About Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission - Saspamco · Saspamco, Texas
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission in Saspamco is a small Roman Catholic mission church in rural Bexar County, Texas, united as one parish family with St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in nearby Elmendorf. Founded in 1923 for the Mexican immigrant laborers of the San Antonio Sewer Pipe Works Company, it has gathered the faithful of Saspamco for Mass continuously for a century. Today the mission is served from St. Anthony Parish in the Archdiocese of San Antonio and celebrates one Sunday Mass each week at 11:30 AM. It is sustained by an active Altar Rosary Society, the Guadalupanas devotional group, and the deep cultural and religious traditions of the founding families.
- Established
- 1923
- Patron
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Fidèle Okitembo Dikete
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
OLPH Mission is more than a Sunday obligation — it is a century-old spiritual home where the families of Saspamco have passed down the Catholic faith across generations. Worshippers join a small, close-knit bilingual community that still keeps beloved traditions alive, including Holy Week Passion reenactments, the annual Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on June 27, and the festivals and dinners organized by the long-standing Altar Society. Whether you are a lifelong parishioner, a returning Catholic, or a newcomer from the surrounding rural area, the mission welcomes you into one parish family with St. Anthony of Padua in Elmendorf.
Mass times at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission - Saspamco
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment at the OLPH Mission (Saspamco). Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM confessions are offered at St. Anthony Church in Elmendorf before the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass.
About Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission is the Catholic mission church of Saspamco, Texas, united as one parish family with St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in nearby Elmendorf. Both churches share a single pastor and staff within the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The mission celebrates one Sunday Mass each week at 11:30 AM and continues a century-old tradition of worship begun by Mexican immigrant laborers in 1923.
History of the Mission
The mission was founded in 1923 by Mexican immigrant workers of the San Antonio Sewer Pipe Works Company in the company town of Saspamco. Lorenzo and Victoria Gonzales donated the land, and Bishop Arthur J. Drossaerts celebrated the first Mass on November 13, 1924. Through the decades the mission grew in faith and in facilities: a new church was built in 1973–1974 and dedicated by Bishop Patrick F. Flores on March 3, 1974; a parish hall was added in 1978; a concrete parking lot was completed April 5, 1984; the church was remodeled; and a Religious Education Building was constructed in 1988.
- 1923 – Mission founded for workers at San Antonio Sewer Pipe Works Company
- November 13, 1924 – First Mass celebrated by Bishop Arthur J. Drossaerts
- 1955 – Formation of the Altar Society
- 1973 – Construction of the present church begins under Father Severiano Fernandez
- March 3, 1974 – New church dedicated by Bishop Patrick F. Flores
- 1978 – Parish hall blessed
- April 5, 1984 – Concrete parking lot finished
- 1988 – Religious Education Building constructed
- 2012–2019 – Father Andrew Kafara renovates the mission hall into a small chapel
Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The patroness of the mission is honored each year on June 27 with the Feast of Perpetual Help — a special celebration described by the parish as 'a time to honor the Mother who has watched over Saspamco for a century.' The icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help remains central to the devotional life of the mission.
- Annual Feast Day: June 27
Parish Staff and Clergy
The mission is served from St. Anthony Parish in Elmendorf. The current pastor is Rev. Fr. Fidèle Okitembo Dikete, a native of Kananga in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who began his ministry with the parish in July 2025. He is assisted by two deacons and lay staff, including a Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry and a bilingual bookkeeper.
- Rev. Fr. Fidèle Okitembo Dikete — Pastor (since July 2025)
- Deacon Michael R. Vrzalik (Mike)
- Deacon Dan Chavarría
- Marie Ortiz — Religious Education / Youth Minister
- Bookkeeper / Facility Use Coordinator (bilingual, hablo español)
Liturgical Ministries
The mission depends on lay faithful to serve at the altar and welcome the community. Full training is provided, and anyone is invited to step forward. Altar Society members care for the linens, flowers, and candles, while lectors proclaim the Word, Eucharistic Ministers assist with Communion, ushers provide hospitality, and the choir leads congregational song.
- Altar Society — Lead: Mildred Mozcygemba
- Lectors — Lead: Janet Vrzalik
- Eucharistic Ministers — Lead: Rick Skloss
- Ushers / Hospitality
- Choir / Music (cantors and instrumentalists)
Faith Formation and Youth
Religious Education classes are offered on Saturdays at 5:00 PM through St. Anthony Parish. A Youth Ministry and Youth Group are active in the parish family, and RCIA / OCIA is available for adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church or to receive the sacraments.
- Faith Formation — Saturday, 5 PM
- Youth Ministry / Youth Group
- RCIA / OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Two-year First Holy Communion preparation cycle
Devotions and Holy Week
The mission keeps alive powerful traditions that draw the community together each year. The Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on June 27 is a special time of Marian devotion, and Holy Week brings the community together for Passion Reenactments that meditate on the Lord's sacrifice.
- Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help – June 27
- Holy Week Passion Reenactments
Community Groups
Beyond liturgical service, the mission is sustained by parish societies rooted in faith and cultural tradition. The Altar Rosary Society and the Guadalupanas devotional group, along with the long-standing Altar Society (active since 1955), organize the festivals, dinners, and fundraising efforts that keep the mission alive.
- Altar Rosary Society
- Guadalupanas
- Altar Society (since 1955) – festivals and fundraising dinners
Visiting and Contact
Visitors and parishioners are warmly welcomed. The parish office can be reached by phone or email, and the parish's bilingual staff is ready to assist English and Spanish speakers alike.
- Address: 16505 Kilowatt Road, Elmendorf, TX 78112
- Mailing: P.O. Box 248, Elmendorf, TX 78112
- Phone: (210) 635-8539
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stanthony-olph.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Bishop Arthur J. Drossaerts1924
Celebrated the first Mass at the mission on November 13, 1924
- Father Severiano Fernandez1973–1978 (approx.)
Built the present church (dedicated March 3, 1974) and completed the parish hall in 1978
- Father Henry Martinezapprox. 1980s
Initiated the concrete parking lot (finished April 5, 1984), remodeled the church to its present appearance, and remodeled the Religious Education Building in 1986
- Father William McNamaraFebruary 1993 – June 2012
Native of Ireland; oversaw electrical renovations, new air conditioning, storage building, parking lot, sidewalks, hall breezeway, and paving; served 17 years
- Father Andrew KafaraJune 2012 – 2019
Native of Poland; pursued new rectory, foundation and roof repairs, parish hall and office renovations, and converted the OLPH hall into a small chapel
- Father Anthony MaleJuly 2019 – 2025
Native of India; installed tile mosaics of the patron saint and the Holy Spirit, painted the interior, refinished woodwork, and re-did the Altar Sanctuary floor
- Father Fidèle Okitembo DiketeJuly 2025 – present
Born September 18, 1970 in Kananga, Democratic Republic of Congo; youngest of nine children