About Our Mother of Sorrows · Burnet, Texas
Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) parish serving Burnet and the surrounding Texas Hill Country as part of the Diocese of Austin. The parish shares its pastor and campus administration with the nearby Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bertram, forming the OMOS & HCC Catholic community. Rooted in humble beginnings—its first Mass was celebrated in an open field in 1938—the parish was formally dedicated on June 11, 1941 by Bishop Byrne of Galveston and remains an active, volunteer-driven faith community.
- Established
- 1941
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (Our Mother of Sorrows)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Jose Luis Comparán
- Diocese
- Diocese of Austin, Texas
Why belong here
Our Mother of Sorrows is a small, volunteer-driven bilingual Catholic community where members care for one another and the wider Hill Country through ministries that include a parish thrift store, a regional food pantry, CCD religious education for children, a youth ministry, the Knights of Columbus, the St. Ann's Sewing Sisters, and Prison Ministry. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish, with a weekday and weekend Mass schedule that includes the nearby Holy Cross Church in Bertram, giving families in Burnet, Bertram, and surrounding areas a true 'cluster' parish experience rooted in almost 90 years of missionary heritage.
Mass times at Our Mother of Sorrows
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Emergency: call the parish office to make an appointment)
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Adoración al Santísimo Sacramento del Altar, primer viernes de cada mes, de 11 AM a 12 PM)
- Every Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Cada miércoles de 8:30 AM a 7 PM)
Parish History: From a Field to a Faith Community
The story of Our Mother of Sorrows is rooted in the Hill Country missionary work of the 1930s. Catholic families in Burnet and Bertram had been traveling to Lampasas and Llano for Mass when Fr. Frederick Schmidt, then serving Lampasas, identified the need for a local church. The first Mass was celebrated outdoors in 1938 with members of the Castillo and Salazar families; within a year the Austin Diocese appointed Fr. William Roach, who secured approval for a permanent church. Bishop Byrne of Galveston dedicated the new building on June 11, 1941, and over the next decade devoted parishioners and other parishes donated the altar, statues, drapes, holy water fonts, bell, vestments, sanctuary lamp, votive candle stands, and rock work. The parish received its first resident pastor in 1954 and added a west wing in 1956. The Congregation of Holy Cross, after prayer and discernment, gave the parish its name, 'Our Mother of Sorrows.'
- 1938 — First Mass in a field with the Castillo and Salazar families
- 1939 — Austin Diocese appoints Fr. William Roach as administrator; approval granted to build a church in Burnet
- June 11, 1941 — Bishop Byrne of Galveston dedicates the new church
- 1950s — Donations of altar, statues, drapes, holy water fonts, bell, vestments, sanctuary lamp and votive stands arrive
- 1954 — First resident pastor
- 1956 — West wing added to the church
- Holy Cross missionary priests choose the name 'Our Mother of Sorrows'
Our Lady of Sorrows — Patroness & Feast
The parish takes its name from 'Our Mother of Sorrows,' the Marian title honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary's seven sorrows. The title was chosen by the Holy Cross missionary priests who founded and staffed the parish. In the universal Catholic calendar, the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15, the day after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
- Patroness: Our Lady of Sorrows (Mater Dolorosa)
- Feast day: September 15
- Connection: Congregation of Holy Cross — the founding religious order — holds Our Lady of Sorrows as a patroness
OMOS & Holy Cross: A Two-Church Catholic Community
Our Mother of Sorrows (Burnet) and Holy Cross Catholic Church (Bertram) form a single pastoral community led by Fr. Jose Luis Comparán. Holy Cross was founded in 1943 by the Congregation of Holy Cross, which had priests celebrating Mass in private homes around Bertram, Liberty Hill, and Leander as early as 1920. Holy Cross priests served the mission exclusively until 2005, when Bishop Gregory Aymond appointed the first diocesan priest to Bertram. The two parishes share ministries, volunteers, and many events; Holy Cross also runs the regional food pantry.
- Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2500 Hwy. 29 South, Bertram, TX 78605
- Founded 1943 by the Congregation of Holy Cross
- Mass in private homes around Bertram/Liberty Hill/Leander since c. 1920
- First diocesan priest appointed by Bishop Gregory Aymond in 2005
- Shared pastoral leadership: Fr. Jose Luis Comparán
Parish Staff & Office
Day-to-day operations are led by Pastor Fr. Jose Luis Comparán, supported by Administrative Assistant Gladys Arredondo. The office serves both OMOS and Holy Cross and is open during the published weekday hours.
- Pastor: Fr. Jose Luis Comparán
- Administrative Assistant: Gladys Arredondo
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday (hours listed on official site as 9–1)
- Phone: (512) 756-4410 or (512) 756-2323
- Fax: (512) 852-4730
- Email: [email protected]
Faith Formation: CCD & Religious Education
Our Mother of Sorrows offers a CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program for children and youth, with catechetical sessions at the OMOS campus. The parish frames this ministry as lifelong 'catechesis'—an interactive echoing of the Gospel that leads God's people into deeper communion with Jesus Christ. Registration and Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation) all require that families be active, registered members of OMOS or HCC, attend scheduled parent meetings, and attend weekend Mass as part of their spiritual life.
- CCD classes held at OMOS for registered OMOS & HCC families
- 80% attendance expected for the year to count as completed
- Altar Servers open to young men and women in 3rd–9th grade
- Adult Formation & Bible Study offered
- Religious Education information: (512) 756-4410
Youth Ministry
The parish youth program serves teens at both OMOS and Holy Cross with adult volunteer support and regular activities. Parishioners describe it as 'a great program' with twelve adult volunteers.
- Youth Ministry contact: Joe Noonan, [email protected], 512-913-6060
- Twelve adult volunteers supporting the program
- Open to teens from both OMOS and HCC communities
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgy is described by the parish as 'the lifeblood of the parish.' Ministers must complete a confidential online application with the Diocese of Austin and attend Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) training before serving. Both English and Spanish ministries are listed, reflecting the bilingual character of the parish.
- Lectors / Lectores
- Eucharistic Ministers (EMHC)
- Altar Servers
- Ushers / Hospitality
- Choir
- Flower Committee (Altar Floral Coordinator: Mercedes Vasquez)
- Altar Society
- Homebound Ministry
- Sacramental preparation teams for Baptism and Confirmation
Outreach & Charity: Thrift Store and Food Pantry
The parish runs two flagship outreach ministries that are entirely volunteer-staffed. The OMOS Thrift Store accepts and sells gently used clothing, footwear, small household appliances, dishes, cookware, and baby furniture, with all proceeds supporting parish works. The Holy Cross Food Pantry, operated out of Holy Cross in Bertram, serves families in need throughout Burnet and Bertram. The parish asks worshippers to 'buy one extra' non-perishable item each grocery trip and drop it in the collection bin by the church door (at OMOS) or the hall after Mass (at HCC).
- OMOS Thrift Store — Friday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM; Saturday 9:00 AM–12:00 noon
- Donations welcomed: clothing, footwear, household appliances, dishes, cookware, baby furniture
- Holy Cross Food Pantry (Bertram) — Wednesdays 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
- Additional pantry hours referenced on Thursdays 1:00–3:00 PM
- Food Pantry phone: (512) 355-2918
- Suggested donations: canned meat, macaroni & cheese, rice, beans, peanut butter
- Volunteer-staffed and supported
Other Parish Ministries & Groups
Beyond liturgy and outreach, OMOS & HCC support a wide range of parish groups that build community, serve the wider Church, and reach those on the margins.
- Knights of Columbus
- St. Ann's Sewing Sisters
- Prison Ministry
- Social & Hospitality Committee
- Festival Committee
- Parish Picnic (annual community event)
- Campus clean-up volunteer days at OMOS & HCC
Sacraments at Our Mother of Sorrows
The parish prepares members for the seven sacraments, with Baptism normally celebrated at one of the weekend Masses so that the wider community can welcome the newly baptized. Confirmation is prepared through the CCD program and parish life, and parents and sponsors both take part in preparation. Couples preparing for marriage should contact the parish office directly. Confession is regularly available on Saturday afternoons, and the parish asks anyone in emergency need to call the office to make an appointment. The Homebound Ministry brings Communion and pastoral care to parishioners who cannot easily attend Mass.
- Baptism — at weekend Masses; requires parent and sponsor preparation; family must be registered
- Confirmation — through CCD and parish life
- First Holy Eucharist — prepared through CCD
- Matrimony — preparation and scheduling by appointment
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:00–4:00 PM and by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick / Homebound visits — call parish office
Visiting & Getting Involved
Our Mother of Sorrows is located at 507 Buchanan Drive in Burnet, sharing its office with the Holy Cross campus administration. Visitors are welcomed at any Mass; bilingual worship is offered on Sundays. The parish invites involvement through its many ministries—from Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Choir to the Thrift Store, Food Pantry, St. Ann's Sewing Sisters, Knights of Columbus, Youth Ministry, and CCD catechists.
- Address: 507 Buchanan Drive, Burnet, TX 78611
- Phone: (512) 756-4410 or (512) 756-2323
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.omoscc.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omoschurch/
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) Sunday Mass schedule
- Volunteer opportunities for adults, youth, and families
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Frederick (Fredrick) Schmidtlate 1930s
Lampasas missionary priest who first identified Catholic families in Burnet/Bertram and celebrated the first Mass in a field in 1938 with the Castillo and Salazar families.
- Fr. William Roach1939 onward
Appointed by the Austin Diocese as administrator of the Lampasas and Burnet area in 1939; set about establishing a permanent church in Burnet, which was dedicated June 11, 1941.
- First resident pastor1954
Parish received its first resident pastor; west wing added to the church in 1956.