About Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church · Phoenix, Arizona
Most Holy Trinity Parish is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic parish in the Sunnyslope neighborhood of north Phoenix, Arizona, belonging to the Diocese of Phoenix. Established on November 1, 1951 under the then-Diocese of Tucson, it was first staffed by the Dominican Order, then diocesan priests, and since July 2009 has been served by the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), an international missionary society. The parish campus includes the main church (completed 1957), a school (founded 1953), a rectory (1962) and a convent (1967), and is known for its Marian-Trinitarian spirituality and active ministry fair.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- The Most Holy Trinity
- Rector
- Fr. Beau Schweitzer, SOLT
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Why belong here
Most Holy Trinity is a large, bilingual parish in Phoenix's Sunnyslope neighborhood that offers one of the most extensive Mass schedules in the diocese — six Sunday Masses (four in Spanish, two in English), daily Masses in both languages, and confession offered before every Mass. Under SOLT's Marian-Trinitarian spirituality, the parish emphasizes discipleship, the Eucharist, family, and a strong missionary identity, and pairs its worship life with a parish school, an active ministry fair, and outreach to migrants, the poor, and the surrounding community.
Mass times at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 7:30–8:00 AM, 9:30–10:00 AM, 11:30 AM–12:00 PM, 1:30–2:00 PM, 5:00–5:30 PM
- Monday: 6:30–7:00 AM and 6:00–6:30 PM
- Tuesday: 6:30–7:00 AM and 6:00–6:30 PM
- Wednesday: 6:30–7:00 AM and 6:00–6:30 PM
- Thursday: 6:30–7:00 AM
- Friday: 6:30–7:00 AM and 6:00–6:30 PM
- Saturday: 3:30–5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Listed on the parish website's schedule (Adoration shown in daily tabs alongside Mass and Confession; specific hours published at mht.org)
History
Most Holy Trinity traces its origins to 1942, when twenty-three Catholics gathered in a meat market at 7th Street and Dunlap in north Phoenix to celebrate the Eucharist. After the store was sold, Mass moved to a private home, then to a small chapel called the 'Mission of Our Lady of the Wayside' — a building that still stands on the present campus as St. Thomas Aquinas Hall. On November 1, 1951 the Bishop of Tucson formally established Most Holy Trinity as a parish under Fr. Neil P. McHugh, who purchased a 9.5-acre citrus grove on 7th Street as the future parish site.
- 1942: First Mass celebrated in a vacant meat market at 7th St. & Dunlap
- 1951: Parish formally established November 1 by Bishop of Tucson
- 1952: Citrus grove purchased as future site
- 1953: School breaks ground ($85,000, four classrooms) and opens with 129 students
- 1957: Present church building completed
- 1962: Rectory completed (now parish offices)
- 1967: Convent completed (now rectory)
- 2008: SOLT invited by Bishop Olmsted
- 2009: SOLT formally begins serving the parish (July)
- 2024: 70th anniversary of school and 15 years of SOLT celebrated with Bishop Dolan
Clergy & Religious Leadership
Since 2009 Most Holy Trinity has been served by the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), an international Catholic missionary society of priests, brothers, deacons, sisters and laity founded in 1958 by Fr. James Flanagan in Texas. SOLT members live an 'ecclesial family' spirituality in Marian-Trinitarian devotion. As of 2024 the parish was led by Pastor Fr. Al Abainza, SOLT, with Parochial Vicars Fr. Lauro Bejo, SOLT, and Fr. Dennis Mary Dugan, SOLT, assisted by four SOLT sisters — two at the school and two in the parish office. Fr. Beau Schweitzer, SOLT is listed by SOLT as the current pastor.
- Fr. Neil P. McHugh — founding pastor (1951)
- Dominican Order — early parish staff
- Diocesan priests — mid-20th century onward
- SOLT priests — since July 2009
- Fr. Miguel Noyola, SOLT — Parochial Vicar (appointed July 1, 2015)
- Fr. Zaldy (Al) Abainza, SOLT — Pastor (appointed November 13, 2020)
- Fr. Lauro Bejo, SOLT — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Dennis Mary Dugan, SOLT — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Beau Schweitzer, SOLT — current Pastor
Mass & Liturgy
Most Holy Trinity offers one of the most extensive bilingual Mass schedules in the Diocese of Phoenix, with six Sunday Masses — two in English and four in Spanish — plus Saturday anticipatory Masses and full daily Masses Monday through Saturday in both languages. Confession is offered before every Mass and at additional scheduled times throughout the week.
- Six Sunday Masses: 8:00 & 10:00 AM English; 12:00, 2:00 PM Spanish; 5:30 PM English; 7:00 PM Spanish
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM English, 7:00 PM Spanish, plus 8:00 AM English
- Daily Mass Monday–Friday: 7:00 AM English, 6:30 PM Spanish (Tuesday only Spanish)
- Adoration published on parish calendar
- Weekly bulletin available for download at mht.org/bulletin
Sacraments & Faith Formation
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments and welcomes both lifelong Catholics and those inquiring about the faith. The 'Welcome' page on mht.org explicitly invites new parishioners, returning Catholics, and those interested in becoming Catholic to register or begin the RCIA process.
- Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion
- Matrimony / Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation / Confession (before every Mass and scheduled times)
- RCIA / Becoming Catholic for adults
- Returning Catholics welcome process
- Parish School of Religion for children
Most Holy Trinity Catholic School
Most Holy Trinity Catholic School opened in September 1953 with 129 students in grades 1–6, founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. One of its original four teachers, Sister Dorothy Stang (then Sister Mary Joachim), later became famous for her work with poor farmers in Brazil, where she was martyred in 2005. The school has been operated alongside the parish by SOLT since 2009, with about 20 lay teachers and support staff and additional SOLT sisters assisting in the mission.
- Founded 1953 with 129 students in grades 1–6
- Original teachers: Sisters Dorothy Stang, Angelina, Paula Marie, and Ann Timothy, SNDdeN
- Grades 7 and 8 added in 1954–55 and 1955–56
- Operated since 2009 by SOLT priests and sisters
- Approximately 20 lay teachers, aides, secretaries, and counselors on staff
- Celebrated its 70th anniversary in May 2024
SOLT Spirituality & Mission
The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) is a society of apostolic life whose mission is 'to go into the world and make disciples of Jesus through Mary and bring all people into union with the Most Holy Trinity.' SOLT serves in missions across the world in parishes, education, evangelization, migrants and refugees, catechetics, ecumenism, drug addiction, prisons, healing, government, military, peace and justice, marriage and family life, youth, abandoned and homeless children, and the poor. At Most Holy Trinity, SOLT priests, brothers, sisters and laity live and serve together as an 'ecclesial family' witnessing to Trinitarian life.
- Founded 1958 by Fr. James Flanagan, SOLT
- Headquarters in Texas; serves in eight countries
- Arrived at Most Holy Trinity July 2009
- Marian-Trinitarian spirituality
- Apostolates: education, migrants, poor, evangelization, youth, family life
Parish Ministries & Getting Involved
Most Holy Trinity holds an annual Ministry Fair (Feria de Ministerios) where parishioners can sign up to share their time and talents. Fr. Al Abainza has publicly invited parishioners to 'follow that call from the Lord to share each of our gifts and talents' in building the Kingdom of God. Ministries follow SOLT's broader charism of ecclesial family service, with opportunities in worship, formation, outreach, and education.
- Ministry Fair / Feria de Ministerios (annual parish-wide sign-up event)
- Liturgical ministries (Mass, adoration, confession support)
- Faith formation / catechetical ministries
- Outreach to migrants, refugees and the poor
- Youth and family ministries
- School volunteer and parent ministries
Visit & Contact
Most Holy Trinity Parish is located in the Sunnyslope neighborhood of north Phoenix and welcomes visitors to any of its Masses or for confession during posted times. Newcomers, returning Catholics and inquirers about the Catholic faith can register online at mht.org or contact the parish office directly.
- Address: 8620 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020
- Phone: (602) 944-3375
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.mht.org/
- Confession before every Mass; weekly bulletin online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Neil P. McHugh1951–
Founding pastor; placed in charge by the Bishop of Tucson on November 1, 1951; purchased the 9.5-acre citrus grove site in 1952; oversaw construction of the school (1953) and the present church (1957).
- Dominican Order priests1950s
One of the first religious orders to staff the parish after its 1951 establishment.
- Diocesan priestsMid-20th century onward
Succeeded the Dominicans in staffing the parish.
- Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT)July 2009–present
Invited by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted in 2008; formally arrived July 2009; the third group of priests to serve the parish.
- Fr. Miguel Noyola, SOLTAppointed July 1, 2015
Appointed Parochial Vicar by the Diocese of Phoenix.
- Fr. Zaldy (Al) Abainza, SOLT2020–
Appointed Pastor effective November 13, 2020; leading pastor as of 2024 anniversary celebration.
- Fr. Beau Schweitzer, SOLTCurrent
Current Pastor, listed by SOLT as pastor of Most Holy Trinity Parish and School.