises you comfort. But you were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness.'
- High-school aged
- Wednesdays: 6:00 PM Mass, dinner and activity 6:30–8:00 PM
- Family Life Center
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus are deeply woven into Holy Name of Jesus history — the council hosted the very first parish Masses in its meeting hall. Today the local council continues as a fraternal benefit society rooted in charity, unity, and fraternity, sponsoring blood drives, supporting parish events, running the Lenten Fish Fries, and providing financial support for youth missions. Contact Glenn Philen at (251) 583-9607.
- Blood drives
- Parish event support
- Lenten Fish Fries
- Financial support for youth missions
Suzette's Food Pantry
The parish runs Suzette's Food Pantry to assist families in the Semmes and Wilmer area. The pantry is open on the first and third Thursday of every month from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Recipients do not need to be parishioners; an ID or utility bill with a current address is requested. The pantry observes a one-basket-per-household-per-month policy and welcomes donations and volunteers.
- Open 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
- Serving the Semmes/Wilmer area
- One basket per household per month
- Donations and volunteers welcome
Hispanic Ministry
Holy Name of Jesus has an active Hispanic ministry that gives the parish a bilingual Sunday schedule. In addition to the Spanish Mass at 12:30 PM on Sundays, Spanish-speaking outreach (referenced in the parish's contact directory) can be reached through the number (251) 414-5458 listed by various directories.
- Sunday Spanish Mass at 12:30 PM
Sacraments
The parish's sacraments page walks families through each of the seven sacraments. Baptism requires parish registration and confirmed godparents; First Communion and First Reconciliation require enrollment in CCD; Confirmation is offered to 11th graders and above through a Fall prep program; Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders inquiries are coordinated through the office or directly with Fr. Pat.
- Baptism (with pre-baptismal class)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (CCD)
- Confirmation (Fall program, 11th grade+)
- Marriage — by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- Holy Orders — vocation discernment
Bulletin, Online Giving & Communication
Parish bulletins are posted online for the current and recent months. The site also offers Online Giving (a 'Virtual Collection Basket') for recurring tithing, and links to a Facebook page, the Kidzone children's resources, and DiscoverMass for schedule verification.
- Online bulletins (published through current months)
- Online Giving through the Virtual Collection Basket
- Facebook page linked from the footer
Visit & Contact
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, at 2275 Snow Road North, Semmes, AL 36575. Phone (251) 649-4794; email [email protected]. Msgr. Martin's emergency line is (251) 402-3578.
- Address: 2275 Snow Road N., Semmes, AL 36575
- Phone: (251) 649-4794
- Email: [email protected]
- Office: Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John L. Holleman2008–2016
Oversaw construction of the new parish church dedicated in December 2015; retired to Gulf Shores in 2016 and passed away August 18, 2021 at age 83.
- Rev. Monsignor Stephen E. MartinCurrent pastor
Listed as pastor on the parish staff page; emergency contact line published on the contact page.