About Our Lady of Grace · San Antonio, Texas
Our Lady of Grace is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of San Antonio located at 223 E. Summit Avenue in the historic Monte Vista neighborhood of San Antonio, Texas. The parish began in the early 1930s as a mission chapel of St. Mary's Church downtown, was elevated to parish status on July 30, 1952, and has served a diverse, family-oriented congregation ever since. Today it offers daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, a robust religious education program for children and youth, ACTS retreats, RCIA, marriage preparation, and a wide array of lay ministries. The current Parish Administrator is Fr. Abraham Antony.
- Established
- 1938
- Patron
- Our Lady of Grace
- Rector
- Fr. Abraham Antony (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
Our Lady of Grace is a welcoming, family-friendly parish in the heart of San Antonio's historic Monte Vista neighborhood, known for its intimate sanctuary, beautiful stained glass, and genuinely diverse community of ages and backgrounds. Daily Mass, a dedicated Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, ACTS retreats for men/women/teens, Bible studies, Young Adult Ministry (ages 21–40), a robust Religious Education program for ages 4 through high school, and active outreach through Walking With Moms in Need make it easy to plug in. A family-sized congregation where children are welcomed as 'the Church today' — not the church of the future — gives it the warmth of a small-town parish within a big city.
Mass times at Our Lady of Grace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM (prior to 5:30 PM Mass)
- Thursday: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM (prior to 5:30 PM Mass)
- Saturday: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM (prior to 5:30 PM Mass)
- Advent & Lent: additional Thursday 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM ('The Light Is On')
- By appointment — call the parish office at (210) 734-7285
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration Chapel — Adorers commit to one hour (or more) per week; contact Becky & Eli Prieto (210-725-2383, [email protected]) or Cecilio Rodriguez (210-723-6144, [email protected])
Parish History
Our Lady of Grace traces its roots to the early 1930s, when it began as a mission chapel of St. Mary's Church in downtown San Antonio. After property was purchased from the Oblate Fathers at St. Anthony's Seminary, construction of the sanctuary began; GCatholic records the original dedication on October 23, 1938. On July 30, 1952, Bishop Robert E. Lucio elevated St. Mary's Chapel to full parish status, renaming it Our Lady of Grace and appointing Father John Collins as the first pastor. The parish has remained a small but deeply rooted community in the Monte Vista neighborhood ever since.
- Early 1930s — Mission chapel of St. Mary's Church downtown
- October 23, 1938 — Original sanctuary dedicated
- July 30, 1952 — Elevated to parish status, renamed Our Lady of Grace
- Father John Collins installed as first pastor
- 1950s — Rectory, gymnasium, meeting rooms, nursery, and bride's room built
- 1956–~1969 — Bishop Steven A. Leven leads; sanctuary refurbished and religious education strengthened
- 1970s — Monsignor William C. Martin, V.G. leads; sanctuary remodeled with marble altar, new lectern, stained glass, and wood paneling; Madonna Room and Youth Center constructed
Ministries & Organizations
The parish runs a wide range of lay ministries spanning liturgy, music, hospitality, formation, and outreach. Members are encouraged to bring their gifts and talents to the community through service.
- Liturgical Ministries — Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Sacristans
- Music Ministry — vocal and instrumental musicians (contact Richele Rainosek, 210-844-3020)
- Hospitality Ministers — Ushers and Greeters (contact Kim Morrison, 210-317-2830)
- Rosary Prayer Ministry — monthly Scripture reflection and rosary (contact Greg Clary, 903-714-0232)
- Ministry of the Sick & Homebound — Communion to the elderly and homebound
- Parish Outreach — service activities (contact Roger Williams)
- Parish Guild — parish community life (contact Mardi Christenson, 210-818-9352)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education is offered for children from age 4 through high school, with a Sunday Morning Religious Education Program running during the school year. A Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass and a monthly Children's Mass at 10:30 AM are special programs designed to welcome young parishioners as 'the Church today.' RCIA and Adult Confirmation are available for adults seeking full initiation or completing their sacraments.
- Sunday Morning Religious Education Program — ages 4 through high school
- Children's Mass — first Sunday of each month at 10:30 AM during catechism season
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — during 8:30 AM Sunday Mass
- RCIA & Adult Confirmation — coordinated through the parish office
- Contact: Israel Manriquez, (210) 734-7285, [email protected]
Adult Faith, Retreats & Young Adults
Adults have multiple formation opportunities including parish Bible studies (using Ascension Press and Word on Fire programs), A.C.T.S. retreats (Adoration, Community, Theology, Service) for men, women, and teens, and a Young Adult Ministry for ages 21–40 focused on discipleship, fellowship, and almsgiving. Marriage preparation is offered through three-day retreat weekends covering Christian spirituality, Natural Family Planning, and communication.
- A.C.T.S. Retreats — annual retreats for men, women, and teens (contact Chris Claiborne, 210-904-4709)
- Bible Study — Wednesday studies and seasonal programs (contact Shelley Clary, 903-714-3889)
- Young Adult Ministry — ages 21–40, faith formation, fellowship, and almsgiving
- Marriage Preparation Retreat Weekends — for engaged couples throughout the year
- Walking With Moms in Need — parish outreach supporting expectant mothers
Sacraments
Our Lady of Grace celebrates all seven sacraments with parish-based preparation programs for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and the Anointing of the Sick. The Anointing of the Sick and Communion to the homebound are coordinated through the Ministry of the Sick & Homebound.
- Baptism — preparation through the parish office
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — through Religious Education
- Confirmation — youth program and Adult Confirmation via RCIA
- Marriage — required Marriage Preparation Retreat Weekends
- Anointing of the Sick — through Ministry of the Sick & Homebound
- Reconciliation — Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and by appointment
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
The parish is currently led by Fr. Abraham Antony as Parish Administrator, with Deacon George Wunder assisting in ministry. Over the decades, Our Lady of Grace has been served by a notable succession of clergy, including two bishops (Bishop Steven A. Leven and several who became Vicars General) and many monsignors.
- Fr. Abraham Antony — Parish Administrator
- Deacon George Wunder
- Fr. Martin Leopold — Pastor 2014–2020
- Msgr. Lawrence Walsh — Pastor 1997–2013
- Msgr. Terrence Nolan — Pastor 1995–1997
- Msgr. Raymond Garcia — Pastor 1983–1995
- Msgr. William C. Martin, V.G. — 1970s pastor
- Bishop Steven A. Leven — Pastor 1956–~1969
- Father John Collins — First Pastor, 1952–1956
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Collins1952–1956
First Pastor; oversaw construction of rectory, gymnasium, meeting rooms, nursery, and bride's room.
- Bishop Steven A. Leven1956–~1969
Served 13 years; strengthened religious education and oversaw sanctuary refurbishment.
- Monsignor William C. Martin, V.G.1970s
Led 1970s sanctuary remodel (marble altar, lectern, stained glass, wood paneling) and built Madonna Room and Youth Center.
- Reverend Monsignor Raymond Garcia1983–1995
Pastor.
- Reverend Monsignor Terrence Nolan1995–1997
Pastor.
- Reverend Monsignor Lawrence Walsh1997–2013
Longest-tenured modern pastor (16 years).
- Father Martin Leopold2013–2014 (Administrator); 2014–2020 (Pastor)
First served as Administrator, then named Pastor.
- Fr. Abraham Antony2020–present
Current Parish Administrator.