About Immaculate Heart of Mary · Ball, Louisiana
Immaculate Heart of Mary is a Roman Catholic parish in the small community of Ball, Louisiana, in the Central Deanery of the Diocese of Alexandria. Established in 1971, the parish serves the Tioga/Ball area with weekend Masses on Saturday evening and twice on Sunday, daily Mass four days a week, and a full sacramental and religious-education program staffed by a pastor, deacon, parish manager, music director, and a team of catechists. It is a community-oriented parish that celebrates the sacraments, supports faith formation for all ages, and ministers to a local nursing home.
- Established
- 1971
- Patron
- Immaculate Heart of Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Rick Gremillion
- Diocese
- Diocese of Alexandria (Central Deanery)
Why belong here
Immaculate Heart of Mary offers a genuine small-parish Catholic community in Ball/Tioga with daily and weekend Mass, regular Confession before every weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration during Lent, First Friday devotions, Stations of the Cross, and a Sunday Rosary. The parish invests heavily in the faith formation of its young people through PREP classes held in Founders' Hall and an active youth ministry, and it reaches beyond its walls with monthly nursing-home Masses at Tioga Manor and connection to diocesan ministries like Manna House and the Cenla Pregnancy Center.
Mass times at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:30-8:50 AM
- Sunday 10:30-10:50 AM
- Saturday 3:30-3:50 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Fridays during Lent 5:00-6:00 PM
Parish Identity & Location
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church is located at 1220 Tioga Road in Ball, Louisiana — across the street from Tioga High School — and is part of the Diocese of Alexandria, Central Deanery. The parish was established in 1971 and serves the Tioga/Ball community of central Louisiana. The mailing/office address, office phone (318-640-9446) and fax (318-640-3864) are listed on the parish's official site, with office hours Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-12:30 PM.
- Address: 1220 Tioga Rd, Ball, LA 71405
- Diocese: Alexandria (Central Deanery)
- Established: 1971
- Office phone: (318) 640-9446
- Email: [email protected]
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by a small, dedicated staff team. The pastor is Rev. Rick Gremillion, assisted by permanent Deacon Roger Christopher. Day-to-day operations are managed by Parish Manager Tara Christen, and the liturgical life of the parish is shaped by Music Director Ariana Christopher. Faith-formation work is supported by RCIA coordinator Pattie Marshall and Director of Religious Education Jacqueline Mathews. The team is consistent across the parish website and the Diocese of Alexandria's 2024 directory.
- Rev. Rick Gremillion — Pastor
- Deacon Roger Christopher — Deacon
- Tara Christen — Parish Manager
- Ariana Christopher — Music Director
- Pattie Marshall — RCIA
- Jacqueline Mathews — DRE
Sacraments
The parish offers the full range of Catholic sacraments. Anointing of the Sick is available after every Mass or by appointment. Infant and child Baptism is arranged through the parish office. First Eucharist is celebrated in the second grade (after completion of first grade), and Confirmation is a two-year process beginning in 10th grade and culminating in 11th grade. Couples preparing for Marriage must contact the priest at least six months before the planned wedding date, and Confession is offered per the posted schedule or by appointment. The parish also partners with the Diocese of Alexandria for priestly and religious vocations.
- Anointing of the Sick — after Mass or by appointment
- Baptism — contact parish office
- First Eucharist — typically 2nd grade
- Confirmation — 2-year process (10th & 11th grade)
- Marriage — contact Father 6+ months ahead
- Confession — per schedule or by appointment
- Vocations — referral to Fr. Louis Sklar, 318-445-2401
Faith Formation (PREP) & Youth Ministry
Faith Formation is at the heart of parish life at Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) meets in Founders' Hall and serves students from kindergarten through 11th grade, with sacramental preparation embedded at the appropriate grade levels. PREP classes are held on Sundays from 9:45-10:45 AM and run a full academic year ($30 per family registration). A large team of catechists — across grades K-11, plus RCIC — teaches under Director of Religious Education Jacqueline Mathews.
- PREP Classes Sundays 9:45-10:45 AM in Founders' Hall
- Registration: $30 per family
- DRE: Jacqueline Mathews (337-436-8093)
- Includes First Penance, First Eucharist, and Confirmation preparation
- RCIA and RCIC for children and adults
Youth Ministry
The parish hosts a youth ministry for children and teens ages 6-18, organized around the theme "Young Disciples Exploring Christ; Growing in Christ; and Becoming Christ Centered." Gatherings include spiritual, community and social activities for elementary and middle-school youth, with high-school youth invited to help facilitate. The program emphasizes service, sharing gifts, and growing closer to Christ.
- Ages 6-18
- Middle School and Elementary gatherings
- High School youth serve as facilitators
- Contact: Jacqueline Mathews at 337-436-8093
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Adults and older children preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church journey with the parish RCIA team. RCIA Adapted for Children (RCIC) is taught by Theresa Lavergne, and adult RCIA is coordinated by Pattie Marshall. Team members accompany those inquiring about the faith and contemplating membership in the Church.
- RCIA Team Members walk with inquirers
- RCIC taught by Theresa Lavergne
- Adult RCIA coordinator: Pattie Marshall
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at Immaculate Heart of Mary is directed by Ariana Christopher, who oversees the parish's music program across weekend and weekday Masses, Holy Days, and seasonal liturgies (including Adoration and Stations of the Cross during Lent).
- Music Director: Ariana Christopher
Outreach, Nursing Home & Diocesan Links
Beyond its own walls, Immaculate Heart of Mary extends ministry to residents of Tioga Manor with a nursing-home Mass on the 4th Thursday of each month at 10:00 AM. The parish website links parishioners to a range of outreach partners including Manna House, the Cenla Pregnancy Center, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services, and the Diocese of Alexandria Safe Environment program.
- Nursing Home Mass: Tioga Manor, 4th Thursday 10:00 AM
- Manna House (online donations linked from parish site)
- Cenla Pregnancy Center
- Diocese of Alexandria Safe Environment
- Catholic Charities USA / Catholic Relief Service
Getting Involved & Resources
The parish makes it easy to participate in its life: parishioners can sign up to give online, subscribe to the weekly bulletin, submit prayers and Mass intentions through the office, and engage in catechist or volunteer roles in PREP, RCIA, and youth ministry. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-12:30 PM, and contact is via phone (318-640-9446) or email [email protected].
- Online Giving
- Weekly Bulletin
- Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-12:30 PM
- Phone: (318) 640-9446
- Email: [email protected]